Belle Haven Four-Ball Tournament Rules and Policies
The Rules of the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the following additional rules and terms will govern play. Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for a breach of a rule or term is two strokes.
ROUNDS
The event consists of three 18-hole rounds. The final round may be split into two 9-hole rounds. If so, an announcement will be made before play begins.
TEE AREAS
● Regular Division – Black tees approximately 6800-7000 yards
● Senior Division – Blue tees approximately 6500 yards
TIME OF STARTING
Players must start at the designated time and location set by the Committee.
● If both players arrive late but within five minutes, they receive a two-stroke penalty on the first hole.
● If one player is late within five minutes and the partner has not teed off, the late player incurs a two-stroke penalty.
● If one partner has teed off and the other is late, the late player may only join the group between holes.
● If both players are more than five minutes late, the team is disqualified.
● Exceptions may be made for exceptional circumstances as determined by the Committee.
SCORECARDS
● The marker must record only the score of the partner whose score is to count for each hole.
● Scores must be individually identifiable.
● A scorecard is official once returned to the scorer’s table and the player leaves the scoring area.
● Scoring will utilize Golf Genius and live scoring is mandatory for all teams
TOURNAMENT ADMINISTRATION
● Executive Committee: Rob Menefee, Michael Gaffin, Tom Riley, Michael Kirby, Brandon Cigna
● Tournament Committee: Belle Haven Country Club Director of Golf John Kauzlarich, the Belle Haven Golf Professional Staff, and any other members designated by John Kauzlarich
EQUIPMENT & COURSE POLICIES
● Footwear: Metal spikes are prohibited. Violation results in disqualification.
● Golf Cars: Must follow path restrictions.
● Distance-Measuring Devices (DMDs): Permitted, but devices measuring elevation or wind speed are prohibited. The first offense results in a two-stroke penalty; the second offense results in disqualification.
CUT POLICY
● Regular Division: Top 30 teams plus ties advance to the final round.
● Senior Division: Top 14 teams plus ties advance.
● If 36 holes are not completed, the Committee will determine the qualifying score and methodology for the final results.
TIES & COMPETITION CLOSURE
● First-place ties: Decided by a sudden-death playoff.
● All other ties: Prizes are divided equally.
● The competition is considered closed once results are officially announced.
PACE OF PLAY POLICY
Each group is expected to complete the round in 4 hours and 30 minutes.
A group is out of position if:
● It exceeds the allotted time AND
● Fails to keep pace with the group ahead
Players must know their status. Officials will:
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Warn the group if they are out of position.
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Begin timing individuals if no improvement is made.
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Penalties for slow play:
○ First bad time: Warning
○ Second bad time: One-stroke penalty
○ Third bad time: Two-stroke penalty
○ Fourth bad time: Disqualification
All penalties apply to the player, not the team. Appeals must be made immediately after the round to the Committee Chair, whose decision is final.
RULINGS
If a player is uncertain about a rule, they should:
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Play two balls under Rule 20.1c(3) and declare which ball they intend to count before playing either.
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Report the situation to the Committee before submitting the scorecard.
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If immediate assistance is required, call 703-329-5264 for an official. Cell phones should be turned off at all other times.
COURSE CONDITIONS
● The ball must be played as it lies, except where otherwise stated.
● Ground under repair is marked by white lines.
● Flower beds and mulched areas are not ground under repair.
Practice Areas:
● Left of #11 green, the driving range, and the area bounded by #1, #8, and #9 are considered part of the course.
● Players may not practice in the area bounded by #1, #8, and #9 during the tournament.
Out of Bounds: Defined by boundary fences and white stakes. Specific locations include:
● Parking lot left of the first tee
● Clubhouse behind the 18th green
● Tennis courts and maintenance area near holes #6, #7, and #8
Embedded Ball Rule: Free relief in the General Area (Rule 16.3). Exceptions apply for:
● Balls embedded in sand in areas not cut to fairway height.
● Situations where interference makes a stroke unreasonable.
ADDITIONAL RULES
● Seams of Cut Turf (MLR F-7): Relief is available under Rule 16.1b.
● Accidental Ball Movement on Putting Green: No penalty (Rule 13.1d(1)).
● Repairing the Putting Green: Permitted for most damage but not for natural wear, weeds, or aeration holes (Rule 13.1c(2)).
● Wrong Putting Green: Mandatory relief (Rule 13.1f).
● Penalty Areas: Defined by red and yellow stakes and lines.
● Loose Impediments in Bunkers/Penalty Areas: May be removed (Rule 15.1a).
● Integral Parts of the Course: Includes any attachments to trees and walls in penalty areas.
● Optional Dropping Zone (Hole #6): If a ball is in the penalty area, players may either proceed under Rule 17 or drop in the designated dropping zone with a one-stroke penalty.
DISCONTINUANCE OF PLAY
● If play is suspended for a dangerous situation, players must stop immediately.
● All practice areas are closed until the Committee reopens them.
● Belle Haven CC has an automatic weather alert system. Suspension signals:
○ One prolonged horn blast: Stop play immediately.
○ Three short horn blasts: All clear.
○ Two short horn blasts: Resume play.
WEATHER & RAIN DELAYS
In case of inclement weather, updates will be posted on the Belle Haven Fourball Website and emailed to participants.