Updated March 2019
For this tournament, all USGA rules will be in effect, except as they are modified by SoHG Tournament Guidelines and under local rules set forth and enforced by the tournament committee. Local rules modifications are intended to help contestants understand the issues caused by course design and conditions of the day.
Tournament Format
The winners will be determined by 36 holes of stroke play. Contestants must enter one (and only one) of the following divisions:
Open (Championship)
Senior (60-69)
Super Senior (70+)
Ladies
Please note: in each division there is a Gross and Reserve Division. Only those playing in the Open/Championship Division will be eligible to be named the USHO champion. Each division must have a minimum of four contestants. If four contestants cannot be achieved, the tournament committee will allocate applicants into an appropriate division prior to the first day of play.
The top three finishers in the gross competition – all divisions – shall be named 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the division. The net winners will be determined from the pool of competitors remaining. No player will be eligible to collect a medal in both gross and net competitions.
Tees and Course Length
Any player including Seniors, Super Seniors, and Ladies playing in the Championship Division for the overall title must play from the Championship Division tees. Note: Any player may declare into the Championship Division regardless of age or gender.
The following yardages should be considered a maximum length, but yardages may be shortened appropriately depending on the conditions and layout of the course. In no case will any course be lengthened beyond these limits for the Open by the local Tournament Committee without the approval of the Competition Committee. This holds true for all divisions.
Championship Division:
Gross and Net Divisions will play from a distance of no longer than 6,200 yards / 5,700 meters. It is expected that the maximum distance not be exceeded unless course conditions warrant – i.e. dry and hard – and only with the approval of the Competition Committee.
Senior Division:
Gross and Net Divisions (ages 60 to 69) will play from a distance of 5,200 to 5,500 yards / 4,750-5,030 meters. Unless conditions warrant – dry and hard – may that distance be exceeded and that change be approved by the Competition Committee.
Super Senior Division:
Gross and Net Divisions (age 70 and over) will play from a distance of 4,800-5,300 yards / 4,390-4,850 meters. However, should conditions warrant – dry and hard – that distance may be exceeded and such change approved by the Competition Committee.
Ladies' Division:
Gross and Net Divisions (all ages) will play from a distance of 4,200 to 4,500 yards / 3,850-4,120 meters. If this distance does not fit on existing tee boxes, placing tees in fairways is acceptable. Every effort is needed to find suitable teeing grounds – level and at appropriate angles to the fairway.
Rules of Play
The following rules shall be used for the United States Hickory Open.
Golf Club Equipment Guidelines
The U.S. Hickory Open follows all of the Equipment Guidelines found on the SoHG website. Any questions concerning the guidelines should be directed to Rob Ahlschwede, chair of the Equipment Committee, or the USHO tournament director.
Because the guidelines deal with pre-1935 equipment, most, if not all, equipment that was allowed before 1935 is approved for SoHG play. For example, there is no club limit; deep groove and other unusual clubs that were at one time legal for play are approved for SoHG play. The Society uses the term “hickory” but hickory is not the only wood used in shafts and any wood used for shafts is approved.
It should be noted that the guidelines permit the use of approved authentic replica clubs and also approved woods that have been retro-fitted with a wood shaft for play. The term “wood” in this case indicates the type of head, as pre-1935 “woods” were made not only of wood but also aluminum. The Society does not sanction retro-fitting irons for SoHG play.
Penalty for using non-conforming clubs is disqualification.
Balls Approved for Play
All USGA-approved golf balls.
All USGA-approved balls that have been “re-molded” to replicate balls and the surface patterns from the pre-1935 era. That could include bramble, square mesh, line-cut, vintage round, and others not listed. Balls offered by the McIntyre Golf Company, Tad Moore Hickory Classics, and the “Classic” ball offered by Brian Schuman, are all approved for play. The Classic ball is not remolded but manufactured with the Ralph Atti round dimple pattern that was developed around 1910.
Balls remolded by individuals are approved for play as long as the player can show proof that the ball is a USGA-approved ball.
Penalty for playing with a non-conforming ball is disqualification.
Pace Of Play
Players will be subject to penalty after one warning from the Tournament Committee or the Referee if they unduly delay play, or lose substantially more than their starting interval. (Rule 6-7)
Suspension Of Play
Will be signaled by one long blast of the air-horn. Play MUST be discontinued immediately, and all players should seek shelter. Balls in play must be marked with a tee upon discontinuing play. Play will not resume until the Tournament Rules Committee has so ordered by signaling with three short blasts of the air-horn.
Penalty for breach of rule: Disqualification
Scoreboard
Upon completion of the round, please immediately return signed scorecards to the Tournament Scoring Committee at the scoreboard.
Ties
A tie for first place in the Championship division will be decided by a sudden death play-off, starting on the hole designated by the tournament committee immediately following completion of the final round and continued until a winner is determined. Those tying for first place gross in all divisions will follow the sudden death procedure above to determine the winner. All ties for second and third in any gross division will be recognized and matching medals will be awarded.
In the net divisions, a scorecard playoff will be conducted. Those tying for net prizes will match score cards for the last nine holes, handicaps being used throughout. Lowest back nine total determines the winner of the score card playoff. If the tying players have the same score for the last nine, the winner shall be determined on the basis of the last six holes, last three holes, and finally the 18th hole. If this method is used in a competition with multiple tee start (shotgun start), the “last nine, last six, etc.” is considered to be holes 10-18, 13-18, etc. A reminder, as this is a net competition, handicaps should be used throughout this “playoff.”
Rules Decisions:
Only members of the Tournament Rules Committee or designated referees are authorized to make a rules decision. If in doubt as to how to proceed and a member of the Tournament Rules Committee is not present, play a second ball under Rule 3-3, and ask for a ruling when your round is completed.
Local Rules, if any, shall be posted well in advance of the competition and provided in writing to all contestants. This written notification should be contained in the “Rules Sheet” distributed prior to the beginning of play.
USGA Rules of Golf and Etiquette shall apply.