HEB Course Rules & Etiquette

Thank you for choosing HEB! We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and hope that your playing experience is enjoyable.

Golfers are personally responsible for any and all damage caused from errant, negligent shots to people, homes and property!

The Rules of Golf as approved by the USGA and The R&A govern all play, except where modified by Local Rules.

LOCAL RULES

• Proper golf attire is required on the course and practice facilities.
• All players must have their own set of golf clubs.
• Out of bounds and property lines are defined by white stakes
  • Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds: USGA Model Local Rule E-5 is adopted in its entirety. The following is a synopsis:
    • When you have not played a provisional ball and your ball is not found or is virtually certain to be out of bounds, you may, for a penalty of two strokes, drop with a Relief Area.
    • The Relief Area is the area between a line from the hole through where your ball is estimated to be lost or go out of bounds and a line from the hole through the nearest point of the fairway, but no closer to the hole.
    • See USGA Model Local Rule E-5 for a more complete definition of the relief area.
• Penalty areas are defined by red and yellow stakes.
  • Provisional Ball for Ball in Penalty Area: USGA Model Local Rule B-3 is adopted in its entirey for hole 3. The following is a synopsis:
    • If a player does not know whether their ball is in the penalty area, the player may play a provisional ball.
      • When the original ball is found in the penalty area, the player may choose either to continue to play the original ball as it lies in the penalty area, in which case the provisional ball must not be played, or continue to play the provisional ball in which case the original ball must not be played.
      • If the original ball is not found within the three-minute search period or is known or virtually certain to be in the penalty area the provisional ball becomes the player’s ball in play.
      • See USGA Model Local Rule B-3 for a more complete definition of this local rule.
• Drop Zones on holes 12, 15 and 16 : Model Local Rule E-1.1
  • If a player’s ball is in the penalty area, including when it is known or virtually certain to be in that penalty area even though not found, the player has these relief options, each for a one penalty stroke:
    • The player may take relief under Rule 17.1, or
    • As an extra option, the player may drop the original ball or another ball in the dropping zone. The dropping zone is a relief area under Rule 14.3.
• Model Local Rule F-5
  • Purpose. When a ball lies anywhere other than on the putting green, an immovable obstruction on the player’s line of play is not, of itself, interference under Rule 16.1. Free relief is normally not allowed.
  • But if the aprons or fringes of putting greens are cut short enough that putting from off the green is likely to be a common choice of stroke, immovable obstructions that are close to the putting green may interfere with such strokes.
  • In that case, the Committee can choose to give an extra relief option under Rule 16.1 when a player’s ball lies in the general area and an immovable obstruction close to the putting green is on the player’s line of play.
    • Model Local Rule F-5.1
    • “Relief from interference by an immovable obstruction may be taken under Rule 16.1.
    • The player has an extra option to take relief when such immovable obstructions are on or close to the putting green and on the line of play:
    • Ball in General Area: The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b if an immovable obstruction is:
    • On the line of play, and is:
      • On or within two club-lengths of the putting green, and
      • Within two club-lengths of the ball.
    • But complete relief must be taken, which includes both physical and line of play interference.
    • Exception – No Relief If Line of Play Clearly Unreasonable. There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.
    • Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.“
• Model Local Rule F-5.2
  • Model Local Rule F-5.1 applies but with the following addition to the second paragraph:
  • “This Local Rule only applies when both the ball and the obstruction are in part of the general area cut to fairway height or less.” (Updated January 2026)

Golf Course Etiquette and Conduct Expectations

• HEB’s Pace of Play is 4 hours and 21 minutes or less for 18 holes. Please be aware of your position on the course.

Respect the Course:

• Fill your divots and repair your ball marks on the greens. Rake after bunker use.
• No cart may be closer than 30 feet of the green or 15 feet of a bunker.
• Carts are not allowed in the native grass and must stay on the paths around tees, green and all par 3’s.
• Report any accidents with golf carts ot the pro shop immediately.
• Carts must be driven in a safe and responsible manner at all times.

Respect your fellow players and Club employees:

• Do not hit into other players and apologize should it happen accidentally.
• You are essentially in the back yards of our residents – improper behavior and language will not be tolerated.
• Follow any instructions that a course starter or marshal may give to you.

Consequences:

• Any player not following our expectations will be given a verbal warning by pro shop staff with the option of removal from the course depending on the severity of the issue and if previous verbal warnings were given.
• Residents are encouraged to spot any violations of the rules and report them along with photos to the pro shop.

GOLF CART RENTAL & LIABILITY AGREEMENT

This Golf Cart Rental & Liability Agreement (the “Agreement”) is executed by the undersigned Operator in favor of the Golf Course, its owners, operators, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and agents (collectively, the “Course”).

Please read this carefully before booking. By confirming this tee time, you are waiving certain legal rights, including the right to sue the Course for injuries, property damage, or wrongful death occurring during or arising from your use of a golf cart.

1.  OPERATIONAL RULES AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

The Operator acknowledges and agrees to strictly adhere to the following rules and regulations while operating a golf cart on the Course premises:

• Valid Driver’s License: The Operator certifies that they are at least 16 years of age (or the minimum legal age required by the Course) and possess a valid, current government-issued driver’s license.
• Maximum Occupancy: The Operator shall not permit more passengers to ride in the golf cart than the vehicle’s designated seating capacity (typically a maximum of two (2) occupants per cart).
• Safe Operation: The Operator agrees to operate the golf cart in a safe, responsible manner, complying with all posted signs, trail markers, and verbal instructions from Course marshals or staff.
• Designated Paths Only: The golf cart must be kept on designated cart paths at all times, except where explicit rules allow driving on the fairways (e.g., 90-degree rule). Carts are strictly prohibited from driving on or near tees, greens, bunkers, and native high-grass areas.
• Sober Driving: Operating a golf cart under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any medication that impairs judgment, motor skills, or reflexes is strictly prohibited.
• Key Removal: The Operator agrees to turn off the engine, set the parking brake, and remove the key whenever the golf cart is left unattended.

2.  ASSUMPTION OF RISK

The Operator fully understands that operating or riding in a golf cart involves inherent risks, including but not limited to the risk of property damage, severe personal injury, or wrongful death resulting from rollovers, collisions with other carts or fixed objects, falling out of the vehicle, or being struck by golf balls. The Operator expressly, knowingly, and voluntarily assumes all such risks, both known and unknown, associated with the possession, operation, use, or maintenance of the golf cart.

3.  RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

In consideration for being permitted to rent and operate the golf cart, the Operator hereby agrees to release, waive, discharge, and hold harmless the Course from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, or causes of action for personal injury, property damage, or wrongful death, whether caused by the active or passive negligence of the Course or otherwise.

The Operator further agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Course from and against any claims, losses, costs, expenses, liabilities, or damages (including reasonable legal fees) brought by third parties arising out of or resulting from the Operator’s use, operation, or possession of the golf cart.

4.  FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE

The Operator acknowledges that they have inspected the golf cart prior to operation and agree that it is in good, working condition. The Operator assumes full financial responsibility for any and all damage caused to the golf cart, the golf course property, or any third-party property during the rental period. The Operator authorizes the Course to charge the credit card on file for the full cost of any repairs or replacement parts resulting from negligent or reckless operation.