GENERAL PLAYDAY INFORMATION
Revised 2/24/2025

 

  • Every effort is made to have an "A", "B ", "C ", and "D " player in each foursome.

 

  • Blind Draw Procedure:  When a team is short one or more players, a "blind" player will be determined by the Playday Coordinator. (revised 2/12/25)

     

  • Handicap Limits:  Any member with a handicap index greater than 34.4 playing from the Green tees will be able to play in Playdays after paying the entry fee. However, their score will not be counted in the team score. Any member with a handicap index greater than 39.4 playing from the silver tees will be able to play in Playdays after paying the entry fee. However their score will not be counted in the team score. The Playday Coordinator will determine a blind. The player will benefit from the team 's ranking or winnings through use of the blind scores. The player 's handicap index will be capped at 34.4 and will be eligible for team winnings, low net, and skins. Playing Handicap will be capped at 36 max. (revised 2/12/25)

 

  • The Handicap for each player is shown on the pairing sheet and on the web site for each Playday. Handicaps are updated daily by the GHIN system. We will lock the handicaps used the afternoon prior to the Playday. All players should use the handicaps shown on the pairing sheet even though a newer one may be in effect.

 

  • Playdays are scheduled to start at 8:00 AM except in winter when we strive for a 9:00 AM start on Wednesdays and an 8:24 AM start time on Fridays. However, there could be delays due to cold or inclement weather. Players are encouraged to check the Indian Hills website (www.indianhillscc.com) or the pro shop after 7:30 AM if you suspect a delay. The Playday will be cancelled for any delay beyond 11:00 AM. The final decision to play or not is at the discretion of the Table Captain. (revised 2/12/25)

 

  • Each player will pay $5 to participate in the day's event: $3 to pay the team winners and low net for the day, $2 for the skins game. Participation in the skins game is mandatory.

 

  • The "A" player is generally designated team Captain, but anyone may function as the team Captain. The duties of the team Captain include the following:

     

    • MAINTAIN A PROPER PACE OF PLAY FOR THE TEAM.
    • When a team member is "out of the hole" the captain shall ask the player to pick up in order to speed up play and that player shall record a "probable score" for that hole but no higher than net double bogie (See below).
    • Monitor adherence to the "USGA Rules of Golf" and IHCC & SMGA local rules.
    • Record each player's gross scores to the official paper scorecard.
    • Record the team's net score for each nine holes based on the format for the day.
    • Post each player's gross score to the Golf Genius system and reconcile to the paper scorecard upon completion of the round.
    • Turn in the paper scorecard for the team to the table captain.

 

  • The maximum score for each hole played is limited to a net double bogey, calculated as follows:  Par of the hole + 2 strokes + any handicap stroke(s) that the player receives on that hole but no higher than NET DOUBLE BOGEY.  Example: If you get 2 handicap strokes on a par 4, the most you can post is 8:  4 (par of hole) + 2 (handicap strokes) + 2 to equal net 6 (net double bogey).

 

  • There will be two team winners for each nine holes played (first and second place). On some playdays there may be an 18 hole format or a single 9 hole format. If there are 28 or more players four winning teams will be paid. If there are 16 to 27 players, an 18 hole format with 2 winning teams will be awarded. Skins and low net will also be awarded on the 16 to 27 player playdays. (revised 2/12/25)

 

  • Skins are paid for 2 flights of players if there are less than 40 players. If there are 40 or more players, there will be 3 skin flights. The handicap break for Groups A, B, C and D are determined each Playday based on the number of players and the spread of handicaps that day. The value of a skin will be determined by dividing the skins money for a particular group by the number of winners in that group. (revised 2/12/25)

 

  • Team winners and skins winners will be posted to the Web site shortly after each Playday. Winnings will be available after the end of the month and may be collected from the table captain each playday after play has concluded.  

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  • Course conditions will dictate when we observe Cart Path Only. If we are Cart Path Only, players may play lift, clean, and place the ball one club length no nearer the hole, in the same conditions in the fairway. Adverse course conditions may warrant more lenient rules to include moving the ball in the rough. If not announced on the pairings sheet this condition will be announced to the players by the starter prior to the days play. Usually a sign indicating the change will be posted at the window of the starters shack. If we are allowed to ride on the course, play the ball down (as it lies) everywhere. Under no conditions, may a ball be moved in a penalty area unless another rule applies. The daily pairing sheet will indicate the current rules in effect for the movement of balls, and should be adhered to by all players.

 

  • Putting:  During Playdays, if a players ball is "in the leather" the next stroke is conceded to be holed. "In the leather" is defined as any part of the players ball that is inside the distance of the nearest part of the putter grip to the head when the putter in laying flat on the ground with the head inside of the hole.

 

  • Bunkers:  Wash areas in the bunker are considered Ground Under Repair and the ball may be lifted and dropped in the bunker without raking the bunker. Wash area is defined as an area where water has caused erosion of the sand creating gullies/troughs. An absence of sand due to rain does not constitute a wash area. In the case of water in the bunker the ball may be dropped in a dry area behind the water in the bunker. If no such place exists it may be dropped in the bunker where the maximum available relief is available, no closer to the hole. If no dry area in the bunker exists the ball may be dropped outside the bunker no nearer the hole with a one stroke penalty.

 

  • Mulligans:  Mulligans are permissible on the first tee only.  If a mulligan is taken, that is the ball in play. You do not have the choice of two shots and picking the better.

 

  • Rules Questions:  If not resolved by the players in the group, play two balls and announce which ball you would like to count if the rules apply, record both scores and obtain decision from the rules committee at the end of the round. (Stroke play only - Rule 20.1).

 

  • When a player's ball has not been found or is known or virtually certain to be out of bounds, Local Rule E-5 Alternative to Stroke and Distance is in effect. Click Here For More Information (1/1/2019).  When a player plays a provisional ball for a ball that may be lost of out of bounds, this local Rule cannot be used for the provisional ball played.

  • Playing from the Blue Tees on Regular Play Days

    • Effective January 1, 2024 any SMGA member who wants to play from the Blue tees is eligible. They should contact the Playday Coordinator to indicate their preference. However, once a member has elected to move to the Blue tees, he must play from there for the balance of the calendar year. To move back to the Greentees, the member must inform the Playday Coordinator by December for the following calendar year

  • Guest Policy

    • It is the policy of the SMGA to allow our members to invite guests to play with the group on our regular Playdays with the following understanding:

 

    1. Guests will be allowed to play with the group only if tee times are available after all members who wish to play have first been accommodated.
    2. Guests will not be allowed to compete in the daily competition. (revised 2/12/25)

 

  • Playday Signup, Change, Withdrawal and Cancellation Policy and Procedures

To Signup for a Playday:

  • Registration will be available via the SMGA Golf Genius portal beginning approximately 6 to 7 days prior to the Playday.
  • Registration closes approximately 11:00 AM on the day before the Playday. Pairings will be posted on the portal approximately 5:00 PM the day before the Playday. A running list of the entries received will be on the SMGA Golf Genius portal during the signup period. (revised 2/12/25)

 

To withdraw or cancel signup for a Playday:

 

  • Sign into the SMGA Golf Genius
  • Select Member Portal
  • Select Home and Select Round Signup
  • Select to Round to be cancelled and select Cancel
  • If registration is closed, go to Round Signup and select Send Message to Manager, send an email to one of the Board members, or call the Pro Shop before 8:00 AM 
  • Once you've withdrawn, you can sign up again, but you will be added at the end of the list.

 

 

  • NO SHOW POLICY

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Definition: A No Show is someone who is scheduled to play on a regular Playday and neither shows up to play nor notifies the group that he will not be there for his scheduled tee time.  A No Show will be billed the Playday fee for the first no show. The second time a player is a No Show, the player will be charged double the Playday fee.  The Third time and thereafter, the player will be charged triple the Playday fee. (Revised 2/24/25)

 

  • SLOW PLAY POLICY

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Teams are expected to complete their round and report to the table within 4 hours and 35 minutes from their tee time, or report to the table no more than 15 minutes behind the group in front of them. Failure to meet at least one of these criteria will result in a deduction of 10%, rounded up from the team's score with a minimum penalty of 2 strokes. This will be applied to both front and back 9 scores. For example, a team that was 20 minutes behind the team in front of them reports a score for one of the 9 holes of 73 in the Points scoring format. The penalty to be applied will be minus 8 points resulting in a score of 65. The 10 percent rounded up reduction will also be applied to the teams other 9 hole score in the same manner.
 

If you are asked by a marshal to skip a hole because you have fallen behind you shall score NO POINTS for any holes skipped. For handicap posting purposes you should post the score your handicap allows. e.g.: if you receive 2 strokes on a par 4 you would record a gross score of 6 .
 

As all members in a slow foursome are not slow players, it is expected the faster players will encourage their slow partners to speed up their play.

 

  • Insufficient Signups Policy

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If 16 members have NOT signed up by the time the Playday registration is closed, the Playday will be cancelled. Members are still encouraged to play and set up a game amongst themselves. (revised 2/12/25)
 

 

 

SMGA Monthly Tournament Information

 

See the Tournaments Page of this website

 

 

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​​​​​​​North Atlanta Senior Men's Golf Association (NASMSA)

 

  • The North Atlanta Senior Men 's Golf Association incorporates members from approximately 17 metro area clubs, including Indian Hills. A separate club hosts a monthly tournament beginning in March through October each year.  The final event is the NASMGA Championship. Indian Hills SMGA members who have joined NASMGA are eligible to play in any of the tournaments including the Club Championship.
  • The tournament schedule can be found on the Home page of this site and the Home page of the NASMGA site. Members will receive an email notice when NASMGA tournaments are open for registration.
  • Spaces are limited and these events usually fill up quickly. A standby list is maintained for each event.
  • In order to play in NASMGA events you must be a NASMGA member in addition to being an Indian Hills SMGA member.
  • Registration for their tournaments is done on the NASMGA website. There is a link to the NASMGA website on the Home page and on the Resources page of this site. All registrations, modifications, and cancellations are handled via the NASMGA website according to their rules and regulations.
  • If you need assistance with NASMGA events you can contact the SMGA NASMGA representative by sending a note to this link  NAS@ihsmga.org or calling the SMGA Board member assigned to NASMGA. That person is on the "About Us" pulldown menu.