The following Terms of Competition, together with any additions or amendments as published by the PSGS on the entry form, webpage on halfordhewitt.org, or at the golf course, have been adopted by the Committee for the purposes of Rule 1.3 in relation to the Halford Hewitt Cup.
1. Form of Competition
The Halford Hewitt Cup is an event for teams of 10 players. The form of play is scratch foursomes matchplay with each match consisting of five separate foursomes matches. If the outcome of the team match is not yet known and any match finishes all square after 18 holes, that match will continue from the first tee until one side wins a hole.
PENALTY FOR BREACH: Disqualification of both sides for that round.
2. Eligibility
Please note the following non-retrospective guidelines for eligibility in the competition:-
- Anyone under 18 on the first day of the competition will be ineligible.
- Contestants must have spent a minimum of 3 full terms or the equivalent of one full curriculum year as a pupil at a Hewitt participating school between the ages of 13 and 18.
- Entry can only be made from one school ad infinitum and it is considered against the spirit of the competition for a contestant to represent two separate schools in different competitions.
- Contestants must be a Member of their Old School Society or its equivalent.
3. Order of Play and Time of Starting (Rule 5.3)
The team and chosen order of play must be presented by the team captain or his representative to the Secretary’s office not less than 30 minutes before the match is due to commence. Under no circumstances will the team order of play or pairings be accepted over the telephone.
The time of starting for the first game of each match is shown on the Green Drawcard. Subsequent games are expected to start at 7 minute intervals. The player striking the tee shot at the 1st hole must present themselves to the Starter at the 1st tee 5 minutes prior to the time of starting. His / Her partner may wait in a position where the tee shot might be expected to finish, however they must be present on or near to the 1st hole when the tee shot is struck.
4. Pace of Play (Rule 5.6)
Players must play without unreasonable delay: play at a prompt pace and keep up with the group in front. Try not to take more than 40 seconds to make any stroke. By agreement between the sides, it is possible to play out of turn to save time. The maximum time allotted for the completion of 9 holes is 1 hour 30 minutes. Pace of Play Marshalls will patrol the course to identify gaps in play and encourage competitors to catch up. Marshalls are to be treated with respect and every effort is to be made to comply with their requests.
5. Provisional Ball (Rule 18.3)
A player who has gone forward to a position where he might expect his / her partner’s shot to finish may return to the tee to play a provisional ball under Rule 18.3. However the three-minute period for search for the original ball commences as soon as his / her partner or either of their caddies begins to search for it.
6. Suspension of Play Due to a Dangerous Situation (Rule 5.7b(1))
A suspension of play for a dangerous situation will be signalled by a single prolonged note of a horn. All other suspensions will be signalled by three consecutive short notes of a horn repeated. In either case, resumption of play will be signalled by two short notes of a horn, repeated.
7. Practice (Rule 5.2a)
Rule 5.2a is modified in this way:
A player must not practise on either competition course before or between rounds.
PENALTY FOR BREACH:
- Penalty for first breach: General Penalty (applied to the player’s side’s first hole)
- Penalty for second breach: Disqualification for that round
8. Advice (Rule 24.4)
Each team may name one advice giver whom players on the team may ask for advice and receive advice from during the round. The team must identify the advice giver to the Committee before any player on the team begins his or her round. The advice giver has the same status as a member of the side in relation to each member of his or her team.
The advice giver must not point out a line of play or walk on the putting green when the ball of a team player lies on the putting green.
Transportation
During a round, a player or caddie must not ride on any form of motorised transportation except as authorised or later approved by the Committee.
The Committee will apply the following guidelines when considering whether to give authorisation:
- The competitor must hold a valid Blue Badge and present it to the Committee.
- The supply of buggies is limited so the competitor must provide their own buggy.
- The buggy must not provide shelter from the elements and its speed must be restricted to walking pace.
A player who will play, or has played, under penalty of stroke and distance is always authorised to ride on motorised transportation should a marshal be on hand.
PENALTY FOR BREACH: The player gets the general penalty for each hole during which there was a breach. If the breach occurs between the play of two holes, it applies to the next hole.
Result of Match
The result of a match is final when it has been recorded in the Secretary’s office of the golf club where the match was held.
The Committee of the Public Schools’ Golfing Society
April 2026