Rules

Closest To Pin Locations – Weekly Tournaments

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The Division VPs have the primary responsibility for selection of the CTP holes and positioning (Forward and Back) for each weekly tournament.

Rick Hines, VP Division 5, has prepared a suggested CTP location for each weekly tournament that is included here.  (See Below)

We expect that most Divisions will be using these positions for 2017.  However, the VPs may make changes as they feel appropriate and will confirm via email to the Starters before a tournament.   Since most of our courses continue from year to year, we will make CTP changes as needed for new courses added to the weekly tournaments,

This will give you a peek before you get to the course.  Another resource for you.

Selection of the holes requires some thought to make this competition fair and challenging without picking holes that are excessively long or short.  We try to have both a Forward and a Back CTP on each of the front and back nine.  However, some courses don’t have a good layout.

Forward CTP Holes

  • 110 to 115 Yards Average
  • 145 Yards Max
  • 83 Yards Min

Back CTP Holes

  • 140 to 145 Yards Average
  • 165 to 170 Yards Max
  • 100 to 105 Yards Min

Six courses will have both the Forward (Red) CTP and the Back (Yellow) CTP on the same hole.  This is to prevent having exceptionally long or short holes.  For example, not many players can make the 190 yard par 3s at The Prairies or Florissant or the 225 yard 18th at Normandie.

The STARTERS are not required to select the CTP holes.  They will use the VP email instructions or use the suggested CTP holes and position in the spreadsheet.    However, STARTERS will still prepare the CTP Cards for the selected holes and get these to the first group or the hole assigned group.  This can be done a day or two  BEFORE the outing.

We will simplify the Starter’s Instructions and delete the detailed description on selecting Closest To Pin locations for each weekly tournament.

Suggested CTP for 2017 Weekly Tournaments

Download (PDF, 35KB)

 

Maximum 9 Stroke Rule Changes

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To help improve our Pace of Play, Metro Seniors is adopting a maximum  stroke rule starting with the 2017 season.

Players are to take and score no more than 9 strokes (strokes plus penalties) on any hole for any Metro Seniors tournament.  Players are not required to putt out holes where stroke count is already 8.

Why Max 9?

Intent 

  • Prevent out of control hole from holding up your group and groups behind
  • Minimal impact on scores most scores
  • No impact on handicaps
  • Virtually no impact on flight prizes

Play and record no more than a maximum Nine (9) strokes (actual + penalties) on any hole.  As soon as it is reasonably expected that score will be at least 9 (or more), pickup, move out of play area, and score 9.  Help others in your foursome to speed their play.

Examples

  • 3 into water off tee on a par 5. Hitting 7th on Tee. Player should pickup there, score 9 and move out of play to speed others and help others where possible.
  • Lying 6, 150 or more yds from hole, maybe pickup and score 9 and help others.  Do you really think you can hole out in 1 or 2 more strokes?
  • Lying 8 on green – don’t finish, pickup and score 9
  • Lying 7 on green – Must Putt one to try for 8, then pickup and score 9

Using Max 9 wisely will help you, your group, and the groups behind you.

 

In Policies and Procedures and for the Tournament Rules and Regulations

The official wording will be:

Section 6 – Putt Out Holes

Members are required to putt out on each hole at all tournaments except if the hole score is known or reasonably expected to be MORE THAN EIGHT (8) STROKES for that hole. Failure to Putt Out for any hole with a total score of 8 or under will result in disqualification for that round.

Section 7 – Maximum Hole Score of Nine (9) to speed Pace of Play

To speed Pace of Play, Members are to play and score no more than nine (9) strokes on any hole including all actual strokes and penalties. When it is known or reasonably expected that the Member’s hole score will be MORE THAN EIGHT (8) STROKES on any hole, Member is to:

  • Immediately STOP play on that hole
  • Pickup ball
  • Move toward the next hole
  • Assist other Members in speeding play for that hole
  • Record nine (9) strokes for that hole.

Member must NOT PUTT OUT for this hole.

 

Pace of Play Update – January 2017

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The Board of Governors reviewed and approved the Pace of Play Action Plan for 2017 as recommended by the Pace of Play Committee.

The summary of findings for the 2016 season were posted here in December (CLICK HERE).

Action Plan Elements

  • Expectations – What is Expected or Target Pace?
  • Education – What makes up Pace? Rules! Ready Golf!
  • Measures and Data – Improved data collection and measurements
  • Rules – Rules can improve Pace!
  • Enforcement – Slow Groups/Members

This website, newsletters, emails and meetings will be used to Educate and Inform our members.  More on the many moving parts as time goes on.

We will be measuring, analyzing, and reporting Pace of Play throughout 2017.  Starting June 1, we will begin enforcement for “slow play”.  This will include warnings, and remediation efforts, and if necessary expulsion of members.

EXPECTATIONS FOR 2017

  • Members
    • Play to best competitive effort, with courtesy and respect for others
    • Follow all rules
    • Manage their group to “Meet Pace” and “Keep Up” with group ahead
  • Pace of Play Targets for 2017
    • 4 to 4 1/2 hours Tee Starts
    • 4 1/2 to 5 hours Shotgun Starts
    • Course, conditions, organization, member capability
  • VP/Board/POP Committee
    • Manage Pace fairly and consistently
    • Set and communicate clear Standards / Rules
    • Measure and communicate status and results
    • Enforce
      • Identify “Slow Play” groups/members
      • Gain Improvements

RULE CHANGE – Maximum of 9 Strokes on any hole

All players will be required to take no more than 9 strokes on any hole.  This will prevent a “blow-up” hole from slowing a group and all behind them.  It will reduce only about 15 to 30 strokes per round but these are concentrated in our slowest players and groups. Pace for our slowest players (and those following) should improve by several minutes per round.

The Max 9 rule will not make any differences in handicaps, in flight prize money, in flight standings, or in qualifications for the league championship.

Everyone who has a bad hole may and should take advantage of the Max 9 rule.

DATA and MEASUREMENT – New Pace Log Sheet

We will continue using our Scorecards.  However, we will add a simple Log Sheet for times.  This will allow faster and simpler data collection and analysis.

Starters/Scorers instructions will be simplified to help.  The Logs will be completes as part of registration and Scorecard completion.

DIVISION MENTORS

We will work to expand the Mentors program used in Division 3.  Mentors will help new players get started, understand rules, requirements for Pace of Play, and regular play.  Mentors may also help with “Slow” players or groups.

ENFORCEMENT SLOW PLAYERS / GROUPS

Groups that are consistently slow will be identified, asked to improve, and as needed disciplined or asked to leave the league.

Slow Groups are:

  • Significantly over the target pace and/or average pace for the outing (>20 minutes)
  • Not Keeping Up with the group ahead (<15 minutes behind)
  • Warnings will be issued
  • At 3rd warning in the season, membership may be revoked

Scorecards – Scoring Problems and Solutions?

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Just how important is our Universal Scorecard?  It is almost everything.

It is the only way that your score is recorded.  It is the basis for your handicap.  It is the proof that you actually won your flight (or not).

It is also the basis for measuring our Pace of Play, but more on that later.

So why is it that we have so many errors, omissions, and simply unreadable scorecards????

For 2016 (Division 1 Data)

  • 40% of our Members (50 members) had score errors on Scorecards
  • 12 Members had errors on multiple outings
  • 2 Members had errors on 4 separate outings
  • Only 1 play date was free of score errors – Far Oaks
  • Many of the scorecards were almost unreadable

Why is it IMPORTANT?

  • Your score, handicap, flight, flight prizes, and invitation to championship.
  • It takes extra time ($) for outside service to find, fix errors.

 

Why do we have the problems? It is really simple! We are sloppy!

  • Poor Handwriting – really hard to read
  • Bad Pencil – too light to read
  • Bad Math
    • Totals Incorrect
    • Could Not Read Hole Scores

How to Fix?

  • Get a GOOD Pencil or Pen – we have lots at the course
  • Get the best scribe in group to write
  • Have each in group add up scores, especially their own
  • Check scores and math on course card FIRST, then transpose to Universal Scorecard
  • Take a minute or so to make it Right First Time!

Pace of Play – How to Improve for Metro Seniors

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Pace of Play on the golf course is almost always a hot topic.  Everyone wants a speedy rounds.

And we can easily see the problem as “the other guys” in the group right in front of us.  Remember the group immediately behind you can only see you.  So maybe we are all part of the problem.

SLOW PLAY is the real sore point.  What causes SLOW PLAY?  There are many contributing factors.  Metro St. Louis Seniors Golf has to work with all the factors to give members the best possible experience.

  1. Course Conditions, Rules, and Equipment
    1. Course Design and Difficulty
    2. Course Maintenance
      1. Long Rough
      2. Leaves on Fairway and Rough
    3. Slow Carts or Bad Cart Paths
    4. Rain Delays or Wet Conditions – Path Only
  2. Tournament Conditions and Rules
    1. Individual or Team Competition (Scrambles)
    2. Tees Selected by Metro Sr and by Individuals
    3. Shotgun or Tee Order Starts
    4. Out of Bounds and Lost Ball Rules
    5. Number of Golfers
  3. Player Ability
    1. Short Hitters = More Strokes, More Time
    2. High Handicaps = Higher potential for lost balls, searches, penalties
  4. Player Behavior
    1. On Course Time Management
    2. Ready Golf
    3. Time Wasters
    4. Player Etiquette

What does Metro Seniors do to improve tournament pace of play?

  • Select Courses With
    • Design, Distance, Difficulty that mesh with Members’ Capability
    • Reasonable and Consistent Maintenance
    • Good Management
  • Set Rules that help maintain Speedy Play while offering Fair Member Competition
    • Tees Selection (Distance, Rating, Slope)
    • Division Number and Size – Smaller number of golfers for each tournament
    • Tournament Rules for Lost or OB Balls or special situations
    • Start Type – Shotgun or Split Tee Starts (#1 and #10)
    • Monitor Tee Group Times and Separation Gaps on Scorecards
  • Set and Communicate Metro Seniors Pace of Play Targets and Standards
    • Weekly Tournament and Special Events Targets
    • Course Pace of Play Targets
    • Measure and Communicate Member, Division
  • Encourage Pace of Play Improvements 
    • Record Scores, Calculate Handicaps, Flights
    • Encourage Short Hitters and High Handicaps to “Move Up”
    • Educate and Promote READY GOLF
    • Recognize “Model” Players and Groups
    • Mentor New Members and SLOW MEMBERS
  • Enforce Pace of Play Rules and On Course Corrections 
    • Slow Group Notification, Penalties on Course
    • Slow Group Weekly Warnings
    • Apply Board Sanctions
  • Monitor Tournament Play for the Season
    • Member Survey for Good/Bad Courses
    • Member Attendance, Times, Scores
    • Course Feedback

Member Ability/Behavior is the “last” and probably the most visible element of Pace of Play.  It is very important.  We are all involved.  AND we can all contribute by helping, encouraging, and modeling good behaviors for slower players.  With everyone’s cooperation we will improve everywhere.

Metro Seniors will act fairly and consistently to enforce our rules for Slow Play when significant and consistent problems are identified.

 

 

Pace of Play Update Dec 2017

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Pace of Play Committee has been working hard.

  • Two meetings in Dec 2016
  • Significant Analysis and Review of 2016 Actual Play Times Data
  • Lengthy Discussion of Ideas for Improved Pace of Play
    • Significant, Measurable, and Enforceable
    • That will be Supported by Members
    • Reflect Actual Data
    • Focused Implementation – Significant Few
  • Follow-up Meeting in January and Recommendations to Board
    • Rule Changes (Tournament and Enforcement)
    • Education and Promotion Program
    • Improved Measurements and Enforcement with 2017 Season

FAQ on Pace of Play 2017 – Click Here

 

MOST IMPORTANT

Our Review SHOWS:

  • Most Members can and are playing quickly
    • Our fastest players are regularly in the 4 hours to 4 1/2 hours.
    • Most groups are Staying Up with the group ahead with short separation times.
  • Split Tee Starts have faster finish times than Shotgun Starts
    • Full Season Average Split Tee Finish was 4 hr 49 min.
      • First Groups Off = 4 hr to 4 hr 30 min (20 to 30 min faster than “average”)
      • Late Groups Off = 5 hr to 5 hr 20 min  (20 to 30 min slower than “average”)
    • Full Season Average Shotgun Finish was about 5 hr 14 min.
      • Fast Groups = about 4 hr 40 min
      • Slow Groups = over 5 hr 30 min
    • Shotgun have doubled tee starts (A/B), closer groupings, more players (slower play)
  • Longer Pace of Play Focused in 10% to 15% of Members/Groups
    • Usually 1 to 3 Groups Per Outing
    • Affect (slow down) 3 to 5 groups immediately following
    • Includes B, C, and D Flight Players/Group
    • Methods to Improve Slowest Groups (Education, Encouragement, Enforcement)
  • Scorecard Time Data Collection must be improved
    • Sloppy Handwriting
    • Bad Times between Scorers and Tee Group (Education, Training, Enforcement)
    • Faster Reporting to VPs
  • On Course Corrections Are Needed for Enforcement
    • Identify, Encourage, Enforce on Slow Groups on Course
    • Get Groups to Self-Enforce on a Slow Player
    • Fix Problems BEFORE Everyone is Affected
  • Encourage Members with Clear Targets, Goals and Motivation for Pace of Play
    • Everyone Can Improve
    • Education and Information for All Players
      • Target Pace of Play by Course
      • Target Current Slower Players and New Members
      • Ready Golf
      • Rules Use for faster Play
    • Communicate Status of Pace of Play

FAQ on Pace of Play 2017

Download (PDF, 136KB)

What Tee To Play From??????

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To play “Forward”, or not to play “Forward”, that is the question: Whether ’tis Nobler in the mind to suffer. The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune of lost balls, OB, and more strokes for the Back Tees, Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles, while playing Forward for fewer strokes, more fun, and shorter rounds.

Forward Tees or Back Tees really is The Question that Metro Senior Golfers must resolve. We have now opened up tee selection for all Flights A- D.

We are seniors and don’t get the distance (or accuracy) that we remember? So playing Forward is a real strategy to play better golf, focusing more time and energy on what we still can do well.

Why Play Forward?

More Fun

  • Do you really LIKE looking for balls?

  • Shorter Approach Shots

  • More action where the putts and short money shots reside

Better Scoring

  • Reducing the Yardage by 500 to 600 Yards can easily reduce 2 to 4 strokes from your game.

Faster Play

  • Fewer strokes, less time and delays

  • Fewer lost and OB balls, and less searching

  • Yes, we do enjoy our time on the course, but not waiting for you or anyone else?

Want to find out what tees you should be using?

  • How does your AVERAGE driver yardage guide tee selection?
  • How does handicap guide Tee Selection?
  • How does your average 5 Iron yardage help you pick tees?
  • Tee selection based on how you play Par 3 and 4 holes?

Want to find how many played from forward tees by flight?

  • Or why your buddies are beating you (could it be that they are playing forward?)?
  • How many strokes are lost by playing Back?
  • Maybe you could break 100 by playing Forward?

Read the following for this and perhaps more.

Download (PDF, 85KB)

 

 

 

More Pace of Play Information Available

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More information and resources have been added to the website on Pace of Play.

Understanding Pace of Play is the first step in making improvements.  Although issues like Course Design and Maintenance are not in our control, each of  us can make changes that can lead to faster play for us, our group and for everyone on the course.

Unfortunately, one individual or foursome can slow everyone down.  So, we need everyone to think how we each can improve.  Then we can help others.

CLICK HERE for the resources and references.

Want to Play Rounds in Less than 4 Hours?

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Here are some resources that will help you speed up your golf.  All are easy, and common sense (that is never really so common). Pace of Play is a continuous improvement program.  Everyone can get better. Practice make perfect.

CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW TO PLAY IN 4

As much as 75% of time on the golf course is not golf at all, it is moving to the shot!  If you reduce the “moving” time you will play faster.

Think about you game and how you can improve!  Think about your groups’ game and how you can help them improve!  Recommend these to a “slower” friend and show them how it is done.

If we all individually strive to improve our own game, we will improve AND we will help others improve,

Here are more ideas on Pace of Play.  Read them. Print them out. Share them with your foursome or perhaps other slow players.  It will help them focus on the major time wasters. They can’t get better if they don’t know how!

Download (PDF, 88KB)

Download (DOC, 479KB)