USGA Rules Changes Proposed

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Proposed USGA 2019 Rules

USGA has developed a number of rule changes that are out for review with a schedule to implement them as of January 1, 2019.  Some of these will help improve pace of play for everyone.

Golf Digest has “A comprehensive guide to the “New Rules of Golf”” – Click Here   This is a great summary of the proposed rule changes, simplified and illustrated.

PLEASE NOTE – These USGA rules are NOT in effect until 2019 as such are not part of Metro Seniors rules for 2017.    

Metro Seniors Rules 2017

Metro St. Louis Seniors Golf Association uses USGA rules, except where we make specific changes as listed in out Policies and Procedures and in the Tournament Rules Summary (page 13 in your 2017 Member Directory).

The Board has ruled that the we will immediately begin use of the flagstick rule – no penalty if your putted ball would hit the flagstick standing in the hole.  This is expected to help improve Pace of Play, reduced juggling of flagstick for ball off green and on green, faster ready putting.

The new flagstick rule is now being added to the Tournament Rules Summary (page 13 in your 2017 Member Directory).  A revised page will be available as soon final language is approved.

Future Metro Seniors Rule Changes – 2017 / 2018

The Rules Committee and Board have not had a complete review of all the proposed rule changes but will do so during the next months.  Where these simplify MSLSGA rules and meet the needs of our members, we will look at expedited implementation during 2017 and for the 2018 season.

Want to help – offer to join the Rules Committee, or consider running for a Board Position for your Division when they open.  Talk to your Division VP or Division Board representatives.

 

60 is Nifty Challenge – Registration Date extended to April 18

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None of the courses in the 60 is Nifty Challenge are scheduled for week 1 of the regular schedule, so the final date for registration has been extended to April 18.

You still have plenty of time to register, but time is running out.

Registration is through the Special Events form (online / credit card or paper / check) CLICK HERE

 

60 is Nifty – Hole Corrections for Member Directory

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We have two (2) hole corrections for the 60 is Nifty for your Member Directory (page 14).

  • Legacy – Par 5 – correct hole is #1
  • Spencer T Olin – Par 4 – Correct hole is #13

This was only in error on page 14 of your Member Directory.  Other posts and pages online were correct.

You can mark up your directory or if you wish, you can print out the following page to replace the version in your Member Directory.

60 is Nifty – Revision 3-26-2017

Download (PDF, 95KB)

Pace of Play – Blank Log Sheets Available

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New Pace of Play Log Sheets will be used for each weekly tournament starting this season.  This is really required as data improvement to really improve and enforce pace of play.

  1. Simplified and fasted data recording
  2. Faster data collection and analysis
  3. Published Pace Status in website and newsletters

The data is exactly the same as required on the Universal Score Card (USC).  But the USC is not available for analysis quickly.  Plus extra movement (mailing or collection) is added expense.  The USC will be the backup if Log Sheets get misplaced.

At Registration:

  1. Starters will have log sheet out and noted for Date/Course and weather or course conditions
  2. Tee Groups will fill in Member IDs on their start line as soon as they have their tee position

At Round Finish

  1. Scorers will have Log Sheet available
  2. Tee Groups will complete their line with Start Time, Finish Time and Scorer Finish Time
  3. Tee Group can also comment about round if times are unusual
    1. Sickness
    2. Cart problems
    3. Slow group ahead
    4. Whatever they think is appropriate
  4. Scorers will look over Official Finish Times for accuracy and then mail the sheet to Pace Committee

Tee Groups will only have to write Member IDs and Times – about 20 seconds each tee group.  Starters / Scorers simply make Log Sheet available and mail out.

Each Div Case will have Pre-Printed (Date, Course, Division) log sheets for each Tee and Shotgun start.  Plus blank sheets will be available.  Stamped, addressed envelopes are available.  Each sheet has instructions printed on the back.

Sample Blank Sheets are available.  Starters or VPs can print these out and set up manually before the outing if they wish.    The logs are different for Split Tee and Shotgun to more easily show the Tee Group order of play.  You can actually see your group status (Start/Finish) as you fill out the sheet.

Blank Pace of Play Log Sheets

Split Tee Start Log Sheet

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Shotgun Tee Start Log Sheet

Download (PDF, 97KB)

 

General Membership Meeting – Reminder

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General Spring Membership Meeting

Tuesday, March 21, 1:00PM

Kirkwood Community Center on Geyer Road.

  • Get your Directory, Division Roster, and Discount Card
  • Meet up with friends
  • Meet new Officers, Directors and Committee Chairs
  • Updates on changes for 2017
    • Max 9 Stroke
    • Changes to Starter/Scorer
    • Sign-up for Starter / Scorer
    • Pace of Play Improvements and Focus
    • Sign-up for Special Events and 60 is Nifty Challenge
  • First Tee Donations (CLICK HERE)

Pace of Play – Some Data (Division 1)

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Why is the 15 minute Gap so important?

Well, the gap time measures a tee group’s separation from the group immediately ahead. If there is more than about 15 minutes separation, the groups are separated by a full hole.

Once a group loses sight or contact with the group ahead, they sometimes lose their perception of pace and fall behind even further.

The following chart show the actual Play Time and Gap for Division 1 at all Tee Start courses for 2016.

  1. For most groups, the gap separation is less than 15 minutes – GREAT!
  2. If the gap is less than about 8 minutes, the group ahead may be slower and blocking
  3. The yellow highlight – gaps between 16 to 25 minutes – too slow but not critical.
  4. The red highlight – gaps from 26 to 50+ minutes.  These are very serious.
  5. The red highlights usually show a very slow time.
  6. The fast groups in the early tee positions show the course conditions
  7. Slow group early in the tee positions will slow and block several groups behind
  8. Unfortunately slow play problems are magnified on the Shotgun Starts (different data set)

Where were you in these groups?  What could you do to play faster/ keep up? Every group is responsible for enforcing pace of play within their group.

Bottom line:

  • A few slow groups can impact many groups on the course
  • Keeping Up with the group ahead (Minding the Gap) is very important

Everyone can have a bad round.  It is very important to shake off a bad hole or two.  And it is important to all of us for everyone to play quickly, and as a minimum stay up with the group ahead.

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2017 Board of Governors, Officers and Committees

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The 2017 Board of Governors, Officers, and Committees

These are member volunteers who are running your golf association.  Please take the opportunity to thank them for their efforts.  Our volunteers are a great group of guys focused on making the Association better every year.

We also welcome your participation.  Volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization.  We need committed, talented members to help make things better.  Volunteer as a Starter / Scorer or to help with the tournaments.  Join a committee and use your organizational, leadership or technical skills.  If you have technology skills (or want to learn), we can use your help on the website, newsletters, and more.

Every year we have openings on the Board of Governors for each division.  Throw your hat into the ring to represent your Division (talk to your VP or any officer).

Talk with any Committee Chair about helping their committee.

Download (PDF, 29KB)

Metro Seniors Donate to First Tee in 2017 – Membership Meeting

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Looking for a way to make more space in your garage or basement?
Get those extra golf clubs and old but usable bags and even used (or new shoes) to the Metro Seniors Member meeting on March 21 and make a donation to First Tee.  Maybe you can even get a tax deduction for 2017 for your donation.
Metro St. Louis  Seniors Golf Association has scheduled for First Tee to take your excess golf gear for use with their charity program for kids.
First Tee will be at the Kirkwood Community Center about 12:15 – 1:00 on Tuesday March 21 – right before the annual spring meeting.  Get there early, make your donation, and meet friends at your Division Table before the meeting.  Parking gets full early.
Donations of clubs, bags (no alcoholic wording), balls, tees, ball markers and slightly used (or new) shoes will be accepted.
Want more information about First Tee – CLICK HERE
With the 2nd Swing Club Donation Program you can put any of your old equipment to great use and make a huge impact. The value of your used clubs and equipment is sent to us as a cash donation.

HERE ARE A FEW TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR EQUIPMENT DONATION:

First Tee has an online donation form that includes a detailed valuation for lots of equipment.  If you use their form, you can get a detailed tax valuation summary for your donation.

Click here to get started.

  • When completing the donation form, fill in our chapter name to ensure the donation is directed to us (there are 165+ chapters so this is important!).
  • If you have equipment to donate that you cannot find in the system, add it to your shipping box and make a note in the “notes” section of the donation form.
  • You can also donate golf balls, apparel, golf bags, range finders, etc. 2nd Swing’s staff will process the items and contact you about their donation value.
  • When shipping your equipment to 2nd Swing, please print your FREE shipping labels and include a copy of your donation summary in each box. The donation summary can be printed directly from the website or from your email confirmation.
  • A donation receipt will be sent to you within 3-4 weeks of receiving the donation. Our chapter will receive your donation within a month.