Updated February 10, 2012

SIR 146 GOLF RULES & GUIDELINES

 

All subjects appearing on this page have been approved by the SIR Branch 146 Golf Committee.  The 2011 members of the Golf Committee are Frank Rockwell (Chair), Joe Fuchs, Bill Laws, Pete McNeill, Dick Richmond, David Steinberg, Ray Weisz.

 

       I.      TUESDAY GUIDELINES

  1. Branch 146 has a standing 9:15 a.m. tee time at Boundary Oak Golf Course
  2. Golfers are out there to have FUN
  3. All golfers are eligible to play if a member of Branch 146 or a guest
  4. To assist  in this goal, tee times will be scheduled for participating golfers
  5. Everyone is ASSUMED to be PLAYING
  6. If a golfer is unable to play, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED They notify the golf committee by THURSDAY at
    1. Email sir146golf@gmail.com  OR
    2. By the sign out sheet provided for golfers at check in, the list of players scheduled to play will be posted by Thursday evening at www.sir146.com/tuesday_golf.html
    3. For most Tuesdays, Times and Pairings are created randomly giving everybody a chance to play with everyone else.
  7. Over the weekend, additions and cancellations will occur (other obligations sometimes arise)
  8. Sunday evening FINAL tee times and pairings will be posted on the web.
  9. These times and pairings are also emailed to the Boundary Oak Pro Shop.
  10. Late Cancellations will occur but these should be MINIMAL
    1. These golfers are subject to late tee times the following week
  11. No Shows
    1. If you do not show up for a Tuesday event, you will not be scheduled the following week. If you decide to play the following week anyway, you will be placed in the last group without access to the move-up list.
    2. If you do not show up for a Tuesday tournament event, you will not be eligible to participate in the next tournament. In addition, you will not be scheduled the following Tuesday, per above.
  12. On Tuesday:
    1. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled tee time
    2. Check in with the SIR Starter located in the Boundary Oak grill. He has the Pairing Sheet with your current handicap as well as the Future Sign Out Sheet
  13. Players will be allowed to move up
    1. If openings occur AND you have previously signed up to play
    2. If you have not signed up for golf that day or are on UFN you are still welcome to play but you will be in the last group and are not eligible to be on the move up list.
  14. Check in and Pay at the Pro Shop as normal
  15. During Play
    1. Follow the Rules of Golf except as modified by Branch Rules (see below)
    2. Follow the Gentlemen’s Ready Golf & Pace of Play Guidelines (see below).
    3. USGA’s recommendation and Branch Guidelines are that players with a handicap of 25+ play from the forward tees.  SIRS added or “75+ years of age”.  Playing from the Forward tees is permitted for any player, at any time.
    4. A back-up score card should be maintained for verification purposes. At least 2 players need to sign the Official score card

after it was verified against the back-up score card

    1. Most important: ENJOY THE DAY!!!
  1. After Playing remember to post your score to ensure the course handicaps fairly reflect each golfer’s current ability.  The most convenient way to record your score is using the computer in the Pro Shop immediately after completing your round. If you forget to enter your score before leaving the golf course, you can also enter it online at www.ncga.org.
  2. Also after Playing (time permitting) try to come into the Grill  and enjoy your fellow golfers.

 

     II.      GENTLEMEN’S READY GOLF & PACE OF PLAY GUIDELINES

  1. Safe play is our priority and must be applied when undertaking all of the below guidelines.
  2. Keep up with group in front – try to reduce gaps.  Stay ahead of group behind.
  3. 2 people sharing cart – driver protocol: To the extent possible, avoid playing serially. For example, drop a player off to look for his ball while the second player hits his shot, and then return to player looking for ball. Avoid driving a player to his ball and waiting until he hits before driving to your next shot.
  4. Cart vs. walker shot protocol: Cart player should hit even if he is not away, and then move to an appropriate location.  Do not wait for walker to approach and hit his shot.
  5. If player furthest from pin is not ready, the person ready to hit should hit and then move to an appropriate location.
  6. If your group is falling behind teeing off after putting is encouraged to keep up, even if others are still putting.
  7. Looking for lost ball – no more than 5 minutes.  We have previously reduced penalty to 1 stroke in order to speed up play.
  8. Move quickly to the next tee. Recording of scores needs to be completed at the next tee, not near the green that has just been played.
  9. Carry extra tees, markers and an extra ball in your pocket at all times.
  10. If the group ahead is too close for the longer hitters in your group perhaps there is a shorter hitter in your group that can hit away.
  11. For cart path golf, take several clubs to preclude having to return to the cart for another club.
  12. Begin reading the green and lining up putts as soon as you begin approaching the green.  Do not wait for your turn to begin reading your putt.
  13. When chipping around the green have your putter with you.
  14. Pay attention to the tee shots in your group.  It will help locate shots not in the middle of the fairway.
  15. Make decisions regarding your next shot while approaching your ball or while waiting for others to play.
  16. If safe and appropriate, wave up groups on Par 3’s. Players on the green must move to a safe location (e.g. behind the green) before waving up the next group.
  17. Continuous putting is encouraged (i.e. player putts until he finishes, as long as he doesn’t stand in another player’s line).
  18. All members of the Golf Committee have been authorized to act as marshals of slow play. As such, they will help identify slow groups and let them know that they need to pick up the pace. Please cooperate when this occurs and do your best to speed up play.
  1. Players should play from the appropriate tees as long as the tee box they play is indicated on the scorecard. Here are our Branch guidelines:

1.      Recommend play from the Forward tees for those players 75 years of age or older, or handicap indexes of 25 or greater.

2.      Playing from the Forward tees is permitted for any player, at any time.

 

       I.      BRANCH RULES

  1. Know, understand and follow of the Golf Rules compiled by the USGA except as follow:

1.      Preferred lie: the ball may be moved 6 inches, no nearer the hole, except when the ball lies out of bounds, in a bunker, or in a water hazard.

2.      For pace of play, a golfer may place a new ball in play for a ball assumed to be lost or to be out of bounds. (See note below for definition of out of bounds.) The ball shall be dropped at a place agreed upon by the members of the foursome and a one (1) stroke penalty added to a golfer’s score.

3.      Putts of one (1) foot or less may be conceded and counted as one (1) stroke.

4.      Distance measuring devices of all types may be used for SIR 146 sponsored events.  Note: Other SIR events may have restrictions limiting the capabilities of distance measuring devices which can be used in Area and State events.

  1. “Out of bounds” is any area beyond the boundaries of the course. Boundaries may be defined by lines, stakes or fences.  On hole #11 at Boundary Oak, if you are in the maintenance yard (i.e. beyond a fence), you are considered OB and a ball should be dropped and played at the nearest agreed upon location with a one stroke penalty (per our SIR 146 rule). You may also hit a provisional ball (at the time your foursome tees off) and play a stroke and distance penalty. If you ball rests in the chip area, then you get a SIR 6-inch bump.
  2. Under Golf Rules, golfers have several options when a ball is known or virtually certain to be in a water hazard. A golfer may play the ball as it lies or under penalty of one (1) stroke proceed in accordance with Rule 26-1, Relief for Ball in Water Hazard.

1.      A golfer whose ball is lost in a regular water hazard marked with yellow stakes may (1) play a new ball at the spot from which the original ball was last played or (2) drop a new ball on a line from the hole through the point where the ball entered the hazard. A golfer may go as far back on that line as he wishes.

2.      A golfer whose ball lies in a lateral water hazard marked by red stakes, may (1) play a new ball at the spot from which the original ball was last played,   (2) drop a new ball within two club lengths no nearer the hole on either side of the hazard or (3) drop and new ball on a line from the hole through the point where the ball entered the hazard. A golfer may go as far back on that line as he wishes.

  1. When a ball is not known or virtually certain to be in a water hazard, it should be considered to be a lost ball and a golfer should proceed under the SIR 146 rule.