Sedgefield Golf Association
Guidelines, Rules of Play and Pace of Play - Updated 12/20/2018
Sedgefield Golf Association play is governed
by the USGA Rules of Golf and where applicable, by Local Rules of Firethorne,
and finally, by SGA Special Rules. The Sedgefield Golf Association
Board and Committees have adopted a set of SGA Rules and Guidelines that help
keep the game of golf fair and fun. These may be revised from time to
time.Formats
There are a number of team formats that may be played. The group leader for the day’s round will determine the format and the method of team player selection (usually by balancing handicaps or by random draw). When there are teams with different numbers of players (i.e. threesome/s and foursome/s), a player will be randomly selected by “blind draw” from the foursome/s and used to complete the threesome/s to arrive at a team score. If 18 holes are played there will be a different “blind draw” player for each 9 holes. Scorecards will be exchanged to record the blind draw player scores and determine the adjusted scores.
Tees
Players will play from the Sedgefield Tees, although those players whose handicap is based on playing 70% of their last rounds from the gold tees, may play the gold tees in holiday events and tournaments with the proper stroke adjustment. There may be a two stroke reduction from the gold tee handicaps or a two stroke addition to the Sedgefield tee handicaps to account for the rating difference between the Sedgefield Tees and the Gold Tees (as prescribed in the USGA Handicap Manual). The issue is decided based on the numbers of players playing from the different tees. More Gold players adds two to the Sedgefield handicap. More Sedgefield players reduces Gold handicap by two. Please go to the end of this page for the rule definition. Click here for the rule definition.
Tournaments
While all handicaps are welcome to play, the maximum handicap is 36.
Teeing off
For purposes of fairness, handicap accuracy, and pace of play, “Mulligan’s, Aflacs, Bunnie Balls, Breakfast Balls, etc” are not allowed from the first tee on Wednesday and Saturday play. This may occasionally be waived (e.g. when the range is not open to warm-up prior to teeing off).
Special Rules
The SGA has adopted several special rules which are intended to deal fairly with certain Firethorne course conditions. These rules are applicable only for SGA events. These rules are established in the spirit of sportsmanship, fair play, and common sense. It is up to the individual players to maintain the integrity of the intent and spirit of these rules.
Leaf Rule
A ball that is lost in-bounds in a leaf covered area may be played with a second ball in the leaf area where the ball was observed to land and known to come rest with no penalty. The ball must be dropped. At least one other player should concur with the application of the rule. If the player’s ball is in a hazard when applying the “leaf rule” it must be played from the hazard. The leaf rule is applicable during the period from October 1st thru the end of February.
Winter Rules
During the period from December 1st through March 31st, balls that lie on grass in the fairway, on aprons, and in the rough, and are not in a hazard, may be lifted, cleaned, and replaced. If the turf is excessively soft, the ball may be moved to a dry spot, not closer to the hole.
“Hard pan” Rule
There are numerous
areas on the Firethorne course where surface drainage run-off has caused
significant erosion and exposed rocks, small stones, and roots, referred to
herein as “hard pans”. The SGA
“Hard pan” Rule is intended to prevent personal injury and/or golf club
damage from rocks and small stones embedded in the ground that cannot be
moved away as Loose Impediments
and from roots that are exposed and away from the normal trunk of the tree.
You may take
relief without penalty when a ball comes to rest in an eroded “hard pan” area
where rocks/stones/roots are near enough to the ball that a club would hit the
rocks, etc. while striking the ball.
If it is determined that your ball has come to rest in a
“hard pan” with the conditions as described, to obtain relief away, the following steps must be applied:
1.
Announce to another player your intention to take
relief.
2.
The allowable distance must be no greater than the
minimum distance required to ensure complete relief.
3.
Place a tee at the spot where the original
ball lies.
4.
Take relief by placing the ball in a spot that
ensures relief on a line from the pin to the original ball location, no
closer to the hole at the minimum distance to allow relief (which in most
cases will be within 3 to 5 inches ). You may not take additional relief that
improves the line of flight to the pin or improves your stance or swing to be
away from trees, bushes, etc.
Exception
to Rule: Interference by an embedded rock or
root with the player’s stance is deemed not to be, in and of itself,
interference under this rule.
Notes:
Hard pan relief does not apply within a hazard. Proceed under Rule 26. Water Hazards or Rule 28 Ball Unplayable for bunkers.
Holing Putts
· All hole-by-hole scores that count toward
a team score, and in cases where a player’s score could be used as the “blind
draw” player, must be putted into the hole.
· Other/non-team putts over one foot
should also be putted into the hole (i.e. 1 foot “gimmies” max) for purposes of
handicap accuracy.
· For pace of play purposes, a player should pick-up if his net
score is at a double bogie or at the equitable stroke control limit if the
player score is not needed for the team score or he is playing for low net points or money.
Equitable Stroke Control Guidelines: (Maximum strokes to score on any hole)
HC 9 or less = Double Bogey
HC
10 to 19 = 7
HC
20 to 29 = 8HC 30 to 39 = 9
Pace of Play Guidelines
We
do want the game to be enjoyable and not a speed marathon. Our goal is for each
group to play 18 holes in a little over 4 hours or less and definitely under
the course maximum of 4 hrs 20 minutes. The following is some of the steps that
all players should utilize to help maintain pace of play:
1. The team
scorekeeper should mark the scorecard with the #1 tee-off time, #10 tee-off
time, and the time the round is completed.
2.
Play ready golf –
Some examples; forget honors, no one’s feelings will be hurt. Proceed if you
are ready to putt, while another player is still arriving to the green. Play
your ball before helping to look for a lost ball.
3.
Let shorter
distance hitters hit first.
4.
Since this is a
team game – If ball could be lost or hard to find, hit a provisional ball. Try
to allow no more than 3 minutes to look for lost ball.
5. Cart drivers -
Drop off shorter hitter and go directly to the location/area of the longer
hitter’s ball (staying off to one side if needed).
6. Walkers – proceed
to your ball while others are hitting, rather than wait for each player to hit
(staying of to one side as needed).
7. Putts - If
everyone lines up their putts together it saves time.
8. Upon completing
the hole, vacate the green immediately and mark the score card on the next tee
box.
9. Keep up with the group in front of
you, not the group behind you. Foursomes should keep up with foursomes,
threesomes with threesomes, etc. Be ready to hit your next shot as soon
as the players in front of you are clear.
10. If you have an entire hole open in front of
you and there is a faster/smaller group behind you, offer them the opportunity
to play through.
11. For pace of play purposes as well as golf
courtesy, cell phones should be off or “on silent”, and used only for vital
personal/business reasons with the understanding of the players in your group.
12. If you are playing “cart path only”, take all
of the clubs you may need with you for the current shot and the next shot if possible.
Carry an extra ball in your pocket.
13. If a player is looking for a ball, hit yours first and then aid him in the search. Also 2018 USGA rules limit the search to three (3) minutes
13. If a player is looking for a ball, hit yours first and then aid him in the search. Also 2018 USGA rules limit the search to three (3) minutes
Players Competing From Different Tees
Men
playing from the gold tees (67.7 rating) against men playing from the
Sedgefield tees (69.9 rating) will have their gold tee handicap reduced by 2
strokes, rather than using their gold tee handicap. (see exception in Tees above)
Reference: USGA Handicap Manual 2008
Section
9-3: Assignment of Strokes
c.
Players Competing From Different Tees or Men and Women from Same Tees
(i)
Different Tees: Men vs. Men; Women vs. Women; Women vs. Men
Different
tees usually have different ratings. Since a USGA Course Rating
reflects the probable scores of scratch golfers, the
higher-rated course is more difficult, and the player playing from the set of
tees with the higher USGA Course Rating
receives additional stroke(s) equal to the difference between each USGA Course Rating, with
the resulting figure rounded off to the nearest whole number (.5 or more is
rounded upward). (See Decision 3-5/1.)
Example 1:
If men playing from the middle tees, from which the men's USGA Course Rating is
70.3, compete against men playing from the back tees, from which the men's USGA Course Rating is
72.6, the men playing from the back tees will add two strokes
(72.6 -
70.3 = 2.3 rounded to 2) to Course Handicap.
Example 2:
If women playing from the forward tees, from which the women's USGA Course Rating is
73.4, compete against men playing from the middle tees, from which the men's USGA Course Rating is
70.9, the women will add three strokes (73.4 - 70.9 = 2.5 rounded to 3) to Course Handicap.
"The
solution to handicap questions for instances where golfers are competing
against each other while playing different tees is really quite simple. Section
9-3c of the USGA Handicap System Manual states: “Different tees usually have
different USGA Course Ratings. Since course ratings reflect the probable scores
of scratch golfers, the higher-rated course is more difficult, and the player
playing from the set of tees with the higher USGA Course Rating receives
additional strokes equal to the difference between course ratings, with .5
rounded upward.”
This Section goes on to
state that the same would be true for men and women competing from the same set
of tees since the USGA Course Ratings will be different for each sex."
USGA
Section 9-3: Assignment of Strokes
USGA`s Position
Paper on Competing From Different Tees
SGA Handicap Policy - 2/5/2013
One of the unique
differences between golf and most other sports is that the skill level of every
amateur golfer is measured by his handicap. To obtain and maintain a handicap
the golfer must record and post the result of every round of golf he plays. It is unimportant whether the round
of golf is played during a competition or as an informal friendly game with
friends. It is also immaterial whether the round was played at FCC or away.
Even if a golfer only plays 9 holes,
the score of these 9 holes should be posted.
Golfers who do not register ALL results or who register incorrect
results play off an incorrect (dishonest) handicap. And golfers who play off
incorrect handicaps disadvantage all other players in the field. And this is
not in synch with a gentlemen-like sport as golf.
The board of directors of SGA has now
decided on a policy that deals with this issue. The Policy is:
1. SGA
has appointed a Handicap Monitor who makes random spot checks to assure all
members who have booked a tee time and have played posted their scores.2. Failure to post scores will initially lead to a friendly reminder.
3. If the friendly reminder does not result in a change of behavior, the member will be excluded from any cash distribution on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Special Events golf. While he can still play with us, he is excluded from monetary involvement.
4. If the affected member demonstrates over a period of time compliance, the sanctions as mentioned under 3 above, will be lifted.
SGA Guideline Policy - 7/16/2013
Player Eligibility for SGA Major Tournaments
This policy applies to the current SGA Championship
and the SGA Challenge Cup, and any other future tournaments that are designated
by the Board of the SGA as a “Major”.
SGA By-Laws Reference (Article 3, Section 3.1):“Membership … every member should hold a valid USGA handicap or a temporary handicap as established by the SGA after a minimum of five (5), eighteen holes rounds at the Club on with other SGA members on SGA designated golf days (Wednesday or Saturday) and having paid the annual SGA dues – if any and before becoming eligible to compete in major SGA events.”
Definitions:
SGA Member: A player that has played 5 times on SGA designated golf days and SGA events over any period of time.
SGA Member: A player that has played 5 times on SGA designated golf days and SGA events over any period of time.
SGA Major
Tournaments: The SGA
Championship, qualification rounds leading to the Challenge Cup, the Challenge
Cup, and any other special event so designated by the SGA Board.
Requirement:
Players must establish eligibility in order to compete (for prizes, etc.) in “major” events.
Eligibility Criteria:Requirement:
Players must establish eligibility in order to compete (for prizes, etc.) in “major” events.
A current SGA Member is eligible to compete in an SGA Major Tournament when the following criterion is met:
1. The player has an
established handicap index with at least five rounds played at the Club on SGA play dates of Wednesday or Saturday
A new SGA Member
is eligible to compete in an SGA Major
Tournament event when the following criteria are met:
1. The player has played a minimum total of five rounds with other SGA members on SGA designated golf days
(Wednesday or Saturday).
2. The player has posted at least five scores (18 hole basis) from rounds played
at Firethorne. Nine hole scores may be combined to count toward the 18 holes
score minimum.
3. The player has an
established handicap index with at least five rounds played and posted in the
last four months.
Process
Note: It is recognized that there will be different circumstances for each individual situation. It is the responsibility of the SGA Board, with appropriate input, to interpret each player situation within these guidelines to make a determination of eligibility.
SGA Guideline Policy
9/5/2013
Holiday Tournaments
Guest Players
This policy
delineates when guests are permitted to play in SGA golf tournament events. There
are no specific SGA By-laws references associated with this policy.
Definitions:SGA Member: A player that plays or has played regularly with at least five rounds with an established handicap on SGA designated golf days and SGA events.
SGA Non-championship Golf Tournament: Holiday tournaments such as the
Memorial Day Open, Liberty Open, Labor Day Open, and other tournaments as
determined by the SGA Tournament Committee.
Guest
A nonmember of Firethorne Country Club.
Policy Elements:
2. Guests of SGA members will be added to the “players sign-in list” along with the SGA Member in the order received. SGA member guests will maintain sign-in priority as long as the sign-in period is “open”. At the point that the sign-in period is “closed” or that an alternates list is being maintained, SGA Members and FCC members will be accepted in priority over additional guests.
Guest
A nonmember of Firethorne Country Club.
Policy Elements:
1. Guests of SGA Members are permitted to
play in SGA non-championship golf tournaments.
2. Guests of SGA members will be added to the “players sign-in list” along with the SGA Member in the order received. SGA member guests will maintain sign-in priority as long as the sign-in period is “open”. At the point that the sign-in period is “closed” or that an alternates list is being maintained, SGA Members and FCC members will be accepted in priority over additional guests.
3. Guests of non SGA
members are also permitted to play, however, all SGA members, FCC members, and
SGA member guests will have first priority when establishing the tournament
players list.
Requirements:
1. Guests should have a
verifiable handicap, or handicap index. A suitable estimate may also be
acceptable if approved by the tournament coordinator.
2. Guests will usually be
paired on the same team as the SGA Member host as long as there is not a
significant competitive advantage.
3. Tournament announcements
will normally include information regarding the participation of guests.
