July 30, 2009

To all Team Captains and their Teammates:                                                               

I would like you all to review rule #4 under the 2009 Team Play Rules and Regulations for SMWGA:

“Rounds must be played within a 4½ hour time frame.  If a group is not on the tee prepared to strike the ball before the group in front has cleared the green, that group is in violation of the speed of play regulations for SMWGA team play and shall be asked to move to the next tee, halving the hole. The group behind will be given one hole to catch up or this group, too, will be asked to move forward to the next hole.  The first group will then be timed to insure that no further delays occur.  If any player in the timed group takes more than 40 seconds to play a stroke, that player will be asked to pick up her ball until the next tee and her partner will complete the hole alone.”

This is becoming more and more important to all golf clubs as there are more and more golfers who are refusing to play Team and Field Days because of excruciatingly slow play.  Further, there are more and more courses that will make it difficult or more expensive for us to use their courses if they have the impression we will take up their course for 5 or 5 ½ hours.

Here are some tips I extracted from an Internet Blog and reworked to fit our SMWGA Team Play

The best tip to remember is this:  If you are out of the hole PICK UP! and take your max or an equitable score.  That is why you have a partner!!

  1. Look ahead, not behind. Keep up with the group in front of you.
  2. Hold on to the club you have just used to play a stroke and drive your cart partner to his ball. Then clean your club, put the head cover back on and return it to your bag while he is getting ready to play his next stroke.
  3. If you are walking or can take the cart to the area where your ball lies without danger or interfering with another player’s shot, do so and be ready to play as soon as it is your turn.
  4. When carts must remain on the path, take a handful of possible club choices with you to your ball. DO NOT walk to your ball empty handed, determine your club choice and then return to the cart to get that one club.
  5. Limit yourself to one practice swing, unless you are in an extremely difficult lie.
  6. Learn the basic rules for relief procedures from cart paths, embedded balls, casual water, ball unplayable and water hazards, so you can proceed efficiently.
  7. The first player whose ball is on the green should drive the cart to the appropriate position behind or beside the green.
  8. Study your line of putt while others are preparing to putt. The first to putt out or pick up should have the flagstick in hand ready to put it into the hole once putting is complete.  Do not practice putt after the completion of a hole.
  9. Leave the green immediately and drive to the next tee. Put away your clubs and complete your score card while others in your group are teeing off.
  10. Keep those long jokes and stories for the lunch table, or be prepared to stop mid- sentence as soon as it is either your turn or you audience’s turn to play. If you are the listener, do not hesitate to say, “Hold that thought” and then play your shot.

We are all here to have a good time, and to compete, in the proper spirit of the game.  However, it is necessary for all marshals to more strictly enforce Rule #4 in our team play rules.  Hopefully, we will speed up play and make this experience more enjoyable for EVERYONE!!

Thanks for your participation !!

Lynn Mollet