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*I'm proposing that we change our rules back to what they were about 6 or so years ago. Steve Alex* ###### Definitions * The **Course** is defined as: * Fairways - Closely mowed grass * Greens - Putting surface * Teeing Area * Rough - Occasionally mowed grass higher than the fairways - mowed - not weed whacked * Traps * Water Hazards - Yellow stacked areas * Penalty Areas - Red stacked areas * Ground Under Repair - Should be marked with white paint, but most aren't! * **Off the Course** includes: * Out of Bounds * Anything else beyond the Rough that is marked with stacks or not. This is mainly tree lines. **Proposed Rule: You can move your ball any where on or off the course 1 club length no closer to the hole, except out-of-bounds** 1. The course can have Ground Under Repair areas that include Dirt, Rocks, Sand. Some areas may be marked with white paint, but most areas that should be marked are not. You can move your ball no more than one club length into the rough, no closer to the hole. Rough means where grass starts, not 20 yards to the lush stuff! 2. Out-of-bounds is played as a penalty area - stroke but no distance penalty, unless you feel that is you best option. **You cannot play out of a out-of-bounds area**. 3. If you are in a penalty area (red or yellow staked) or off the course and you can't advance the ball with the 1 club length relief, you always have the option of taking the penalty stroke and move the ball 2 club length laterally from where you entered the penalty area or out-of-bounds. You may also move the ball back as far as you want on a line back from where you entered to hazard, to the pin. Unmarked penalty areas (e.g. tree lines) starts where the rough ends. You must always take the penalty if you are out-of-bounds. 4. If you move the ball, you must pick it up with your hands - no using a getter to retrieve a ball in 2 feet of water! ###### Reason for rule. There currently is no clearly defined rule. I get tired of hearing players asking *Can I move the ball from here?* ###### Consequences of adopting this rule One club length. The normal club to use is a driver with is about 45 inches. Let just call it *One giant step in Mother May I?* While it sounds enticing if you're 20 yards into the trees right of 11 green and behind a tree. You can move it, but good luck not staying in the woods! The risk/reward may not be in your favor! If you are in the ditch in front of 5, 6, 13, 15 you may be able to go from unplayable to risky. ###### Other options * You can only movee the ball if you are in the fairway. You play it down everywhere else. * You can only move the ball if you are in the fairway or rough. You play it down everywhere else. ###### Vote on moving ball one club length almost anywhere _____Yes _____No _____Move ball only in fairway _____Move ball only in fairway or rough _____Change/Modify suggestion: <br/> <br/> <br/> ###### Gimmies We all know the reason for adding the *No gimmies* rule. There's not definition unless you don't allow gimmies. Typically is slows down the game and we are already playing too slow. The initial proposal was on score card length but it was not adopted. I feel like an ass putting from 3 inches then having to reach down in a hole with a flag in it to retrieve the ball. (Yea you all going to get old and have balance problems). I propose 1 foot using the players foot to measure and be accepted by a Team member as **Good!** I'd say captain, but most captains don't know half of the rules anyhow. I know some players have bigger feet, but they are further away from the ball when putting! ###### Vote on allowing gimmies up to 1 foot with team member confirmation. _____Yes _____No _____Change/Modify suggestion: <br/> <br/> ###### Par3 from same tee and the whole Tee controversy I have no problem with the concept, ***If you are in the par3 side game***. I heard *It's not about the money*, but apparently it is. I don't remember this being extended to the Skins/Birdies side game. There is a misconception that if someone is playing from the Red tees, they are a better, longer, straighter, more consistent player. Nah - they just have more room for error. We've seemed to have forgotten that **Points are Points**. I could go back to the Blue tees and pull 10 points a game, but that wouldn't be much fun for me or my team mates. I could move to the junior tees and pull 26 points, but that would be my points - but I'd feel bad about it. I'm basically a low C player The USGA has guidelines on what tee you should play from, but we have not adopted them. The guidelines are based on skill, not **Age** or **Points**. We initially defined what tee you play from by age - which was dumb. Joe and Ralph hit the ball far because they are skilled. Now you have it on points which makes **no** sense. Everyone should look at the guidelines on the score card. What if we use the first tee, which is a short open hole, and average you drive carry on that hole. * If your average carry is to the top of the hill (110-100 yards out), your playing the right tee for your skill, * If your average carry is over hill (70 yards out), your should move back a tee. * If you average carry is 140-130 yards out, you should move up a tee. If you carry your drive down to that 110-100 mark, the Tee length and Carry length yards are: * Blue 339 carry 234 * White 314 carry 209 * Gray 276 carry 171 * Red 244 carry 139 Driving isn't everything , but it is a good indicator of your skill level. If someone is ending up 50-60 yards out on #1, I hope they feel guilty! I'll restate - **Points are Points** and you have to pull them consistantly. We all play together and we know the skills of others. We have convinced some to move up a tee for various reasons. We should also consider suggesting that some should move back. ###### Vote on removing the adopting USGA guidlines for tee. * But someone (or committee) should monitor. _____Yes _____No _____Change/Modify suggestion: <br> <br>
Proposed Rules changes
May 01, 2022 12:51