Metro St. Louis Seniors Golf

2020 Rules / Operation Changes

12/19/201902/11/2019 by dlwicks@sbcglobal.net

For the 2020 season the Board of Governors approved the following changes in rules and operations.

The most important changes are in the changes in the Rules of Golf as implemented by USGA starting January 1, 2019. The rule book was completely rewritten for better clarity and easier play. Metro Seniors (MSLAGA) started adopting some of these rules in 2018.

The most important changes are in defining the Penalty areas – previously know as either “lateral hazards – Red Stakes” or “water hazards” as defined by Yellow Stakes. These are now either Red or Yellow Penalty areas.

Most important MSLSGA has more clearly defined our rules for improving lies, Lost Balls, Out of Bounds, and Penalty areas. The MSLSGA rules are targeted to provide a little extra relief beyond USGA for OB, Lost Balls, and Yellow Penalty areas. These will help keep pace of play moving along.

The Rules Committee will be posting information regularly to help all members understand and follow these rules. CLICK HERE for the Rules Roundtable

MSLSGA does NOT ALLOW the Stroke and Distance penalty anywhere on the courses (returning to the location of your last shot). This would be a major disruption to pace.

LAST REGISTRATION – 1 1/2 Hour After Start Tee Times

In 2018 we looked at reducing registration end time. Larger divisions had concerns. Now the official registration ending time for Division 1-5 weekly tournaments is again 1 1/2 hours. However, Division VPs may announce adjust the time if attendance is low.

Click on this Link to see all revisions for 2020:

Summary of Major USGA Changes with Videos

Pace of Play Ideas
Here is a link to a video from USGA about ideas on Pace of Play. CLICK HERE

Ideas on faster play at the Greens – CLICK HERE

How to Use Rules for Faster Play and Better Scores = CLICK HERE

Rules Roundtable

02/03/202002/06/2019 by Gary Brown

Where do I drop the ball?

I have seen many variations of the correct place to drop your ball if it’s out of bounds, lost in the weeds or in a Penalty Area. My hope is to show everyone the correct place to drop with this communication. I have included a couple of illustrations created by Rick Hines (Thank you Rick). You must scroll down and put your glasses on to see them.

There is some confusion about the term “Back on the Line Relief” as well. Most golfers I have talked to, thought that meant the line from their previous shot to where the ball came to rest, but that is not correct. The best way I can describe “Back on the Line” is to, stand behind the ball while looking at the pin and then taking your relief back on that line 1 club to either side of it. Then drop the ball from your knee height. Metro seniors allows us to roll the ball with our club up to a foot, left, right or back to try and improve our lie.

Lift, Clean and Place of the ball within one (1) foot, not nearer the hole, allowed on the whole of the course except:

1. The putting green of the hole being played; and
2. All Penalty Areas on the course including Bunkers
3. If the grass your ball is in, is longer than 6”
4. NOT ALLOWED to improve line of play, to get relief from behind tree, in a different cut of grass (rough to fairway),

Enjoy this video of the proper way to use “Back on the Line” relief: http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/rules-modernization/major-changes/procedure-for-taking-back-on-a-line-relief.html

Lateral Relief: Is another option for determining your drop options in some cases. This option may be used to your advantage, depending on where your ball entered the Red Staked Penalty area (Sand traps are not Red staked). I have also included a video on the proper Drop Procedures.

Lateral Relief: http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/rules-modernization/major-changes/procedure-for-taking-lateral-relief.html

Pace of Play Rules

12/11/201901/27/2019 by dlwicks@sbcglobal.net

USGA has new rules specifically focused on improving pace of play. MSLSGA as the “Committee” has over several years adopted local rules for pace. These are now virtually identical to the several of the new USGA rules.

USGA encourages setting expectations for both beginners and experienced players on what types of behavior are considered prompt play, including the maximum amount of time it should normally take to make a stroke.

New USGA Rules encourage prompt pace of play by recommending that:

Players should recognize that their pace of play affects others and they should play promptly throughout the round (such as by preparing in advance for each stroke and moving promptly between strokes and in going to the next tee),
A player should make a stroke in no more than 40 seconds (and usually in less time) after the player is able to play without interference or distraction
Committees should adopt a Pace of Play Policy.
In addition, Rule 6.4 expressly allows playing out of turn for stroke play, affirmatively allows and encourages players to play out of turn in a safe and responsible way to save time or for convenience (also known as “ready golf”).

EXPECTATIONS METRO SENIORS

Members are Expected to:
- Play to best competitive effort, with courtesy and respect for others
- Follow all rules – no gimme putts, 9 stroke max, leave flagstick in, ……
- Manage their group to “Meet Pace” and “Keep Up” with group ahead
- Play READY GOLF – Play “out of turn” in a safe, responsible manner – No HONORS!
- Play quickly – USGA suggests 40 SECONDS for a stroke
Pace of Play Targets
- 4 to 4 1/2 hours Tee Starts
- 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours Shotgun Starts
- Course, conditions, organization, member capability

Maximum of 9 Strokes on any hole

All players are required to take no more than 9 strokes on any hole. This will prevent a “blow-up” hole from slowing a group and all behind them. It will reduce only about 15 to 30 strokes per round but these are concentrated in our slowest players and groups. Pace for our slowest players (and those following) should improve by several minutes per round.

The Max 9 rule will not make any differences in handicaps, in flight prize money, in flight standings, or in qualifications for the league championship.

Everyone who has a bad hole is required to take advantage of the Max 9 rule.

2019 Metro Plus Membership Sold Out

01/16/201901/16/2019 by dlwicks@sbcglobal.net

Metro Plus “Sold Out”

140 Metro Senior members have signed up for the Metro Plus. The new Premium Division will start play this April playing premium public courses and 4 private Country Clubs. I’d like to thank all of the Metro Senior members who signed up to the initial season.

Metro Plus has started a wait list for those who cancel prior to the start of the season. If you wish to be put on the wait list, please contact Larry Roth @ larry@lgr-sri.com for the appropriate links.

Additional information will be sent to all the members directly. Starting in March/April a separate section on Metro Seniors website will be dedicated for all Metro Plus info.

Larry Roth
Metro Seniors VP

EXPECTATIONS METRO SENIORS

Maximum of 9 Strokes on any hole

Did you know?