Playing the course prior to a stroke play competition

[NearHull]

I’m aware of Rule 5.2b. (See Committee Procedures, Section 8; Model Local Rule I-1 (in either form of play, the Committee may adopt a Local Rule prohibiting, restricting or allowing practice on the course before or between rounds)

We would like to allow members to play on the course prior to a stroke play competition. The scenario is generally a male member playing in a Competition on a Sunday morning, then joining a female partner to play in a Mix Competition in the afternoon.

My question is on the wording of the LR to authorise playing on the course prior to competition, not on whether it can or should be allowed. We do not want members dropping a ball on the 9th or 18th green and actually practicing repeat putting/chipping etc but we do want to allow the scenarios as described.

my initial draft.

PLAYING THE COURSE ON A COMPETITION DAY:

A player may participate in a 9 or 18 hole round on the competition course before or after playing the competition round.

Has anyone come across such a local rule, and please, it’s not a discussion about the principles, we are aware of the rules, I am seeking advice on the wording of the LR.

 

[Neilds]

If you want the player (male) to be allowed to play in both competitions, do you need to be a bit more specific in the local rule? i.e.

PLAYING THE COURSE ON A COMPETITION DAY:

A player may participate in a 9 or 18 hole competition on the competition course before or after playing the competition round. This only applies to players participating in a sperate competition prior to a 2nd competition.

2nd bit in bold will need to written more clearly, just can't think of the right words.

 

[Slab]

Your draft seems in line with the MLR piece on R&A website but I’m sure the qualified 'crew' will see your post and reply…

I was wondering about regular notification & clarity among players for adopting/removing the LR or if you’d be happy for it to be in effect 7days a week covering other comp scenarios

 

[jim8flog]

If this is for a one time a year specific competition why not make it part of the rules of the competition rather than a general rule.

In that way only players in the second comp are likely to read which will help avoid confusion.

 

[NearHull]

Thanks for the comments. This would be a permanent LR.

We also have another scenario that is developing. With the Clubs agreement, a member is running a season long Charity 9 hole competition played around 1600 on a midweek day which brings in in working members. As an organised competition it is qualifying for handicap submissions. It is proving very popular and is bringing lots of members into the club post competition. We have one or two members who like to play in the morning in a casual round and then support the charity competition. The LR would also need to authorise this scenario.

 

[Steven Rules]

I have never come across such a Local Rule, and I am not a fan of what you are seeking to achieve, so please don't take my suggestion below as some sort of endorsement of the concept. The guidance in MLR I-1 refers to fairness as one of the considerations.

Nevertheless, I suggest something like this:

Rule 5.2b is modified in this way:

Prior to playing in a competition, a player may play in an earlier, different competition on the competition course on the same day.

The other restrictions in Rule 5.2b on practising on the competition course before or between rounds still apply.

Have at it all you wordsmiths.

 

[Swango1980]

Does the Committee have to define a Competition?

Just thinking of a player who goes out with one or 2 mates in the morning, play a Competition between themselves (as defined by them), and then play a Club Competition later on in the same day?

 

[Steven Rules]

The term 'competition' is already used throughout the Rules. It is not a defined term, and in my opinion we shouldn't seek to define it here. The authors of Rules 3, 5 and MLR I-1 seem to get by without 'competition' being a defined term.

If a few mates try to pass off social play as a competition then they would be dealt with pretty sharply by any Committee that I was on.

 

[KenL]

I don’t understand why this is a big deal for amateurs playing in club events.

 

[rulefan]

I don’t understand why this is a big deal for amateurs playing in club events.

Rule 5.2 ?

 

[Slab]

I don’t understand why this is a big deal for amateurs playing in club events.

I suppose some club golfers can lose their lunch if they even think an FC’s handicap is too high then maybe no surprise it’ll be a big deal to some if the same FC’s get an unauthorised 18 hole practice in 2 hours before starting a comp

 

[Neilds]

I suppose some club golfers can lose their lunch if they even think an FC’s handicap is too high then maybe no surprise it’ll be a big deal to some if the same FC’s get an unauthorised 18 hole practice in 2 hours before starting a comp

Agree that, in the main, it is a bit of a silly rule. Most of us can't play the same shot twice in a row the same so why does it really matter if someone has played the course before a competition. Also, how often do clubs move the holes? The course could be set up exactly the same the evening before the competition but people would be allowed to play it then but not in the morning.

 

[Slab]

Agree that, in the main, it is a bit of a silly rule. Most of us can't play the same shot twice in a row the same so why does it really matter if someone has played the course before a competition. Also, how often do clubs move the holes? The course could be set up exactly the same the evening before the competition but people would be allowed to play it then but not in the morning.

I think the immediate conditions for wind, rain, roll out, green speed. Club selection etc as well as how the individual is swinging that day would help me a fair bit

As you say execution is another matter but it's nice to know all the above info is part of the 2nd attempt

 

[Swango1980]

I don’t understand why this is a big deal for amateurs playing in club events.

It probably would make zero difference at all in an event at a player's own club, for most of us. Although I guess very low handicappers, if they wished, could take advantage of practicing on the course.

However, at an event at an away course, there are some courses it could be extremely valuable if I could get out on the course first. Played Richmond Golf Club last week, and the greens were crazy. Had one guy who had a 10 ft birdie putt, that looked very simple. Yet once he hit it and the ball finished moving, he had a 30 foot par putt left.

 

[clubchamp98]

I don’t understand why this is a big deal for amateurs playing in club events.

Me as well.
Most ams would not benefit from playing their home course that they know like the back of their hand.

 

[rulefan]

I don’t understand why this is a big deal for amateurs playing in club events.

The rules are the same for all players (amateurs & pros) but provision is available to all if MLR I1.2 is used

 

[bobmac]

Wouldn't it be unfair to those who weren't able to practice before the comp?

 

[Neilds]

Wouldn't it be unfair to those who weren't able to practice before the comp?

It would put them at a disadvantage, but if it was your own course, would it make much difference? Also, conditions such as weather can change so much in a day that a practise round might actually be pointless and even a disadvantage if the wind drops and the sun comes out (or vice versa). If you want to push the fairness thing to extremes, should you limit the amount of time a player can warm up/practice before a competition so those who have to rush to make their tee time are not 'punished' too much? You will never get a perfectly level playing field (or golf course).

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Wouldn't it be unfair to those who weren't able to practice before the comp?

You can't cover every eventuality. The option is there to practice, if they can't that is on them.

 

[D-S]

I don't know the stats but if the majority of 2nd rounds in 36 hole one day comp are better than the 1st rounds then it certainly is an advantage. If the opposite is true then, statistically, it isn't.