Rakes and Covid 19

[2blue]

my club has suspended final couple of rounds of all winter comps. We don’t want to make anyone play who might not wish to.

Good decision as folk won't feel as though they're letting their partner down.

 

[GB72]

On the original point, all comps have been postponed at my place as all bunkers have been declared GUR for the foreseeable. Greenkeeper has also build astroturf plugs to go in the holes so as the ball will stay in but will not drop down to help avoid contact with flags, the cup etc.

 

[rulie]

Someone suggested pulling the cups up above the ground, any ball that strikes the cup is "holed".

 

[upsidedown]

Someone suggested pulling the cups up above the ground, any ball that strikes the cup is "holed".

We've done that but are suggesting it has to stay within a grip length to be holed. Bunkers still in play but no rakes so asking players to smooth with feet and clubs .

 

[Old Skier]

We write our playing partners card and it's only required the markers sig slipped in the box and only handled by two people, marker and the person that enters the lot into the system.

 

[sunshine]

However, regarding qualifiers, do we have to just accept players, especially those in final groups, will be playing out of footprints. Or, is their any lee way whatsoever to allow a preferred lie if in footprint, but not if plugged?

Good job we're all here to debate the most pressing matters in a global crisis

 

[Colin L]

This is what our club is suggesting on advice of the BB&O union


Players MUST register at the pro shop their intention to play in the competition with the Pro, one of his assistants, nominated deputy who will be there to take down names of players entering the competition. Entry into the competition on PSI (including taking entry fees from your club account) will be done for you.

BB&O have recommended that cards are signed by players and handed to the marker at the start of the round. The marker should then mark the card in the normal way, agree the final score with the player at the end of the round and put the card into the box which will be outside the pro shop.

All cards returned at the end of the competition will be processed by the office at the end of each competition.

I wondered what difference that makes when both player and marker are still handling the same bit of card?

We write our playing partners card and it's only required the markers sig slipped in the box and only handled by two people, marker and the person that enters the lot into the system.

And I didn't understand the explanation..

It's some job for one person to input all the scores. What sort of numbers are you talking about?

 

[Old Skier]

I wondered what difference that makes when both player and marker are still handling the same bit of card?



And I didn't understand the explanation..

It's some job for one person to input all the scores. What sort of numbers are you talking about?

Depends on how many enter. At the moment we will only enter Q scores so as all our bunkers are going to be out of play it's not s problem.

 

[jim8flog]

Cards - It is simple where I play there will be no Qualifying Competitions for the foreseeable future.

 

[Colin L]

Depends on how many enter. At the moment we will only enter Q scores so as all our bunkers are going to be out of play it's not s problem.

Yes, it depends on how many enter. That's why I asked what sort of number you were talking about.

 

[DickInShorts]

R and A have issued guidance on bunkers and scoring on their website - I saw it on Twitbook and can’t find the link now ?

 

[robinthehood]

R and A have issued guidance on bunkers and scoring on their website - I saw it on Twitbook and can’t find the link now ?

https://www.randa.org/en/news/2020/03/covid-19-related-guidance-on-the-rules-of-golf

 

[brfcfan]

https://www.randa.org/en/news/2020/03/covid-19-related-guidance-on-the-rules-of-golf

For example:

• Players may enter their own hole scores on the scorecard (it is not necessary for a marker to do it).
• It is not necessary to have a marker physically certify the player’s hole scores, but some form of verbal certification should take place.
• It is not necessary to physically return a scorecard to the Committee provided the Committee can accept the scores in another way.

From the R&A guidance, point 1 and 3, is anyone else surprised at their guidance. I thought you couldnt mark your own card and I certainly thought that a scorecard had to be returned. Just inputting a score on a terminal does not suffice? I have spent the last 5 years drumming this into our golfers!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Scorecards. The player scoring SILHs card simply reads out my scores at the end for me to confirm. When all correct I tell my marker - 'signed' - and my marker writes Signed by SILH on the card. Done.

 

[Colin L]

Here's some definitive answers from Scottish Golf. I expect the other CONGU authorities will be issuing the same:

The R&A has received a number of enquiries from organisers of golf competitions seeking guidance on the Rules of Golf in view of the COVID-19 outbreak. The purpose of this communication is to provide some guidance on the Rules of Golf.

After consulting with CONGU, the official handicapping authority for all golf governing bodies in Great Britain and Ireland, Scottish Golf would like to inform its members that all recommendations listed by The R&A below can adopted and count for handicapping purposes in Scotland with immediate effect.

Scorecards

In view of concerns around handling and exchanging scorecards (which may be in paper or electronic form as already provided in the Rules), on a temporary basis, Committees may choose to allow methods of scoring in stroke play that do not strictly comply with Rule 3.3b, or do not comply with the normal methods used under Rule 3.3b.

For example:

• Players may enter their own hole scores on the scorecard (it is not necessary for a marker to do it).
• It is not necessary to have a marker physically certify the player’s hole scores, but some form of verbal certification should take place.
• It is not necessary to physically return a scorecard to the Committee provided the Committee can accept the scores in another way.

Flagsticks

Committees may choose to adopt the following policies on a temporary basis:

• Requiring that players leave the flagstick in the hole at all times. It is a matter for the Committee to decide whether it establishes this policy by way of a Code of Conduct or Local Rule, and whether it provides a penalty under the Code of Conduct or for a breach of the Local Rule.
• Not have flagsticks at all.

Hole

No modifications to the Definition of Hole are offered, but if a Committee chooses not to follow the requirements in the Definition of Hole, which may also have an impact on the Definition of “Holed”, the Committee should consult its national association for guidance on whether scores submitted in such circumstances are acceptable for handicapping purposes.

The following will be deemed acceptable for use in qualifying competitions:

Clubs can invert the cup so that there is only a shallow cup allowing players to remove the ball without touching the flag please see photo below.

Bunkers

If rakes have been removed from the course, or if the Committee has requested that rakes not be used, it is recognised that bunkers may not be smoothed as well as when there are rakes on the course. But it is recommended that no modification is made to the Rules of Golf in such circumstances, and that players are requested to smooth bunkers using their feet or a club.

If, as a result of there being no rakes, the Committee decides to introduce a Local Rule relating to bunkers, scores submitted under the following Local Rules acceptable for use in qualifying competitions:

Preferred lies in bunkers within 6 inches to allow players to get out of un-raked areas or bunkers marked as GUR.

 

[Wildboy370]

Our club has followed golf England guidelines in respect of upside down hole cups, no touching flag, removing the rakes, but we have made all bunkers GUR and all comps will be non qualifiers. If as we are led to believe the new WHS takes last 20 cards then plenty in locker for most players so why have a qualifier with all this going on in the world. Go have fun guys and play golf for fun and yeh competition time but don’t worry about handicaps there is a lot more to worry about at this moment than a number.

 

[Colin L]

I'm not going to worry about handicaps, but if it's feasible to hold qualifiers, then it'x worth the effort, I believe, to do so.

By the way, we have a significant number of members whose WHS handicap Index will be based on 3 scores if they don't get any in this coming season.

 

[jim8flog]

By the way, we have a significant number of members whose WHS handicap Index will be based on 3 scores if they don't get any in this coming season.

One of my concerns is that we have a significant number of players who will not get a handicap at all under the WHS.

Last check showed more than 150 players without comp status on 1st of January 2020 and a significant number with virtually no Q Scores at all since we switched to IG in March 2018

 

[jim8flog]

Here's some definitive answers from Scottish Golf. I expect the other CONGU authorities will be issuing the same:

The R&A has received a number of enquiries from organisers of golf competitions seeking guidance on the Rules of Golf in view of the COVID-19 outbreak. The purpose of this communication is to provide some guidance on the Rules of Golf.

After consulting with CONGU, the official handicapping authority for all golf governing bodies in Great Britain and Ireland, Scottish Golf would like to inform its members that all recommendations listed by The R&A below can adopted and count for handicapping purposes in Scotland with immediate effect.

Scorecards

In view of concerns around handling and exchanging scorecards (which may be in paper or electronic form as already provided in the Rules), on a temporary basis, Committees may choose to allow methods of scoring in stroke play that do not strictly comply with Rule 3.3b, or do not comply with the normal methods used under Rule 3.3b.

For example:

• Players may enter their own hole scores on the scorecard (it is not necessary for a marker to do it).
• It is not necessary to have a marker physically certify the player’s hole scores, but some form of verbal certification should take place.
• It is not necessary to physically return a scorecard to the Committee provided the Committee can accept the scores in another way.

Flagsticks

Committees may choose to adopt the following policies on a temporary basis:

• Requiring that players leave the flagstick in the hole at all times. It is a matter for the Committee to decide whether it establishes this policy by way of a Code of Conduct or Local Rule, and whether it provides a penalty under the Code of Conduct or for a breach of the Local Rule.
• Not have flagsticks at all.

Hole

No modifications to the Definition of Hole are offered, but if a Committee chooses not to follow the requirements in the Definition of Hole, which may also have an impact on the Definition of “Holed”, the Committee should consult its national association for guidance on whether scores submitted in such circumstances are acceptable for handicapping purposes.

The following will be deemed acceptable for use in qualifying competitions:

Clubs can invert the cup so that there is only a shallow cup allowing players to remove the ball without touching the flag please see photo below.

Bunkers

If rakes have been removed from the course, or if the Committee has requested that rakes not be used, it is recognised that bunkers may not be smoothed as well as when there are rakes on the course. But it is recommended that no modification is made to the Rules of Golf in such circumstances, and that players are requested to smooth bunkers using their feet or a club.

If, as a result of there being no rakes, the Committee decides to introduce a Local Rule relating to bunkers, scores submitted under the following Local Rules acceptable for use in qualifying competitions:

Preferred lies in bunkers within 6 inches to allow players to get out of un-raked areas or bunkers marked as GUR.

Colin

Re upside down cup etc have you a link or is that specific to Scotland at the moment.
RE bunker and lift and place - ditto

 

[Swango1980]

One of my concerns is that we have a significant number of players who will not get a handicap at all under the WHS.

Last check showed more than 150 players without comp status on 1st of January 2020 and a significant number with virtually no Q Scores at all since we switched to IG in March 2018

If they have a handicap now, they will get a handicap under WHS anyway.

Yes, I appreciate many golfers now may well now nor have a comprehensive record of scores by November. However, given the circumstances, I don't think we should really worry about that now. It will be interesting if WHS goes ahead in November, or if it may be delayed a year. Either way, we are all in same position.

We had a qualifier today. So, probably no reason not to run qualifiers whilst clubs remain open for play. However, if clubs have decided to put bunkers GUR and therefore have non qualifiers, then I guess that is up to them.

Still hoping England Golf permit preferred lies in bunkers for qualifiers, as that will make it easier for clubs. Today, we had 1 person in group with a rake. Worked OK, but not great for pace of play, and felt sorry for the rake guy