Running a rules night

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louise_a

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As we have several new and potential new members, not to mention that some of our existing could do with a refresher, I am planning to run a rules and etiquette night next month.
I have got some information of a local rules person but it looks a bit advanced, as I don't want to overload the newbies.
I have had a google but cannot find anything really relevant so I wondered if anyone had done this recently at their club and could offer any pointers?
 
The problem with a quiz Homer, is that this is mostly aimed at those who have been on the course very little, if at all. Although it was something I had thought of.
 
If you have a rules night, lots of people will stay away.
However, you could have a quiz night instead and slip in a round on the rules.
Sneaky but more people will turn up
 
We've held a couple at my club over the last few years and are planning another one in the next couple of months.

My first advice is perhaps blindingly obvious.... but there is a reason for it..... get an expert, qualified rules official to do it. Do not rely on someone who is highly knowledgeable about the rules (e.g. the club "expert"). Reason for this advice is that the rules are a very dry subject.... but they really don't have to be. If you get someone who is totally and utterly confident about the rules then he/she will have the time and "breathing space" to present the rules in an entertaining and funny manner that maintains interest of the audience... and in all likelihood will be "practised" in the presentation of the rules.

The guy that has done ours over the years is one of our County rules officials and is in quite high demand for doing such events... this is as much for his delivery and ability to make the rules entertaining as it is for his actual rules knowledge.

Do not hold it as a "classroom" style event with the audience sat like schoolkids at desks.....present it more as "theatre in the round" where the presenter has an open space around him in which to do practical demonstrations (often rules guys well versed in doing such events will have a variety of props to use) and can easily involve the audience.

Such events often raise questions from club members about how the rules apply in specific scenarios at their course.... if you can (and the person is not familiar with your course) see if you can play a round with them before the rules event itself.... you will be well aware of common scenarios that members often complain about/question or raise doubts about, and will be able to seek specific feedback from the official.... also playing a round (or even just having a walk of the course) may allow the official to highlight "gaps" or errors in how the course is marked/laid out. Also... you'd be surprised (or perhaps not!!) how more the membership is receptive to being given a ruling by a genuine "official" rather than say a normal club member who is well versed in the rules!!
 
We had a rules night run by a rules official ........ it took a few emails to undo the wrong answers he gave!
 
louise_a said:
As we have several new and potential new members, not to mention that some of our existing could do with a refresher, I am planning to run a rules and etiquette night next month.
I have got some information of a local rules person but it looks a bit advanced, as I don't want to overload the newbies.
I have had a google but cannot find anything really relevant so I wondered if anyone had done this recently at their club and could offer any pointers?
Click to expand...

I don't mean this to come across the wrong way, will many people go to an event like this?

I've not heard of such an event being run before, that's all.
 
Canary_Yellow said:
I don't mean this to come across the wrong way, will many people go to an event like this?

I've not heard of such an event being run before, that's all.
Click to expand...

People are leaving the game in droves.... A night of picking over the rules could be exactly what is needed to bring them back in to the fun. ;)
 
Alex1975 said:
People are leaving the game in droves.... A night of picking over the rules could be exactly what is needed to bring them back in to the fun. ;)
Click to expand...

My old Pro and I once did a 'How to save shots and avoid being embarrassment by knowing the rules of golf' night.
Worded differently we managed to get a good audience.

Killed many myths and surprised a few 'experienced' players
 
Some interesting comments thanks.

There is a chance it will be a flop, but I thought it would be a good chance to get our beginners together and give them an introduction to etiquette on the course and the basic rules.

Maybe this isn't the best way to go about it but if you don't try things then you never know.
 
Does anyone anywhere truly know all the rules of golf and their application?:rolleyes:

Got into one or 2 'discussions' over the years, one that springs to mind was this 2 hcapper claiming free drop out of grass cuttings piled under a gorse bush he's managed to find with a wild slice off tee, something to do with blue stakes or something, seemed ridiculous at the time but he took the free drop after some suspicious 'trampling' giving him a clear view to green and we (me and other pp) couldn't confidently claim it wasn't legal.

Minefield!;)
 
louise_a said:
As we have several new and potential new members, not to mention that some of our existing could do with a refresher, I am planning to run a rules and etiquette night next month.
I have got some information of a local rules person but it looks a bit advanced, as I don't want to overload the newbies.
I have had a google but cannot find anything really relevant so I wondered if anyone had done this recently at their club and could offer any pointers?
Click to expand...

Make it compulsory!!!
 
Hi Louise,

By coincidence, I got an email from my club about a forthcoming Rules Night that is being held. I have pasted the mail below as it may help you?

[TABLE="class: editborder grey, width: 566"]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]A Rules Evening has been arranged for Tuesday 21st March 2017 at 7.30pm with Michael Wood - Tournament Director - Ladies European Tour, Rules Official European Tour, U.S. Open Ladies Championship Referee and Rio Olympic Referee.

Michael will give a talk and a clear insight into the Rules of Golf which includes visual and video aids to explain the procedure on common rule scenarios which take place. It will be a fairly light hearted evening and will allow for ongoing questions through out.

The price is £8 per person in include cheese and wine.

A copy of the flyer and sign up sheet is on the notice board in the main entrance hall. Pre-payment to the Secretary's Office please.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
 
Unfortunately I suspect you'll end up preaching to the converted - those who need it are probably too arrogant to accept they're misguided.

Could you add an incentive: e.g curry, dink, discount in the Pro-shop?
 
I attended one at a previous club, it was well attended, and based on some of the scores, well overdue!

The format was excellent, one question per hole, scenario based, backed up with pictures of the Captain on the course, in said scenarios - it also helped that the Captain & Pro used scenarios that often come up on the course.

Some of the scores frightened me, it was a team quiz, and some scored in low single figures!
 
Tell them that low handicappers are not always knowledgeable on the rules and neither are people who have been playing for years.
 
Great idea Louise and its so much better for new players to get the facts at the start, Chinese whispers scenario is all to common!!

I remember back in the day Bob did a few and he always tried to demonstrated the rule that made it much easier to remember.

Good Luck
 
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