League Information

NEW MEMBERS

The following information will help you understand the league’s procedures and protocol. If you have any questions please consult your buddy or one of the board members for assistance.

LEAGUE BULLETIN BOARD

• Located in the clubhouse on the right side as you enter from the parking lot;

• Information is posted on all league activities;  

• Check it each week for current information on events, tee times, tournaments, handicaps and other newsworthy tidbits.

OUR BUDDY SYSTEM

• Our way of welcoming newcomers to our league;

• The Co-Chairs will assign a “Buddy” (current member) to each new member in our league;  

• Your “Buddy” will be responsible to guide and assist new members with policies, procedures and protocol of the league.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

• You are responsible for your information contained on the FLIGHT schedule;

• Includes the flight you are in, the date and the time that you play;  

• It also lists the front or back nine that you play each week and the names of your foursome.  You will not have the same partners each time you play.

CAN’T PLAY?   CALL . . .

• If you can’t make your scheduled round call or text TWO members in your foursome and advise them you will not be able to play that day; 

• If you know well in advance that you will miss a game for any reason, cross your name off the posted flight schedule and still notify your golf partners for that day.

ALL MEMBERS

NEW: Timber Creek management has asked that we make every effort to adhere to a finishing time of 2 hours 10 minutes for 9 holes.  This allows for better tee time management behind our league.

PLEASE BE ON TIME!

“ON TIME” for league play means arriving at the clubhouse AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED TEE TIME.

This allows ample time to pay greens fees, check the bulletin board, visit the restroom and still tee off on time.

YOUR GOLF PARTNERS WILL TEE OFF AT THE DESIGNATED TIME WITH OR WITHOUT YOU.

SHOTGUN STARTS

Arrive at the clubhouse at least 45 minutes before the start.

Your starting hole will be assigned that morning.  Allow time for registration, paying greens fees, receiving event instructions, enjoying some refreshments provided by the Hospitality Chairs, renewing old acquaintances, greeting new members, using the restroom  . . . AND ARRIVING AT YOUR ASSIGNED TEE BOX ON TIME.

PLEASE TURN YOUR CELL PHONES OFF

BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS

• Follow the rules;

• Don’t talk while another in your foursome is playing the ball;

• Count all of your strokes and whiffs;

• Don’t ask for a lesson or advice on club choice from your golf partner during play and do not “offer” any advice to anyone.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SCORE

• Use a counter to keep track of the number of strokes you take;

• Don’t rely on your foursome to keep track of your strokes – they are busy keeping track of their own;

• ACCURACY COUNTS IN LEAGUE PLAY.   Make sure your score is correct.  DON’T FORGET.  Each and every WHIFF counts as a stroke.

POSTING YOUR SCORE

All scores must be posted in 3 places each and every week of league play. POST SCORE ON:

1. Score Card

2. Computer – GHIN

3. Ringer Card

PACE OF PLAY

• Plan your shot while walking to your ball or while others are playing;

• Line up your putt when others are putting and be ready to play when it is your turn;

• Walk briskly between shots;

• Walk directly to your golf ball; don’t follow others unless assisting in a search;

• If riding, take several clubs with you to your ball so you won’t have to walk back to the cart;

• Don’t step off or measure yardage for every single golf shot, develop an “eye” for distance;

• Be efficient with your pre-shot routine;

• Take only one practice swing;

• Play a provisional ball if you think the original might be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds;

• Leave your clubs on the side of the putting green towards the next tee;

• Exit putting green promptly after holing out;

• Unless experienced, play the standard tees, not the championship tees.

NEW RULES 2019

Here is a summary of some of the major changes in the Rules of Golf

1. SEARCH TIME – reduced from 5 minutes to 3 minutes

2. BALL MOVED DURING SEARCH – replace, no penalty 

3. EMBEDDED BALL – free relief anywhere through the green 

4. MEASURING A DROP – use longest club (except putter) 

5. DROPPING – drop from knee height rather than shoulder

6. TAKING STANCE ON WRONG GREEN – is not permitted

7. BALL UNINTENTIONALLY HITS PLAYER OR EQUIPMENT – no penalty

8. DOUBLE HIT – no penalty, now only counts as the 1 stroke

9. TOUCHING SAND IN A BUNKER ACCIDENTALLY – is permitted

10. LOOSE IMPEDIMENTS – can be moved anywhere, including Penalty Areas

11. DROPPING A BALL OUT OF THE BUNKER – 2 penalty strokes

12. WATER HAZARDS – now called “penalty areas”

13. TOUCHING GROUND IN PENALTY AREA – no penalty

14. BALL MOVES ON GREEN AFTER BEING MARKED – replace without penalty

15. BALL ACCIDENTALLY MOVED ON PUTTING GREEN – replace, no penalty

16. ALL DAMAGE TO GREEN – can now be repaired

17. POSITIONING A CLUB FOR ALIGNMENT – is not permitted

18. CADDIE ASSISTING WITH ALIGNMENT – is now not permitted

19. PUTTING WITH FLAG STICK IN THE HOLE – is now permitted

20. BALL WEDGED AGAINST FLAG STICK AND SIDE OF HOLE – is deemed as holed

Other conditions to consider if you are not familiar with the rules:

What if I am not sure how to count my strokes for a penalty?

If you’re not certain about how to count your strokes for a particular penalty, note the hole of concern on your scorecard, continue to play, scoring as best you can. Ask advice at the clubhouse at the end of your round and adjust your score accordingly.

What if I play someone else’s ball on the fairway by mistake?

Take a two stroke penalty, put the ball back and hit from there.

I don’t know the correct way to mark my ball after it has landed on the green?

You must always mark your ball BEFORE YOU PICK IT UP.  First place the marker DIRECTLY BEHIND THE BALL, then pick the ball up.  Do not roll the ball out of the way and then place the marker.  ALWAYS PLACE THE BALL BACK BEFORE PICKING UP THE MARKER.

What if I hit the flag or another ball resting on the green as I am chipping onto the green?

When you are chipping onto the green, if you hit the flag or another ball, there is no penalty.  Replace the hit ball to the nearest estimate of its original position.  You may have the flag in or out while chipping onto the green, however, you may not have it tended.

What if I hit my ball out of bounds?

If your ball goes out of bounds, re-hit again from the same spot and count your original shot, plus take one stroke penalty and then count your second shot for a total of three.  If you are not sure it went out of bounds, announce you are hitting a provisional ball.  If you can’t find the original ball, play the provisional ball the rest of the way and count strokes the same as above (3).  If you find the original ball after hitting the provisional ball for the second time you must continue to play the provisional ball the rest of the way.

If you have other questions regarding play, please ask the League’s Rules Chair or consult the USGA Rules Book.