Jan
09
2018
2018 Season
As with every year, if you want changes please speak up.
Rules are made and passed based on majority of votes NOT majority of league members. So, if you are not happy with the process or results of the votes, start lobbying for your rule change submission and a seat on the Executive Committee.
Be part of the process and understand that just because you see it one way, does not mean that the rule will be accepted by the majority of the voters.
To add your name on/off Executive Committee ballot and submit your three nominations for the committee click here.
By sscngolf, January 9, 2018 @ 4:37 pm
Time to vote for your SGA Executive Committee and put your two cents in on new rules.
By Kevin, February 21, 2018 @ 4:15 pm
Read Derek’s comment from fall.. my suggestion is to eliminate low net bet… make it optional like gross cuts…. members can make side bets on low net and/or low gross… bet if you want… if not, each member only owes $3 for team bet
By Ron Williams, February 22, 2018 @ 8:28 am
I couldn’t care less if we drop or continue with the Low Net bet. On a good day, it’s $15. Big deal!!! While it’s nice to win once in a while – or even think you’ll win once in a while – I don’t think it’s worth the heartburn that some of the members are experiencing. I’ve heard a certain member say that if you want to win, “Play better”. So, if you want to win Low Net, do we have to “Play worse”. Obviously, the high handicapper has an advantage over the low handicapper when it comes to low net. I’ve suggested in the past to make it a $5 bet so that the low gross would have a chance to win something for a good round. It’s been shot down. The chances of me winning low gross is about the same as the low handicapper winning low net.
By Derek, March 4, 2018 @ 3:47 pm
I agree with Ron, make the bet $5, add low gross.
By Larry, March 8, 2018 @ 11:52 am
Ditto on adding $1 for low gross, Derek needs the money, he’s apparently not getting enough from me.
By Ron Williams, March 8, 2018 @ 3:41 pm
I hate to bring this up as I’ve never like rules that restrict members from competing with his fellow members. However, we have the following rule under “Handicaps” of our Rules & Regulations: “The maximum handicap for League competition is 35.” This may have been a rule adopted due to the league’s one-time scoring system. That system is no longer used. Therefore, I submit that this rule should be eliminated from our Rules & Regulations.
By Prarie Dog, March 9, 2018 @ 6:45 am
I believe that we should consider once again this year allowing all players to select their choice of either members tees, or one set of tees up from member tees for all rounds regardless of age.
If this is approved, Part II, all members and guests with a course adjusted handicap of 30 or greater will play from the tees one up from members tees. (It can be both a little frustrating and distracting to be playing with new players to the game that are struggling from the members tees. this change should make the rounds more enjoyable for all players.
By Kevin, March 9, 2018 @ 3:03 pm
I say make the low net and low gross optional bets… just like gross cuts. Yes, we can all afford the extra $1 or $2, but I don’t wanna just give money away.
By Velvet Hammer, March 10, 2018 @ 8:41 am
Based on the suggestions before mine, here are my thoughts. Can the 35 handicap rule. Make the low net and low gross optional. And make the tee box for handicaps 30 and greater optional.
I feel like making the bets for low gross mandatory eliminates most of our golfers, while the low net includes more members. Eliminating the 35 handicap rule makes those that are in that category feel left out. The option to play from forward tees only affects 2 or 3 members who may enjoy the game more by moving up, but may also bruise their ego a bit of it’s a mandatory rule. I remember a time where our elder members wouldn’t dare move up because they felt it wasn’t as manly. If we are going to adopt that rule, then why not institute a rule that says if your handicap is 10 or lower you have to play from one tee back from members tees? It affects the same amount of players more or less.
There are plenty of arguments for and against, but wasn’t the league created to enjoy the game and each other’s company?
By Prariie Dog, March 10, 2018 @ 4:04 pm
The bets that we play have nothing to do with the league, All bets are optionable. We just need to know before we draw balls if someone is not going to play in the stableford so we do not put them in a threesome on days we have threesome and foursomes. It is hard for a real low handicap guy to win low net, but practically impossible for a real high handicap guy to win low gross. You might have 5 guys willing to play low gross, so if they want to, they can do it. They can also decide to not play low net. There call.
By Kevin, March 12, 2018 @ 2:36 pm
I agree to get eliminate “The maximum handicap for League competition is 35” rule. I also, like giving the option to adjusted 30/over handicap players the option to play one tee forward from the member tees. I would also like to forward an option to allow two tee shots off the first tee for all league rounds. However, if a player chooses to hit a second ball that is the ball they have to play.
By Ron Williams, March 13, 2018 @ 8:39 am
Kevin – don’t quite understand what you are proposing regarding tee shots off the first tee. Please explain.
By Bob Coppock, March 13, 2018 @ 2:21 pm
I would like to create a local rule stating if there is a foot print in a sand bunker not left by the current player and verified by the other team members, should be able to rake a spot and place the ball where it lies. Remember the pros never have this problem, so why should we be penalized for someone else being lazy.
By Bob Coppock, March 13, 2018 @ 2:25 pm
I would also like to agree with Derek on low net that the winners of course handicap of 15.9 and lower and 16 and above split the low net pot, and eliminate the talk of low gross (which I have never won). This way everybody pays and everybody has a chance.
By Bob Coppock, March 13, 2018 @ 2:27 pm
I would like to bring back the old point system for determining the league winner.In my opinion I think the system keeps everyone in the game until the final week, without being eliminating due to a bad round. Depending on the nbr of players points are awarded to the max of 10. Ex #players 6 1st place gets 6 and subt 1 for 2 thru 6. #players 13 1st pl get 10 and subt 1 for 2 thru 10 with the remaining players getting 1 point.
By Larry, March 14, 2018 @ 1:34 pm
Bob, I disagree with your suggestion on using a point system versus scoring to determine league champion. Under the point system, seems you are more rewarded for participation than for actual scoring.
By Moonwalk, March 17, 2018 @ 8:42 am
I agree with Bob on the sand trap…..and yes I know, “don’t hit into it” but we hit into it when there’s water and we move the ball.
By Prarie Dog, March 20, 2018 @ 3:52 pm
Many years ago when most of us went to that place know as work, our league rules stated that to qualify to be league champion the member must compete in 8 league rounds. We later adjusted that rule to 10 rounds. We now have 26 league rounds in our schedule, and sometime lose a week due to weather, but 25 league rounds have been pretty much our norm the last 5 years. With most of our league members being retired, and with RDOs, credit hours, comp time, etc., I believe we should adjust our rule once again to require a minimum of 12 league rounds to qualify for league champ. We want to encourage play, and we should want our league champ to come from a pool of players that play in the rounds on a regular basis. It may be my imagination, but it seems we have a bit of gamesmanship going on the last 2 months of the season, as some players adjust their playing schedules based upon the league standings and the difficulty of the courses we play. This may not prevent this from occurring, but it may slow it down.
By Kevin, March 20, 2018 @ 8:00 pm
I agree with Mike on the recommendation to make 12 rounds the minimum to qualify for the league championship. I work full time and I played in 18 rounds last year… if we have 26 rounds, 12 rounds of play is only 46% of the league rounds. 10 rounds is only 38% of the league rounds.
By Kevin, March 20, 2018 @ 8:04 pm
To clarify on my previous suggestion of 2,shots off the first tee…. many of our league members do not have time to arrive early and hit balls prior to a round. My suggestion is pretty simple… every golfer has the oppurtunity to hit a second ball off the first tee only… if a member decides to hit a second tee ball off the first tee, then the second shot will be the ball the member has to play… if a member decides to play a provisional ball, then second tee ball is no longer an option.
By Kevin, March 20, 2018 @ 8:08 pm
My last suggestion is instead of a 6 over max rule, lets change it to a double par of the hole rule. For example, max you can take on a par 3 is 6. Max on a par 4 is 8 and max on a par 5 is 10. I have played with many different groups over the last year and I really don’t see the need to make 6 over a league rule.
By Prarie Dog, March 20, 2018 @ 9:07 pm
I do not support eliminating 6 over rule. Since our league standings are based on average net scores, lowering the max per hole works to the advantage of high handicap golfers, who more frequently make more than double par. It alters low net winners for bets, and also alters league standings, while not lowering handicaps.
By Kevin, March 21, 2018 @ 9:28 am
Double par may have impact on low net, but my though was to speed up play. This is the only group i know that does 6 over.. However, it will not change handicaps. Triple bogey is the max for handicap.
By Derek Riepma, March 21, 2018 @ 7:39 pm
Some of us still work and some of us travel a lot. I was only able to play in 10 rounds due to travel and due to my kids sports. I play every time I can and never worry about where I am in the standings or what course we’re playing.
By Prarie Dog, March 22, 2018 @ 6:59 am
If we approved the footprint in the sandtrap rule, we should consider expanding it to include “if you ball lands in a spot in the sandtrap than it damaged and considered by your playing partners to be unnatural condition, the player may place the ball in the trap, closest point of relief, no closer to the hole to play their next shot.
If we know that the traps are bad we will declare lift, rake, and place, but sometimes we get an odd trap or two that catch us by surprise.
By Ron Williams, March 22, 2018 @ 7:11 am
Definitely not in favor of eliminating the 6-over-par rule. Once again, this will only benefit the high handicapper. Take a look at the number of triples made by low handicappers and high handicappers. If I could eliminate all my triples, I’d be the winner every time (maybe). Also, disagree on increasing number of rounds to qualify for league championship. This certainly benefits the retirees.
By Rob, March 22, 2018 @ 8:41 am
I agree with the sand trap proposals. A lot of the courses we play are frequented by players who don’t know how to use a rake. I also endorse the second ball off the first tee proposal.
A couple of my own proposals:
1. In the winter play “Winter Rules”, i.e. you can roll the ball in the fairway.
2. For a lost ball, allow the player to drop a ball at the nearest point of relief with a one stroke penalty. To require the player to go back and hit another ball from the original spot unnecessarily slows up play. Maybe enforce that rule during the end of year tournament only.
By Prarie Dog, March 22, 2018 @ 5:18 pm
Rob, League Play in from 1 April to 30 Sept, so winter rules will not apply. Although, post season, winter rules seems reasonable.
We have tried the speed up rule to allow a player to drop at the closet point of relief on a lost ball, but we we not so genious. You were hitting 4 from that spot, vice 3 from the tee, or plus 2 from other spots.
By Clark, March 23, 2018 @ 12:29 am
I’ll try and wade through these things logically;
1. Footprint in sandtrap or washed out bunkers. Because we never know what kind of shape the bunkers will be in and the judgement is always subjective, let everyone always have the option to rake and place the ball. That way theres no misunderstandings or favoritism.
2. You always have the option of hitting a second shot off the first tee, it’s just your third stroke. If you didn’t have time to warm up one shot isn’t going to make that much difference. Also if you elect to hit a second shot and then hit it out of bounds, you’re now obligated to hit a third shot. That’s not saving any time.
3. As far as which tees people should hit from, I really don’t care. Play any tees you want as long as the proper handicap adjustment is made.
4. I’m with Bpb on the point system scoring. It keeps everyone in the running longer, eliminates people from hiding the last month or so of the season, eliminates players from entering season with high Handicap, playing a lot of rounds and then disappearing before their adjusted handicap starts to bite and balances out courses and conditions, your high score at Riverfront on a windy day may count as much as your low score at an easier course like
Cypress Cree on a perfect day. And “yes” Larry I hope it will encourage more not less participate.
It’s late, I just picked four straight losers in the NCAA pool and I can’t go on!
.
By Prarie Dog, March 24, 2018 @ 6:53 am
I have withdrawn my proposal rule change to adjust the number of rounds required to be league champ from 10 to 12. During Monday’s post round beer table discussions, the proposal of bringing back an old rule that allows players before a round is played to declare that the round will not be part of league play. Each player would still need to complete 10 or more league rounds, but the rule would encourage players to participate on the less than stellar weather days, or on course that they historically do not play well. Early season rounds sometimes put a player in a hole that they cannot recover from in the standings. The player would still complete in the bets if desired, and the round would count for handicap purposes.
By Moonwalk, March 24, 2018 @ 11:19 am
Rather than declaring if the round counts or not, why not just drop one or two worst rounds. That should keep more players in the running and willing to come out during less than stellar weather.
It should also keep things more interesting at end of season since dropping a one or two rounds can drastically change the standings. So not playing might actually hurt you.
By Velvet Hammer, March 25, 2018 @ 4:56 pm
Not a fan of the point system. Not a fan of declaring rounds. Like the rake and place rule in the sand. If there is a vote to eliminate the worst round a player has, why not also eliminate his best round, or only count his best 10 rounds? Wouldn’t that be fun for all the retired guys who can come out just about every week?
By Prarie Dog, April 19, 2018 @ 9:52 am
A number of concerns and comments have been expressed to the Executive Committee regarding league betting. As a reminder, no league rules exist for betting, although it was previously an unofficial rule that to particpate in betting a player must maintain a 36 or better handicap. This meant that the player would sometimes play to a course adjusted handicap of around 40.
When our league rule was modified to allow league rounds to be counted regardless of a players handicap, we did not relook at the affect on our small wagering. In some of our more resent rounds, players have entered the stapleford betting with handicaps as high as a course adjusted 47. This means that a player starts the round already plus 11 in points, making it nearly impossible not to achieve their required points, giving their team a disproportionate advantage.
If we want to enforce an unofficial understanding about betting, it has been suggested that players with a course adjusted handicap greater than 40 be asked not to participate in the wagering. Another recommendation has been to return to require a 36 or better (non-adjusted) to participate in wagering. Another alternate would be to pentalize all golfers – 2 for hole scored at more than triple bogey, which will allow all players to wager if desired.
By Alex Wilbanks, April 19, 2018 @ 10:01 am
Since this directed at Chris, I would suggest just cap out the betting at 36 Handicap. Even though he brings a 47 to the table he only can get a Handicap of 36.
Honestly Chris played worst then his handicap which he ended up taking away those 11 points anyway from his handicap especially on the back 9. That means his TEAM did well to make up for those lost points that he received.
By Ron Williams, April 19, 2018 @ 10:16 am
Another suggestion is to set a maximum course handicap of 36 when calculating points-to-pull. Golfers with higher than 36 handicaps may still participate in the betting, but will have to consider if it is for the good of the team. I also am in favor of penalizing -2 for more than triple bogey.
By Alex Wilbanks, April 19, 2018 @ 1:48 pm
Ron – we both suggested the same thing but in a different way.
I don’t agree with the triple bogey part cause you can just cap the Handicap (Course) at 36 for the bets. If the goal is remove high handicap players from the bets then I guess I don’t have to donate anymore…
By Prarie Dog, April 19, 2018 @ 3:47 pm
I hate to admit this, but I agree with an email that Kevin sent to our SSCN group. We are an inclusive group, and the fairiest way to let everyone play is to enforce a minus 2 for anything worse than trible bogey. Alex, this isn’t about a single player as this discussion has been going on for some time. I am a numbers guy like most of you. Let’s take a look. Let’s take a look at the 2 best scores of the day yesterday and the two worse.
Player 1 (we shall call him Dick). Dick was playing to a 13 handicap yesterday and shot 38/42 = 80 His Stableford score was Plus 5, Plus 1, Plus 6 overall. Dick won low gross and low net, so a solid Stableford score is expected. Net 67
Player 2 (we will call him Lucky). Lucky was playing to an 18 Handicap and shot 43/43 = 86. His Stableford score was Plus 2, Plus 4, Plus 6 overall. Net 68
Player 3 (we will call him Candy). Candy was playing to a 42 handicap and shot a 55/69 = 124. His Stableford score was Plus 3, Minus 3, Even overall. Net 82.
Player 4 (we shall call him Junior Hammer). Junior Hammer played to a 47 handicap and shot 58/69 =127. His Stableford score was Plus 5, Plus 1, Plus 6 overall, trying the two best low rounds of the day for the best Stableford score. Net 80.
Had the minus 2 modification been in place, DIck’s score would have been unaffected. Lucky would have lost one more point and been plus 5 for the day. Candy would have been – 5 for the day vice even, which seems reasonable for a net 82. Junior Hammer would have been plus 2 for the day vice plus 6, which seems a bit more fair for a Net 80.
By Kevin, April 19, 2018 @ 5:21 pm
Make it -2 only for taking max on a hole… just another suggestion
By Alex Wilbanks, April 20, 2018 @ 9:47 am
Honestly, I would rather leave the betting the way it is, which forces everyone to play to their handicap and/or better. Playing the bets is always an option and not a requirement.
Just play better!!!
FYI _ I want my 5 dollars in quarters back FULLER!
By Alex Wilbanks, April 20, 2018 @ 9:48 am
Also those upset about the betting where are they at on this blog/discussion?
By Larry, June 9, 2018 @ 1:08 pm
Does anyone know how to get in contact with
Guy Briesacher ?
By Larry, June 10, 2018 @ 2:31 pm
Does anyone have contact info for Guy Briesacher?