tee1up golf society constitution

2007/2008Committee
Captain   Andy Webber	Vice Captain Gavin Hall	Secretary Kevin Burnett-Whalley	Handicap Scetary Andy Clark

The Objectives

The main objective of the tee1up Golf Society can be found in the Constitution - click here ...

To this end the 'committee' arranges events at courses throughout the area on a regular basis from March to October. These events are arranged so that golfers of mixed abilities can enjoy the game of golf at subsidised prices and at differing venues.

The Committee endeavors to provide competitions to suit all levels of golfing ability. Obviously not all courses will be suitable for all golfers. It is recommended that if the committee classifies a course as difficult, then the less experienced, or fragile, golfers should think twice before taking on the challenge. It should also be said that we are guests at these courses and, occasionally, they impose handicap limits on the members of the society which specifically excludes some of our membership from playing.

Details of the courses to be played this year can be found on the news page of the tee1up web site along with some comments on the relative difficulty of the courses

Constitution

1. The society shall be called the "tee1up Golf Society".

 

2. The objectives of the Society are to:- Foster the interests of its members in golf by arranging a calendar of golf fixtures throughout the year open to all members. Arrange and participate in team matches against other societies and clubs.

 

3. Prospective members eligible to join the membership of the tee1up Golf Society on payment of subscription of fixed by the Committee.

 

4. The elected Committee shall include a Captain, Vice-Captain, Secretary and Treasurer. The total members of the Committee shall not be more than six , 4 members being a quorum. The Captaincy will be taken each year by the previous years' Vice-Captain. Sub-Committees will be formed from and by the elected Committee. The Committee will be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting held in May. The date of the AGM will be fixed by the Committee

 

5. If the number of the Committee falls below five, the Committee may appoint additional members and they shall hold office until the next General Meeting.

 

    A member shall be deemed to have left the Committee:-

(i)                   On being absent from three consecutive meetings without good reason.

(ii)                 In the event of an officer retiring for any reason, a replacement may be elected by means of a postal/electronic vote by the members, without requiring an EGM to implement such a change, provided a quorum as required in rule 8 below is reached.

 

6. The posting of a suitable notice, 2 weeks in advance shall be considered to be adequate notice to all members of an Annual General Meeting or other General Meetings.

 

7. The Committee or four members of the Society may call an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Society on giving 14 days notice to the members specifying the subject of the meeting. The discussions at the meeting shall be strictly limited to that subject.

 

8. At all General Meetings, the Captain shall take the chair. In his absence the chair will be taken by the Vice-Captain. Four members, including at least one Committee Member shall be a quorum.

 

9. Alterations, additions and/or deletions to the Society's rules may only be made at a General Meeting, provided that a minimum of 2 weeks notice of such proposed changes to the Current Rules to be issued to members at the time of calling the General Meeting.

 

10. The Society's operating year shall commence 1 March.

 

11. Members' tournament and matches will be subsidised to a level recommended and approved by the Committee.

 

12. The standards of etiquette and rules of golf as determined by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews shall hold good, together with such local rules and by-laws applicable to the course played.

 

13. A President may be elected from the Society membership as recognition of service to the Society. A nomination and majority vote of support at an AGM is required, the term of office to be three years.

 

14. The Committee have the power to suspend or expel a member for violation of the rules contained herein following a Committee Meeting which the member is invited to attend.

 

Last date of Amendment: 11 May 2005.                          Secretary.

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THE ORGANISATION

The society is run by a committee on your behalf. This committee is elected at the society's annual general meeting which is generally held in May. At this meeting the committee of six is elected. This committee's officers are the Captain, the Secretary, and the Treasurer. The Vice-Captain is elected by the AGM, but the Handicapper is selected by the Committee. In addition to the 6 members of the committee, there is a post of President which is held for a 3-year term. Further members may also be co-opted onto the committee.

The Captain, who is usually the previous years Vice-Captain, spends most of his/her time overseeing the smooth operation of the running of the society, whilst the Vice-Captain ensures that the events are run smoothly. The Secretary & Treasurer job is to liaise with the clubs and the society's membership and to be the custodian of the Society's documentation and sorts out the society's finances, this includes collecting monies from the attendees of those events, sorting out the level of the society subsidy and paying the clubs. The Handicap Secretary's job is to maintain the Society members handicaps in accordance with EGU rules and to provide a results service.

THE COMPETITIONS WE ARRANGE.

Each of the events organised by the society (with the exception of the matches against other societies) are played as competitions for small prizes, such as golf balls. Some of these events also have a trophy, donated to the society in times gone by, that is presented to the winner to hold for 1 year. All competitions (except those clearly stated as otherwise) are played with full handicap allowance.

In addition to the competition that is run at each event there are several competitions that run over the course of the season. These are Singles Stableford, Golf weekend Championship

Singles Stableford

Played over twelve rounds between January and August (competition finishes on the last weekend of August). Each player will play 12 rounds of golf on a 18 hole course of their choice and with any player  (Course must be par of 69 and above) Two lowest positive scores will be discounted (this does not include any nil points received) To enter a card a committee member must be informed by phone, text or email the day before play. Tee1up Golf Days cards will be automatically entered in this competition if you attend one of the golf days Two rounds in one day cards must be marked with AM and PM handicap adjustments and points amendments will made if needed by committee member. All cards must be signed and dated (Unsigned cards count as nil points) Cards are to sent to committee member the following day and must be received within one week of the day of play to count Scrubbed, un-played and undelivered cards will count as nil points committees decision is final

Golf Weekend Championship

Requires 6 rounds completed in the weekend Championship. The total stableford score for the weekend Championship is calculated. The scores for the six rounds are added together and the player with the highest total is the winner.  

Other Cup matches

Spring Bowl  Individual Stableford normally over 36 holes

St Cross Cup Individual Stableford over 18 holes

 Broadcast Sheild Team event played against other societies competition is accumulated team Stableford over 18 holes

Competition Formats.

In any event where a card is handed in, it is only the GROSS score that is being verified.

If the event is Stableford you are encouraged to calculate the Stableford points, but mistakes in this regard can be rectified at any time with no penalties incurred.

The format of the rounds played in the competitions are arranged to provide the membership with a varied format for their golf. Generally the golf played by the society at each event conforms to one of the following formats :-

·         Stableford

·         Medal

·         Four Ball Better Ball

·         Greensome Foursomes

·         Texas Scramble

·         Matchplay

·         The Accumulator

Stableford.

The majority of the golf played by the society conforms to this format as it is not so punishing and should be quicker than medal play. For those who are not familiar with this type of play it will be useful to explain how the scoring works.

First of all, we should stress that the gross score for each hole must be recorded. It is this that the player signs for. In the event of a hole not being completed, a No-Return (NR) may be entered.

This is a stroke play competition, so no putts may be conceded as in match play.

From the gross scores recorded, the handicap allowance is applied in accordance with the stroke index of each hole and a net score per hole calculated. From this:-

·         A net bogey scores 1 point

·         A net par scores 2 points

·         A net birdie scores 3 points

·         A net eagle scores 4 points

Anything more than a net bogey scores ZERO points and you should pick up your ball at this point. The player scoring the most points over the course of the competition (usually 18 holes, sometimes 36 holes) is the winner.

Medal

Every stroke taken during the round is counted and every hole must be completed. Your handicap is subtracted from your total number of strokes (Gross score) to give your net score. The lowest net score wins the competition. 

Four Ball Better Ball

This method of play is used for the 'Pairs Salver' competition. A team is made up of two players who play together. On each hole both players play their own ball (as in normal play) but only the best net score of the two on each hole counts for the team score. Normally the format is medal, in which case we usually use the full handicap allowance for each player. However, the format may be stableford with each player using 3/4 of their usual handicap.

NB The scoring can be a little tricky, so to ensure that any problems in the scoring can be easily resolved, it is best to make sure that the marker of the card puts down both players gross scores in the appropriate columns as well as the best net score (and, of course, both of his own teams scores in the marker's column).

Greensome Foursomes

As with normal fourballs both members of a team of two drive, but then only one ball is selected for subsequent play. That ball is then played alternately by the team members until holed out, the second shot being played by the player whose tee shot was discarded. The format for this competition is usually Medal. The handicap allowance is 7/16 the combined handicap of the two players.

Texas Scramble

The 'Texas Scramble' is played in teams of three each member of a team drives. The best tee shot is selected and all three team members hit their second shots from that position. The player of the ball that has been selected always plays first. The other two place their ball within 6 inches, no nearer the hole. Play continues in this manner until a ball is holed. The score for the hole is the number of shots played by the team after one of the balls is holed out.

NOTE: If a ball that has been played is played again, before the other balls have been played, then this ball is now in play (i.e. do not tap in putts before the other players have played).

Normally a team will be allowed a handicap of one ninth of the combined handicap of the team members and the format of the competition is medal.

Matchplay

As its name suggests, this method of scoring is only used in matches a stroke allowance for the course is given based on 3/4 of the difference between a player's handicap and the lowest handicap of the group playing the match. After that, the game is played by holes.

A hole is won by the side that holes its ball in fewer (net) strokes. A hole is halved if each side holes out in the same number of strokes. The reckoning of holes is kept by the terms: so many holes up or all square, and so many to play.
A side is dormie when it is as many holes up as there are remaining to be played.
The match is won by the side which is leading by a number of holes greater than the number of holes remaining to be played.

The Accumulator

A "fun event" Stableford where:

·         For holes 1 to 6: Only one of the three stableford scores will count - but, be aware that each player's score must count at least once!

·         For holes 7 to 12: Two of the three stableford scores count

·         For holes 13 to 18: All three stableford scores count

 

PLAYING IN AN EVENT

·         Entering an event

·         Filling in your scorecard

·         Dress Rules

·         Are you now having doubts?

Entering an event

The intended practice is to send a note to every member of the society about 3 weeks in advance of an event, asking for entries. Places for the event are allocated on a first come first served basis, with the exception of the matches. The number of places allocated for an event are always restricted by the golf club, some more severely than others, so it is best to reply early to avoid disappointment. However, advance entries cannot be accepted.

Several days before the event is scheduled, the entry list will be closed and a note will be sent to all entrants giving directions to the course, the format of the competition and a starting sheet. You will be allocated a tee time and names of players who you are to play with. It is very important that you are ready on the tee at your allotted time; if you are not, your playing partners will be greatly inconvenienced and you will probably not be able to play in the competition. Please allow plenty of time for travel. On all day events coffee is available on arrival.

Events are not cancelled because of weather conditions, unless the course being visited is closed. If in doubt on the day of an event you should contact the course.

Note if you are a late cancellation and a replacement cannot be found, or you do not turn up at an event, you will incur the full cost for your allocated place. This can be in excess of £50 for some day events.

Filling in your score card

It is extremely important that your score card is filled in correctly by you and your marker.

On arrival at a course you should obtain a scorecard and fill in your name, society number, and the date.

Before playing you must give your scorecard to one of your playing partners and obtain a scorecard to mark from another playing partner.

During the course of the round it is now your responsibility to enter the number of shots played on each hole by the person whose card you are marking. This should be done clearly in the correct column (if in doubt ask), any correction being clearly initialled by yourself. You should also keep track of your own score in the "marker's column" as this helps to verify that your score has been accurately recorded.

At the end of the round you will be asked to sign the card as the marker, to verify that the scores marked are accurate and the date is correct.
In a Stableford competition, you should also enter the points scored on each hole as this helps the organiser, but this is not what you are signing for.
You should now also obtain your own card from your marker and ensure that it is clear, accurate, and signed by the marker.

When you are satisfied that the card has been marked correctly (the date and number of shots taken on each hole are accurate) you should sign the card and hand it to one of the organisers. If the card is found to be inaccurate, not dated, or not signed by marker and player you can be disqualified.

Dress rules

Please remember that we are guests at a golf club so please observe the rules of any club that we are visiting. The private clubs that we visit expect us to conform to their dress code. This always means no jeans, T-shirts, un-tailored shorts, exotic looking tank tops, track suits, trainers etc. Many clubs require men to wear long socks when wearing shorts. Most clubs expect all visitors to be smartly dressed at lunch and dinner and normally it is required for men to wear jacket and tie at the evening meal. Some clubs even require a jacket and tie to be worn at lunch time! Trainers are never permitted in the clubhouse.

If you are in any doubt about appropriate dress please direct any questions to a member of the committee.

Are you now having doubts?

If you are relatively new to golf you may now think that playing in a golf event will be too traumatic. However, please do not be put off by what you have read. The golf society is always keen to see new members and there is always somebody willing to help you through your first few events. If you haven't played before it would be a good idea to take lessons. When you enter, let the organiser know your experience and you will be paired with an appropriate playing partner who can give you guidance.

Good Luck, and remember that everybody in the society today was once in the same position as you.

On course etiquette

There is an unwritten set of etiquette rules that are generally picked up when playing in events. The main ones are (in no particular order):

·         Do not be late on the tee.

·         Remain quiet when your playing partner is playing a shot.

·         Play without undue delay.

·         If you are losing ground on the game in front and holding up the game behind allow the game behind to play through.

·         Replace Divots.

·         Repair pitchmarks on the green.

·         Do not stand on the line of your playing partners putt.

·         Do not play a shot unless you are sure that the game in front is out of range.

·         If you can see that a ball (even if it is not yours) is heading towards another player, shout 'FORE' as loudly as you can.

·         The player who got the lowest score on the previous hole tees off first on the next hole.

·         Observe the dress code of the Club both on the course and in the 19th.

How to keep the game moving

Slow play is always a bone of contention in the game of golf and can often lead to hot tempers and and missed lunches. If you follow the etiquette rules everybody is much happier. However the best policy is to keep your own game moving at a good pace so that you do not lose ground. There are many things that you can do to help this and these generally become obvious once you have played for a while.

The basic tip is to speed up everything you do between shots and then you never have to rush your shot. Here are some things to remember (in no particular order):

·         No matter what sort of shot you play keep your eye on the ball and make sure you know where it went ( after all not everyone is like our captain who hits the ball arrow straight to the centre of the fairway on every tee shot !!!!! ).

·         If you think that your ball may be lost and you are playing in a medal tell your partners you wish to play a provisional ball and save yourself the long (or short) walk back. The rules of golf allow you to search for a ball for five minutes, so if you think that you are going to spend this much time looking, call the following group through if they are waiting to play.

·         It is normal etiquette for the player who is furthest from the flag to play the next shot. However it is quite acceptable to play out of sequence if you are ready to play your shot and the player furthest away is not. You should make sure that your partners are aware of your intention. However this does not mean that you should leave your playing partners behind.

·         Be ready to play your shot when it is your turn. Golf is full of inactive moments when you are waiting for the players in front to finish or for your partners to play their shots. Use these times wisely. Think about what shot you will play next, decide what club to use, line up your putt. These are also the times to take your waterproofs off, fill in the scorecard, get some more tees out of your bag, crack open the can of lager etc. For example, do not fill in the scorecard on the previous green or on the next tee when it is your turn to play, but wait for the next inactive moment when waiting for your partners to tee off or walking after your drive on the next hole.

·         When approaching the green observe where the next tee is and place your bag in a strategic position between the flag and the tee. There is nothing more annoying to the players waiting behind than to see you walking across the green to pick up your bag and walking back again to the next tee. Even more so with players who insist on using trolleys - make sure you move your trolleys to the back of the green next to the tee. Take this time to observe the lay of the the green so that when you do come to putt or chip from the fringes you have an idea of which way the ball will move.

·         Please make use of distance cards provided by the club. Most courses will have markers at 200/150/100 yards to the hole. In the last few years I have seen people walking 60 yards up to the green and back before playing their shot .I know we all like winning but we are not playing in the British Open but in a friendly competition.

·         When putting, if you are close to the hole and confident of holing the next putt, exercise your right to putt out.

·         If you are playing in a stableford and have played too many shots on a hole to score a point, be willing to pick the ball up and move to the next tee.

·         If you are in a medal competition and have taken so many shots that you have no chance of winning and are now having another bad hole, be willing to pick the ball up and move to the next tee.

If you do this you should write "N/R" (No Return) as the score for the hole that you pick up on, and as the total score. In effect you are withdrawing from the competition. However, you can still play and record scores for the remaining holes.

·         Lastly , always consider that there are other golfers playing with you and behind you so please make the effort to keep up with 2/3/4 ball ahead of you.

Hopefully , this list of tips on etiquette and how to avoid slow play will enable ALL of us to enjoy our golf days.