Please use the following rules when playing
- Before making a swing, always make sure that no one is in the way of danger.
- Use "Fore” as a warning to those who might be in danger of your shot.
- Stand quietly and safely away from a player who is hitting or putting.
- Be careful when walking on the greens. Never step on someone’s line or scuff your shoes.
- When removing or replacing the flagstick, be careful that you do not damage the cup.
- Repair divots in the fairways and ball marks on the greens – yours and others.
- Rake sand after play in the bunkers. Leave rakes in the bunkers with handles outside the bunker.
- Drive golf carts to the farthest point around the green toward the next tee, before putting.
- Cell phones should be turned off and not used during play, except in the case of an emergency.
- PACE OF PLAY (as noted on the USGA Website) : Playing at a better pace is not about hurrying up or rushing around the course. It is simply about being more efficient with your valuable time, as well as everyone else’s. Adopting this mindset – and not being afraid to share it with your fellow players – will ultimately add enjoyment to your golf experience.
Pace of play
Start smart
Confirm your tee time in advance and make it a point to arrive at the tee early with your golf equipment in order, ready to play. Remember essentials like extra balls, tees, gloves and appropriate clothing for the day’s weather conditions.
Minimize your time on the tee
On the tee it is usually acceptable for players to “hit when ready.” You can also save time by playing a provisional ball (Rule 27-2) if you think your original ball might be lost or out of bounds.
Plan your shot before you get to your ball
Once you are off the tee, think ahead. Determine your yardage and make your club selection before it is your turn to play. Very often, you can do this while others are playing, without disruption. If you take your glove off between shots, have it back on before it is your turn to play. Even a small step like this saves time.
Keep your pre-shot routine short
Pick your line of play once and trust yourself. Try to take no more than one practice swing, then set up to the ball and play your shot. Most importantly, be ready to hit when it is your turn. Be efficient after your shot too. Start moving toward your next shot promptly.
Aim to play in 20 seconds
From club selection to pre-shot routine to execution, strive to hit your shot in 20 seconds when it is your turn to play. Help keep play moving at a brisk pace.
Develop an eye for distance
You don’t have to step off yardage for every shot. If you need to determine precise distance, try to find a yardage marker before you reach your ball, then step off the yardage on the way to your ball. Or, consider investing in an electronic range-finder or global positioning system for golf and use it when permitted by Local Rule. If others you are playing with are not familiar with the course, the Rules permit players to exchange yardage information without penalty.
When sharing a cart, use a buddy system
Don’t wait in the cart while your cartmate hits and then drive to your ball. Get out and walk to your ball with a few clubs. Be ready to play when it is your turn and then let your cartmate pick you up. Or, drive to your ball after you drop your cartmate off and then pick him or her up after you hit.
Be helpful to others in your group
Follow the flight of all tee shots, not just your own. Once in the fairway, help others look for their ball if you already know the location of yours. Volunteer to fill in a divot or rake a bunker for another player if needed. Be ready to attend the flagstick for others.
Keep up with the group in front of you
Your correct position on the course is immediately behind the group in front of you, not immediately in front of the group behind you. Arrive at your next shot just before the group in front leaves the area in front of you. If you are consistently not able to keep up and a gap opens in front of you, invite the group behind you to play through, irrespective of the number of players in the group.
Be efficient on the putting green
Mark your ball and lift and clean it when you arrive at the putting green so you will be ready to replace it when it is your turn to play. You can usually line up your putt while others are putting, without disturbing them. Leave your clubs on the side of the putting green closest to the next tee, and leave the green promptly after holing out. Wait until the next tee to record your score.
Remember that picking up your ball is permitted by the USGA Handicap System. If not in an individual stroke play competition, it is generally OK to pick up your ball and move on to the next hole if you are “out” of a hole and want to maintain pace of play. This applies in match play and many forms of stroke play, including Stableford and best-ball play.
GUEST POLICY
A guest may play no more than two times before becoming a member of the SJP LGA Niners, but is precluded from play in Tournaments and Special Events. A guest may play as a competitor if she has an established USGA handicap index of 45.0 or less (eff. 05/2022) (that the Club Pro is able to verify) and she pays the weekly $3.00 entry fee. A guest who does not have an established USGA handicap index may play two times, but only as a non-competitor.
BLIND DRAWS
A "Blind Draw” (a) should reflect the same handicap as, or the nearest to, the player for whom the substitution is being made; (b) should not be part of the original team; and (c) should not be used twice on the same day. The Blind Draw should be identified and should she be entitled to any winnings, she will be paid, provided that she has not already won in her original position.
BREAKING TIES
Ties are broken by using the following procedure:
~ Winner will be determined on the basis of the best score of the last six holes played.
~ If still tied, the last three holes will be used.
~ Finally, if still tied, the last hole played will be used.
If the above does not determine a winner, a comparison of scores based on the most difficult hole, etc. should be used. Once the blind draw player is determined, she will be entitled to any winnings, providing she has not won in her original position.
Confirm your tee time in advance and make it a point to arrive at the tee early with your golf equipment in order, ready to play. Remember essentials like extra balls, tees, gloves and appropriate clothing for the day’s weather conditions.
Minimize your time on the tee
On the tee it is usually acceptable for players to “hit when ready.” You can also save time by playing a provisional ball (Rule 27-2) if you think your original ball might be lost or out of bounds.
Plan your shot before you get to your ball
Once you are off the tee, think ahead. Determine your yardage and make your club selection before it is your turn to play. Very often, you can do this while others are playing, without disruption. If you take your glove off between shots, have it back on before it is your turn to play. Even a small step like this saves time.
Keep your pre-shot routine short
Pick your line of play once and trust yourself. Try to take no more than one practice swing, then set up to the ball and play your shot. Most importantly, be ready to hit when it is your turn. Be efficient after your shot too. Start moving toward your next shot promptly.
Aim to play in 20 seconds
From club selection to pre-shot routine to execution, strive to hit your shot in 20 seconds when it is your turn to play. Help keep play moving at a brisk pace.
Develop an eye for distance
You don’t have to step off yardage for every shot. If you need to determine precise distance, try to find a yardage marker before you reach your ball, then step off the yardage on the way to your ball. Or, consider investing in an electronic range-finder or global positioning system for golf and use it when permitted by Local Rule. If others you are playing with are not familiar with the course, the Rules permit players to exchange yardage information without penalty.
When sharing a cart, use a buddy system
Don’t wait in the cart while your cartmate hits and then drive to your ball. Get out and walk to your ball with a few clubs. Be ready to play when it is your turn and then let your cartmate pick you up. Or, drive to your ball after you drop your cartmate off and then pick him or her up after you hit.
Be helpful to others in your group
Follow the flight of all tee shots, not just your own. Once in the fairway, help others look for their ball if you already know the location of yours. Volunteer to fill in a divot or rake a bunker for another player if needed. Be ready to attend the flagstick for others.
Keep up with the group in front of you
Your correct position on the course is immediately behind the group in front of you, not immediately in front of the group behind you. Arrive at your next shot just before the group in front leaves the area in front of you. If you are consistently not able to keep up and a gap opens in front of you, invite the group behind you to play through, irrespective of the number of players in the group.
Be efficient on the putting green
Mark your ball and lift and clean it when you arrive at the putting green so you will be ready to replace it when it is your turn to play. You can usually line up your putt while others are putting, without disturbing them. Leave your clubs on the side of the putting green closest to the next tee, and leave the green promptly after holing out. Wait until the next tee to record your score.
Remember that picking up your ball is permitted by the USGA Handicap System. If not in an individual stroke play competition, it is generally OK to pick up your ball and move on to the next hole if you are “out” of a hole and want to maintain pace of play. This applies in match play and many forms of stroke play, including Stableford and best-ball play.
GUEST POLICY
A guest may play no more than two times before becoming a member of the SJP LGA Niners, but is precluded from play in Tournaments and Special Events. A guest may play as a competitor if she has an established USGA handicap index of 45.0 or less (eff. 05/2022) (that the Club Pro is able to verify) and she pays the weekly $3.00 entry fee. A guest who does not have an established USGA handicap index may play two times, but only as a non-competitor.
BLIND DRAWS
A "Blind Draw” (a) should reflect the same handicap as, or the nearest to, the player for whom the substitution is being made; (b) should not be part of the original team; and (c) should not be used twice on the same day. The Blind Draw should be identified and should she be entitled to any winnings, she will be paid, provided that she has not already won in her original position.
BREAKING TIES
Ties are broken by using the following procedure:
~ Winner will be determined on the basis of the best score of the last six holes played.
~ If still tied, the last three holes will be used.
~ Finally, if still tied, the last hole played will be used.
If the above does not determine a winner, a comparison of scores based on the most difficult hole, etc. should be used. Once the blind draw player is determined, she will be entitled to any winnings, providing she has not won in her original position.