EWGA St. Louis Chapter League Rules

General

1. HAVE FUN! The most important activity of all. All the other rules are just details.
2. League play is individual play.
3. All league play is at Crystal Springs Quarry Golf Course. Length of the League is eight weeks of play.
4. Tee times and day of play will be communicated to each golfer in advance. The league's intent is to play mixed foursomes varying each week so all members have the opportunity to play with as many other members as possible. Members with special requirements should state them in advance and every effort will be made to accommodate individual needs.
5. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your tee time, ready to play. Club rules will be followed for members who are late. Please follow the club's dress code policy.

Absense or Cancellation

1. In the event of absence, each player has two possible alternatives:
   • The member can make up play during the week immediately before or following the week of absence at no additional charge. League play will occur two nights a week, but a player may make up a miss at another time with the club's concurrence. Scores obtained through make up will count toward the member's League scores as if played on the date of absence. These scores can be registered at the League's next regular day of play.
   • b. Or the member can contact a member on the Substitute List in advance of the absence and arrange for the Substitute member to play in her place. The Substitute member will pay the League member directly for her greens fees. Scores obtained through Substitute play will not count toward the member's League score.
2. Absences without one of these options will forfeit both the greens fees and the scores. Sorry, but there are simply too many of you to babysit!
3. Extending the length of the League season will make up absences due to cancellation of play because of weather. Each member is responsible for phoning the club prior to play during inclement weather to determine the state of the course. If the course is open, we play!

Substitutes

1. We have a group of members on the Substitute list available for you to call.
2. Non-members can play with us twice before they join our group.
3. Substituting in the league is an excellent way to "sample" our group. If you have a friend who would like to be on our substitute list, let us know.

Scoring and GHIN Handicap

1. Scorecards should be registered with the League prior to leaving the club after each day of play. We will stay and have drinks and/or dinner at the club after play, giving you time to register your scores and make up lies about how well you played. Registering your score allows us to track your scores for league, as well as for your GHIN handicap.
2. Each member of the League is automatically signed up for the GHIN handicap system. You must complete ten rounds of nine holes to obtain a GHIN handicap. After ten rounds, you can continue to submit your scores to the course to maintain and update your handicap. The club will post our scores for us, or you can come early and they will teach you how to post on the computer at the club. Crystal Springs does not, unfortunately, subscribe to the online portion of the system - so you can't post online from your office. To post scores from other clubs you need your score, the date, name of club, slope and course rating of the club, and color tees you played from.
3. To participate in the Chapter Championship, members must play and record at least three rounds of 18-holes of golf (or six rounds of 9-holes) in the current calendar year.  
4. In Missouri, our official season begins March 5 and ends October 30. Click here for additional details on the season and handicapping.  If, however, you spent time in Florida or Arizona or somewhere in the "sunbelt" during the winter, these areas of the country are in their active season and your scores should be posted.  

   Why? . . .  Since we live in a part of the country that experiences winter weather, where the grass goes dormant and the leaves fall from the trees, we are considered to be a seasonal association and have to establish an inactive season. When courses are rated, the condition of the course during the heart of our season is taken into consideration. Needless to say, no matter how nice a day we might have in December, the conditions on the course are not the same, as during our growing season, so the course rating and slope rating do not reflect this different condition.  Please continue to play every chance you get!  However, because of our winter conditions, scores for handicap purposes are not accepted during our inactive season. If, however, you spent time in Florida or Arizona or somewhere in the "sunbelt" during the winter, these areas of the country are in their active season and your scores should be posted.  

Play Rules

1. The league will be "weighted" in order to even out play. Awards will be given for multiple levels of play, such as High Gross, High Net, Most Improved, Fewest Putts, etc. Scoring should keep track of overall score per hole, plus number of putts (otherwise we can't give out the award). We'll also play some games as we go.
2. White tees will be played by everyone.
3. Our play is governed by USGA rules, with the following exceptions:
   • Winter rules apply on the entire course.
   • A ball hit out of bounds is loss of stroke, but not distance. Return your ball to the observed point of exit. Look for a lost ball quickly, and return to play.
   • You can move your ball two club lengths from an unplayable lie or from an obstruction (cart path, ground under repair, tree) but no closer to a hole. You can't improve your lie, such as moving your ball from rough to fairway, fairway to fringe, or fringe to green.
   • Balls may be changed only on the green, not in the fairway.
   • Any shot from the tee that goes into a hazard in front of the tee can be teed up again or can be dropped in front of the hazard. In either case you are hitting three.
   • Crystal Springs Quarry is no longer a cart path only course. Please be considerate of your partner in managing the cart and split up the work. Be considerate, as well, in managing both carts within the foursome.
   • Gimme's are allowed! Any putt within 6 feet of the hole may be conceded. This is not mandatory; a gimme putt is at the discretion of your foursome.
   • Play "ready golf". If you can hit without interfering with other members of your foursome, do so. Limit your practice swings. Watch others and be ready to play, including on the green!

Maximum Scoring

1. To speed up play (and limit each player's frustration level) the following Equitable Stroke Adjustment will be allowed:
   • If your GHIN handicap is less than or equal to 9, you need not take more than two strokes over par on any hole for your adjusted score.
   • If your GHIN handicap is 10-19, you need not take more than three strokes over par on any hole for your adjusted score.
   • If your GHIN handicap is 20 or above, you need not take more than four strokes over par on any hole for your adjusted score.
2. Each of us knows approximately where we'll fall in this handicap system and stroke adjustment. If you need help, let us know. The point here is to HAVE FUN! When you are no longer having fun on a hole, pick up your ball, record the maximum score for your level, and MOVE ON to the next hole with a smile!

Suggestions for Improving Pace of Play

1. Arrive at least 15 minutes early so you have time to pick up a beverage, say hello to friends, stretch, warm up and/or practice putting. 
2. Tee off as soon as enough members have arrived and the starter approves.  Waiting for a specific player delays others' tee times and you might miss the opportunity to meet new people.  As mentioned above, the league's intent is to play mixed foursomes varying each week so all members have the opportunity to play with as many other members as possible.  
3. Play "ready golf."  On every shot, whenever it is safe to hit, the first person in your group to address their ball should proceed.  
4. Proceed to your ball as quickly as possible.  
5. Take the clubs you may need from the cart so you are prepared when you get to your ball.
6. Take no more than 2 practice swings.  
7. Keep an extra ball, tees and a ball marker in your pocket.
8. Watch other shots, as well as your own, to help pinpoint the position of their ball.
9. When on the green, putt out whenever possible instead of marking the ball.  The first person that putts out should tend and replace the pin for other players.
10. Keep up with the group in front of you.  
11. Emphasize speed of game instead of handicap requirements.  
12. Reserve giving instruction for the driving range, not on the course.  Remember clinics and private lessons are available for all levels of play.
13. Count strokes and write down your score after you get to the next tee.