They don’t call it a spring clean for nothing. Here are some things you need to think about before the year starts in earnest
The nights are getting lighter. The temperatures are getting warmer. The dawn of a new competition season is close.
But before your new captain hits their ceremonial drive, and before your clubhouse is full of players striving to get on your honours board, there are a few things you and your committee should do to make sure your club is ready for the new campaign.
Think of it as a pre-season spring clean. So what’s on the agenda…
Check your Local Rules
You’re looking to make sure the wording is correct and that your Local Rules are consistent with the Rules of Golf.
Do they reflect the course as it is now – or how it was when they were first written?
Make sure they are displayed properly. Is the scorecard up to date? If it includes shorter formats of a Local Rule, ensure the full text is available on a noticeboard or on the club website.
It’s vital you communicate where that text is with members and visitors.
Remember, Local Rules cannot be used to waive or modify a penalty in a way that is different to the Rules of Golf. There can be consequences for committees which adopt a Local Rule that isn’t consistent with R&A guidelines.
So states the governing body’s Committee Procedures: “If a Committee adopts a Local Rule that is inconsistent with the stated purpose of the Model Local Rules, the handicapping authority should be consulted as to whether players may submit acceptable scores from that round for handicap purposes.”
Check your scorecards and WHS ratings
Has anything changed on your course during the winter? Have you lengthened holes, changed or removed tees, or altered greens?
Lots of winter projects might see a club require a Course Rating change. Clubs can contact their regional handicap advisors to see if that is needed if there has been substantial winter work.
Similarly if holes have been lengthened or shortened, does the scorecard reflect these changes with the new yardages?
Carry out a course walk
You’re looking for winter damage. Do you need to consider areas of ground under repair? Are tee markers and discs visible? Are drop zones clearly marked? Are distance markers in the right places?
Here’s some more: Are penalty areas correctly marked red or yellow – and is there any confusion? Are out of bounds stakes, or painted lines, easily seen and in the right positions?
Nothing causes more early season friction than confusing markings.
It’s the responsibility of a committee to make sure the course is appropriately marked and that those markings are refreshed if required.
That’s obviously an “ongoing task”, as indicated in the Committee Procedures. But seeing the course through members’ eyes in early spring can be invaluable.
Getting out on a course walk and identifying potential issues before they become a problem can save you a headache in the long run.
Check your Terms of Competition
How are ties separated? What’s the entry criteria for your competitions? How many competitive rounds are required to enter? What are the handicap requirements? If a playoff is required, is the format explicitly stated?
Looking again over every event in your competition calendar – from a big trophy to a Sunday Stableford – and making sure that vital information is included, such as eligibility, format, entry requirements, and when a result is final, will ensure everyone knows what’s expected of them.
It will also give you rules and procedures to follow if there is a dispute.
I’ve heard about competitions won by players who shouldn’t have been able to enter, and club championships which descended into confusion when no one knew how to split competitors who had posted the same score.
Having clear and unambiguous Terms of Competition are crucial to ensure every event runs smoothly.
Review Pace of Play measures
The days are getting longer but there can still be pressures on the clock – particularly during the first midweek competition that spills into an evening.
Does your club have target times for duration of rounds? How are they displayed? Are they enforced properly, or just there for show?
Consider your tee times for early season competitions. Are the starting intervals appropriate or are golfers going to be finishing in the dark?
Key Takeaways
- Detail drives credibility – ensuring Local Rules are correct and Terms of Competition are consistent can shape confidence
- Walk the course like a member – you can’t spot potential issues just sat in a committee meeting
By Mark Shanley
