Greendale Women's Golf Association, Alexandria, Va

Hi Ladies,

Last year,  you could only repair ball-marks or old hole plugs on the green without penalty. The new rule allows you to repair almost any damage, including spike marks, shoe damage, scrapes and indentations caused be equipment or a flagstick, old turf or hole plugs, animal tracks and embedded objects like stones or acorns.

Damage on the green does not include normal practices for maintaining the course like aeration holes or grooves, irrigation or rain or other natural forces, natural surface imperfection such as weeds or bare areas or natural wear of the hole.

Hello Golfers!

Please take a moment to review the newly revised Greendale course guidelines and rules bag tag (perfect for easy reference while out on the course)! Both are available on our website under the ‘Rules’ tab and links to the information are also below for your quick reference.

2019 Rules Bag Tag

2019 GWGA Course Guidelines

Dear GWGA members:

Hi Ladies,

Rule 13.2 states that now you can hit the unattended flagstick that’s in the hole from the the putting green (or anywhere else) without penalty. The decision to remove the flagstick, have it attended or keep it in the hole must be made before making a stroke. If you decide to remove the flagstick for one stroke, you can leave it in for the next stroke. Your choice!

The R & A and USGA believe that this rule will help in the pace of play.  Some experts estimated that a foursome of amateurs could save 40 seconds per hole if they left the flagstick in the cup. That’s 12 minutes per round.  It will be a little challenging at first to get used to this new rule but I think  after about 3 holes, you will have a fairly good idea of your playing partners preferences.

The first video I have included is in the GWGA video library under “Rules”. It is a USGA video explaining the rule regarding the flagstick. The second video is one that Kathy Rath sent to me from YouTube. If you were wondering if you should leave the stick in or take it out, this video might give you the answer. Thank you, Kathy!

In the words of Cosmo Kramer, “Without rules, there’s chaos”!!!

Sue

Rules of Golf Explained: Flagstick

FLAGSTICK IN OR OUT | Which is BETTER?