Foremost had his game face on for a recent outing at BMCC and as expected, the competition was fierce!

As the Reader is aware, however, F and his group often have trouble navigating preliminary issues, and such was the case yet again as the players gathered (under recommended social-distancing guidelines) on the first tee.

(1) Practice Before Round

As the Committee at BMCC had closed all practice ranges due to the China Virus, F was shocked to see players JS and BM putting on the practice putting green. He called a penalty.

Issue

Is there a penalty for using a closed practice area prior to a round?

Ruling

Local Rules restricting practice area access can be adopted prior to a competition for a variety of reasons as determined by a Committee (including the C-Virus, F would presume), as well as for fairness to other players. “Defining if and when players may practice …” is a Committee responsibility in a competition. (Committee Procedures, R1B “Competitions”).

While “General Play” rules may be more lenient, practice restrictions as a Local Rule would fall under R5.2, which states, “in either form of play, the Committee may adopt a Local Rule prohibiting, restricting or allowing practice on the course before or between rounds”.

As the Committee at BMCC had issued a specific notice closing all practice areas (although perhaps not specifically incorporating these closings into Local Rules), and ever-mindful of the fairness issue, F finds that a breach did occur, and that the General Penalty, Loss of Hole, was warranted on the first hole only, to be applied against each of the respective violators. (R5.2).

(2) GHIN Flattens the Curve — A Discussion

Player JS then announced that his course handicap had jumped from a 9 to a 12, and that his GHIN App had informed him that he was now playing under a “soft” cap. (Upon inquiry, he was told he was the first member in the Club so designated for this increased level of GHIN scrutiny).

As no one in the group had heard of this terminology or status, JS explained further that his index for handicaps would be capped based on his lowest handicap index for the preceding twelve months, with a “soft” cap limited to 50% of any index increase above 3 index strokes, and a “hard” cap limited to a 5 stroke index increase. (… or something like that).

The group pondered this information and deduced rather quickly that what JS was really saying, was that the GHIN system had identified him as a potential cheater based on the uncharacteristic high scores he had been submitting, and that GHIN had him under close watch.

Accordingly, the group decided to heed the GHIN warning, and reduce the size of the daily wager, as the balls had not yet been tossed, and all could not have JS as a partner with his new cap.

*(3) Bunker Relief

With the observation that there were no rakes in the bunkers, the players agreed that they would have the option to recreate a normal lie in a bunker if their ball was in a foot print or other abnormal indentation.

*(4) Flagsticks

As the cups were inverted in the holes, there was some question as to whether the ball would stay in the hole. The group agreed that a ball striking the flagstick would be deemed “holed”.

(5) Closing Considerations – Never Too Early To Establish

a. RM noted that he no longer liked to handle cash, but that he would pay by Venmo in the unlikely event that he lost.

b. All finally agreed that the normal group custom (winners buy) would be waived in light of the closure of the clubhouse. A motion to start an accounting for future performance of this obligation was defeated after passionate discussion.

F would note that this edition may have set a blog milestone of a sort … as this discussion concludes without a player even getting a tee in the ground! F will address a couple of play issues at a later date. There will be plenty of time to catch up, as the course is closed until further notice … hopefully, a time not too far away.

As usual, all comments or corrections are welcome! Stay safe!

Respectfully submitted,

F

*As the group was playing under pandemic conditions, all agreed some leeway and resourcefulness in play was warranted. Ordinarily, two or more players who waive a Rule are subject to disqualification. (R1.3).