New to the MBWA

[Bob Hamlin]

This will be my first year. Just curious, is there a pre-tournament seminar/discussion covering all the rules and what we should expect? Very excited to get there already! I’m in flight 14.

[david tiano]

There will be a rules sheet each day for each course you play. Mostly we play to USGA tournament rules with a couple exceptions.
There is a max score for every hole of 9.
If you think your ball is hit OB hit a provisional so you don’t have to go back and replay the shot.
Rules sheet will also cover drop areas.
There will be a pro covering this before you tee off.
Any questions just ask him before you tee off.

[Bob Hamlin]

Perfect! Thanks.

[Bruce Friend]

A couple of other things. Scorecards. Proper way is exchange it with another player but lot of guys will have the driver keep both of the two in the other cart. Key is make sure the scorer signs and you attest and sign. It doesn’t have to be added up as you are attesting 18 holes being correct. Turn card in to pro at clubhouse front desk before leaving the course.

As David mentioned, USGA rules plus any local rules. Most guys are nice and will help with determinations so ask playing partners. But there are some jerks. One of my friends turned in a guy after the fourth round for wearing earbuds and that knocked him out of a tie for first in the flight. I was pissed he did that. Another time, first tee on first day a newbie was excited and put his tee in front of the tee markers by a few inches. The guy let him hit and then called a penalty on him. For God’s sake, he should have said something to the newbie before the swing. There are many stories like that

[Mike Betley]

Download the USGA Rules App. Take an hour and review all videos available on the site. It serves as an excellent reference source.
Starters provides you with a reference sheet for their specific course prior to your tee time. This is legit golf.
Enjoy yourself. Good luck.

[Kirk Roberts]

If you are not sure of a ruling juat notify the person keeping your score that you will play 2 balls and get a ruling after the round. What I do is take a short video to show the pro just what and where I am asking for a ruling. It might sound anal but it prevents miscommunication.

[Bob Newman]

All are good suggestion. Especially the videos. Try to learn as much as you can about NEAREST POIMT OF RELIEF. It is not NICEST point of relief. Keep in mind that every rule that gives you free relief also has an exception that you must have a reasonable shot you could play if the condition you are taking were not there. Always determine where you will be dropping g before you pick the ball up. I played a shot off a cart path because i had a worse lie on g the side i would be droping on. 2 guys in our group told me it didn’t matter which side i dropped it. So much for them knowing g the rules. Also read the procedure for correctly playing two balls. It is not as simple as saying “I’m playing 2 balls. You will encounter several that think they know the rules of golf and they know maybe some of the 600 page book. And most pros do not know them either..JMO

[Bob Hamlin]

Thanks for all the tips, I do appreciate it. That’s my fear, having a guy call me on something I think I’m doing right. I want to compete but I also want to have fun. Good idea, I will download the rules app. That’s another thing, I’ve never swapped scorecards before. Are we keeping each others score? So looking forward to next week!

[john fowler]

I have one rules question for this tournament, can you use range finders? If so can you use Slope turned on?

Thanks,
John

[Steven Clemment]

Range finder yes slope nope

[john fowler]

Thank you

[Bob Newman]

BOB HAMLIN- swapping cards is part of playing golf. A lot want to keep all 4 scores on one card. Statistics prove that more errors are made by moving numbers to a secon card. You must switch cards with a fellow competitor. I find switching with whom I am riding with. You are right next to them and discuss the scores as you ride. I also insist that my score is entered on the official card. Enter your opponent to score and your score in the bottom tear off part. Some will tell you you must switch with other cart-this is not true. Scores must be eligible. No where do the rules state you have to initial erasure’s, but you will be told that. It you play 2 balls, it must be reported at scorers table, even if same score on both balls. Some pros will tell you that you don’t ha ve to Penalty for not informing them is JUST a DQ. Do not risk it costing you.

[Bob Hamlin]

Got it, thanks.
Makes sense to just switch with cart partner.
I guess I’ve always just trusted what the other guys say when entering scores on the card.

[Bruce Friend]

I don’t know if everyone knows but your USGA GHIN app on your phone has added the rules. On the home page, bottom right there is a red circle labeled “USGA RULES”.

[Bob Newman]

Not on mine and i just updated. I had heard that they were ‘beta testing” an “AI” version of the rules and this maybe it to some. don’t know. Since 2019 we have been working with a 600 page book with No Index. Updated with changes in 2023 and still no index.

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