Policies and Procedures
| Tournament Sign-up Procedures Posting Scores Tees for Senior Members Handicap Matters Local Rules Slow Play Policy |
Tournament Sign-up Procedures
All members must honor and abide by the following –
- You enter a tournament and reserve a starting time by entering your name on the sign-up sheet, or by calling the Golf Shop. In any case, you can sign up starting on the 14th day before the event. Sign-ups through our online system will be allowed starting on the 13th day before the event. The sign-up sheet is maintained on paper at the Golf Shop counter until play is finished teeing off on the 14th day prior. You may NOT call for a tee time before 10:00 a.m. on weekends; you MAY sign up in person on weekends any time the Golf Shop is open.
- Under no circumstances may you erase someone’s name, or enter someone’s name, or change a player’s tee time on the sign-up sheet without that person’s express permission.
- You will be notified when any event requires advance payment and/or a different sign-up method.
- Check in at the pro shop at least 30 minutes before your scheduled tee time. Try to arrive one hour before a “shotgun” start.
- If you do not check in by 10 minutes before your starting time, you may be considered a no-show and subject to being fined, and your spot may be filled by another available player. You will then be able to play only if there is an opening in a later group.
- Don’t sign up for an early time unless you can arrive, check in, and be on the first tee ready to play at your scheduled time. The entire day’s play will NOT be held up to wait for your arrival.
- If something happens and you cannot keep your tee time, call the Golf Shop and let them know so they can try to fill the time. If your time gets filled you will not be fined.
- Upon the completion of your round, you must submit a signed and attested scorecard.
Posting Scores
For all BMGA Tournaments your score will posted for you by the Pro Shop Staff!
(This is new for 2019!)
For all other rounds outside of BMGA that you play it is your individual responsibility to post your own score.
Handicap Matters
PLAYING OTHER COURSES – Remember when playing at another course to convert your USGA Handicap Index to the course handicap available at the Golf Shop.
NINE HOLE SCORES – USGA rules governing the GHIN handicap system require all nine-hole scores to be entered into the handicap computer. Follow the instructions on the handicap computer to enter your nine-hole score. (FYI – This rule requires all nine-hole scores to be entered, even when there is an intervening 18 holes or more of golf played between nine-hole rounds.)
DETERMINING YOUR MOST LIKELY SCORE (for handicap posting purposes only) – When you start a hole but pick up before it is finished, you must record a hole score for handicap purposes. The score you need to post is called “your most likely score”. Your most likely score is the sum of the strokes you took before picking up (including penalty strokes) plus your estimate of the number of strokes you would require to finish the hole from the point you picked up (based on your most likely performance). Post your most likely score up to but do not exceed your Equitable Stroke Control limit.
SHOULD YOU POST A SCORE DURING CONNECTICUT’S INACTIVE HANDICAP SEASON? Some state and regional golf associations set active and inactive seasons for clubs to follow in their area. If a round is played on a course that is observing an inactive season, that score is unacceptable for posting for handicap purposes. However, if a member of a golf club, which is observing an inactive season, plays at a course observing an active season, that score shall be posted to the scoring record. For example, if a member of a golf club in Michigan plays golf in Florida in January, the scores from Florida are acceptable, and shall be returned to the club in Michigan. The player has a few options when posting the score. First, the player might be able to post as a guest if the two clubs use the same computation service. Second, the player might be able to post the score using the IGN network, if the state associations are signed up on the IGN network, and the score will be routed back to his home golf club. Third, the player can keep a copy of the score and the ratings and post when he returns to his home course no later than the start of his active season.
Local Rules
Important items to know and keep in mind: Always check the Golf Shop Bulletin Board “LOCAL RULES” section for any posted changes before teeing off; particularly during the early part of the season with regard to Ground Under Repair. Such information will only be posted on this Bulletin Board. It’s your responsibility to know and understand the LOCAL RULES.
Slow Play Policy
Guidelines
Neither the Board, Course Management, nor the membership consider a round of even 4-1/2 hours to be “fast” or desirable. The Board of Governors recognizes that “slow play” must remain a constant focus of our “game day” attention. Listed below are the policy guidelines of the BMGA regarding slow play. Remember, only you can help speed up play and make the game more enjoyable for everyone:
- Always be ready to play your next shot when it is your turn. Read your putts ahead of time.
- Walk briskly, and walk ahead if you can do so without disturbing your playing partners and without endangering yourself.
- Use golf carts intelligently. Take a selection of clubs with you when you must leave the cart.
- Position your bag or cart between the green and the next tee – Never leave it in front of the green being played.
- Watch the flight of your playing partners’ shots as well as your own.
- If there’s a chance that your ball might be lost or out of bounds, play a provisional immediately.
- Use common sense to determine the order of play instead of blindly following honors or who’s away. Play “Ready Golf”.
- If you are the scorekeeper, record scores on the next tee (not when it’s your turn to play!!) and not on the green.
- If you are looking for a ball and the following group is ready to play, wave them through.
- If you are falling behind and the following group is waiting on you, wave them through.
- KEEP UP WITH THE GROUP AHEAD OF YOU; DON’T JUST KEEP AHEAD OF THE GROUP BEHIND YOU!
BMGA Policy – Speed of Play
Purpose:
This policy has been adopted in order to improve the pace of play during BMGA tournaments.
Standards:
Each group of players is expected to keep up with the group in front of them. Each group should complete play on the final hole within 12 minutes of the preceding group. Each group is expected to complete play within the following maximum times:
| Starting Time | Completion Time |
| before 7:00 a.m. | 4 hours or less |
| 7:00 – 8:15 a.m. | 4 hours, 10 minutes |
| 8:16 – 9:30 a.m. | 4 hours, 20 minutes |
| after 9:30 a.m. | 4 hours, 30 minutes |
Penalties:
Any player who does not consistently meet the above standards will be subject to the following penalties:
1st Offense – The player will not be allowed to tee off during the first 3 hours of available starting times.
2nd Offense – The player will be allowed to tee off only during the last 1/2 hour of available starting times.
The penalty will be in effect for the next 3 BMGA tournament rounds in which the member plays.
Implementation:
The Golf Shop staff and course rangers will monitor the pace of play and will identify any group that fails to meet the above standards. At its monthly meeting, the Board of Governors will take the appropriate action with respect to all players in any group that fails to meet the standards. A Letter of Warning will be sent to all first-time offenders. Any player who has previously been sent a letter of warning, and who again fails to meet the standards, shall have the “1st Offense” penalty imposed on him. Any player who has previously had a penalty imposed, and who again fails to meet the standards, shall have the “2nd Offense” penalty imposed. The Board of Governors shall send a written notice to the penalized player, with a copy of the notice to the Golf Shop staff. Any player who believes he has been unjustly warned or penalized has the right to file an appeal with the Board of Governors, either in writing or by personal appearance at the monthly meeting of the Board.
Rules of Golf:
This policy does not preclude the tournament committee from applying the penalties for undue delay of play as prescribed in Rule 6-7 of the Rules of Golf.
Adoption & Effective Date:
This policy was adopted by unanimous vote of the BMGA Board of Governors at its meeting on April 28, 1993 and is effective immediately.
