For the 2021 season the Board of Governors approved the following changes in rules and operations.
The most important changes are in the changes in the Rules of Golf as implemented by USGA starting January 1, 2019. The rule book was completely rewritten for better clarity and easier play. Metro Seniors (MSLAGA) started adopting some of these rules in 2018.
The most important changes are in defining the Penalty areas – previously know as either “lateral hazards – Red Stakes” or “water hazards” as defined by Yellow Stakes. These are now either Red or Yellow Penalty areas.
Most important MSLSGA has more clearly defined our rules for improving lies, Lost Balls, Out of Bounds, and Penalty areas. The MSLSGA rules are targeted to provide a little extra relief beyond USGA for OB, Lost Balls, and Yellow Penalty areas. These will help keep pace of play moving along.
The Rules Committee will be posting information regularly to help all members understand and follow these rules. CLICK HERE for the Rules Roundtable
MSLSGA does NOT ALLOW the Stroke and Distance penalty anywhere on the courses (returning to the location of your last shot). This would be a major disruption to pace.
LAST REGISTRATION – 1 1/2 Hour After Start Tee Times
In 2018 we looked at reducing registration end time. Larger divisions had concerns. Now the official registration ending time for Division 1-5 weekly tournaments is again 1 1/2 hours. However, Division VPs may announce adjust the time if attendance is low.
Click on this Link to see all revisions for 2023:
Summary of Major USGA Changes with Videos
Pace of Play Ideas
Here is a link to a video from USGA about ideas on Pace of Play. CLICK HERE
Ideas on faster play at the Greens – CLICK HERE
The closest to pin is not fair to the high handicap members. This information from division one through five. Year 2018 A’s playing forward winnings $295.00 D’s total winnings $195.00. Year 2019 A’s playing forward winnings $355.00 D’s total winnings $245.00. If the C & D players can not use the special tee for CTP A’s should use the back tee for winnings of CTP.
I understand your assertion. There was considerable discussion about managing this when we went from 1 tee box to 2 tees. Previously we had 1 CTP for each flight per round. Everyone only had 1 attempt for a CTP. In theory it was more “fair” because only 1 flight competed for 1 CTP (but you also had fewer attempts).
With 2 tees offered, we couldn’t use flights, would have had 8 CTP per round. We rarely have 2 CTP on one hole, but it causes confusion and some DQs. 2 on every hole would be a real mess. We finally decided on CTP by position. It doubled your chances to win.
Just looking at winnings alone is not a good indicator. D flight players participate in far fewer outings than our A flight. So, more A flight wins simply because they play more, and more attempts. More B play than C. Playing frequency is a strong factor.
Another factor, we include Hole In One in the CTP money stats. One HIO at $100 blows out the money stats. I’ll look over history data to eliminate HIO.
Finally, the CTP contest is a SKILL contest and cannot be expected to have equal distribution of winnings over a wide range of skills. On average from the same tee and same flight we would expect to see more winnings going to lower handicaps. A 30 handicap is more accurate than a 40 handicap. A 4 handicap is more accurate than a 22 handicap.
My promise to you is to look at the data again and perhaps use history from the Flight Tees. I’ll post this after we finish all preparations for this season. Lots of work going on right now.
Thanks for the response. I am not the only one that thinks A’s should not be able to play from the forward tee when it comes to winnings from CTP. I enjoy reading your posts.