Pace of Play
The NMGA Executive would like to remind all members to be familiar with the Local NMGA rules that are posted
under the RULES tab. This will ensure we are all doing what we can to keep the pace of the game moving and enjoyable for everyone. We would like to emphasize a few key rules to help support this important issue with the following 9 recommendations for all of us to follow. The main objective for everyone is to keep pace with the group IN FRONT of you, and the following are all ways that can help do that.
1. On Valley Hole #18 - please DO NOT leave your golf carts/bags in front of the Green or Cart path. Once your group is on the Green, drive the carts or move your push carts up on the hill or past the Green. This will allow players waiting on the Tee Box to hit instead of waiting for the landing area to be clear.
2. Use the marked Drop Zones as needed for Valley Holes 5, 8 and 17 ( both sides ) and on The Ridge Hole #13 and 18 taking a 1 stroke penalty.
3. We are continueing using the LIFT, RAKE AND PLACE as needed for all Bunker Play and if the Bunker is filled with water, your ball can be removed and placed behind the trap without penalty.
4. Play READY GOLF from Tee to Green, no matter if your ball is ahead of others, if possible. Since we all are using the same White Tees we would also encourage shorter drivers of the ball hit ahead of the longer hitters where possible, even if by strokes from the previous hole, you are not first on the tee. If a player in your group is looking for their golf ball other players in the group should hit to keep the pace moving.
5. Gimmies within 12" are encouraged.
6. On Valley Hole # 12 ( river hole ) if your ball is on the cart path or on the right side of the path, your ball can be moved to the Fairway side of the cart path no closer to the hole without penalty. If your ball went into the river you can drop your ball on the Fairway side of the cart path where it went in with a 1 stroke penalty.
7. On Ridge Hole # 11 Par 5, the area on the right side near the pond where there is high grass and poor drainage, you can move your ball out of the Ground Under Repair area, even if no signs are posted without penalty.
8. Please keep the time you spend looking for Lost Balls to a minimum. The Rule is no more than 3 minutes but we would encourage using less time than that to help keep the play moving. The use of a Provisional Ball off the tee should be used if you know there is a chance you won't be able to find the ball when you get up to it.
9. Many of our events are played using Match Play Scoring. Once the match is over and there is a social or lunch after the event planned for a certain time, we would appreciate your group to head back to the social WITHOUT PLAYING any holes remaining so that we can all be together at the social instead of waiting for groups to come in. This of course does not include if you are in a tied match or playoff which has yet to be decided. It is only if the match is over i.e. your match ended on the 16th hole and there is no need to play the 17th or 18th as it makes no difference to the result, but it does help in serving lunch and beverages after!