GOLF RULES EXPERTS TO PRESENT A SEMINAR MONDAY MARCH 2nd ON MAJOR CHANGES IN HANDICAP RULES AND ON THE MOST MISUNDERSTOOD RULES OF GOLF – OPEN TO ALL ROSSMOOR WOMEN GOLFERS
By Joyce McCann – 18ers Rules Chair
Suzanne Olsen, certified golf rules official for the Women’s Golf Association of Northern California (WGANC), Northern California Golf Association (NCGA), Northern California PGA (NCPGA), and the California Women’s Amateur Championships (CWAC) will present a seminar on Monday March 2nd from 9-11 a.m. in the Donner Room at the Event Center. This year, Suzanne will be joined by Sheri Erskine. Sheri has been a USGA volunteer since 1994 and has had a distinguished career that includes officiating at many US Women’s Opens, chairing the USGA Course Rating Committee, and being inducted into the NCGA Hall of Fame in 2017. She is an expert on the new World Handicap System.
Last year, a major revision in the Rules of Golf (for the most part welcome!) was thrust upon us. While last year’s changes in the Rules of Golf made them more “user friendly”, they are still complex, and the presenters will discuss and answer questions on some of the most commonly misunderstood Rules. For example, do you know when to take relief with 2-club lengths vs 1-club length? Can you improve your lie in a penalty area?
This year, while we are still adjusting to major changes in the Rules of Golf, the USGA has implemented additional major changes in the Handicap System, transitioning from the “USGA Handicap System” to the “World Handicap System”. These changes are significant, and as of January 1st, have been implemented worldwide. The USGA lists 13 major changes! Changes include how courses are rated, how handicap indexes are calculated, and how you determine what your maximum allowable score is (for handicap purposes) on a particular hole. In short, these 13 changes will impact all golfers. For example, you may have noticed that your handicap index changed overnight, from December 31st to January 1st even though the only playing you did on December 31st was at a New Year’s Eve party.
.All Rossmoor women golfers are invited to the seminar, and are encouraged to ask questions and discuss experiences playing our Dollar and Creekside courses. The seminar is free and will be from 9-11 am in the Donner room at the Event Center. Coffee and snacks will be provided. Attendance is limited, so if you would like to attend, please sign up in the white notebook on the counter in the 18-er area in the pro shop.