Did you know the Rules of Golf aren’t exactly the same in tournaments run by California, New York, Florida and other states as they are in Colorado? That’s because the United States Golf Association gives regional associations like the CGA flexibility in implementing what it calls Model Local Rules.
These rules then appear on the associations’ Local Rules and Terms of the Competition, which came to be known as their “hard card.”
“A lot of golf associations used to keep laminated copies in the starter’s box for players to keep in their bag,” says Lewis Harry, the CGA’s Director of Rules and Competitions. “The notice for each event was printed on regular (soft) paper, so this became the hard card. I’m not sure if that’s a true story or not, but that’s what I’ve always gone off of!”
These days everything’s a hard card because it’s all in your phone. But last month, the CGA’s Rules of Golf Committee met on Zoom to consider changes to what it still refers to as its hard card.
You can see the CGA’s 2024 Hard Card here, and you should, if you’re entering CGA events. It’s only one page! Two items in particular warranted discussion for 2024: MLR G-8, which is on the hard card, and MLR G-2, which is not.
The way the Rules Committee came to its decisions in one hour showcased the CGA’s concern for all its members, regardless of gender, age, income or ability. Here’s a glimpse of the proceedings.
TURN OFF YOUR MUSIC
Harry asked the committee to consider whether to remove MLR G-8, which prohibits the use of audio and video devices. It says: “During a round, a player must not listen to or watch content of any nature on a personal audio or video device.” The CGA has been using this rule for several years, even as recreational and club players have turned up the volume on on-course speakers, and Harry wanted to hear the committee’s views. “I think there are benefits to keeping it and possibly benefits of losing it,” he told the team.
Chairman Greg With admitted to a bias that “you don’t need a boom box when you’re playing golf. We’re out there to play golf, not party.” He also noted, “I recognize that not everyone feels that way.” Karla Harding and Harry both said they had this come up during CGA competitions and issued warnings. “So many people are putting Bluetooth speakers on their cart and playing them loud,” Harding said. “They’ll say, ‘I asked everyone in the group and they’re OK.’ But, who’s going to speak up?”
Committee members unanimously agreed that players not be allowed to play audible music and video in competitions. However, as rules officials, the group fretted about enforcing the prohibition against “content of any nature.” CGA Chief Operating Officer Ashley Harrell gave the example of a group stalled waiting to play on a par-3, and someone goes to Instagram. And it was pointed out that players increasingly are required to use their phones for scoring, or to call for help on a rules question.
So where’s the line? The committee considered changing the language on its rule to make it clear that texting and social media posts are OK but noise is not. But Tom Kennedy advised, “If we start to dink around with the language, we create more of a problem than we solve. Enforce G-8 and don’t dance around the rule. We all have discretion on the golf course, and that’s where we can deal with it.”
It was agreed that starters would alert competitors that playing audible music or video would incur the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play). It was understood that rules officials would not bother with players who text or check their social media. And the vote was unanimous to keep G-8.
ABOUT THOSE OLD CLUBS
Harry noticed that the USGA has MLR G-2 Groove and Punch Mark Specifications on its hard card. He asked the CGA’s Rules Committee to consider adding it to theirs.
Here’s some of the MLR verbiage: “Effective 1 January 2010, the Equipment Rules were revised to provide new groove and punch mark specifications for all clubs other than drivers and putters. Until at least 2024, clubs made before 2010 are not required to meet these specifications.
“But a Committee may choose to adopt a Local Rule requiring players to use only clubs that meet all the specifications included in the current Equipment Rules. This is recommended for use only in competitions limited to highly skilled players (that is, professional and elite amateur competitions).
“An Informational Club Database can be found at www.USGA.org to assist in finding which clubs may be used.”
What does this mean for you? If your clubs date back before 2010, particularly from the 2000-naughts, they may not meet specifications.
Or they may. With told of taking a call from a player who wanted to know if his 2010 Callaway clubs met requirements. The USGA list’s 2009 and 2011 Callaway clubs were approved but on 2010 clubs “further information is needed.” Long story short, the USGA wanted to examine and test the clubs before stamping them approved.
“People are going to ask us, ‘Are these clubs OK?’ and we’re not going to know,” With said.
The consensus was that elite players, at a level that might qualify for USGA competitions, aren’t playing with clubs that old and are knowledgeable about current standards. But CGA Managing Director of Rules and Competitions Kate Moore, who oversees women’s events, said, “I’m not sure I needed a lady with a 33 handicap coming to me and asking if her Pings from 2007 are legal. I’m not going to kick that lady out of the Niblick.” And Brad Wiesley added, “I don’t want some 11-year-old using grandpa’s clubs getting tagged for this.”
The committee discussed making the rule a fixture for men’s events and leaving it off for juniors and women. Moore said the only women’s tournament she’d apply the rule to would be the Match Play. But elite women players, she said, all have more updated clubs and, “I don’t want to turn away someone who wants to play in a tournament but has old clubs.”
Ultimately, the committee decided not to vote on this, which means it wasn’t added to the 2024 hard card. They’ll look at that again, but not until next year.
If you haven’t entered a CGA tournament or signed up for a member play day yet, what are you waiting for? Check out the full slate of 2024 events. There’s something on the calendar, somewhere in the state, for everyone from the most competitive golfer to the one that’s just happy to be out on the course. If you’re nervous about it, here’s some advice from Molly McMulligan!
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