Member Update – Rules of Play
Fellow Seniors,
As mentioned in our first Update, the Committee has been progressively working through updating and simplifying most of our documentation. With the Pennant kicking off in a couple of months, this update will provide a precis of the changes to the Rules following the comprehensive review that was undertaken by the Committee.
The changes fit into two categories – amendments and deletions. The amendments:
Rule 1. Eligibility
Players – Aged 65 and over and have played one Divisional game prior to the Final Series. That is, a player can turn 65 after the commencement of the competition but has to have played in at least one Divisional game to be eligible to compete in the Final Series.
Player Registration – the 15-player limit has been removed. What we do request, is that clubs consult with prospective players to ascertain if they wish to play and their availability, prior to submitting their TNF.
Rule 2. Notification of Team Order of Play
Notification of Team – The requirement for the lowest 2 handicap players to play #1 and #2 has been removed. This change was made following an analysis of team playing orders for 2024 and 2023 (800+ team nomination forms) that revealed 99% of team playing orders were very much along the line of player ability. It was evident that the previous requirement was simply not required as Clubs have been playing in the Spirit of the Game.
The Games Result Sheet still requires handicaps of players to be provided. Whilst it is considered unlikely, should it be determined that a club has not played in the Spirit of the Game, the Committee will act.
RULE 9. Host Club Responsibilities
Pace of Play Penalties – the changes here reflect the long overdue need to provide Host Clubs and officials with guidance in identifying and dealing with players who are responsible for slow play.
Advice – significantly shortened as the previous version simply repeated what is already covered in the Rules of Golf.
The deletions:
RULE 3. Order of Play
Putting Order and Procedure – Deleted.
RULE 6. Weather Conditions
Extreme heat conditions – Deleted.
RULE 9. Host Club Responsibilities
The following Rules have been deleted as they are already covered in the Host Club Official document. Starter / Rule Official, Tee and Pin allocation and Mode of Play.
RULE 13. Post-Match Reporting Responsibilities – Deleted.
The revised Rules are now available on the website and players are advised to familiarise themselves with the latest version.
28 April 2025
On behalf of the NSW SSGA Committee, Leigh Brydson
Captain
