NEW UPDATED RULES 2023
The fundamental and over-riding rule of the Jaunty Park Golf Society is that it is a friendly society and that golf should be played in the spirit of the game. When playing in a society competition members should adhere to all rules of the host Golf Club (they will usually be found on the reverse of the scorecard); should they oppose the rules as set out by the Society below, direction should be sought from a committee member prior to commencing play from the first tee. During society golf days, medals and competitions, members are required to comply with the following at all times.
Rule 1. The society consists of a maximum of *28* players and will look to maintain a minimum of 24 members. Should a member leave, a waiting list for new members on a first come basis and is held by the Secretary. The society is open to all parties, but prospective members must be forwarded and seconded by current members of the society. Once forwarded a vote will take place at the next available society meeting for the member to be accepted / declined to the society.
Rule 2. Upon being accepted to the society a £20 joining fee will be payable to the Treasurer. This will be refunded to the member upon leaving the society.
Subscriptions/monies are payable at £5.00 a month (total yearly due £60.00 membership) in order to raise society funds for prizes on major days. It is expected that members will make best efforts to pay the treasurer at monthly meetings and on golf days. The maximum period to be in arrears is 6 weeks, after which point it will be at the discretion of the society
whether the member will be asked to leave. If the member leaves the society any outstanding monies will be deducted from the £20 joining fee and the balance returned to the exiting member.
Rule 3. Each member is allocated a membership/bonus ball number. If the members Lotto
Bonus Ball number is pulled from the Saturday evening Lotto draw, the member will win 50% or that week’s society membership takings. For example – if the membership consists of 25 members this would be £12.50. The other 50% goes towards the four Major Day’s prize fund. Bonus ball winnings can only be collected at monthly meetings to encourage member’s attendance. If a member wins the bonus ball from the Saturday evening Lotto draw but it is not collected within that calendar year the money will go back into the society.
Rule 4. Society meetings take place every month and are generally set for the first Thursday in that month, but, subject to points of interest, the secretary can call a meeting at any time to discuss with all members any matters arising. (Venue at present Birley Pub) In order for any motion to be carried the society operates a quorum ruling whereby there must be a minimum attendance of 9 members for voting to take place. The society AGM will take place in November with date to be confirmed each year.
Rule 5. If a member cannot attend the meeting they must inform the secretary and all members must attend at least 1 meeting per quarter within a calendar year. If a member has travel or other commitments and cannot attend the meeting in 1 quarter of the year, the current committee members will discuss the circumstances of “none attendance” and this could mean that the member will be in breach of the rules to which the society was formed.
Rule 6. Instead of paying for the Xmas drinks, (Not now offered) the money will be put away for away days organised by the committee members, so they can choose better venues & subsidise the cost of the away day to members who choose to play. Four yearly majors so each event could have a potential of £240.00 to be spent, £80 to be spent towards course, dependant on the number of members in the society, prizes bought, subsidiary to members who play in that event.
Rule 7. Members are encouraged to wear their Jaunty Park Golf Society shirts at all times whilst attending a society day. Shirts must always be maintained to an acceptable standard, being washed and ironed before use. Players are required to be tidy at all times on the course. Gents should wear suitable trousers or tailored shorts and shirts with sleeves and collar. Jeans are not acceptable.
Rule 8. If a player has an official world club handicap, then they must play off that handicap with no slope index applied. This must be notified to the Handicap Secretary at every event/competition.
If a new member does not carry an official world handicap they must provide two cards signed and dated by a society member, before obtaining a society handicap.
All new society members must play two medals before being eligible to win Golfer of the Year points or win prizes on Major days.
When a new society member is ineligible to win points they will have no standing in the points table for that medal, and their position will be awarded to the next in line who is a society member. This does not prevent new members from playing on golf days.
The maximum handicap of a member in the Society is 40 over par.
The Handicap system will be reviewed by the committee & members on a yearly basis, this being at the AGM meeting in November. If there is concern by members & the committee that handicaps need to change, a proposal needs to be offered to the secretary, before the AGM, so voting on this can then be done in the meeting.
If no proposals are offered at the AGM to revise the handicap system, the Handicap Secretary can make adjustments on the basis of members age, standing, ability, current form or lack of same, to make the GOTY more accessible & give members a fairer chance of winning same.
Rule 9. Golfer of the year points will be awarded on Medal days, Major days and the Christmas Classic competition & will count towards members ‘Golfer of the year competition’. The point system is as follows: a. First place = 8 points
Second place = 7 points
Third place = 6 points
Fourth = 5 points
Fifth = 4 points
Sixth = 3 points
Seventh = 2 points
Eighth = 1 point
For a medal to count towards Golfer of the Year points there is no minimum limit of members returning cards. Therefore no minimum limit to amount of members playing medal competitions for GOY points being awarded. Irrespective of the number of players, the scoring of points will still be 8 for winner & reduced by 1 for second place and so on, etc., until 1 point for last place is awarded. (Assumed on 8 members playing and no disqualifications).
Rule 10. The winner of any competition Medal/Major will be dropped as per the below. If after calculating a member’s net score & after taking current handicap and Par of the course into consideration their handicap will be adjusted on the following basis:
Group 4 = 21 to 28: Will be dropped .5 for every stroke below par of the course or 0.5 for winning
Group 3 = 16 to 21: Will be dropped .4 for every stroke below par of the course or 0.4 for winning
Group 2 = 9 to 16: Will be dropped .2 for every stroke below par of the course or 0.3 for winning
Group 1 = 0 to 9: Will be dropped .1 for every stroke below par of the course or 0.2 for winning
Any member scoring within 5 shots over the Par of the course will not incur any handicap increase. Any member who exceeds 5 shots over par of the course will be raised .1 on their handicap. In the event of a “No return” being recorded in a medal event, that member will not be entitled to a 0.1 lift in their handicap for that medal.
Rule 11. The society try’s to play on a rotation basis the following courses for medal days, with the fixture list being determined at the beginning of the calendar year: a. Birley Wood
Tinsley Park
Beauchief Hall
Tapton Park
Sinfin [Summer months April to September]
All society medal competitions will be played using the stroke play scoring system utilising the member’s current society handicap as recorded by the Secretary. The format for play on society major days will be at the discretion of the committee member whose day it is.
The Christmas Classic will be played using the Stableford scoring system.
If any member is unsure of the scoring system they should consult a member of the committee prior to teeing off.
If a member of the society cannot attend the monthly medal due to work commitments only, then flexibility to play that medal over the weekend (Saturday or Sunday) is granted as long as the member plays with another member and the cards are forwarded to the H/Cap within 72 hours for checking/verification.
Rule 12. A fifth major will be played in the year, to be known as The Handicap Secretary day. This will be played in April or September of each year, and the course will be no more than 25 miles away from Sheffield. The format of the day will be match play, to be played in teams or in singles, with this being determined on the day by the serving Handicap Secretary. Prize’s will only given to the members playing & obviously being dictated by the format of the day.
Rule 13. A new major day will be fitted into the calendar instead of a medal day, and this will be known as Committee Day. The committee will organise this, to suit the fixture list and agree on a venue and date to be played.
Rule 14. Any clarification on the handicap system should be sought from the Handicap Secretary.
Rule 15. Members may bring guests to Society medals, Major days and The Christmas Classic. Guests will be put in the ‘tee-off’ draw for the start sequence on the first tee. If the member is not drawn in the same group as their guest they may swap with another member in the draw. If no member wishes to swap, the groupings will remain as drawn. Guests will not be eligible to play in the Society competition nor be considered for any prizes. Members should also ascertain the playing handicap of their guest and advise the Secretary prior to the day. Members will also be held accountable for the conduct of their guest on the day.
Rule 16. Failure to attend or give reasonable notice of being able to attend a society day having previously committed to do so will lead to the member being expected to meet any costs incurred. . All players should be at the relevant course no later than 30 minutes before the first tee time.
Rule 17. During society competitions, players must swap their card with one of their playing partners and record both their opponents score (Player A) and their own score (Markers Score) on the scorecard during the round. Before submission of the cards to the committee at the end of the round, scores should be recorded on each card and both player and marker are required to sign the respective cards. Incomplete or unsigned cards will be immediately disqualified if there is reason to believe that cheating has took place. Genuine mistakes on cards will not cause disqualification.
Rule 18. During society Stableford competitions, a player MUST pick up if they cannot score on a hole. For most players this means that 3 over par on a hole is the maximum score.
Rule 19. A ball may be searched for, for a maximum of three (3) minutes. After that period of time the provisional ball (if the first was lost off the tee) must be played.
Rule 20. ‘Gimmes’ on the putting green will not be given in any form of competition.
Rule 21. Any objections or complaints about the event in which a member or guest plays should be raised with a member of the committee on the day of the event. The committee will then investigate and collectively decide on what action, if any, needs to be taken.
Rule 22. In the event of a draw for position, count back of the stroke play score or Stableford score over the inward nine holes will be used. If a tie still exists the score over the last three holes (16, 17, and 18) will be used. Should there still be a draw, the score of the next three holes will be used (13, 14, 15) and so on until a winner can be identified.
Rule 23. If a player is unsure of the rules when about to play a shot, the common sense approach is that if all playing partners are in agreement with the proposed course of action, then the player should play on as normal. If there is disagreement the player should play the shot in the manner he or she thinks is correct, following which the players score card should be endorsed to this effect. The scorecard should be referred to at least two members of the Committee for verification at the end of the round.
Rule 24. All players should be present at the appropriate tee time and ready to play at least 10 minutes before their tee time.
Rule 25. The Society asks that all players ensure their mobile phones are switched to ‘silent’ and/or ‘vibrate’ mode while on the course and during play. The Society accepts however that emergency calls may have to be made/accepted during play.
Rule 26. Slow play is an annoyance to players during a round of golf and players are reminded that it is their responsibility to keep up with the group in front – not just in front of the group behind. If there is a loss of one clear hole, players are obliged to call through the group behind. To help combat slow play, the Society operates a ‘play when ready’ policy, although common sense and player agreement apply.
Rule 27. Players should help their playing partners by remaining silent while they play their shots, helping to establish the line of the shot, and as necessary, helping to look for their ball if it is not immediately found. In such cases the limit of time for the search is 3 minutes.
Rule 28. Additional rules for balls lost or out of bounds. JPGS society rule is to allow golfers the option to drop the ball in the vicinity of where the ball was lost/out of bounds (including the fairway area) under a 2 stroke penalty. When this option is used the ball is dropped under a 2 stroke penalty of score and must be agreed with fellow golfers playing in that group before the next shot is taken.
This is to make sure that the pace of the game is not affected and stroke & distance are maintained.
Rule 29. Players are asked to replace any divots made on fairways or semi rough after a shot has been taken. Also, players are required to repair their pitch marks during the course of a round & other pitch marks where these are easily visible and can be repaired. Similarly, scuff marks on greens should be repaired where possible. The Society also asks that players rake bunkers when they have completed a shot from such a position.
Rule 30. In the event of a medal being cancelled due to bad weather, that months medal will be attempted to be re-arranged up to a maximum of two weeks later. If this scenario arises, the JPGS Secretary will initially ascertain if there are a sufficient number of members wishing for the medal to be re-arranged. If members do attend a re-arranged medal this will count towards GOY points. If a re-arranged medal clashes with a medal day at a SIV course that some JPGS members intend or wish to play in these members will need to decide prior to teeing off which medal they intend to play in (i.e. club medal or JPGS medal).
Rule 31. If any member wishes to revise any of the rules noted above this must be done at the AGM and must be forwarded and seconded prior to being put to a vote by the members of the society.
Amendments/Revisions to Rules made at AGM meetings:
Rule 1 revised to note maximum membership being 28.
Now Rule 4 to note new meeting venue.
Now Rule 8 to note that all new members must play in two medals before being eligible for Golfer of the Year points.
Now Rule 15 to note the standing of guests.
Now Rule 12 for Handicap Secretaries day.
Revisions to above:
Dated 6 January 2011. Howard Young.
Not now used/deleted The following line was removed from rule 10, relating to a motion passed at the November 2011 AGM – ‘The winner of any competition Medal / Major will be
dropped a further 1 full shot after being handicapped as above. (Applies only to competitions with a field of 10 +. Deleted from rules Revisions to above:
Now Rule 4 revised to note new meeting venue.
Now Rules 5 and 6 added Revisions to above:
Rule 10 revised Not now used The handicap lift of players to be reflected against the par for the course. Change par for course (not standard scratch) for calculating handicaps and minimum of 1 full drop shot for winning society event. Motion passed at 2014 AGM Deleted from rules
Revisions to above:
Rule 15 to reflect that the Handicap secretary should not disqualify a scorecard if a genuine mistake was made and that no cheating was intended. JPGS is a friendly society and people don’t go out to cheat.
Now in Rule 13 for Committee Day event in lieu of Medal day in the yearly calendar.
Rule 6 amended/revised regarding attendance to meetings once in quarter of year and to be viewed on circumstances, and then decision taken by committee on action required.
Revisions to above:
Now part of Rule 8 “No minimum limit to amount of members playing medal competitions for GOY points being awarded. Irrespective of the number of players, the scoring of points will still be 8 for winner & reduced by 1 for second place and so on, etc., until 1 point for last place is awarded. (Assumed on 8 members playing and no disqualifications).
Now part of Rule 9 In the event of a “No return” being recorded in a medal event, that member will not be entitled to a 0.1 lift in their handicap for that medal.
Now part of Rule 9 to include GOTY points to be awarded for the Christmas classic competition.
Revisions to above:
Now part of Rule 2 - regarding members Subscriptions “£5.00 per month”
Now part of Rule 10 - regarding Handicap lift of 0.1 after competing in society event Any member scoring within 1 shot over the Par of the course (was 3 shots) will not incur any handicap increase. Revisions to above:
A. Now part of Rule 28 For balls lost or out of bounds. JPGS society rule is to allow golfers the option to drop the ball in the vicinity of where the ball was lost/out of bounds (including the fairway area) under a 2 stroke penalty. When this option is used the ball is dropped under a 2 stroke penalty of score and must be agreed with fellow golfers playing in that group before the shot is taken.
This is to make sure that the pace of the game is not affected and stroke & distance are maintained.
Revisions to above:
Amendment to Rule 10 NOT USED/Deleted
When winning a medal or competition the handicap reduction will be as below (whichever is the greater) Deleted
Deleted Group 4 = 21 to 28:-Will be dropped 1.2 for every stroke below Par or for winning
Deleted Group 3 = 16 to 21: Will be dropped .9 for every stroke below Par or for winning Deleted Group 2 = 9 to 16: Will be dropped .6 for every stroke below Par or for winning
Deleted Group 1 = 0 to 9: Will be dropped .3 for every stroke below Par or for winning
ABOVE DELETED
Now in Rule 6 added Instead of paying for the Xmas drinks, the money will be put away for away days organised by the committee members, so they can choose better venues & subsidise the cost of the away day to members who choose to play.
4 yearly majors so each event could have a potential of £240.00 to be spent, dependant on the number of members in the society, prizes bought, subsidiary to members who play in that event.
Revisions to above:
Now in Rule 5. Society meetings are to be held every 3 months, but subject to points of interest, the secretary can call a meeting at any time to discuss with all members any matters arising from events or competitions.
Now in Rule 11. – If a member of the society cannot attend the monthly medal due to work commitments only, then flexibility to play that medal over the weekend (Saturday or Sunday) is granted as long as the member plays with another member and the cards are forwarded to the H/Cap within 72 hours for checking/verification.
Now in Rule 8. Raise the maximum handicap of a member to 40
Now in Rule 8. If a player has an official world club handicap, then they must play off that handicap with no slope index applied. This must be notified to the Handicap Secretary at every event/competition.
Revisions to above:
Now in Rule 4. Meetings to take place every month, and to take place on the first Thursday of the month at the Birley Hotel Pub
Now in Rule 5. If a member of the cannot attend they must inform the secretary but all members must at least attend 1 meeting every 3 months
Now in Rule 10. The winner of any competition Medal/Major will be dropped as per the below. If after calculating a member’s net score & after taking current handicap and Par of the course into consideration their handicap will be adjusted on the following basis:
Group 4 = 21 to 28: Will be dropped .5 for every stroke below par & 0.5 for winning an event
Group 3 = 16 to 21: Will be dropped .4 for every stroke below par & 0.4 for winning an event
Group 2 = 9 to 16: Will be dropped .2 for every stroke below par & 0.3 for winning an event Group 1 = 0 to 9: Will be dropped .1 for every stroke below par 0.2 for winning an event
Any member scoring within 5 shots over the Par of the course will not incur any handicap increase. Any member who exceeds 5 shots over par of the course will be raised .1 on their handicap. In the event of a “No return” being recorded in a medal event, that member will not be entitled to a 0.1 lift in their handicap for that medal.
Now in Rule 11. The society try’s to play on a rotation basis the following courses for medal days, with the fixture list being determined at the beginning of the calendar year: a. Birley Wood
Tinsley Park
Beauchief Hall
Tapton Park
Sinfin (in summer months April to end of September)
All society medal competitions will be played using the stroke play scoring system utilising the member’s current society handicap as recorded by the Secretary. The format for play on society major days will be at the discretion of the committee member whose day it is.
The Christmas Classic will be played using the Stableford scoring system.
If any member is unsure of the scoring system they should consult a member of the committee prior to teeing off.
If a member of the society cannot attend the monthly medal due to work commitments only, then flexibility to play that medal over the weekend (Saturday or Sunday) is granted as long as the member plays with another member and the cards are forwarded to the H/Cap within 72 hours for checking/verification (This only applies currently to 4 members in the Society)