World Handicap System

Description

When major rules changes occur to the game of golf, Princess Anne offers many opportunities to present and teach this information to our membership. In 2019, to prepare for the launch of the new World Handicap System, we utilized numerous avenues to simplify the transition for our members.

Implementation

RECONSTITUTED OUR HANDICAP COMMITTEE
In April 2019, our Golf Committee reactivated our Handicap Committee which meets monthly to assist our golf operations team in ensuring all golf events at the Club are fair and equitable. The goal of this committee is to review handicaps, set parameters for events and make certain that all participants have a level playing field.

IMPLEMENTED AN INSTRUCTIONAL EMAIL CAMPAIGN
To ensure that our membership was fully informed, our golf operations team implemented a 'Handicap and Rules Information' email series. This was a six-part campaign designed to educate our members, keep them up-to-date on impending changes and adhering to the policies and rules of the game.

HOSTED A TOWN HALL INFORMATION NIGHT
In May 2019, our Golf and Handicap Committees hosted VSGA Director of Handicapping Michael Walder for a town hall information night for our membership. He provided clear explanations of the upcoming rules changes and answered all questions with patience and ease. We received very positive feedback from this helpful event.

LED A USGA RULES AND WORLD HANDICAP SYSTEM WALK
In June 2019, two Princess Anne members who are USGA Rules Officials welcomed our membership to join them as they walked the golf course to discuss the new 2019 Rules of Golf and upcoming World Handicap System. They provided hands-on demonstrations of the rules' application during rounds at Princess Anne.

PUBLISHED INSTRUCTIONAL ARTICLES IN NEWSLETTER
In each edition of our newsletter 'Princess Anne Living,' we feature an article titled 'The Golden Rules.' The purpose of The Golden Rules is to connect with our members and to teach the USGA Rules of Golf in a fun, humorous and interesting format. Members are encouraged to send in rules questions or awkward situations that have occurred while playing golf. When they can relate the rules to their course or a situation that's occurred while playing, the 'Rules of Golf' become more memorable. In 2019, 'The Golden Rules' focused on new rules and the future World Handicap System, combining humorous situations with clear explanations and imagery, assisting members to grasp the changes with a chuckle!

Feedback from our membership was that our all-inclusive preparation was refreshing and will be very helpful in knowing we are all on the same page as it relates to our scores, posting of scores and the subsequent cleanliness of our reputation, both as individuals and as a Club.