Modernising Golf's Rules
Last week the R&A proposed some key changes to the Rules of Golf from 2019. Their Rules Modernisation initiative has been underway for a few years now and this is the next stage in that process. The aim is to not only make the Rules easier to understand, but also to address some of the game's current problems, such as speed of play, and ensure they fit the needs of today's game.
Please spare a couple of minutes to complete our survey, which gives you the chance to have your say on the proposed changes.
We've picked out some of the most significant Rules changes for you to digest in this survey, before giving you the chance to say whether you agree or disagree with each of them. It'll be great to know your thoughts.
Have your say here.
There has been a lot of talk in the shop this last week about the proposed rule changes. Please all remember that these are "proposed" changes and nothing is due to be implemented until possibly 2019.
Click here to see all the proposed changes.
Good afternoon.
As this week's newsletter comes out, roughly 2.30 on Thursday afternoon, I shall be in a car heading up to Scotland for a few days of golf at Turnberry.
It's 4 years since I was last there and the 4 of us that are going, after hearing that Donald Trump had bought it, always said we would go back when all the changes were completed.
I am really looking forward to seeing the much talked about changes to the course, clubhouse and hotel. It is now rated as the number one course in the UK and Ireland by Golf Monthly so I guess it must be good. I shall take plenty of pictures for you all too see next week.
Let's hope I've taken enough golf balls to get me round!
Paul In The Algarve
Well Paul Gibson by now will have the 7 golfers he has taken away to the Algarve all playing well and ready for the upcoming season.
It really is a great way to improve your golf and is really great value too. I'm sure Paul will be running more trips in the future so if you are interested please speak to him. Here are a few pictures from their first day. The weather looks fantastic.
Grip Offer
It is good to see that so many of you have taken up this offer and I'm sure those that have had their clubs re-gripped will be feeling the difference.
It is your only contact with the club and if the club slips or you are using too much grip pressure it really can be very detrimental to your game.
Please bring your clubs in for an honest opinion on if they need replacing. This is an example of a set desperate for new grips which have just been brought in to be given a new lease of life.
Girls Coaching
There has been quite a bit of interest shown in these sessions that Paul is going to start running on a Saturday afternoon. If you know of any girls that you think might be interested, please pass on the below details.
Before anyone says anything yes, the phone number is incorrect. It should be 01964 534989.
Click here for more information.
Tuesday Club
It is always a sign that summer is on the way when Pat Slaven brings in the Tuesday Club posters. It would be great to see some new faces playing this year and you would all be made welcome. It starts on Tuesday, 4 April and runs through until the Tuesday, 26 September.
Please read the poster for more details.
New Handicapping Rules
Can you all please read this that was on the England Golf website earlier this week. If any of you play well in any event away from the club can you please let us know. All golf clubs have been instructed anyway to return all good scores to the player's home club so we would get to find out anyway.
A new handicapping rule has been introduced for members of English golf clubs to stop rogue players manipulating the system to their advantage. Over recent years there has been a number of cases of players who protect inflated handicaps, only to repeatedly collect high-value rewards when playing in competitions away from home.
"We're not talking about a sleeve of balls," said Gemma Hunter, England Golf's Handicap and Course Rating Manager. "These are big prizes including luxury trips overseas, sets of clubs and electric trolleys."
Now, everyone playing in non-qualifying competitions away from home must return their scores to their home club. Players who ignore this responsibility could, as a last resort, have their handicap suspended. England Golf has introduced this clause of the CONGU handicapping system to provide clubs with evidence to support handicap reviews.
"It's essential to do this to protect the integrity of the system," said Gemma. "We can't sit back and let people manipulate the system, but without evidence clubs can't take any action."
The new system will highlight players who, for example, take part in as many competitions as possible at home and whose handicaps creep up 0.1 on every occasion - but who repeatedly win prizes away from home. Similarly, it will show up the players who play the bare minimum of competitions at home, but who are known for their away successes. It applies to all stroke play scores returned under competition conditions, including team events.
"It's not about recording every score in a fourball betterball, but returning the team score," said Gemma. "If the same individuals or teams keeping winning or coming near the top of leaderboards at events away from home, that should at least indicate to their club handicapping officials that further investigations are required - and the only way to achieve that is by asking for all the scores to be reported."
Social golf is not affected, but clubs are advised to be aware of performances in swindles which the handicap committee could take into account at the annual review. England Golf also recommends that clubs which run non-qualifying open competitions should inform the prize winners' home clubs of their scores. - England Golf
Masters Par 3 Competition
On Sunday, 9 April we will be holding our 2nd Masters Par 3 competition. Last year's event was a great success with Malcolm Train taking away the winner's jacket. I must say I am a little disappointed to have not seen Malcolm wearing this jacket with pride during this year!
The same as last year it will be a medal competition with individual prizes for ladies and gents for both gross and nett scores. The winner of the Hornsea jacket will be the golfer who returns the best Nett score overall. The sheet is now up in the Rolston Bar so if you want a good tee get your names down quickly.
Hull And District Alliance
Last Thursday saw the Gents Hull and District played at Hornsea. Despite heavy rain the night before Gareth and his team had done a great job in not only getting the course fit to play but also produced a course that everyone I spoke to couldn't believe how good it was. The greens in particular were superb.
A pair from Withernsea had the best score of the day with a 64. Hornsea pair Sam Middleton and Nathan Wright had our best score with a 65 and also in the prizes were Lindsay Ward and Dave Whitton. We managed to pick a couple of shots up on Hessle, but they still hold a commanding lead with just one game left to play at Hull on the Thursday, 16 March.
Can I just thank our starters Allan Scarlett, Peter Bridges and Colin Evans who all did a great job. If anyone else is interested in helping out with starting in events we hold this season please let us know in the shop.
Saturday, 4 March - Pro's Stableford 68 entries Prize Fund £204
1st £42 Shaun Prout 41pts
2nd £37 Steve Prout 41pts
3rd £32 Tom Walker 41pts
4th £26 Dave Rogerson 40pts
5th £22 Dave Liversedge 40pts
6th £18 Paul Hitchen 40pts
7th £16 Sam Middleton 39pts
8th £14 Martin Champs 39pts
Sunday, 5 March - Individual Stableford inc Mark Hurn Qualifier
1st £25 Lee Guest 33pts
2nd £15 Jon Bickerdike 33pts
3rd £10 Steve Carmichael 31pts
2's Comp - Dave Blanchard Jnr with the only 2 winning £25.
Saturday, 4 March & Tuesday, 7 March - Ladies Alison Nicholas Trophy
1st W Lockwood 34pts
2nd D Cross 33pts
3rd C Barker 33pts
Upcoming Competitions
Saturday, 11 March - Pro's Stableford
Sunday, 12 March - Individual Stableford inc Mark Hurn Qualifier
Sunday, 12 March - Junior March Stableford
Tuesday, 14 March - Lady Captain vs Lady Secretary Match
European Tour Fantasy League
So I messed up big time putting Henrik Stenson in my team last week as he pulled out after one round. I also didn't pick Rory McIlroy as I thought he might struggle after his injury. How wrong was I!!! Coming out on top this week by a long way was Dave Bissett who despite been away working out on an oil rig somewhere off the coast of Canada he is still putting his team in each week and after this week has moved right into contention. I on the other hand have dropped back after a bad week!! Paul Gibson still leads the way.
Click here to view the leaderboard.
New CaterersLast Saturday our new caterers
Diego and
Julie started. They are still finding their feet and on St Patricks Day they are inviting all the members to a tasting session of the sort of foods they will be providing. From what I have seen so far it all looks excellent.
If you would like to attend can you please add your names to the list in the Rolston Bar. It is St Patricks Day so who knows there might even be a little bit of Guinness on offer!
Please Click Here to view the Sunday Lunch Menu.
Please Click Here to view the Breakfast Menu.
East Riding Union DinnerI know this has been mentioned before but it really would be nice if the gents members of Hornsea could get together and support Howard Palmer as he has had a great year as President of the East Riding Union of Golf Clubs this year.
Please contact Steve Robinson if you would like to go.
Captains Comments BooksIt is very noticeable in the shop that many members are still passing comments good and bad about what is going on at the club and on the course. It is nice that a few people have written in the Captains comments books but it would really help if more of you used them instead of just talking.
Each comment is read and replied too with possible ways forward. Please if you have something to say write it down in the correct book with your name and a date.
GreensJust a reminder to all that greens maintenance starts on Monday weather permitting. The plan of action this time will be solid tining the greens with the large 20mm tines to a depth of 75mm. Approximately 40 tonnes of top dressing sand will be applied and brushed in. The smaller 12mm tine will be then used to close up the larger hole to aid recovery. If required a further light dusting of sand will be used to smooth the surface followed by the greens roller. Please whilst the staff are working on the greens you might find a few temporary flag positions.
The course really has taken a hammering recently with heavy rain falling most days. On Tuesday night for example on an already wet course there was another 7mm of rain. To start with that might not sound like much to some but over one acre that is the equivalent of roughly 6230 gallons. That is a lot of water!
Paul Gibson's Blog In this week's blog: Place An Early Bet On The Winner Of The 2040 Masters - A New World Number 1 - Eek Every Bit Out Of Your Game - Girls Only Golf
Click here to view the blog.
