Standing Rules
Membership
Grand Rapids Women’s Golf Association is a community of women golfers in greater Grand Rapids that promotes and encourages friendly, competitive golf and social opportunities for its members.
GRWGA defines competitive as keeping score, following USGA rules, playing your best, playing to win and playing the game with integrity.
Membership is open to females, 18 years of age or older. GRWGA follows USGA guidelines for the female gender.
The Grand Rapids Women’s Golf Association has a handicap policy which is stated below.
A membership application/profile is required
Annual Membership Dues
New and Returning Members: annual membership dues must be paid 3 days prior to registering for events.
We do not prorate or refund membership dues.
Event registration costs are separate from membership dues.
Handicapping
For a golfer with an established handicap, the maximum handicap for GRWGA is less than 40.
Golfers without an established handicap are welcome to join the GRWGA provided they can consistently play to an average score of 111 for 18 holes (or 55 for 9 holes) counting all strokes and following all USGA rules. A handicap will be initially established using a self reported score.
Membership dues include access to USGA GHIN handicapping software.
It is required that members keep their USGA GHIN handicap up-to-date by entering all golf rounds they play outside of a GRWGA event. In compliance with GHIN handicap rules all golf rounds entered must be played in accordance with USGA Rules and cannot be entered if played alone. GRWGA event scores will be added via Golf Genius Live Scoring. Scorecards will be used in the events for backup. If and/or when Live Scoring is unavailable GRWGA will enter scores from the backup scorecard.
Code Of Conduct
At all times, members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the GRWGA and engenders good sportsmanship, good fellowship, and respect for individual dignity. Each member is also responsible for the promotion and integrity of the traditions and best interest of the game of golf and the welfare of the GRWGA.
Members of the association shall abide by these current GRWGA Standing Rules, USGA Rules and other policies of the event and GRWGA.
Member disagreements should be handled discreetly between the affected parties. If necessary, the Board will hear unresolved disputes and the decision of the Board shall be final. The Board retains the right to take disciplinary action against a member.
The Board of GRWGA recognizes that members are interested in growing their golf network, a GRWGA player directory with email address will be accessible in Golf Genius for this purpose. Use of the contact information in the player directory for solicitations or other reasons outside this purpose is prohibited. Abuse of this policy will be grounds for termination from the association.
Cell phones must be on silent feature during play. Use of cell phones should be limited to the live scoring of the event in progress and emergency situations.
Music from personal speakers is not allowed during GRWGA golf rounds.
Golf Events - Procedures for Sign-up
Members shall register for and prepay event fees no later than the deadline listed on the website schedule or the event registration page.
The method of registration and payment is online via the GRWGA Golf Genius event registration pages.
If an event has reached capacity, a wait list will be used, in order of registration. Charges will not be incurred until a player is confirmed to move up from the waitlist.
Pairings and Tee Times
Pairings and tee times will be available on the specific events’ page in Golf Genius
Events will be flighted according to handicap or to the discretion of the Board or Tournament Committee, except when the format precludes flighting.
Players must be on the tee 5 minutes before their assigned tee time
Rules
All play day and tournament events will abide by USGA Rules and any local GRWGA or host course rules.
Any special rules of the day will be available on the specific events’ Golf Genius page under What to Know.
No mulligans
Local Rule Circle Max 10 - Players who are struggling on a hole can choose to pick up the ball and record a score of 10 putting a circle around the 10 on paper scorecard. This then designates this was their maximum score on that hole. In Live Scoring a circle max 10 score is entered as 10. Players who take a max score on a hole will remain in the competition and are eligible for prizes. For posting scores to GHIN, the score entered will follow USGA guidance of Double Bogey + net.
Local Rule E-5 Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds - When a player’s ball has not been found, or is known or virtually certain to be out of bounds, the player may, for two penalty strokes, take relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in a relief area rather than proceeding under the stroke and distance rule. Note: Players have up to 3 minutes max to search for the lost ball. Get more familiar with this rule.
Local Rule Natural Areas - At GRWGA events, if any area of tall natural grass or wooded area on the course is NOT marked as Out of Bounds or as a Red or Yellow Penalty area, it can be considered a penalty area with the following options:
Hit the ball as it lies
Stroke & Distance: 1 penalty stroke, or
Come out on the line of entry, within 2 club lengths, and take 1 penalty stroke
Back on Line: 1 penalty stroke; player may drop the original ball or another ball
outside the penalty area, keeping the estimated point where the original ball last
crossed the edge of the penalty area between the hole and the spot where the
ball is dropped (with no limit as to how far back the ball may be dropped ). The
spot on the line where the ball first touches the ground when dropped creates a
relief area; ball must be dropped on the line and can roll up to one club-length in
any direction from where it hit the ground – even toward the hole.
https://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-clarifications/rules-of-golf/rule-17.html
Note: you do not need to find your ball to use options 2 and 3 immediately above
Remember - GRWGA local rules are adopted for our events and may not be a local rule for any other golf competitions you might play in
When in doubt on a rule issue (USGA Rule 20):
Consult others in your foursome for definitive rule reference (use rules books) In Match Play, consult with your opponent for such rules reference.
If no resolution, notify opponents that a later ruling will be sought. In Stroke Play, play a 2nd ball for the balance of that hole and notify the scoring team when you turn in the scorecard. Playing a 2nd ball is not an option in Match Play.
Call the Pro Shop and consult with the Golf Professional.
Measuring devices may be used for distances but NOT for wind and slope.
Guests and/or spectators are not allowed on the course during GRWGA events.
How Ties Are Handled
Stroke or Match Play- Ties will be decided according to the USGA system of a scorecard playoff; best score on the last nine holes, then the last six holes, the last three holes and finally the last hole. Thereafter, all ties will be broken by a blind draw.
Pace of Play
Members must play within the recorded maximum time frame for 18 holes of the host golf course and if none is posted, that time frame is 4 hours and 30 minutes. Pace will be recorded on your scorecard and monitored by the scoring table.
A group is considered behind pace or “Out of Position” if there is an open par 3 or par 4 ahead of them or the preceding group is on the green of a par 5.
The USGA 30 second shot rule will be in effect. The timing of a player’s shot begins after a player has 1. has had a reasonable time to select a club and it is her turn to play 2. has had a reasonable time to reach her ball and 3. has had no distractions.
Frequent violation of pace of play timing can result in penalties applied to your score.
Cancellations
Because we have negotiated a generous deadline date with the golf courses we play, we are unable to offer any refunds after an events registration deadline date has passed. The only exception is if a golf course cancels an event, then a refund minus a $10 administration fee will be offered. This fee covers transaction fees, supply costs and other expenses related to event management that can not be recouped with a cancellation. All canceled registrations incur this $10 admin fee.
Event Weather Policy
Event Cancellation/Delay - Events will not be cancelled based on a weather forecast and registrants should arrive to the host course prepared to play at start time
Any changes to the event because of weather will be posted on the specific events’ page in Golf Genius
Event Suspension - In the event that play is in progress and weather conditions deteriorate, players are advised to heed whatever warning system is in place at the host course. If no such system is in place, they should use their own judgment if they feel that they are in danger.
Awards
Prizes shall be awarded for all competitions at the discretion of the board.
Penalties
Abuse of late cancellations and/ or failure to show by a member may be subject to disciplinary action by the Board.
Event Scorecards
Live scoring on Golf Genius may be used at events
Scorecards will be provided and should be completed as a backup regardless of live scoring.
For pace of play purposes, please record the time the group made the turn and the time the round was completed.
Scorecards should be signed by the scorekeeper and also attested.
Scorecards must be turned in immediately after the round, please do not delay.
Eligibility for events
Annual membership dues must be paid before signing up for golf events.
By signing up for membership, members agree to the terms and conditions stated in the Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability.
To be eligible for the West Michigan Women’s Cup, a member must have an accurate handicap - specifically they must have 54 holes posted to GHIN.
Communication/Photo Release
The GRWGA Board members and approved volunteers are the only eligible members that can distribute emails to the membership as a whole at any time.
Each member is required to keep their contact information current in the Golf Genius software.
From time-to-time photographs and video will be taken at events to be used by GRWGA and its sponsors in marketing, public relations, newsletters, website, brochures, promotional and other such materials. Members are not eligible for compensation for use of photos. If you choose to be excluded from such photo releases, please submit your exclusion in writing to GRWGA by email at info@grwga.com or by mail to GRWGA, 6320 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321.
Compliance
All members agree to comply with the terms of these Standing Rules, any event specific rules and other policies of the GRWGA. The Board reserves the right to assess penalties up to and including membership termination.
Amendment
These GRWGA Standing Rules can be amended by the Board and are posted on the GRWGA website.
Adopted: October 31, 2018
Revised: December 20, 2018 - Increased Handicap eligibility
Revised: June 17, 2019 - Circle Max 10 Rule - E-5
Revised: December 31, 2020 - Golf Genius/GHIN, Liability Waiver
Revised: December 13, 2022 - No music during round, Natural grass area local rule, frequent violation of pace of play results in penalties
Revised: December 6, 2023 - No guests or spectators on the course during events, $10 admin fee for all cancelled events including course cancellation
