March 10, 2020
Tournament of Champions Points Update
The points for Two-man Events has been changed to match the same as Individual Multi-Flight events.

January 21, 2020
Board of Directors Pass New Policy Changes!
Prize Fund Payouts

• First place will be determined by card match or in some events by a play off
• The last payout position will be determined by card match
• All other ties will split the combined prize

Handicap Index to be used

• Starting in January 2020, the NCGA updates your Handicap Index daily.  For our tournaments, the day the Times and Flights are posted your Handicap Index that day will be used and remain the same for the event and any future rounds for that specific event.

Scorecard Hole Rankings

• STMGC adopts the STGC Scorecard Rankings for 2020

January 13, 2020
World Handicap System/my NCGA App: Three Burning Questions and Answers
Question: Why has my Course Handicap gone down?
Answer: The difference between the Course Rating and par is now factored into the computation of a Course Handicap. If the Course Rating is higher than par, additional strokes are awarded. If lower than par, strokes are subtracted.

**Assume a Course Rating of 68 for a set of tees that carry a par of 72.  Last year a Course Handicap represented the number of strokes needed to play to the Course Rating (achieve a net score of 68).  This year a Course Handicap represents the number of strokes needed to play to par (achieve a net score of 72).  You need four fewer strokes to achieve a net 72 than a net 68.

Question: Does this change in Course Handicaps disrupt the competitive balance in our competitions?
Answer: Absolutely not. There is zero change to the competitive balance as all golfers playing a given set of tees are impacted equally. And there is zero change in the spacing of handicaps if multiple tees are employed.  It’s like a game of basketball, but instead of starting at a score of 0-0, you start at 10-10.  This doesn’t impact who wins, it just means that the final score is higher.  Same with net scores.  If the Course Rating is lower than par, same winner, but with a higher net score.  If the Course Rating is higher than par, same winner, but with a lower net score.

Question: What is the status of the my NCGA app?
Answer: The my NCGA app is available for download via the App Store or Google Play! . It may be necessary to delete the old/download the new.

World Handicap System is Live!

Read about WHS

Handicapping FAQ

Equitable Stroke Control has changed . . . in name and in practice.

For score posting purposes only, the Maximum Hole Score will be a net double bogey. That is a gross double bogey, plus any handicap strokes the golfer is entitled to on that hole based upon the ranking of the stroke holes. A 25-handicapper’s max hole score, for example, will be a gross quadruple bogey on the seven top ranked holes / a gross triple bogey for the remaining holes.

STGC Scorecard Hole Handicap Stroke Revision

STGC has updated the hole allocations on their scorecard that do not match STMGC cards. We will continue to use our revision for the remainder of the year. In December the board will review the two and come to a decision for the 2020 season. STGC card.

STMGC 2019 Local Rule Change

See 15 and 16, changes.

USGA New Rules for 2019

There are several changes to the new rules. The link provides a nice comparison to the old and the new. Take a look.

• Taking a drop from knee high
• Time to search for a lost ball 3 minutes
• Hitting flagstick without penalty, you can leave it in
• Removal of loose impediments in bunkers, no penalty
•  Another good link with pictures :)xx

STMGC Allows use of Smartphones

• STMGC adopted a local rule for the use of Smartphones as a Distance Measuring Device (DMD) during competition (see local rules)
• Read the FAQ if your DMD application meets the guidelines
• GPS AND OTHER RANGE FINDERS: As a condition of STMGC competitions, we allow the use of GPS and other range finders, cell phones, per Decision 14-3/1. These devices may determine distance only the use of devices which gauge or measure other conditions that might affect a player’s play (e.g. wind or gradient) is not permitted.

We’re Now on Facebook   
Santa Teresa Men’s Golf Club has a Facebook page. It’s intended as a supplement to our website and to provide additional social information.