From: Max Castillo, President
To: NIHGA Members

For the past several years, the NIHGA has been evaluating how best to improve its "Pace of Play".   It is the goal of the NIHGA to play its golf rounds within 4 1/2 hours.  To date, however, we have been consuming well over 4 1/2 hours for each round of play.  The NIHGA officers and team captains have agreed to the following approach to reducing our time on course follows.

Please be advised, that, starting in 2008, our NIHGA golfing contract with the golf courses we play contains a provision that course management may use golf rangers/marshals to assist in ensuring the all players are adhering to the course's [stated] pace of play.  The ranger/marshal(s) on duty will have full authority, during NIHGA golf outings, to enforce their respective courses' speed of play.  Should the ranger/marshal(s) determine that your group has fallen behind and approaches your group, please, follow their instructions in that their actions will allow your group to get back into position.  NIHGA members should use their ESC if the marshal(s) ask you [your group] to pick-up your golf ball and skip a hole or holes. Members without an ESC should use a score of 8.  The course marshals may or may not elect to issue a warning PRIOR to enforcement ... but in any event - PLEASE OBEY THE MARSHALS AND ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING GOOD GOLF ETIQUETTE.

1. Please keep up with the group in front.
      Should your group fall a clear hole behind (e.g. you are on the tee of a four or five par hole and the previous group has already left the green) and it is delaying the group behind, please invite the group behind to play through (irrespective of the number of players in that group),
    
2. Always conduct yourself in a disciplined manner.
      Please demonstrate courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive you may be - this is the SPIRIT OF THE GAME.
    
3. No more than five minutes is allowed to search for a ball.
      If you can’t find your ball in 5 minutes you must proceed by either playing your provisional ball or, if you didn’t hit a provisional, taking the famous NIH 2-stroke penalty and playing from the fairway at the distance the ball was thought to be lost. If more than one ball needs to be found, split up and search for all the balls at the same time.
    
4. Do not play until the players in front are out of range.
      Should a player play a ball in the direction where there is danger of hitting someone, please shout the customary warning “FORE”.
    
5. Everyone should play ready golf (http://home.att.net/~seniorgolf/ready.htm).
      Go to your ball and get ready to hit your next shot as soon as it is feasible;  i.e., not impeding another player's shot.  Don't always wait for your cartmate to play before going to your ball.
    
6. Abide by the Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) rule.
      STOP when you reach one less than your respective ESC score;  e.g., if your ESC is 8 and you have played 7 strokes, you should pick up your ball without taking the eighth stroke.

 
The NIHGA welcomes your comments, observations, ideas, or feedback on our current pace of play. Should you wish to provide feedback, please convey your thoughts to your team captain for consideration of the Board of Directors.

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