Pheasant Inn Golf Society, Welland, Worcs

Rules

The Pheasant Inn Golf Society - Rules, Regulations & Etiquette (Updated December 2024) The Pheasant Inn Golf Society (PIGS) will be managed in accordance with the PIGS Constitution signed by the Captain in 2021. We make no apology for the publication of this statement of rules, regulations and etiquette expected at PIGS events, as we feel it is our duty to ensure that the standards of dress and behaviour on the course are maintained at the current level. We believe that this statement, asking as it does for respect for the traditions and rules, as well as for due consideration for other players, is appropriate and will be appreciated by all who enjoy the finest the game has to offer. For the Society playing golf is a source of great pride and pleasure so naturally we wish every golfer who plays with us to enjoy their game to the full. Making yourself aware of the rules will avoid any embarrassment to you or members of the Society. The fundamental and over-riding rule of the PIGS is that it is a friendly Society and that golf should be played in the spirit of the game. When playing in a Society competition members should adhere to all rules of the host Golf Club (they will usually be found on the reverse of the scorecard); should they oppose the rules as set out by the Society below, direction should be sought from the Captain prior to commencing play from the first tee. These Local Rules may be amended or additional rules added, by the Committee, throughout the year in the aid of clarification. During Society golf days and competitions, members are required to comply with the following at all times; Full payment is required on or before the day, for the 2025 season this will be £36. In addition an annual membership fee of £10 per player will be due. Members who do not pay the membership fee will be charged at the visitor rate for each course. The draw will not be seeded. Ready Golf – If your playing partners are not ready to play and you are, don’t wait for them to get ready, if you are ready, play your ball. Dress according to the rules on the course. Members are encouraged to wear their PIGS polo shirt at all times whilst attending a Society Day. A new member joining the Society with a WHS Index will play off that handicap. All Society competitions will be played utilising the player’s current PIGS Society Handicap as recorded by the Handicap Secretary. During Society competitions, players must swap their scorecard with one of their playing partners and record both their opponent’s score (Player A) and their own score (Markers Score) on the scorecard during the round. Before submission of the scorecards to the Captain at the end of the round, scores should be recorded on each card and both player and marker are required to sign the respective cards (only if you remember to do it). During Society Stableford Competitions, a player MAY pick up if they cannot score on a hole. To obtain a Pheasant Inn Golf Society (PIGS) handicap a player must submit 3 cards over 18 holes each, recorded over 3 Society events, which must be signed by another member of the Society. After any “adjustments” have been made by the Captain and Handicap Secretary a “PIGS Handicap” shall be allotted up to a maximum of 54 for men and ladies. During the recording of the 3 cards any new player will not be eligible to win any of those 3 events however they can win daily events organised by the Committee i.e. Nearest the Pin etc. If a new member has no WHS Index they will play off 20 for the first 3 rounds. Players’ handicaps will be aligned with their Club WHS Index in January each year. Players without a WHS Index will have their starting handicap calculated by the Handicap Secretary. The Handicap Secretary will manage handicaps based on the following criteria: The winner of each competition will be deducted 1 shot Players scoring 25 to 36 points will incur no change Players scoring 21 to 24 points will enjoy a 1 shot gain Players scoring 0 to 20 points will enjoy a 2 shot gain The slope index rating of each course will be utilised to calculate playing handicaps, based on each players’ PIGS handicap. Winter rules will be in place from October to March inclusively at the discretion of the Committee. A player can mark, lift, clean and replace the ball within 6 inches (no nearer the hole) when it originally lies in the short mown (fairway) area. Elsewhere in the "General Area" the ball will be replaced in its original position. GUR is usually marked on a course but players can include damage caused by wild animals and vehicle tracks left by greenkeepers vehicles. Place your ball outside the GUR, without penalty, no nearer to the green. Immovable Obstructions Relief: a free drop within 1 club length of the nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole. They include all roads, paths, drain grills, permanent buildings & their walls, steps, sprinkler heads, well pumps and any protruding parts of an underground pump house. EXCEPTIONS ARE: Out of bounds walls & fences where relief (2 club-lengths) may only be taken under penalty of one stroke. An Out of Bounds white post is NOT an immovable obstruction and no relief may be granted unless taken as an unplayable lie and a one stroke penalty. When an object is in the line of a putt - object is within 2 club lengths from green and ball in within 2 club lengths from object and object (usually sprinkler) - 1 club length relief no nearer to the hole. Embedded Ball - A player may take relief with no penalty from a ball which has embedded itself in its own pitch mark on any part of the course. Relief can be taken from the plugged lie, the ball cleaned and dropped, as near as possible to the spot where it lay and no nearer the hole. If a ball is embedded in a bunker, you may take relief and drop the ball INSIDE the bunker and a one stroke penalty applies. In addition, you have the option to drop the ball OUTSIDE of the bunker under a TWO shot penalty, otherwise, play it as it lies within that bunker. A lip, wall or face at edge of a prepared area and consisting of soil, grass, stacked turf or artificial materials is not part of the bunker. If the ball is embedded in the face of the bunker, the player may take relief from an embedded ball. Gimmes – Under no circumstances will a “Gimme” be accepted on any Society Day. If the ball is close enough to pick up it is close enough to putt out. Out of Bounds - Players are now no longer required to go back and play the shot again (Stroke and Distance). You now have an option (and that is all it is, an option) to play a ball from where the ball has potentially crossed the OOB line under a two stroke penalty. This point of dropping (from knee height) and can be a point on the fairway in a direct line across from where the ball crossed, or was estimated to have crossed. Assuming the shot was from the tee, going OOB, you are now playing your 4th shot. If you take a provisional ball and then you do find it OOB, the provisional is in play. You do not get the additional option if you have taken a provisional. Lost Ball - In addition to the local rule for OOB, the same applies for a lost ball. Identify where the ball crossed or is estimated to have crossed and then apply the rulings with a 2 shot penalty. If a provisional ball has been played, that ball is in play. Stones etc in Bunkers - You may remove any loose impediment in bunkers, you may also touch the sand (e.g. you may now lean on your club when waiting) with your club but not to test the surface. You cannot ground your club behind the ball in preparation of taking your next shot and neither can you touch the sand on any practice swing. Staked Trees - If a tree interferes with a player’s stance or the area of the intended swing, the ball must be lifted without penalty and dropped within one club length but no nearer the hole. Ball Deflected by Power Line - If it is known or virtually certain that a player's ball hit a power line, or tower or a wire or pole supporting a power line, during play the stroke does not count. The player must play a ball without penalty from where the previous stroke was made. Marking a Ball – It is the player's responsibility to mark the ball in play so that it can be identified. The Stableford Scoring System allows players to utilise their full handicap relative to the difficulty of the hole, establishing their par for the hole and allowing them to score accordingly; If your score is two or more over your par you get 0 points If your score is one over your par you get 1 point If your score is your par you get 2 points If your score is one under your par you get 3 points If your score is 2 under your par you get 4 points If your score is 3 under your par you get 5 points And so on…. In the event of a draw for position count back of the Stableford score on the back 9 holes will be used with the higher score winning. Should there still be a draw the Stableford score on the back 6 holes, back 3 holes and finallly the 18th hole will be used until a winner can be identified. If the scores are still equal then PAPER/ROCK/SCISSORS will decide the winner. The Committee will decide on prizes for Society Day winners. Members may bring a guest to a Society Day but they will not eligible for winning the overall competition. However the guest(s) will be eligible to win daily events organised by the Committee i.e. Nearest the Pin etc. Members should also ascertain the playing handicap of their guest and advise the Captain & Handicap Secretary prior to the day. Members will also be held accountable for the conduct of their guest on the day. Visitors will be charged £36 or the course fee, whichever is the larger. Best 8 Games - Some players may not be able to attend every Society Event due to work, family, illness, business or holidays, therefore, by adding the best 8 games total, more players have a chance of winning “Player of the Year”. This will encourage players to play at least 8 games but also allow a little bit of leeway due to personal circumstances. Points awarded are your Stableford Score for each event. In the event of games being cancelled the number of eligible games per year will be adjusted pro rata. Any objections or complaints about a Society event in which you partake should be raised with the Captain on the day of the event. The Captain will then investigate and decide on what action, if any, needs to be taken. The Society disciplinary procedure is: Stage 1 - Verbal formal warning; Stage 2 - Written formal warning; Stage 3 - Punishment will be undertaken. (Normally a severe beating with a wet lettuce leaf or a good thrashing with sticks of rhubarb). The Captain reserves the right to enter disciplinary action at any stage depending on the seriousness of the breach of the rules. The rules the Society abides by are in accordance with the Rules of Golf. Signed Lee Dyment – Chairman & Treasurer Jeff Carlisle – Vice Chairman & Handicap Secretary Barney Reynolds - Captain
To download a PDF Copy of the PIGS Rules please use this LINK

The Pheasant Inn Golf Society - Rules, Regulations & Etiquette
(Updated December 2024)

The Pheasant Inn Golf Society (PIGS) will be managed in accordance with the PIGS Constitution signed by the Captain in 2021.

We make no apology for the publication of this statement of rules, regulations and etiquette expected at PIGS events, as we feel it is our duty to ensure that the standards of dress and behaviour on the course are maintained at the current level.

We believe that this statement, asking as it does for respect for the traditions and rules, as well as for due consideration for other players, is appropriate and will be appreciated by all who enjoy the finest the game has to offer. For the Society playing golf is a source of great pride and pleasure so naturally we wish every golfer who plays with us to enjoy their game to the full. Making yourself aware of the rules will avoid any embarrassment to you or members of the Society.

The fundamental and over-riding rule of the PIGS is that it is a friendly Society and that golf should be played in the spirit of the game. When playing in a Society competition members should adhere to all rules of the host Golf Club (they will usually be found on the reverse of the scorecard); should they oppose the rules as set out by the Society below, direction should be sought from the Captain prior to commencing play from the first tee.

These Local Rules may be amended or additional rules added, by the Committee, throughout the year in the aid of clarification.

During Society golf days and competitions, members are required to comply with the following at all times;

Full payment is required on or before the day, for the 2025 season this will be £36. In addition an annual membership fee of £10 per player will be due. Members who do not pay the membership fee will be charged at the visitor rate for each course.
The draw will not be seeded.
Ready Golf – If your playing partners are not ready to play and you are, don’t wait for them to get ready, if you are ready, play your ball.
Dress according to the rules on the course.
Members are encouraged to wear their PIGS polo shirt at all times whilst attending a Society Day.
A new member joining the Society with a WHS Index will play off that handicap.
All Society competitions will be played utilising the player’s current PIGS Society Handicap as
recorded by the Handicap Secretary.
During Society competitions, players must swap their scorecard with one of their playing partners and record both their opponent’s score (Player A) and their own score (Markers Score) on the scorecard during the round. Before submission of the scorecards to the Captain at the end of the round, scores should be recorded on each card and both player and marker are required to sign the respective cards (only if you remember to do it).
During Society Stableford Competitions, a player MAY pick up if they cannot score on a hole.
To obtain a Pheasant Inn Golf Society (PIGS) handicap a player must submit 3 cards over 18 holes each, recorded over 3 Society events, which must be signed by another member of the Society. After any “adjustments” have been made by the Captain and Handicap Secretary a “PIGS Handicap” shall be allotted up to a maximum of 54 for men and ladies.
During the recording of the 3 cards any new player will not be eligible to win any of those 3 events however they can win daily events organised by the Committee i.e. Nearest the Pin etc.
If a new member has no WHS Index they will play off 20 for the first 3 rounds.
Players’ handicaps will be aligned with their Club WHS Index in January each year. Players without a WHS Index will have their starting handicap calculated by the Handicap Secretary.
The Handicap Secretary will manage handicaps based on the following criteria:
1. The winner of each competition will be deducted 1 shot
2. Players scoring 25 to 36 points will incur no change
3. Players scoring 21 to 24 points will enjoy a 1 shot gain
4. Players scoring 0 to 20 points will enjoy a 2 shot gain
The slope index rating of each course will be utilised to calculate playing handicaps, based on each players’ PIGS handicap.
Winter rules will be in place from October to March inclusively at the discretion of the Committee. A player can mark, lift, clean and replace the ball within 6 inches (no nearer the hole) when it originally lies in the short mown (fairway) area. Elsewhere in the "General Area" the ball will be replaced in its original position.
GUR is usually marked on a course but players can include damage caused by wild animals and vehicle tracks left by greenkeepers vehicles. Place your ball outside the GUR, without penalty, no nearer to the green.
Immovable Obstructions Relief: a free drop within 1 club length of the nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole. They include all roads, paths, drain grills, permanent buildings & their walls, steps, sprinkler heads, well pumps and any protruding parts of an underground pump house. EXCEPTIONS ARE: Out of bounds walls & fences where relief (2 club-lengths) may only be taken under penalty of one stroke. An Out of Bounds white post is NOT an immovable obstruction and no relief may be granted unless taken as an unplayable lie and a one stroke penalty. When an object is in the line of a putt - object is within 2 club lengths from green and ball in within 2 club lengths from object and
object (usually sprinkler) - 1 club length relief no nearer to the hole. Embedded Ball - A player may take relief with no penalty from a ball which has embedded itself in its own pitch mark on any part of the course. Relief can be taken from the plugged lie, the ball cleaned and dropped, as near as possible to the spot where it lay and no nearer the hole. If a ball is embedded in a bunker, you may take relief and drop the ball INSIDE the bunker and a one stroke penalty applies. In addition, you have the option to drop the ball OUTSIDE of the bunker under a TWO shot penalty, otherwise, play it as it lies within that bunker. A lip, wall or face at edge of a prepared area and consisting of soil, grass, stacked turf or artificial materials is not part of the bunker. If the ball is embedded in the face of the bunker, the player may take relief from an embedded ball.
Gimmes – Under no circumstances will a “Gimme” be accepted on any Society Day. If the ball is close enough to pick up it is close enough to putt out.
Out of Bounds - Players are now no longer required to go back and play the shot again (Stroke and Distance). You now have an option (and that is all it is, an option) to play a ball from where the ball has potentially crossed the OOB line under a two stroke penalty. This point of dropping (from knee height) and can be a point on the fairway in a direct line across from where the ball crossed, or was estimated to have crossed. Assuming the shot was from the tee, going OOB, you are now playing your 4th shot. If you take a provisional ball and then you do find it OOB, the provisional is in play. You do not get the additional option if you have taken a provisional.
Lost Ball - In addition to the local rule for OOB, the same applies for a lost ball. Identify where the ball crossed or is estimated to have crossed and then apply the rulings with a 2 shot penalty. If a provisional ball has been played, that ball is in play.
Stones etc in Bunkers - You may remove any loose impediment in bunkers, you may also touch the sand (e.g. you may now lean on your club when waiting) with your club but not to test the surface. You cannot ground your club behind the ball in preparation of taking your next shot and neither can you touch the sand on any practice swing.
Staked Trees - If a tree interferes with a player’s stance or the area of the intended swing, the ball must be lifted without penalty and dropped within one club length but no nearer the hole.
Ball Deflected by Power Line - If it is known or virtually certain that a player's ball hit a power line, or tower or a wire or pole supporting a power line, during play the stroke does not count. The player must play a ball without penalty from where the previous stroke was made.
Marking a Ball – It is the player's responsibility to mark the ball in play so that it can be identified.
The Stableford Scoring System allows players to utilise their full handicap relative to the difficulty of the hole, establishing their par for the hole and allowing them to score accordingly;
1. If your score is two or more over your par you get 0 points
2. If your score is one over your par you get 1 point
3. If your score is your par you get 2 points
4. If your score is one under your par you get 3 points
5. If your score is 2 under your par you get 4 points
6. If your score is 3 under your par you get 5 points
7. And so on….
In the event of a draw for position count back of the Stableford score on the back 9 holes will be used with the higher score winning. Should there still be a draw the Stableford score on the back 6 holes, back 3 holes and finallly the 18th hole will be used until a winner can be identified. If the scores are still equal then PAPER/ROCK/SCISSORS will decide the winner.
The Committee will decide on prizes for Society Day winners.
Members may bring a guest to a Society Day but they will not eligible for winning the overall competition. However the guest(s) will be eligible to win daily events organised by the Committee i.e. Nearest the Pin etc. Members should also ascertain the playing handicap of their guest and advise the Captain & Handicap Secretary prior to the day. Members will also be held accountable for the conduct of their guest on the day. Visitors will be charged £36 or the course fee, whichever is the larger.
Best 8 Games - Some players may not be able to attend every Society Event due to work, family, illness, business or holidays, therefore, by adding the best 8 games total, more players have a chance of winning “Player of the Year”. This will encourage players to play at least 8 games but also allow a little bit of leeway due to personal circumstances. Points awarded are your Stableford Score for each event. In the event of games being cancelled the number of eligible games per year will be adjusted pro rata.
Any objections or complaints about a Society event in which you partake should be raised with the Captain on the day of the event. The Captain will then investigate and decide on what action, if any, needs to be taken.
The Society disciplinary procedure is: Stage 1 - Verbal formal warning; Stage 2 - Written formal warning; Stage 3 - Punishment will be undertaken. (Normally a severe beating with a wet lettuce leaf or a good thrashing with sticks of rhubarb).
The Captain reserves the right to enter disciplinary action at any stage depending on the seriousness of the breach of the rules. The rules the Society abides by are in accordance with the Rules of Golf.

Signed

Lee Dyment – Chairman & Treasurer
Jeff Carlisle – Vice Chairman & Handicap Secretary
Barney Reynolds - Captain

To download a PDF Copy of the PIGS Rules please use this LINK