Change to the application of WINTER RULES

England Golf issued new guidance on the application of Local Rules for 'Unfair Playing Conditions'.

The Club Committee will review this guidance and decide on its application and communication ASAP.

## What has changed within the Adverse/Extreme Weather Reference Guide?

The content, supporting rules and guidance remain the same. The only change is when clubs can apply the Model Local Rules – previously, ‘winter rules’ were applicable between 1st October and 30th April. Within WHS™, there is no reference to specific use of ‘winter rules’, only that there is an active or inactive season. In England, WHS™ remains active all year round, therefore the term ‘winter rules’ does not exist and the limitation on when Model Local Rules can be applied has been removed.

## When can Model Local Rules be applied?

Golf clubs can utilise Model Local Rules throughout the year, but ONLY when it is necessary to do so, on specified areas of the course and when the conditions would mean that acceptable scoring would not be possible without them being in place. Furthermore, the Model Local Rules MUST be removed as soon as practicably possible. When implementing any of the Model Local Rules for your golfers, it must be clearly communicated and signposted which Model Local Rules are in place and the areas in which they are to be used. It is very important to remember that Model Local Rules should only be used when necessary, to ensure equity within the World Handicap System™.

## Before applying Model Local Rule E3 – Preferred Lies, what other rules should be considered first?

Model Local Rule E2 – Cleaning the Ball, should be first considered, as this may be considered on parts of the general area where conditions result in an unfair playing condition. The areas in which this rule is used should be explicit and communicated to golfers. Once ground conditions improve to a point that it is no longer an unfair playing condition, the rule must be removed.

## When can Model Local Rule E3-Preferred Lies be applied? And when should it be taken off?

Model Local Rule E3 – Preferred Lies can be applied throughout the year, only when ground conditions are such that it results in an unfair playing condition and only within closely-mown areas (grass cut to fairway height or less). This local rule must be explicit to areas of the course where it is required and must be removed as soon as ground conditions improve to a point where it no longer results in unfair playing conditions.

## Who can support the club on the application of the guidance document and Model Local Rules?

Your county will be your first point of call regarding any advice around when to implement rules. You do not need their permission to apply them but they can offer support and details if you are unsure. Each county has a Handicap Advisor and Rules Official who can support your club.

https://www.englandgolf.org/news-detail?newsarticleid=957&utmcampaign=281126802.10.24%20%20Club%20comms%20%20Extreme%20Weather%20guidance&utmmedium=email&utmsource=The%20England%20Golf%20Union%20Limited&dm_i=4ON0,1O96S,66NFN4,7VAN0,1

Gents Committee News

This section is used to keep members informed of KEY committee decisions.
*What - When - Why *

What	When	Why	Meeting
Multi -Tee Competition Trial (allowing entrances to choose the colour of tee they wish to compete from, for the entire 18 holes).	Summer 2024 (Wed 21/08/24)	To embrace our Equality Diversity and Inclusion policy by providing a golfing competition that allows players of all abilities to enter using the most suitable tee position.	June 24
To allow 'General Play' cards of members to be marked and submitted by any player holding official handicaps through iPlayer / MyEnglandGolf etc.This is not allowable for Competitions, cards must be marked by LMGC members.	Summer 2024	This is to align ourselves with the wider golfing community and allow the number of 'Acceptable' rounds to increase (improving the general accuracy of handicaps). Copies of the Cards clearly identifying the 'marker' are required to be submitted in the usual way, as soon as possible at the end of each 'General Play' round (noting the App used if other than HowDidIDo).	June 24
Clive Russell Membership Secretary appointment	Summer 2024	Vacant position	June 24
Richard Wilson Handicap Secretary appointment	Summer 2024	Vacant position	June 24
Decision to only award Competition prizes if individuals attend the prize giving event in person.	Summer 2024	A standard practice in other Golf Club's used to promote after competition events and attendance (Winners still are awarded the win and any associated trophies).	June 24
New Club contact email addresses - Captain@lesmiellesgolfclub.com (direct and personal to the Captain at the time) / treasurer@lesmiellesgolfclub.com (direct and personal to the Treasurer at the time) / committee@lesmiellesgolfclub.com (direct to a shared inbox for the whole committee)	Summer 2024	Formalising email handling within the @lesmiellesgolfclub.com to secure information and increase security, while providing best value for money.	June 24
Senior Section Representative - Tony Perchard appointed	Autumn 2024	Formal appointment of Tony Perchard to represent senior section on the Club Committee	Sept 24
Decision to run future Club Match Play Competitions through the HowDidIDo system	Spring 2025	Transfer the recording and publicising of Match Play competitions to a digital format. The expected benefits of greater inclusion of membership by circulating results and improved date management.	Sept 24
Decision to trial a Match Play finals day	Spring 2025	To publish a 'Finals Day' date at the start of the Match Play competitions to create a spectator, presentation and social event to conclude the competitions.	Sept 24
Decision to ‘Enable Enhanced Markers Scoring’ in the ClubV1 System to add a level of verification (in line with other GC)	Autumn 2024	This is a new function that requires scores submitted to included the players card marker and the player they are marking the card of. This improves score verification.	Oct 24
Decision to extend ‘Enhanced Markers Scoring’ in the ClubV1 System to a full compulsory trail (December - 31/01/25)	December 2024	Require all competitions to be digital scores only (no requirement to send images of score cards). Reducing admin burden and increasing assurance.	Nov 24
Decision to review Club Local Rules	January 2025	To ensure Safe, Inclusive and Up to date and aligned.	Nov 24

Latest News

Club Trophies - Cleaned, Polished and Engraved

Hi Members,

you'll notice that the Club Trophy cabinet is now looking magnificent, with all our trophies cleaned, polished and up to date.

All thanks to Dave Belo , who organised the whole job.

Please let him know how appreciative we are next you see him.

Inter Club Match Team Applications

If you wish to compete in Inter Club Team Matches please complete the following form

Swipe left or right to view images.

Les Mielles are Hampshire Sevens champions

Les Mielles travelled to Lee-On-The-Solent Golf Club in Hampshire on September 23rd 2023 to take part in the finals day for the County Sevens title.
Their semi-final match was against Waterlooville GC who also reached this stage last year. Harry Singleton was playing Seb Lowe playing of 3hcp, but was always in control of his match with his solid form and took the match 4&3. James O'Hara seemed in control of his match being two up after the front but then lost four holes in a row to find himself in trouble. James dug in and won the next three holes to go down the 18th one up and after finding the green in regulation, holed a 20ft putt to win the match. Bringing up the rear was our leader for the weekend Allan Lawson who couldnt find his top form but his short game excellence always kept him in front and he pulled away on the back nine to win 4&3. This left the overall match all square with Steve Inman still playing. This was a tight game all morning and there was nothing to seperate them over 18 holes which led to an extra hole to decide the match. Steve drilled his tee shot down the middle of the fairway and with his opponent finding the creek, he was looking good to seal the match. His opponent then went onto to hit a tree branch on his approach and still couldnt find the green with this next shot. Steve played a lovely six iron to the middle of the green and the point was then conceded when waterloovilles chip went long, giving the match to Les Mielles.

After a quick lunch, the team went out to take on New Forest, the second oldest team in Hampshire, in the final. This turned out to be a close match overall with one side looking to be ahead, only for the other team to look favourites a few holes later. Harry continued his good form but found a determined player in Andy Hales who wouldnt go away and this match went all the way to 18th hole which Harry won and gave Les Mielles their first point. This was soon followed by Peter who playing against 1hcp Jackson Ainley, found himself quickly four down in his match. Back came Peter who managed to sqaure up the match and take it down the 19th where he boomed a drive and hit the green with his second then two putted to win another point. Peter Dixon lost a close match to Steve Holland and Gareth also lost a close match with his opponent pulling away on the back nine. Allan Lawson found his game in the final and proved to strong for Gavin Lockley to win his match 4&3 and give Les Mielles an overall lead of 3-2. James O'Hara was playing some great golf but his opponent was a gritty player and always stayed close. Down the stretch, James managed to build a lead to go dormie 3 and on the 17th, he halved the hole to win the point and give Les Mielles victory in the final.

A brilliant final and full credit to New Forest GC who played the match as it should be, hard but with great sportmanship.

Shout out to all the other players and captains who couldnt make the final but played their part along the way that led to this victory.

Les Mielles first 7s win and now the plans start on retaining it :)

Last updated: 14 Nov 2024 06:46