Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Click here for the 2024 Tournament Schedule
Click here for the 2024 Meeting Schedule
Click here for the 2024 Team Schedule by Division
We have begun our 2024 season, but regret that we had to cancel our annual Icebreaker tournament on April 1, 2024, at Fort Belvoir, due to rain.
Our 2024 ARFAX team matches are underway. This is a reminder that the host pro shop will post scores for all matches and tournaments. You need to enter a score for each hole; Golf Genius will post equitable scores. After the team matches conclude in May, we will continue with our tournament season, including:
Pace of Play continues to be a big issue both in matches and tournaments. We ask that you be vigilant in watching the foursome in front of you. If you keep up with them, you will not have to worry about anyone behind you. It is up to you to remind your teammates and your opponents to keep up the pace. Remember that we are the guests of the host club.
To address Pace of Play, the Executive Committee decided to implement a flag system in 2024 for Team Matches ONLY – NOT for Cup or Special tournaments. – with the following procedures:
We used the flag system for the first team matches this year. One Division completed matches in 4 hours and 30 minutes. The others were close to 5 hours. This is an immediate improvement over last year – the flag system is working. But we found that there are lessons to be learned about using flags. A number of teams received yellow flags, but some teams did not see the flags. Several teams were red-flagged and had to skip holes. We ask you to be patient as our monitors seek to assist improving our pace of play. Please remember that we now have an ARFAX Code of Conduct, and treating our monitors respectfully is good sportsmanship. I welcome your comments on using the flag system.
A second issue arose during the first team matches relating to scorecards. For 2024, the paper scorecard continues to be the official record of play. All scores are also to be entered into Golf Genius during play. We are using Golf Genius to speed up registration, scoring, and making awards. After play concludes, the host pro shop posts the score from Golf Genius. You must be attentive to entering scores in Golf Genius. One team entered a score into Golf Genius for their final hole, but did not click to complete the round, resulting in team scores for only 17 holes. Another team conceded a hole to their opponents but entered an estimated score in Golf Genius on a hole with a stroke, with the result of an incorrectly halved hole. You must be careful on estimated scores on uncompleted holes – either where your team concedes a hole, or you picked up after your partner won a hole.
Finally, each player has the responsibility to personally check the assigned handicap at the start of play whether for Team Matches or for our tournaments. You certainly want to benefit from appropriate strokes, but you also do not want to play to an incorrect handicap.
As I mentioned last year, here are two Pace of Play articles on standing over the ball:
The authors of a recent book, Golf's 8-Secret: What Separates Golf's Greatest Champions, PGA pro Mike Bender and accomplished amateur Michael Mercier, argue that a shot—from the time you set your lead foot, step over the ball and swing to the finish—should take eight seconds. A player's pre-shot routine should take no more than 10 to 12 seconds, for a total of about 20 seconds.
Please, please, please, see what you can do to help Pace of Play in ARFAX events:
You, the members of our 16 clubs, are the heart of ARFAX. We should remember to be respectful of each other and our courses, and to be polite before, during and after rounds.
See you on the courses ...
Carolyn K. Offutt, President
ARFAX
Copyright © 2024 ARFAX Golf - All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.