Volunteer Rules Official
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Rules Official
The Rules of Golf definition:
A referee is one who is appointed by the Committee to accompany players to decide questions of fact and apply the Rules. He must act on any breach of a Rule that he observes or is reported to him.
Spirit of Officiating
Participants in an event are keenly conscious of the spirit in which it is conducted. There is no more certain way to hurt the reputation of a tournament than by lackadaisical management. It may be difficult and unpleasant to be totally precise in enforcement of Rules, but it is a rare golfer who does not prefer to compete in a well-run event. Authority should be exercised for the sole purpose of helping to ensure that an event will be fairly played under sporting conditions.
Officials should remember that, as members of the Committee, their primary role is to lend assistance and offer counsel so as to help contestants avoid unnecessary penalties and to obtain relief when entitled under the Rules. Officials are cautioned not to use their position simply to watch play; this is very distracting and quickly recognized by the players and fellow officials.
The two greatest sources of officiating error:
Officiating Guidelines: Take Plenty of Time to
If tee markers are already positioned by the grounds crew it will be necessary to check their work. Walk onto each teeing ground and make sure there are no mistakes, go through the above steps.
Checking the Course
After leaving the teeing ground and as you drive each hole you should be looking for the following issues:
To a limited extent the policy that we enforce as an Association is the policy we should follow at events (no cell phones). However, we understand that there will be times in which you will need to make a call or return a call. We hope you understand that the event/players need your attention.
Sign Up Now!
Rules Official
The Rules of Golf definition:
A referee is one who is appointed by the Committee to accompany players to decide questions of fact and apply the Rules. He must act on any breach of a Rule that he observes or is reported to him.
Spirit of Officiating
Participants in an event are keenly conscious of the spirit in which it is conducted. There is no more certain way to hurt the reputation of a tournament than by lackadaisical management. It may be difficult and unpleasant to be totally precise in enforcement of Rules, but it is a rare golfer who does not prefer to compete in a well-run event. Authority should be exercised for the sole purpose of helping to ensure that an event will be fairly played under sporting conditions.
Officials should remember that, as members of the Committee, their primary role is to lend assistance and offer counsel so as to help contestants avoid unnecessary penalties and to obtain relief when entitled under the Rules. Officials are cautioned not to use their position simply to watch play; this is very distracting and quickly recognized by the players and fellow officials.
The two greatest sources of officiating error:
- “Fear of Embarrassment” which does not allow an Official to seek outside help when he is legitimately uncertain as to how to handle a situation.
- “Time Pressure,” which an Official places on himself in the mistaken belief that he is expected to make a Rules decision instantaneously and without the use of backup material.
Officiating Guidelines: Take Plenty of Time to
- Know the Rule involved
- Resolve questions of fact
- If in doubt - GET HELP
- Be kind – non-confrontational
- Try not to let things drag out
- Intervene immediately to prevent a violation
- Intervene immediately to stop a violation from getting worse
- If a violation can't get worse inform the player before the next stroke
- Review RDGA Hard Card for conditions and policies.
- Be familiar with venue, anticipated conditions, format and Rules of Golf.
- Please come prepared. Bring with you appropriate clothing/umbrella for the day.
- When you arrive check-in with staff in scoring area, pickup prepared materials and radio.
- Review Local Rules established for the day / ask questions if you have any.
- At check-in the staff will ask you to take either the front 9 or back 9
If tee markers are already positioned by the grounds crew it will be necessary to check their work. Walk onto each teeing ground and make sure there are no mistakes, go through the above steps.
Checking the Course
After leaving the teeing ground and as you drive each hole you should be looking for the following issues:
- Is out of bounds properly defined? Be sure you can see from one white stake to the next.
- Are the hazards properly marked? Hazard stakes should be visible and there should be a line on the ground connecting all the stakes.
- Is there ground under repair that needs to be marked? If there is something that needs to be marked coordinate with the Chief Rules Official.
- Are there any maintenance issues? Look for leaking sprinkler heads, bunkers that are un-raked, and ensure that rakes are outside of the bunkers.
- Locate any ball drop areas to ensure they have been painted and that you are aware of their location for future rulings.
- Make sure that any mowing/golf course preparation will not interfere with play. i.e. – Is the staff far enough ahead. Coordinate this information with the Chief Rules Official.
- Make mental notes as you drive the front 9/back 9 as to where there might be possible issues (blind hazards, blind tee shots, blind out of bounds, possible pace of play problems and pick the best spot to position yourself.
- Coordinate this with the Chief Rules Official when you have completed your review.
- First and foremost know and understand the Pace of Play Policy.
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Keep good notes when the starters indicate that their tee is running behind.
- The most obvious indication of slow play is when there is more than one hole open ahead of a playing group.
- Before making contact with a group of players, who appear to be playing slowly, advise the Official in Charge of the situation; determine whether the group in question started play on time and check their elapsed time.
- It is our duty to be actively working to resolve pace of play issues. When issues take a proactive approach to solve the problem. If we wait and take a reactive approach we have already lost the battle.
- The carts are provided as a courtesy by the Host Club.
- Try to follow cart rules for the day, unless there is an emergency.
- Please do not drive in restricted areas.
- Limit movement to a bare minimum.
- Do not roam from your assigned holes.
- Official will be assigned a radio.
- Use the earphones. There is a variety of types for everyone.
- Unnecessary comments should be withheld.
- The radios are expensive and should be cared for.
- Do not leave the radio in an unattended cart.
- Radio transmission should be kept as brief as possible.
- Rules questions should be discussed with the Chief Rules Official.
- When rain or bad weather threatens, keep off the air. If you can help the situation, (i.e. - if you see lightning) inform the Chief Rules Official and then listen for directions. The Chief Rules Official must have access to the radio frequency during weather situations.
- Report radios that are not in good working order to Tournament Staff.
- As a Rules Official, your meal lunch for the day(s) you officiate will be provided to you free of charge.
- Coordinate with the staff on picking up RDGA equipment. (tee markers, hole signs, reflectors, stakes).
To a limited extent the policy that we enforce as an Association is the policy we should follow at events (no cell phones). However, we understand that there will be times in which you will need to make a call or return a call. We hope you understand that the event/players need your attention.
Sign Up Now!