[MarkD1981]

Originally Posted by SPT32507

I’m considering moving to The Villages and, as an avid golfer (albeit a higher-handicap one), one of my top priorities is finding a group that plays by official USGA rules—no gimmies, proper lies, penalties assessed, and honest scoring.

I completely respect that many groups are more relaxed, but I’m simply looking for like-minded players who enjoy the game as it's written. If such a group exists, I’d really appreciate any pointers or contacts.

Thanks in advance!

You can typically play by the USGA rules yourself even in a group that does not. As long as you play fast and take advantage of provisional balls and not going back to the tee because of a lost tee shot. Drop in the fairway and take your two stoke penalty.

[SHIBUMI]

most of the answers given further prove the case for not many people knowing the rules of golf. Its not a sand trap its a bunker, its not a water hazard its a penalty area. Sorry to say, a golfer learns a rule once they break it and are called out. Read a good book on amazon called, Golf Murder Mysteries Breaking the Rules, golfers murdered for breaking a rule of golf. Even has 2 chapters on the Villages. I digress.

Higher handicap golfers should be more concerned with improving their golf swing than knowing the rules of golf back and forth.

Judging by the comments on moving the ball and picking up putts I would say most handicaps here are about 3-5 shots too low and won't travel well.

People here are friendly, they don't want someone spouting rules of golf they just want to play. If you are spouting you will find yourself playing alone.

The groups here play by the rules if they are playing for money. And yes they invoke local rules, i.e. preferred lies etc. which is legal.

Just chill out a little bit and you will be fine. A group is the tournament committee for its golf, they determine local rules and those rules should not break a rule of golf.

Bottom line is, play 18 holes in under 4 hours and people will love you and want to play with you. If money is involved, the rules will be invoked even for a quarter. It's just the way it works.

Originally Posted by SPT32507

I’m considering moving to The Villages and, as an avid golfer (albeit a higher-handicap one), one of my top priorities is finding a group that plays by official USGA rules—no gimmies, proper lies, penalties assessed, and honest scoring.

I completely respect that many groups are more relaxed, but I’m simply looking for like-minded players who enjoy the game as it's written. If such a group exists, I’d really appreciate any pointers or contacts.

Thanks in advance!

[gighilton]

If you are looking for strict USGA rules groups. To be playing strict USGA rules, you need courses properly marked with proper hazard markings, fairway cuts, GUR Markings posted local rules exceptions, etc. Ain't going to find that here! You must be an accountant or engineer?

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by SHIBUMI

People here are friendly, they don't want someone spouting rules of golf they just want to play. If you are spouting you will find yourself playing alone.

Bottom line is, play 18 holes in under 4 hours and people will love you and want to play with you. If money is involved, the rules will be invoked even for a quarter. It's just the way it works.

2010, The first time I played with a group of 8 that informed me it was a money game, I was excited. Had a bunch of $5, 10, 20s in my pocket that was the norm bet back home. Did want to be rude and ask bet amount

I won by 15 strokes, then proceeded to collect 6 quarters, 3 dimes, 3 nickels and 4 pennies. Good thing I won, because nobody had change for a $5.

[jimhoward]

Some rules exceptions save time but most are simply protecting the "casual player" score.

If you hit the ball OB and drop in the fairway near where it went in, it doesn't add any more time to the round to add two penalty strokes to your score than one.

If you lose your ball in the fairway, it doesn't add time to the round to add two strokes to your score as compared with declaring "leaf rule"

Putting out 18" putts should not take any time. People who dwell over them, particularly high handicappers, do so because they are missing a lot of them.

Continuation putting is allowed in stroke play. You don't have to rigidly go in turn.

People kick or throw a ball a couple of feet off the cart path. That is no big deal. No real advantage gained there. But the "casual player" also often takes relief on the fairway side of the path even when nearest point of relief is clearly in a worse condition than the path over in a bush somewhere. That shaves most of a stroke off their score right there.

When a ball rolls up to a root similar, people take free relief sometimes claiming abnormal course conditions or unmarked GUR. You shouldn't hit a ball lodged against a root or a rock, but doesn't add any time to the round add a stroke for unplayable

Pick up after net double. That actually saves time. But if its a stroke hole, that means its a triple or a quad (depending on how many strokes you are getting).

I am sure there are many more examples.

But have said all that, there are no golf police. The villages is very casual and people can do whatever they want.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by gighilton

If you are looking for strict USGA rules groups. To be playing strict USGA rules, you need courses properly marked with proper hazard markings, fairway cuts, GUR Markings posted local rules exceptions, etc. Ain't going to find that here! You must be an accountant or engineer?

Or maybe someone who loves the game and doesn't golf to get away from his wife.

I love playing in The Villages and having someone in the group standing on the green when I'm hitting my approach shot onto the green or they are busy picking up the pin and rattling it around when other's are putting. I'm used to all types on the courses but there are days when it would be fun to golf with someone who hasn't started golfing 10 minutes ago and knows the rules. It is pleasant though, to meet people and enjoy the day for what it is too.

Why so many are having fits over this request is bizarre.

[Cheapbas]

Originally Posted by SPT32507

I’m considering moving to The Villages and, as an avid golfer (albeit a higher-handicap one), one of my top priorities is finding a group that plays by official USGA rules—no gimmies, proper lies, penalties assessed, and honest scoring.

I completely respect that many groups are more relaxed, but I’m simply looking for like-minded players who enjoy the game as it's written. If such a group exists, I’d really appreciate any pointers or contacts.

Thanks in advance!

There’s a group called the bandits, you can try looking them up.

[SaucyJim]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

My rule of thumb is that if I have made it in the past, it is a gimme. And it helps lower the score!

I made a pretty stellar putt yesterday. So anywhere on the green is a gimme? LOL!!

[Shadowrider]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

My rule of thumb is that if I have made it in the past, it is a gimme. And it helps lower the score!

I've made putts from the edge of the green before but that does not make it a gimmie. Putt until your within 2 club lengths then one more putt. But, you always pickup after double par.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by SPT32507

I’m considering moving to The Villages and, as an avid golfer (albeit a higher-handicap one), one of my top priorities is finding a group that plays by official USGA rules—no gimmies, proper lies, penalties assessed, and honest scoring.

I completely respect that many groups are more relaxed, but I’m simply looking for like-minded players who enjoy the game as it's written. If such a group exists, I’d really appreciate any pointers or contacts.

Thanks in advance!

Play by the rules. What a concept.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Shadowrider

Putt until your within 2 club lengths then one more putt. .

A PGA Tour Pro makes 50% of his putts from about 8'.

In The Villages, you get to make all your putts, from 7' ?

Great deal. The Villages Extra Friendly Golf Rules.

[jimmy o]

Originally Posted by SPT32507

I’m considering moving to The Villages and, as an avid golfer (albeit a higher-handicap one), one of my top priorities is finding a group that plays by official USGA rules—no gimmies, proper lies, penalties assessed, and honest scoring.

I completely respect that many groups are more relaxed, but I’m simply looking for like-minded players who enjoy the game as it's written. If such a group exists, I’d really appreciate any pointers or contacts.

Thanks in advance!

We have a Thursday group of higher handicappers that play by the rules, but with a few exceptions because we play Stableford scoring. Stableford allows for faster play to get us to happy hour. If you’re interested, PM me.

[Snakster66]

For the vast majority, The Villages Friendly golf suggestions are pretty solid in order to maintain a reasonable pace of play. Your foursome wants to play strict USGA rules? More power to you...as long as it doesn't bog down the pace for everyone behind you. Most folks are out there to have fun, not pretend they are playing in an Open qualifier.

Golf The Villages

[SPT32507]

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate the input.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by Snakster66

For the vast majority, The Villages Friendly golf suggestions are pretty solid in order to maintain a reasonable pace of play. Your foursome wants to play strict USGA rules? More power to you...as long as it doesn't bog down the pace for everyone behind you. Most folks are out there to have fun, not pretend they are playing in an Open qualifier.

Golf The Villages

"Most folks are out there to have fun, not pretend they are playing in an Open qualifier"...

Seriously? I think a lot of egos are involved in this discussion. If the guy wants to play by the rules in which golf was established, it shouldn't be any hair off anyone's neck. He is simply asking for golfers who play by the rules for his game.

He probably learned a lot more about people who live in TV's than his original question.