HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM YOUR GNS TEAM!

THE GOLF NUT SOCIETY WOULD LIKE TO INFORM ALL GOLFERS

There is a possibility of MAJOR rule changes to the game of golf, this may occur sometime after December 31, 2008. This is only a preview as the complete rule book is being written now by the Golf Nut Society.

Here are a couple of the contemplated changes.

PROPER USE OF HANDICAPS

 Golfers with handicaps:

- Below 10 will have their green fees increased by 35%

- Between 11 and 18 will see no increase in green fees

- Above 18 will play for free and even get a check from the club/course played based on a mathematic formula which converts strokes taken into rebate dollars based on the rating and slope and greens fee normally charged by the specific course.

PUTTING OUT 

The term “gimme” used to describe a conceded  putt will be changed to “entitlement.”

“Entitlement will apply as follows:

-handicaps below 10, no entitlements

-handicaps above 11 to 17, entitlements for putter length putts

-handicaps above 18, if on green, no need to ever putt, just pick it up

These entitlements are intended to bring about fairness in scoring so that the final scores of all players will be about the same.

 SCORING

Any player will be limited to a maximum of one birdie and/or six pars, any excess must be given to those fellow players who have not yet scored a birdie or par. Only after all players have received a birdie or par from the player making the birdie or par, can that Player begin to count birdies and pars as his own.

The current USGA handicap system will be used for the above purposes but the term "net score" will be available only for scoring those players with handicaps 18 and above. This is intended to "redistribute" the success of winning by making sure that in every competition the above 18 handicap players will post only "net score" against every other player's gross score.

Sure, we’re poking fun at how complex the Rules of Golf have become and we’re acknowledging the point from a high handicapper point of view. However, there are some rules that can really DRIVE GOLFERS NUTS! Over the next few months, the Golf Nut Society will be writing a “tongue-in-cheek” “GNS Rules of Golf.”

YOUR INPUT IS IMPORTANT. It is important that all Golf Nuts have a voice in these important revisions to the Rules of Golf before they are submitted to the USGA (or actually published in any form.) We encourage you to submit your own “rules” to be included in this humorous guide. To have your “Rule” included in the “Golf Nuts Rules of Golf,” send an email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it be sure to include your full name and Golf Nut Number so you will receive the proper credit for your contribution.

Deadline for your submission is December 31, 2008.