What To Do When Renovating

Resolved to Renovate

If one of the resolutions for the New Year involves renovating or doing some other remodeling projects on the golf course, then perhaps you might want to call and check with the NCGA Course Rating Department for correct protocol.

The golf course is rated on its effective playing length and difficulty under normal conditions. If there are any changes to the difficulty, length or normal playing conditions, then Handicap Indexes can become distorted.

For example, if a tee reconstruction project occurs and the tees are lengthened, then a club official needs to contact the NCGA to establish the new official yardage. The addition of a set of new tees also merits a phone call to the NCGA for a free measurement visit.

Other projects on the golf course whether large or small, can have an affect on the course’s rating. For instance, the addition of a couple of small greenside bunkers on a relatively plain hole can elevate the rating. The reverse holds true when removing bunkers on the golf course, a lower rating.

The removal of large trees in play has an effect on the rating. Hazards that are made larger or smaller will also impact on how difficult or easy a hole plays.

Maintenance practices that superintendents perform on a daily basis can increase or decrease the course’s difficulty as well. Any practices that alter the width or firmness of fairways, the height of cut for roughs, or the firmness or speed of putting surfaces for an extended amount of time should be reported to the NCGA.

Placement of tee markers and hole locations should be balanced for everyday play. These maintenance procedures as well as other cultural practices need to be carried out on a consistent month-to-month basis to avoid peaks and valleys in the playing difficulty of the course. Short-term aberrations for special events are normal, but the day-to-day course setup should be uniform.

Despite the fact the NCGA re-rates courses on a six-year basis (new courses every three years), club officials should not wait until the next re-rating visit to report any course modifications or changes in maintenance practices. Waiting to communicate any changes can have adverse affects to members’ Handicap Indexes.

To avoid any arguments on the first tee regarding Indexes prior to a friendly wager, report any changes made to the golf course to the NCGA. Hopefully, this will eliminate some of the Hatfield’s vs. McCoy’s feuds concerning Indexes or the rating.