Current News

PLEASE ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING RULES:.

• Change to clubhouse: Open for breakfast and lunch between 9:00 and 1:00. Social Distancing required!

• Golf carts will be sanitized prior-to and after play.

While playing golf:

1. Leave flag sticks in the hole while putting

2. Fists bumps and elbow dabs are encouraged over handshakes

On-course food and beverage will be available:

1. Pre-packaged sandwiches, snacks and candy

2. Canned or bottled beverages

Upon returning to the cart staging area, we ask that guest empty trash in the trash containers provided.

GOLF COURSES USE LOCAL RULES TO HELP PROTECT SURROUNDING AREAS (HOMES, BUSINESS'S, ETC,) AND SOME AREAS ON THE COURSE FROM DAMAGES.

NORMALLY ALL GOLF COURSES HAVE LOCAL RULES, USUALLY PRINTED ON THE BACK OF THEIR SCORE CARDS.

FALCON DUNES HAS LOCAL RULES ON THEIR SCORE CARDS AND OUR FALCON DUNES MEN'S CLUB HAS MODIFIED SOME OF THESE RULES WITHIN THE GUIDELINES IN THE USGA JANUARY 2019 RULES OF GOLF.

ALL CLUB MEMBERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THESE LOCAL RULES AS THEY PERTAIN TO THE MEN'S CLUB. CLUB MEMBERS SHOULD HELP EACH OTHER DURING CLUB PLAY IF QUESTIONS CONCERNING LOCAL RULES COME UP.

WE HAVE MODIFIED AND INCLUDED THE FOLOWING INFORMATION TO OUR LOCAL RULES:

PENALTY AREAS: WE HAVE EXTENDED THE PENALTY AREAS TO INCLUDE ANY BODY OF WATER ON THE COURSE INCLUDING LAKES, DRAINAGE DITCHES, BRIDGES, ALL DESERT AREAS (AREAS CONTAING DESERT PLANTS AND BUSHES AND NO GRASS). IT ALSO INCLUDES THE DIRT AREA LEADING INTO THE DESERT FAUNA.

WE ALSO HAVE INCLUDED UNDER RULE 16 IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS AND ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS IN THE GENERAL AREA ONLY. THEY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS:

A. CART PATHS, MAINTENANCE PATHS/ROADS

B. ROCKS BORDING CART PATHS

C. ROCKS FORMING DRAINS NEXT TO CART PATHS

D. DISTANCE MARKERS, DRAINS, SPRINKLER HEADS IN FAIRWAYS,

ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS:

A. STAKED TREES

B. AEIATION HOLES OR SLITS

C. WATER EROSION IN SAND TRAPS (MUST REMAIN IN SAND TRAP)

D. ANIMAL BURROWS OR HOLES

E. BARE AREAS IN FAIRWAY

*NOTE - THERE ARE NO ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS IN PENALTY AREAS.

THE ABOVE OBSTRUCTIONS AND COURSE CONDITIONS DO COME WITH RELIEF PROCEDURES:

A PLAYER MAY TAKE RELIEF BY DROPPING WITHIN 1 CLUB LENGTH IN THE GENERAL AREA AT HTHE NEAREST PONT OF COMPLETE RELIEF NO NEARER THE HOLE WITH NO PENALTY.

AS YOU HAVE SEEN,SOME OF THE ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS USUALLY ARE FOUND DURNG THE FALL WHEN THE COURSE IS BEING PREPARED FOR OVERSEEDING AND IN THE SPRINGTIME AS WE TRANSITION FROM RYE GRASS BACK TO BERMUDA GRASS.

DURING THESE TIMES BEWARE THERE IS A HEAVIER USE OF WATER AND BARE AREAS ARE FOUND IN THE FAIRWAYS. BE RESPECTFUL AND TAKE YOUR FREE RELIEF SO AS NOT TO DAMAGE OUR FAIRWAYS AND GREENS.

Mike

FDMC GAME CHANGES

EFFECTIVE DATE 12 DECEMBER 2019

ALL GAMES WILL BE FLIGHTED BY ASSIGNED TEE BOXES (EAGLE, PHANTOM, AND STARFIGHTER) UNLESS

IT IS A 4 PLAYER GAME.

FOUR PLAYER TEAM GAMES WILL HAVE AT LEAST 1 PLAYER FROM EACH TEE BOX AND THE FOURTH CAN

BE FROM ANY TEE BOX DEPENDING ON HANDICAP NEEDED.

ANY GAME THAT INVOLVES PLAYERS NOT USING THEIR BALL EXCLUSIVELY WILL BE HANDLED PRIOR TO

GAME. (IE SCRAMBLES, STEP-ASIDES, CROSS OVERS, ETC.)

SIDE POTS (GROSS AND NET SKINS - C-T-P'S - DEUCES) WILL BE BY TEE BOX ALSO.

MAJOR TOURNAMENTS:

STABLEFORD: WILL BE BY TEE BOX

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP: WILL BE BY TEE BOX

LOW GROSS AND LOW NET WINNERS CAN BE FROM ANY TEE BOX

BURMEISTER CLASSIC: WILL BE BY TEE BOX ( YOU CAN PICK YOUR PARTNER, BUT HE HAS TO BE IN THE

SAME TEE BOX AS YOU ARE.

The Falcon Dunes Men's Club had adopted the 2019 Rule changes back in January of 2018 and there still seems to be confusion on application of these rules. Most of the confusion is on the relief rules for Penalty Areas and Out of Bounds.

BALL RELIEF/PENALTIES

GENERAL AREAS: (ALL AREAS ON THE COURSE NOT DESIGNATED AS PENALTY AREAS OR OB'S)

UNPLAYABLE LIES

1. PLAY BALL FROM WHERE PREVIOUSLY HIT. (1 STROKE PENALTY)

2. DROP BALL ANY DISTANCE BEHIND SPOT WHERE BALL LANDED AND IN THE SIGHT LINE OF THE PIN ON THE GREEN. (1 STROKE PENALTY)

3. TAKE LATERAL RELIEF WITHIN ONE CLUB LENGTH OF WHERE BALL CAME TO REST, NO CLOSER TO HOLE. (1 STROKE PENALTY)

PENALTY AREAS: (BALLS IN PENALTY AREA CANNOT BE CONSIDERED UNPLAYABLE)

1. PLAY THE BALL AS IT LIES. (NO PENALTY)

2. PLAY BALL FROM WHERE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY HIT. (1 STROKE PENALTY)

3. PLAY BALL FROM WHERE IT ENTERED PENALTY AREA, NOT WHERE IT ACTUALLY CAME TO REST. (1 STROKE PENALTY)

4. PLAY BALL AS FAR BACK AS YOU WANT FROM WHERE IT ENTERED THE PENALTY AREA, KEEPING THAT POINT IN LINE WITH THE PIN ON THE GREEN. (1 STROKE PENALTY)

RELIEF OPTIONS AFTER PLAYING BALL FROM PENALTY AREA

1. IF BALL PLAYED FROM PENALTY AREA COMES TO REST IN SAME OR ANOTHER PENALTY AREA.

A. PLAY BALL AS IT LIES. (NO PENALTY)

B. DROP BALL AT PREVIOUS SPOT (ONLY TIME YOU MAY DROP BALL IN PENALTY AREA). (1 STROKE PENALTY)

C. DROP BALL FROM WHERE ORIGINALLY ENTERED PENALTY AREA. (2 STROKE PENALTY - 1 FOR PREVIOUS SPOT AND 1 FOR RELIEF FROM PREVIOUS SPOT)

2. WHEN A BALL PLAYED FROM PENALTY AREA IS LOST, OUT OF BOUNDS OR UNPLAYABLE OUTSIDE PENALTY AREA.

A. LOST OR OUT OF BOUNDS - PLAY FROM PREVIOUS SPOT IN PENALTY AREA. (1 STROKE PENALTY)

B. UNPLAYABLE OUTSIDE THE PENALTY AREA - PLAY FROM PREVIOUS SPOT IN PENALTY AREA. (1 STROKE PENALTY)

C. IF PLAYER DECIDES NOT TO DROP IN PENALTY AREA HE CAN TAKE STROKE AND DISTANCE FROM WHERE BALL ORIGINALLY ENTERED PENALTY AREA. (2 STROKE PENALTY)

RELIEF OPTIONS FOR BALLS OUT OF BOUNDS OR LOST ON THE COURSE NOT IN PENALTY AREAS

1. BALLS HIT OUT OF BOUNDS.

A. HIT FROM FAIRWAY ON A LINE FROM WHERE BALL LAST CROSSED THE EDGE OF THE COURSE BOUNDARY TO GO OUT OF BOUNDS. (2 STROKE PENALTY)

B. HIT FROM PREVIOUS SPOT. (1 STROKE PENALTY)

2. BALLS LOST ON THE COURSE BUT NOT IN PENALTY AREA.

A. HIT FROM FAIRWAY ON A LINE WHERE BALL IS ESTIMATED TO COME TO REST ON THE COURSE. (2 STROKE PENALTY)

B. HIT FROM PREVIOUS SPOT. (1 STROKE PENALTY).

3. A PLAYER MAY HIT A PROVISIONAL BALL IF BALL IS LOST OR OUT OF BOUNDS. (1 STROKE PENALTY). HOWEVER IF A PLAYER HITS A PROVISIONAL BALL AND BALL IS NOT FOUND OR OUT OF BOUNDS, THEN THE ABOVE OPTIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND PROVISIONAL BALL IS THE BALL IN PLAY.

BALL IN BUNKER

1. IF BALL COMES TO REST IN AN ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITION, TAKE BACK-IN-LINE RELIEF OR LATERAL RELIEF. BALL MUST STAY IN BUNKER. (NO PENALTY)

2. IF BALL UNPLAYABLE, TAKE BACK-IN-LINE RELIEF OR LATERAL RELIEF. BALL MUST STAY IN BUNKER. (1 STROKE PENALTY)

3. IF BUNKER UNPLAYABLE, TAKE RELIEF AT POINT BALL ENTERED BUNKER. (NO PENALTY)

4. IF BALL UNPLAYABLE, TAKE BALL BACK-IN-LINE RELIEF OUT OF BUNKER. (2 STROKE PENALTY)

OTHER

1. PUTTED BALL ON GREEN HITTING ANOTHER BALL ON GREEN. (2 STROKE PENALTY)

2. HITTING WRONG BALL. (2 STROKE PENALTY)

3. HITTING BALL FROM WRONG TEE AREA. (2 STROKE PENALTY)

4. HITTING BALL ACCIDENTLY FROM ANYWHERE ON COURSE EXCEPT GREEN. (1 STROKE PENALTY)

5. NUMBERS 2, 3, AND 4 REQUIRE BALL TO BE HIT AGAIN FROM FROM PREVIOUS OR CORRECT SPOT.

ADDITIONAL RULES

1. BALL DROP IS FROM KNEE HEIGHT.

2. LONGEST CLUB IN BAG EXCEPT PUTTER WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE DROP AREA RELIEF.

3. POINT WHERE BALL ENTERED PENALTY AREA MUST BE ON SAME SIDE AS BALL ENTERED PENALTY AREA. YOU MAY NOT TAKE RELIEF FROM OPPOSITE SIDE OF PENALTY AREA.

TOURNAMENT RULES FOR BEST BALL AND AGGREGATE.

BEST BALL:

WHEN A PLAYER CANNOT GET A BETTER NET SCORE THAN HIS PARTNER, HE MAY PICK UP HIS BALL. ONCE BALL IS PICKED UP, THE PARTNERS BALL IS THE BALL OF RECORD.

AGGREGATE:

BOTH PLAYERS BALLS ARE REQUIRED TO HOLE OUT. ANY HOLE NOT COMPLETED WILL DISQUALIFY TEAM FROM TOURNAMENT.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL TEAMS

If you have any other questions about the rules or tournament, please let me know prior to tournament start.

Mike

After having sent an explanation of what to do for an out-of-bounds ball, I have been informed (thank you Bob Chadwick) of some important changes to the final version of the initial proposals to the 2019 Rules, which will be implemented 1 January 2019. The USGA is putting out "The Player's Edition of the Rules of Golf: An abridged, user-friendly set of Rules with shorter sentences, commonly used phrases, and diagrams." This publication due out in September 2018 is intended to be the primary publication for golfers.

The significant adjustments were made following review of the feedback received from golfers around the world and include:

1. Dropping procedure - When taking relief (from an abnormal course condition or penalty area) golfers will now drop from knee height. This will insure consistency in the dropping process and preserve the randomness of the drop.

2. Measuring in taking relief - We will not use the suggested 20-inch or 80-inch standard measurement, but instead will now use the longest club in your bag to measure one-club length or two-club lengths depending on the situation. Again this will provide a consistent process to establish the relief area.

3. Removing penalty for a double hit - There will no longer be a penalty for striking the ball more than once during a stroke.

4. Balls Lost or Out of Bounds: Alternative to Stroke and Distance - This rule if adopted would be a local rule option not part of the USGA Rules. It would allow players to drop the ball in the vicinity of where the ball is lost or out of bounds (including the nearest fairway area), under a two-stroke penalty. You still would have the option of hitting from previous area where stroke was made.

I'm sure there will be time for discussion of these rules at the business meeting.

I have attached the article USGA put out concerning the above changes. You may also find out more information on these changes on their web site usga.org/rules

Mike

It seems there is still some confusion on what is and is not allowed in Penalty Areas. Hopefully we will all come to an understanding of the new rules.

PENALTY AREAS:

1. Under new Rule 17, "Water Hazards" are now considered part of the expanded concept of "Penalty Area". They are the only "Red Penalty" area and the only Penalty Area eligible for Lateral Relief. You may take Lateral Relief from the estimated edge of the water where the ball entered. The ball may be dropped within 80 inches of entry point no nearer the hole.

(1 Stroke Penalty)

2. Under Rule 17 Touching and Removing loose impediments from around ball is allowed in Penalty Areas. Also you may ground your club (except sand traps) in the Penalty Area. If ball is moved during this process, you must replace it back on the exact same spot and under same condition prior to next stroke (it incurs a 1 stroke penalty).

3. Balls in Penalty Areas have only the following options:

a. Hit from where the ball came to rest. (No Penalty)

b. Stroke-And-Distance Relief. Hit ball from where previous stroke was made. (1 Stroke Penalty)

c. Back-On-A-Line Relief. The Relief Line is a line from the hole through the estimated point where the ball last crossed the edge of the Penalty Area. The Relief Area is the entire area within 20 inches on either side of the reference line. The ball may be dropped at point of entry or as far back as you want on this Reference Line. (1 Stroke Penalty)

We all need to realize that transition to these new rules will take some time and a lot of patience with each other. And as the "Good Book" says "a Soft Answer Turneth Away Wrath".

Mike

Recently the Wing Commander for Luke AFB has reminded all Air Force facilities to strictly follow the SMOKING POLICY as outlined in AFI40-102 dated 4 March 2015. According to this instruction paragraph 3.3.3, Tobacco use shall be prohibited in all: Installation recreational facilities, including but not limited to athletic fields, running tracks, basketball courts, golf courses, beaches, marinas, and parks. There are provisions for a waiver, however until such time one is granted, as of now smoking will not be permitted anywhere on the golf course.

Mike

TO ALL FDMC MEMBERS:

The FDMC Tee Box Policy is attached for your reading pleasure. You will notice that any Tee Box changes not included in the policy will be made by the Tee Box Committee, which consists of 2 Eagle members, 2 Phantom members and chaired by a Club Officer or Board of Directors member.

Jim Schrader and I had a meeting with Steve Leonard (Golf Director) and Ron Heraty (Assistant Golf Director) on the 28th of May on some Men's Club issues. Jim Schrader had a briefing yesterday after golf regarding this meeting and for those who were unable to be there, the following items were brought up:

SLOW PLAY:

This has been a constant problem for the golf course (probably all courses) and have repeatedly addressed in our meetings. We realize that not everybody golfs at the same rate, however there are things we can do to improve our rate. Playing ready golf is still the best answer. It is hard to get away from our ingrained mind set that the player farthest away has to hit first. The only game that requires that is Match Play and we don't play that game. When a player gets to his ball and the one further away hasn't yet (your riding and there walking or their cart partner just hit and now are going to the other ball), then hit your ball, there is no penalty for that and it is not considered poor golf manners. The same applies when putting; if a player is busy raking a sand trap, or having to get another club, then go ahead and putt. These little things really help to speed up the game. A good rule to follow is, if the group in front of you is more than a half a hole ahead of you, you need to quicken your pace. We are not trying to rush players, but to help you play at a normal pace. Everybody needs to remember that golf courses also have to make money to exist, and the more players that play ensures the course will be in the condition we have come to expect and enjoy here at Falcon Dunes. The course goal for a round of golf is 4 hours, which is 15 minutes per hole. They are planning to put clocks around on the course to assist golfers in keeping within these time limits. Also rangers will be going around checking gaps between the holes. They will be issuing warnings for slow play and if you continue to play slow, you may be asked to skip a hole. As you know any hole not played is a cause for disqualification for the game, however the club has no intention of disqualifying you for this infraction, You may however have to go back after you finish your 18th hole and play the hole you missed. If this happens we are considering assessing penalty strokes, number yet to be determined.

Please remember we are very fortunate to have guaranteed premium starting times and if we continue to play slow, we could lose these times, as a lot of golfers would love to have our tee times.

Winter Players:

We are the largest group to play the course in the winter months and the fact that a lot of our players are guests, we have been tasked to limit our winter players to 68. We do have exceptions for our 2 winter time tournaments. The Burmeister Classic, which includes our Christmas luncheon and the Club Championship, which also includes a luncheon will be able to accommodate all players in the tournament.

Course Maintenance:

I think we are doing a pretty good job of fixing divot and ball marks on the green, however there is always room for improvement. We need to continue in helping keep the course in great condition. Also even though the course maintenance employees try there best to not interfere with our golf game, we need to realize that they only have so many hours a day to maintain the course and we need to have patience with them. In that regard any incidents between golfers and maintenance personnel will not be tolerated. Problems with maintenance personnel need to be brought to the attention of the golf course management team. Under no circumstances should there be a confrontation with them.

As I hope you all know, our total reason for existing is for the fellowship and competition among club members, who all have a common goal of enjoyment and fair play. We really have a great group of members and we can only make it better ourselves by how we react or act to areas we can control.

Thanks

Mike

TO ALL FDMC MEMBERS:

We currently do not have a scoring policy for the men's club. In the past and even more recently we are experiencing problems and concerns about stroke counting and score card accuracy. The Officers and Board of Directors have met and approved the following policy for the Falcon Dunes Men's Club, to be effective 1 January 2015.

FALCON DUNES MEN’S GOLF ASSOCIATION SCORING POLICY

ACCURATE STROKE COUNTING AND SCORE CARD ANNOTATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY FOR THE ENTIRE PROGRAM OF THE FALCON DUNES MEN’S GOLF ASSOCIATION. TO ENSURE THIS, THE FOLLOWING POLICY WILL ADDRESS BOTH FACTORS.

COUNTING STROKES:

EACH PLAYER IN EACH FOURSOME WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO KEEP AN ACCURATE COUNT FOR ANOTHER PLAYERS STROKES AND LET THE SCORER KNOW AFTER EACH HOLE IS COMPLETED. ANY DISAGREEMENTS WILL BE SETTLED PRIOR TO STARTING THE NEXT HOLE.

SCORE CARDS:

PLAYER KEEPING SCORE ON THE OFFICIAL SCORE CARD WILL ENSURE ALL SCORES ARE PROPERLY RECORDED AFTER EACH HOLE IS COMPLETE AND BEFORE TEEING OFF ON NEXT HOLE. RECOMMEND AN ADDITIONAL SCORECARD BE MAINTAINED BY ANOTHER PLAYER.

AT THE END OF THE ROUND, ALL PLAYERS WILL SHOW THEIR AGREEMENT OF THEIR SCORE BY INITIALING THE SCORE CARD BY THEIR NET SCORE. THE SCORE KEEPER WILL SIGN THE BOTTOM OF THE SCORE CARD.

COMPLETED SCORE CARDS WILL BE TURNED INTO THE SCORERS TABLE ASAP AFTER ROUND IS COMPLETED. THE SCORECARD WILL BECOME OFFICIAL AT THIS POINT AND ANY SCORE CHANGES WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF PLAYER FOR SUBMITTING AN INCORRECT SCORE.

DISQUALIFICATION:

DISQUALIFICATION FOR SCORE ERROR, THE PLAYER WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE GAME OR ANY SIDE POTS.

DISQUALIFICATION FOR NOT FINISHING A HOLE, THE PLAYER WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR GAME, BUT WILL STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR SIDE POTS.

POLICY EFFECTIVE DATE: 1 JANUARY 2015

POLICY WAS APPROVED BY OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON 22 DECEMBER 2014.

Questions concerning this policy may be directed to Mike Holt.