New Member Orientation (or Returning Member Refresher) Toolbox

New to the League?

We want everyone to feel welcome in our league!  To accelerate the effort of learning the ropes, we assign a mentor for the first few weeks.  This page provides a checklist of things to review with your mentor.  If the item is new to you, you can spend more time on it.  If the item is something you are very familiar with, you can move on to the next item.

Returning Member?

Sometimes we just need a refresher after a long winter.  This toolbox is also available to help returning members brush up on things related to our league.

Topic 1: Before the Round

Weekly Sign-Up for Golf

You sign up each week for golf by the previous Friday at 6pm.  There is more information on the Sign-Up Process page. This includes what to do if you miss the deadline and want to play or you signed up and need to cancel.

What if it's raining? 

The decision to cancel play will be made by the Tournament Committee no later than 6 AM on league day.  If the league play is cancelled, there will an email sent out to league members. There is more information on the Rain Cancellation page.

Arrive Early for Check-In

You need to arrive at least 40 minutes before your scheduled tee time.  You need to check in for golf at the Pro Shop (pay for your round), check in for the league in the Grille Room, find the members of your group outside the clubhouse, and present your payment receipt to the starter (at least 10 minutes before your tee time).  Sometimes they let us out early, so we need to be ready.  There is more information about the check-in process on the Weekly League Procedures page.

How do I Stroke the Cards?

If you are the first in your group to check in, you may need to stroke the cards if the game of the week uses handicaps.  The sign in the Grille Room will tell you if that is necessary.  There is a detailed description and example on the How to Stroke Cards page.

Topic 2: During the Round

Maximum Score is 9

We have a league rule of a maximum of 9 on each hole, so you can pick up after 8 strokes and mark an "X" on the card.  GHIN will automatically adjust your score based on the par for the hole and your handicap.  We talk about this on the Weekly League Procedures page.

Two Scorecards

There are 2 scorecards that need to be submitted to the Tournament Committee after the round and we recommend you keep your own scorecard to compare scores at the end of the round and enter into GHIN.  There is more information on the Weekly League Procedures page.

Pace of Play

We all want a fun round.  We don't want to feel rushed, but we don't want to be waiting at every hole either. There are tips on the Pace of Play page. 

Golf Rules

We have a Rules Corner that includes league rules, Juniper Hill local rules, and helpful rules related to different situations.  We also have a bag tag on the Helpful Rules Bag Tag page.

Topic 3: After the Round

Post Your Score After the Round

After the round, you need to post your score to GHIN.  This should be done the same day of play (or as soon as possible).  There is more information on the Weekly League Procedures page.

Update Your Ringer Card

We have a season-long competition to determine who has the best score on each course.  Each week you enter your score in the ringer card and it automatically determines the best score you had on each hole.  The one with the best score on each course in each flight wins a prize at the end of the year!  There is more information on the Ringer Cards page.

Topic 4: Those Gray Areas

Not LIV Golf

We try to make the league a balance between social interaction and competition.  At the same time, we want our league members to be able to do well on the golf course.  This is not LIV golf.  If you prefer to have music, it needs to be with a private experience with headphones or earbuds.  Please don't take phone calls on the golf course.  

Not Casual Golf

While we want the round to be fun, this is not casual golf.  There are no mulligans, do-overs, or gimmes.

Cart Management

If you are sharing a cart, communicate about who should get out with their clubs to take their shot and who should drive to their ball.  Don't leave your cart-mate without any clubs, but don't hover so close it is distracting to take a shot.  Be aware of where the others are in your group.  When you approach the green, move the cart to the back (or side) of the green so that the group behind you can hit as soon as you are done putting and not have to wait for you to walk back to your cart.

Riders and Walkers

If you are walking, there are a few holes where it is a long walk from the green to the next tee.  It makes it less stressful if you putt out first and start walking to the next tee.  Just let the others in your group know you are getting a head start and not being rude.  If you are riding and have a walker in your group, it is okay to take your shot before them even if they are behind you if they haven't reached their ball yet.  It is also okay (and preferable) if you take your tee shot when you arrive at the tee box and not wait for the walker to arrive.

Topic 5: Events

Opening Day

Opening Day is when we welcome new and returning members.  We start with a just-for-fun scramble format to ease into the season.

Learn Match Play

Learning Match Play Day is an opportunity to learn about match play and encourage you to sign up for the Juniper Cup competition.

Juniper Cup

Juniper Cup is a match play tournament that is played on 4 different scheduled league days.  

Bring a Friend or Not (BAFON) Day

Bring a Friend (or Not) Day is an opportunity to invite a friend to experience our league.  There is no requirement to bring a friend, so our league members can play and enjoy the event and inviting someone to join us is optional. We have a scramble on both courses followed by a luncheon.

Charity Day

Charity Day is not a separate event, but rather a special addition to one of our league play weeks.  Charity Day has become an annual tradition of collective generosity to give back to our community. 

League Championship

League Championship is a tournament spans two weeks and both courses.  The tournament awards a low gross winner and low net winner in each flight.   

Closing Day

Closing Day is when we celebrate the season on our last league play week.  We have a luncheon, hear remarks from the board, and receive the year-end prizes.