GIRLFRIEND GOLF

New Year, New Name!

We have changed the name of our Evening Leagues to Girlfriend Golf.  All skill levels are invited!  Come join us if you are in the area.

Contact Fran Cohn

Signup online -Gleannloch Girlfriend Golf

NEW!!  THURSDAYS - Another new evening Girlfriend Golf Day will be held on Thursdays at Clear Creek starting April 6.  Located in Tom Bass park, this links style course has wide fairways, but still presents a challenge for all skill levels.  Email Leslie Sosebee to get on the mailing list.

Clear Creek
3902 Fellows Road, Houston, TX  77047
Thursdays - 5:10 pm
Starting April 6
Twilight green fee - $28
Contact Leslie Sosebee

Signup online at Clear Creek Girlfriend Golf

Do I want, need or care about a golf handicap?

Maybe. Probably. Definitely. There’s lots of good reasons to have a handicap.

• It allows you to play the game on an even playing field with other golfers of any ability.
• It should you how your game is improving over time.
• It allows you to enter competitions. (even some of the really fun tournaments require a handicap)
• You have an answer to “So, what’s your handicap?”

If you don’t already have a handicap, you can get one through the LPGA Amateurs Houston Chapter. It’s only $26 per year and comes with a Texas Golf Association membership. Click here to sign up.

If you already have a handicap and want to switch to LPGA Amateurs Houston managing your account. Go to the link above and sign up with your current GHIN number. All of the information will transfer over.

Have questions? Email Shon Bower at shonb@hotmail.com.

2023 Rules Update

As we start our 2023 golfing season, we wanted to remind you of some of the new USGA rule changes that you will find useful. Check out the graphic and let us know if you have questions.

You can always visit usga.com/rules for short videos and more information.

 Download the App!

Have a rules question mid-round? The easiest way to find the answer is in the USGA Rules of Golf App. Just download the app onto your phone. Use the search bar in the app to find your topic.

You can also select “Latest” in the tool bar for videos and other recent rules news.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/vS3es7UOI8M

The nearest point of complete relief is used for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition, a dangerous animal condition, a wrong green or a no play zone. It is the estimated point where the ball would lie that is nearest to the ball’s original spot, not closer to the hole than that spot, in the required area of the course, and in a position where the condition you are taking relief from doesn’t interfere with the stroke you would have made from the original spot if the condition was not there (see Definition of Nearest Point of Complete Relief).

Check out Rule 16 if you want a detailed explanation of Relief from Abnormal Course Conditions (Including Immovable Obstructions), Dangerous Animal Conditions, and Embedded Balls.

And…. keep in mind, your nearest point of complete relief may not be in a spot you’re happy with. Pick your poison carefully!

Happy golfing!

Can I move this branch or bush or alligator to hit my shot? 

We’ve all had it happen. Our perfectly hit shot lands under a tree or near a bush. So what happens now? You have a few options:

1. Play it as it lies. This video shows you what is and isn’t allowed. Playing the course as you find it. https://youtu.be/K9UqE-30oG4
2. You can take an Unplayable Ball. This video shows you how to take relief.  https://youtu.be/2KYoSvWx3MI

The Houston Lone Star Cup Team is Heading to Louisiana This Year!

The 2023 Lone Star Cup (LSC) will be played September 14-16 at The Island Course in Plaquemine, LA, just 14 miles south of Baton Rouge. The Lone Star Cup is a two-day, Match Play competition with teams from LPGA Amateurs chapters across Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. Each chapter’s team is made up of 12 players representing a wide range of handicap levels. The event also includes a practice round, Welcome Dinner, Awards Luncheon and Hospitality Suite where players renew old friendships and create new ones!

Sign up to obtain a Handicap Index® issued via the Texas Golf Association and the GHIN® service and via your LPGA Amateur GA, Houston Chapter. Pay $26 online with MasterCard, Visa or Amex, membership good for 2022. Click on the link below or copy and paste this link into your browser:

https://www.txga.org/start/join/?cid=9054

PART 1: Fill out the online form.

The first question asked is, “Have you ever had a GHIN number” and hit on the “YES” button, input your existing Golfnet # (because GHIN can now use that same number) or GHIN # and complete the application form, input in your credit card info, etc. On that next page, be sure to check the box to “auto renew”….you can always opt out before the renewal hits. Also be sure to hit the “I am not a robot” so that the transaction will process.

NOTE: If you have never had a GHIN #, and never had a Golfnet #, then you need to hit the “NO” button. The OJR system will automatically assign you with a new TGA/GHIN #.

PART 2: Check your email.

The automated system will then send you an email, advising your TGA/GHIN # has been issued via the LPGA Amateur GA, Houston Chapter (be sure to check your Spam/Junk folder for the email).  You will take it with you when you move from club to club or even state to state. You will use that TGA/GHIN # to register for TGA or USGA events, to post scores online via www.GHIN.com  OR via your smart phone and GHIN’s free mobile app (go to iTunes Apple or Google Play stores).

PART 3: Set up your profile.

You will also receive an email from USGA/GHIN inviting you to create a Digital Profile/Password. Open that email, click on the unique url/link in the body of the message, follow the steps to create a DP/PW. Once completed, use that PW to sign into GHIN.com or the GHIN mobile app to post scores online.

NOTES ABOUT POSTING SCORES

-You can play different golf courses and can post all “acceptable scores.” An acceptable score is: one made while following the Rules of Golf, and the golf course played must have a USGA/WHS Course Rating/Slope--select the course from the drop down listing in GHIN.

-NOTE: Since LPGA Amateur GA, Houston Chapter is a “virtual” club, note that you will have no “home course” per se and when posting scores, be sure to select score types either “A” for Away or “C” for Competition.

-And we recommend you post ASAP following play (or at the very least before 11: 59 pm that same day).

-Post them Hole-by-Hole. GHIN provides you with some pretty cool stats, too, if you post scores HBH, and of course, the more scores posted, the more accurate your HI will be.

-If you have played recently and have been holding onto some scores, then it would have been appropriate to get those posted--just be sure to input the “Date Played” not the current date.

-NOTE: Handicaps are revised/recalculated only after a score has been posted after 11:59 pm central time, during the wee hours of the night. So every time you post a score, your HI changes only after revised/recalculated overnight.

And just an added benefit: With your TGA Membership, you gain a ton of cool benefits, including travel savings of up to 70%  on your next trip. As part of the TGA Member Rewards program, you will also receive major discounts on sporting event tickets, amusement parks, movie tickets and much more. Finally, you are also now eligible to play golf in TGA events like our Fun Golf Series for recreational golfers!  

Welcome to the TGA/GHIN and best wishes on the links!