CFN - Men's Golf Association

Congratulations to Jeff Boser for his Hole in One on #5 - May 7, 2025

Congratulations to Ed Galaski for his Hole in One on #9 - March 26, 2025

Improving Your Pace of Play

If just one player squanders just 30 seconds per hole, which isn’t hard to do, that’s nine minutes per round. The reality is the difference between playing in 4:15 and 5 hours isn’t as great as some might believe.  One guy can back up an entire golf course. Don’t be that guy!  Here are some tips for not being that guy when playing friendly games in the MGA or any other time.

Keep up with the group in front of you
Your correct position on the course is immediately behind the group in front of you, not immediately in front of the group behind you. Arrive at your next shot just before the group in front leaves the area in front of you. If you are consistently not able to keep up and a gap opens in front of you, invite the group behind you to play through, irrespective of the number of players in the group.

Play Ready Golf

On the Tee:  Unless a birdie or better was achieved on the previous hole, the first person who is ready should hit. Play a provisional ball off the tee (Rule 27-2) if you think your original ball might be lost or out of bounds.  If you don’t, then when you find your ball is lost or out of bounds, you’ll have to play the local rule and bring it in to the fairway with a 2-stroke penalty. Follow the flight of all tee shots, not just your own (this also applies to the fairway).

In the fairway:  This is no need to debate who is furthest out. The first person who is ready should hit.

Instead of everyone looking for someone’s lost ball, help others look for their ball only when others will be hitting before you, or you have already hit your ball. Keep an extra ball in your pocket if you are in search of one you hit.   

Take every precaution to avoid walking back to the cart.  Golf is a thinking person’s game and using your head before you get to the ball will speed up play.  Unless you’re hitting first, determine your yardage and make your club selection before it is your turn to play.  Don’t be the person who walks to the ball with a range finder, then goes back to the cart for a club.  You should be able to judge within 2-3 clubs what you need to hit.  Take those clubs and the range finder with you to your ball. You can do this while others are playing.

Don’t wait in the cart while your cart mate hits and then drive to your ball.  Get out and walk to your ball with your needed equipment.  Be ready to play when it is your turn and then let your cart mate pick you up.  Or, drive to your ball after you drop your cart mate off and then pick him or her up after you hit. If you take your glove off between shots, have it back on before it is your turn to play.  Keep your pre-shot routine short. Determine your line of play once and trust yourself.  Try to take no more than one practice swing, then set up to the ball and play your shot.  Most importantly, be ready to hit when it is your turn.  

Be efficient after your shot too. Start moving toward your next shot promptly. Volunteer to fill in a divot or rake a bunker for another player if needed.

On the Green:  Leave any extra clubs on the side of the putting green closest to your cart and leave the green promptly after holing out.  As you are walking to your ball on the green, begin lining up your put. Don’t make everyone wait while you walk to the other side of the hole to judge the break.  Be ready to attend the flagstick for others. If you have a two-footer or something just outside the leather, go ahead and knock the ball in the hole. You shouldn’t rush, but conversely, there is no need to slave over every putt as if The Masters is at stake. If you must mark your ball, lift and clean it so you will be ready to replace it when it is your turn to play.

 Remember that picking up your ball is permitted by the USGA Handicap System.  If not in an individual stroke play competition, it is generally OK to pick up your ball and move on to the next hole if you are “out” of a hole and want to maintain pace of play.  This applies in match play and many forms of stroke play, including Stableford and best-ball play. Fill out the scorecard on the next tee box, not beside the green where you just putted on.  If you’re not the driver, when you finish a hole, clean the clubs while driving and replace them in your bag on the next tee. 

MGA Gimmie Putt Policy

• Using a standard size putter as a measuring tool, place the putter head inside and on the edge of the cup.
• If any part of the ball touches any part of the putter shaft (steel) below the bottom of the putter grip, the putt is considered “Inside the Leather” and that player’s next stroke is conceded.

EXCEPTION: Any putt for a gross birdie cannot be conceded no matter how far it is from the hole; it must be holed out.

• A standard putter’s length is 35 inches long with a 10.5-inch putter grip.
• The player whose ball is being measured cannot decide if his putt is “Inside the Leather”, the A Player in the group should decide if there is a dispute. If the A Player’s ball is the one being measured, another member in the group must make the decision.
• This policy will apply to all regular Wednesday games and the MGA Cup regular season.
• This policy does not apply to Match Play events. In Match Play it is always the opponent’s option to concede or not concede the putt.
• This policy does not automatically apply to MGA special tournaments such as the MGA Championship and the MGA Cup Playoffs – the Committee for those events will make those decisions.
• This policy does not apply to CFN tournaments. CFN will determine the rules for their own events.

2025 Board of Directors

President - Nick Blanchard

Vice President - Andy Annesi

Treasurer & Game Director - Bill Loche

Secretary - John Pocaro

Board Member - Dan Kinard

Board Member - John McDermott

Board Member - Scott Murdock

Board Member - Bill Reveille

Past President - Bill Hagel

Friends of the Board - Roger Brooks & Kevin Marks