Contact and Frequently Asked Questions

 

Our Sticks & Stones games are usually two day combo-events.  These are arranged during the curling season, roughly between October and April and involve both sportss.  For example, day one could be a curling game or two, day two could be golf or golf tuition, depending upon the weather and catering is available.

 

 

Yes, we have a Pairs League in operation, where  two golfers play a foursome (alternate shot) format, so in effect play only nine holes.  Individuals may also enter events and finish after nine holes, or early on the ice, if they wish.

 

 

The R&A and USGA have revealed the new golf rules to be implemented on 1stJanuary 2019 and there are some huge changes set to come into play. 

 

There have been four major changes to the proposals they brought out last year.

 

The first is the dropping procedure. Last year it was proposed that golfers could drop from any height above an inch. This has been changed to knee height. So from 1stJan 2019, when taking relief golfers will now drop from knee height – no longer shoulder height.

 

After the proposal last year for golfers to measure relief by 20 inches or 80 inches, the standard one or two club lengths will remain. Golfers can take relief using the longest club in their bag, barring the putter.

 

There will no longer be a penalty for double-hitting a shot. Golfers will simply count the single stroke they took to strike the ball, rather than counting two shots for hitting the ball twice.

 

The Out of Bounds rule is set to undergo huge changes in a bid to speed up play. From 1stJan 2019, golf clubs will be allowed to install a local rule that golfers can drop a new ball in the vicinity of where their ball has gone out of bounds, with a two stroke penalty.  So no more walking back to the tee – if the course you’re playing installs this new local rule. This is only for club level, it doesn’t cover professional or elite level competitions.

 

As well as those changes to the proposals, here are some major changes that were proposed last year and WILL BE coming in on 1st Jan 2019:

 

There will be no penalty for accidentally moving your ball on the putting green or when looking for it. A player is not responsible for causing a ball to move unless it is “virtually certain” that they did.

 

The flagstick no longer has to be attended or removed when puttingand there will be no penalty if a golfer hits an unattended flagstick in the hole.

 

Golfers will be allowed to repair spike marksas well as other damage on the putting green. There is also no penalty for merely touching the line of a putt.

 

Golfers can now touch the ground with their club in a hazard and can move loose impediments in a hazard without penalty.  As well as that, golfers can move loose impediments in bunkersand will not be penalised for generally grounding their club away from their ball.  You still cannot ground your club when playing a bunker shot. An unplayable lie may be taken in a bunker, with a drop out for two strokes.  Player integrity will be relied on to the point where a player’s “reasonable judgement” will be trustedon things like estimating/measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance.

 

The 5 minute golf ball search time has been scrapped. From 1stJan 2019, golfers will be allowed only 3 minutes to search for a strayed golf ball.

 

Golf’s governing bodies are also encouraging ready golfin stroke play and recommend golfers take no longer than 40 seconds over a shot.

 

For all the details visit: www.randa.org

 

 

Yes, just send us a copy of the golf handicap certificate from your golf club Secretary.

 

 

Our diary is arranged well before each season, and entry details are advertised to members, about a month prior.  For major events like our Open, they are advertised at least six to eight months beforehand. 

 

When event entry details are ready and confirmed, we will advertise it through the website and social media, all our members need to do is go to the Diary page and when details are ready a "Click here to enter" link will appear next to the event.  Just click this link and all the details, times, dates, venue and how to enter, are displayed.

 

The SDGC PayPal facility, is ready to go on the entry page.  Members just need to click on the link, enter the indicated details and pay by ticking the Friends and Family service.  This is then a free transfer for the members and no charges are made to the charity.  On receipt, we will confirm entry, as will PayPal.

 

 

Just join up, enter our competitions, we will give you a provisional one, then submit three signed score cards and we will sort out the rest.

 

 

For golf lessons, ideally yes, but the teaching professionals will have access to some clubs for the session to practice with, however, Once you take up the game, you will need your own clubs and golfing gear. 

 

For curling lessons, no, just warm clothing.  Anti-slip footwear can be provided, along with curling cues and ice gear as necessary.

 

The SDGC sends out over 1k annual applications and letters to corporations, businesses, Trust Funds and Foundations, throughout the UK and Europe, to bring together funding for our members.  This money is used exclusively for members and provides free golf and curling lessons to beginners, concessionary entry fees to all members, right through to supporting our international team players.

 

 

Yes, we have members with all types of disability, including amputees, Cerebral Palsy, MS, blind and vision impaired, Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, MD and many, many more.  We accept any disability that interferes with the playing of the game.

 

Unlike some disabled sports groups, we are not exclusive too one type of disability and therefore probably excluding more people than we could help.  We do not put members through embarrassing medical examinations to see if they fit predetermined ideas or conditions.  We are also not elitist and looking for only the best players.  We are determined to be open and include everyone interested in playing or learning about golf and/or curling.

 

We usually get wet.  Showers and squalls are probably going to happen from time to time in Scotland.  If it’s really bad and affecting the course, game and individuals we will cancel.  As for the curling, it will be cold on the ice, so you must wear warm, thermal and/or lots of layers.

 

 

Yes, this would normally be arranged on arrival at the golf club or ice rink with the caterers and/or club manager.  Most clubs and rinks now offer special dietary options.

 

 

No, at our single and most multi-day events, members must arrange and pay for their own carts.  Only at the likes of our Open Championship, where sponsors are providing them. will carts be arranged

 

 

There are lots of devices that may help with both sports, like cues or balance sliders at the curling and soloriders or frames and sticks at the golf, but the best advice will come from the teaching professionals at both sports.  They will see you in action and give advice as necessary.

 

 

Keep an eye on our diary and social media for our next ice sessions or Sticks & Stones events, and just come along and give it a go?  We will source some anti-slip footwear and other basic equipment for play.

 

 

Nothing, membership for disabled people and their coaches and carers is free.  All we need is a list of your full contact details and a brief description of your disability.

 

 

Before they are able to enter, individuals in Scotland must contact either Scottish Golf or the European Disabled Golf Association and apply for a medical pass.  If individuals, after having a medical assessment, are awarded a pass, they can then enter World Ranking sanctioned events.  Individuals must also have a recognized and verifiable golf handicap before entering competitions.,