SHARE:  
February 2024
Connect.
Meet Your 2024 Chapter Leadership!
Every month, we'll introduce you to a member of the Madison Chapter's leadership team. This month, get to know Events and Leagues Director, Lisa Herfel!
Q: How and when did you start golfing?
A: I have golfed a few times per year since high school, but I started golfing more regularly in 2021.

Q: When did you join the LPGA Amateurs and how long have you been on the Board of Directors?  
A: I joined in 2022, and this is my first year on the Board.

Q: What is your favorite golf memory?
A: My favorite golf memory is when I decided to play in a women's winter golf league at X-golf in 2022 where I met some cool people and learned about the LPGA Amateurs. That decision set me on a course to play golf regularly!

Q: What is one of your golf goals for this year?
A: My main golf goal for this year is to have a handicap in the teens.

Q: What is your favorite thing about the Madison chapter?
A: My favorite thing is meeting new friends.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not golfing?
A: I enjoy playing racquetball, playing board games, doing puzzles, and loving my mini doodle, Riley.
SAVE THE DATE!
2024 Tee Off Party
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Join us to "tee off" the 2024 golfing season! Members who attend will have priority access to league registration. You can also meet our chapter sponsors, learn more about local golfing options, and get a preview of chapter events for the season! There may even be a chance to win some raffle prizes!

The Tee Off Party will be held on Thursday, March 21 from 5-8pm at the Sheraton Madison Hotel. Registration will open soon on our website, so keep an eye on our social media sites for the announcement that registration has opened!
Nominate Our Next Charity Partner
The time has come to nominate the next charity that we will support with our annual charity outing in 2025 and 2026! If you have a charity in mind that you think would be a good fit for our chapter, please send your nomination to our email, madisonlpgaamateurs@gmail.com, with the subject line "charity nomination."

If your charity is selected, you will serve as the head of the charity outing board for the 2 years that the LPGA Amateurs Madison Chapter works with your charity.

We look forward to learning about all of the charities that are important to you!
PinSeekers Happy Hour–Thursday, February 15, 2024
Join fellow LPGA Amateurs Madison Chapter members for Happy Hour at PinSeekers in DeForest on Thursday, February 15, 2024 from 5:30-7:30pm.

We will have 3 bays reserved, so bring your clubs to hit some balls at this new facility! This event includes the cost of the bays, but members will be expected to pay for their drinks and food.

@PinSeekers
6909 River Road
DeForest, WI 53532
Connect with the Virtual Community
Have you checked out the new LPGA Amateurs Virtual Community yet? This new resource allows you to connect with LPGA Amateurs members locally AND globally. You are automatically a part of the virtual community by being a member of the Madison Chapter! Note that access to your member ID will now be through the Virtual Community (see details and instructions in the "Belong" section below).

Do you have a rules question? Ask it in the Rule of the Week forum in the Member Hub, and headquarters leadership will answer!

Looking for a playing partner while you're on vacation? Connect with members from a chapter near your destination to get the inside scoop on the best golf in the area and find a group of women to play a round or two with!

Looking for a local playing partner outside of our leagues? Post in the Madison Chapter community to see who is available.

Want to sell or buy used equipment, accessories, or golf clothes? We have a thread in the Madison Chapter community specifically for that purpose!
Learn.
Sip, Swings, & Suites
Join fellow LPGA Amateurs chapter members and non-members for an evening of socializing while improving your golf game. Range balls will be provided, and a PGA teaching professional will be providing 1:1 instruction! 
 
Program includes one drink of your choice (wine, beer, and cocktails available), range balls, Toptracer, and reserved Golf Suite during the 1.5 hour period. The hour of PGA Professional golf instruction will be provided from 5:30-6:30pm. 
 
All levels are welcome, especially beginners! Cost is $15 per person with a maximum of 9 participants.
 
PLEASE NOTE: If more than 5 golfers are not registered 24 hours in advance, the event will be cancelled. You will be refunded or able to roll your payment over to another date.

@Vitense Golfland
5501 Schroeder Rd
Madison, WI 53711

5:30pm-7pm
Thursday, February 8

Thursday, February 22

Thursday, March 7
Instructional Clinics with Change Golf Instruction
We are partnering with Sue Shapcott, PhD, PGA of GB&I and the instructors of Change Golf Instruction to offer learning clinics in May at pricing exclusive to LPGA Amateurs Madison members!

For only $20, you will receive small group instruction with a teaching professional in one of the following areas:
  • Swing mechanics
  • Pitching and sand
  • Chipping and putting
  • Driving

You can register for one area that needs improvement, or register for all of them to overhaul your entire golf game!

View clinic dates and register through the Change Golf Instruction website here!
Rule of the Month
Every month we will highlight an interesting or commonly misunderstood rule. Keep reading to learn the latest!

Rule 19: Unplayable Ball

Rule 19 covers the player’s several relief options for an unplayable ball. This allows the player to choose which option to use – normally with one penalty stroke – to get out of a difficult situation anywhere on the course (except in a penalty area).

You may declare your ball unplayable anywhere on the course, except when your ball is in a penalty area. The information below describes the player's options for taking relief from an unplayable ball in the general area or on a putting green.

A player may take unplayable ball relief using one of the three options, in each case adding one penalty stroke.

a. Stroke-and-Distance Relief
The player may play the original ball or another ball from where the previous stroke was made.

b. Back-on-the-Line Relief
The player may drop the original ball or another ball behind the spot of the original ball, keeping the spot of the original ball between the hole and the spot where the ball is dropped (with no limit as to how far back the ball may be dropped). The spot on the line where the ball first touches the ground when dropped creates a relief area that is one club-length in any direction from that point, but with these limits:
  • Must not be nearer the hole than the spot of the orignal ball, and
  • May be in any area of the course, but
  • Must be in the same area of the course that the ball first touched when dropped.

c. Lateral Relief
The player may drop the original ball or another ball in this lateral relief area:
  • Reference Point: The spot of the original ball. But when the ball lies above the ground, such as in a tree, the reference point is the spot directly below the ball on the ground.
  • Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: Two club-lengths, but with these limits:
  • Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
  • May be in any area of the course, but
  • If more than one area of the course is located within two club-lengths of the reference point, the ball must come to rest in the relief area in the same area of the course that the ball first touched when dropped in the relief area.

The player may take stroke-and-distance relief (option a) even if the original ball has not been found and identified. To take back-on-the-line relief (option b) or lateral relief under (option c), the player must know the spot of the original ball.

Find more information on this rule, including how to take an unplayable ball in bunkers, at the USGA website!
Play.
SAVE THE DATE!
Women's Golf Day Outing
Tuesday June 11, 2024
We are thrilled to announce that this year's Women's Golf Day Outing is being held at the newly renovated TPC Wisconsin on Tuesday, June 11, 2024! Celebrate women in golf at this one-of-a-kind course with us! More information and registration will be announced as the outing approaches.
2024 Leagues
We are finalizing plans for our 2024 leagues, and the website will be updated very soon!

As a teaser, here is a sneak peak at some BRAND NEW leagues being offered this year, in addition to the leagues offered in the past.

New Beginner League with Change Golf Instruction
This league will provide a combination of on-course instruction and scramble play at The Glen. Each week, players will receive instruction on at least one of the first 4 holes, after which they will implement what they've learned in a scramble format for the remaining holes. This league will be broken into three 5-week sessions, so more players will be able to take advantage of this opportunity. Players will be able to register for one or multiple sessions.

New Competitive League at Yahara Hills
Do you fancy a bit of friendly competition each week? Embrace your competitive spirit in this modified team stableford league. Players will be able to score points for their team each week. At the end of the season, one team will be declared the league champion, and a special MVP award will go to the top point scorer! Teams will be assigned based on handicap after registration, so you won't need to worry about organizing your own team.

These are just 2 of the leagues being planned for this year, but rest assured that we will have leagues for all levels:

Beginner - New to golf, just getting back into golf, and/or looking for a combination of golf and instruction.
Intermediate - Can navigate around the golf course and keep up with the pace of play.
Advanced - Can keep up with pace of play on difficult courses (2 hours for 9 holes). Please be mindful that it can be difficult to keep your pace of play if you are hitting into trouble areas and/or hazards regularly.
Competitive - Can keep score according to the USGA Rules of Golf and maintain pace of play on difficult courses in a competitive golf environment. There is no handicap limit, but players are expected to maintain an accurate and up-to-date USGA handicap index. This includes posting all eligible league rounds after play each week.
LPGA Amateurs Scramble Open Registration Opens Feb 8
Phase 1 registration for the 2024 LPGA Amateurs Scramble Open will open on Thursday, Feb 8 at 1:00pm EST and closes on Monday, Feb 12 at 11:59pm EST. This popular event will be held on May 17-18 at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, VA. Click here for more event details.

Reminder: all 2023 memberships expired on 12/31/23 and members have until 3/31/24 to renew at the regular rate before being charged the rejoin rate. Those who haven't renewed their membership are considered no longer current. Members must be current in their dues to register and participate in Association-wide and Chapter events, and to receive complimentary access to LPGA Tour Events.
Belong.
Keep a Handicap Index!
Track your scores and obtain a handicap! The Wisconsin State Golf Association (WSGA) hosts a handicap system for our state. The membership fee is $40 if you signup or renew directly with the WSGA. LPGA Amateurs Madison Chapter has negotiated an arrangement with the WSGA and the annual cost is reduced to $26. The membership runs during the calendar year.  Click here to renew or signup and receive the discounted rate.

More information on handicaps, including why you should keep one, is available on our website!
Company Sponsorship
It's Time To Renew!
You do not want to miss out on all the FUN the LPGA Amateurs has planned for next year! If you haven't already, here is a friendly reminder that now is the time to renew your LPGA Amateurs Membership for 2024!

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at membership@lpgaamateurs.com if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you again in 2024!
Become a Volunteer!
Do you want to get more involved with our organization? We have ample opportunities for you to volunteer with us ranging from single-day opportunities all the way to serving on our Board of Directors.

Contact us at madisonlpgaamateurs@gmail.com for more information and to get added to our team of volunteers!
LPGA Amateurs Member ID
The process to obtain a digital Membership ID has changed and we are using the Virtual Community instead of ID123. Members can use a digital version or a printed copy of their LPGA Amateurs Member ID and instructions can be found at this link. Please note - if you choose to use the Digital Version, you do not have to take a screenshot as you can just login to the Virtual Community on your mobile device and go to your profile to present your Member ID. To learn how to create a website shortcut on your mobile device for the Virtual Community that looks and works like an app, click here.

Please note that a 2024 LPGA Amateurs Member ID or the printed ID card will be needed to access some member benefits, including entry to LPGA Tour events in 2024. Information regarding the process to access each of the 2024 LPGA Tour events is available here.
Member Get a Member Drive!
Help Fill the Ball and Earn Incentives
It’s no secret, members are the best supporters and promoters of the LPGA Amateurs! Now is the time to invite your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to join in the fun of being an LPGA Amateurs member! The LPGA Amateurs is hosting a Member Get A Member Drive (presented by Callaway Golf) and we know that YOU can make our target of adding 1,000 new members by June 30, 2024 a reality. AND…members who recruit new members during this drive can be eligible for great incentives!. Click here for details.
Member Offers
Vitense Golfland Discount

All LPGA Amateurs Madison Chapter members receive a discount on range balls at Vitense Golfland! Mention the discount at checkout, and receive a discount on your purchase of a bucket of balls. You may be asked to show your LPGA Amateurs Member ID.

Member Access to 2024 LPGA Tour Events

New for 2024! The LPGA is partnering with Seat Geek regarding ticketing for some of the 2024 LPGA Tournaments. This partnership will change the way that LPGA Amateurs members access their complimentary LPGA Tour tickets at certain events as well as their discounted hospitality tickets!

A schedule will be published on the LPGA Amateurs website that indicates how members can claim their tickets for each LPGA Tour event. An email will be sent next week with this announcement.

For questions, please reach out to membership@lpgaamateurs.com
Follow us on social media!
To keep up-to-date on events and registration, remember to follow us on our Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as our Chapter website.
LPGA Women's Network #LPGATips
Subscribe to the LPGA Women's Network and follow it on Facebook.
Every week, look to #LPGATips to improve your game!
Madison Chapter email: Madisonlpgaamateurs@gmail.com
Our Communications Director, Rebecca Swartz, administers this account and will forward your inquiries onto the appropriate Board Member. 
As always, Board Members' personal contact information can be found on our website.
Website     Directory     Events     About Us     Contact Us