The Division II Men's and Women's Golf Committees discussed newly implemented playing and practice season legislation during their annual meeting July 16-18 in Indianapolis. With Division II unifying the start and end dates for all sports, the golfing community is adjusting to a new set of rules.

The new rules stipulate that for golf, during the nonchampionship segment (traditionally in the fall), legislation allows a 45-day window in which teams are allowed 24 days of nonchampionship-segment activities such as practice and competition. During the remainder of the time, teams may participate in out-of-season athletically related activity (that is, conditioning, weight training and skill instruction) per Bylaw 17.12.8(a).

Currently, most golf teams play the majority of their season in the spring during their championship segment. However, some conferences and institutions have their conference tournament or the majority of their matches in the fall because of weather conditions.

However, the committees were informed that there is some relief in the bylaws for schools that play in cold-weather climates. For institutions that meet conditions in Constitution 3.2.4.10.1, there is an exception to the application of the playing and practice season legislation. The exception allows for schools that play the majority of their contests or dates of competition between September and December (per Constitution 3.2.4.10.1) to flip-flop seasons, permitting them to conduct their championship-segment activities in the fall and their nonchampionship-segment activities in the spring.

Teams that choose to treat the fall as their championship segment will have a 45-day window in the spring (rather than the fall). This window may end with the championship in order to meet requirements needed to qualify for championship selections.

When the playing and practice seasons legislation was implemented, the golfing community was concerned that scheduling issues may arise when coaches try to simultaneously comply with the new rule and still meet the criteria of the golf committees. Those concerns have been alleviated somewhat now that golf has been allowed the flexibility to switch the championship and nonchampionship seasons in order to accommodate the uniqueness of the sport.

In other men's committee business, Kentucky State University, Morehouse College and Holy Family College were moved to different regions in order to align with their conferences.

Also, all three divisions of men's golf will be implementing a standard minimum-yardage requirement for the upcoming year. Currently, the women's minimum yardage for a course to count in the Golfstat ratings is 5,800 yards. Although in the past there has not been a problem with the length of courses, the men's committees will determine a minimum in the near future.

The Division II men's committee also implemented a "50 percent rule" in an attempt to level the playing field. The policy ensures that teams play a majority of their schedules against Division II teams.

In women's committee business, the group made changes to the regionals format. Last year, regionals were given a four-day window for competition to occur. This season, all regionals will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, May 6-7, with a practice day on Monday, May 5. Competitors will play 36 holes on day one and 18 holes on day two, for a total of 54 holes, compared to 36 holes last year.

New this year, six teams from each region, including the top three individuals not with a team, will advance to the championship. Last year, the top half of the teams in each region that met the criteria were selected, along with the top three individuals not with a team that had advanced.