Golfsoft.com SAMPLE LEAGUE RULES (This template can be used to develop golf league rules.  It may be more detailed than you need.  It attempts to cover all the various rules which some leagues may need to operate smoothly without creating major disputes.  You can make changes, deletions, additions as desired.  This document may be used without permission.  This document is provided as is and its main purpose is to give you ideas about developing golf league rules.)

1. INTRODUCTION: TGIW, “the league,” a 2-person team men’s golf league, will BEGIN PLAY on April 30, 2008 and end on September 3, 2008 (19 weeks / 20 Rounds, Week 12 is an 18 hole scramble). TEE TIMES FROM 4:30 PM UNTIL 5:20 PM. PLEASE BE READY TO GO - EARLY! The league schedule will be divided into 4 segments. The rules for each segment are explained within. The first 4 weeks will be a Pre-Season Team Net Tournament played to establish handicaps. The actual league competition will start on week 5 and last for 13 weeks of which 2 weeks are position rounds. The final week will be a Post-Season “Coyote Cup” Handicap Tournament, shot-gun start, with dinner afterward included. The final standings and statistical reports, awards, and prize money will be distributed after golf on this final week.

2. RULES COMMITTEE, SECRETARY, AND TREASURER. The League Coordinator / Treasurer is Larry Smith. The League Secretary is Bill Harrison. The Rules Committee members for 2008 are Dave Morgan, Steve Rynerson, and Doc Jersey.
2.1 The league will collect $1.00 per player per week ($20.00 per season) for league administration fees and expenses.
2.2 The league will cover, for the League Secretary, $280 as consideration for the time spent working on league matters and expenses incurred, such as office supplies, copying costs, etc. The League Secretary must pay the balance of any other costs which are required of league members.
2.3 The league will cover, for the League Coordinator / Treasurer $200 as consideration for the time spent working on league matters and expenses incurred, such as office supplies, copying costs, etc. The League Coordinator / Treasurer must pay the balance of any other costs which are required of league members.
2.4 The Rules Committee will be made up of a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 league members selected by a league vote from interested volunteers. The League Coordinator / Treasurer and League Secretary are elected at the end of the year for the following season, and are automatically on the Rules Committee. Other than league officers, Rules Committee members must come from different teams.

3. MEMBER QUALIFICATIONS.  League members must be male, at least 21 years old and abide by all league rules. Current members must commit to playing in the league 3 weeks in advance of the first night of golf or risk losing their spot in the league.

4. LEAGUE FEES
4.1 The 2008 season league fees total $600.00 per person, or $30.00 per round for 20 rounds. This includes league administration costs, greens fees, shared riding cart with partner, medium bucket of balls, a dinner on the last night of golf, and a mandatory weekly prize fund of $5.00 per man, an extra $100.00 per season, for weekly games.
4.2 Everyone is expected to pay the amounts due by the due dates. If the league member does not pay the full amount before April 20, 2008, then the fees can be paid in 2 payments as follows: The first payment of $300.00 is due no later than April 20, 2008. The second payment or balance of total fees of $300 is due on or before May 20, 2008. If payments are not made by the aforementioned dates, then the league member is fined $1.50 per day for each day past due.
4.3 The league treasurer must keep a detailed and accurate accounting of all revenues and expenditures and provide a pre-season income statement with projected income and expenses and a final income statement showing actual income and expenses for the season. Balance deficits or surpluses will be handled by the rules committee.

5. LEAGUE SESSIONS
(League Coordinator to provide all gaming details.) The league will be divided into 4 segments:
5.1.) Pre-Season Team Net Tournament (4 weeks) The main purpose of this tournament is to establish handicaps. Low Team Net Tournament (PGA style).  4 – 9 hole rounds. (See section 8 for Handicaps determination).  Standings figured by accumulative low team net strokes.
5.2.) TGIW League Competition (11 weeks plus 2 Position Rounds). Team and Individual Competition.
LEAGUE POINT SYSTEM (Our traditional 40 Point Scoring Method)
Each round is worth a total of forty (40) points broken down as follows:
Team points - 18 points - Two points per hole
Individual points -18 points - One point per hole per player (9 points per player)
Match points - 4 points - Lowest Team Net Score
TEAM POINTS are awarded, on each hole, to the team with the lowest combined net score. There are two points available per hole. If a team won every hole they would receive 18 points. In case of a tie, the teams' will receive one (1) point each.
INDIVIDUAL POINTS are awarded, on each hole, to the individual with the lowest net score. There is one (1) point available for each hole. If a player won every hole he would receive nine (9) points. In case of a tie each player receives a half point.
The team with the lowest combined net score will receive four (4) MATCH POINTS for the match. In case of a tie, each team will receive two (2) points.
All points, Individual, Team, and Match, are added together to determine TOTAL TEAM POINTS for Team Standings. Only Individual Points are used to determine Individual Standings. Individual Standings will be divided into 2 groups (A and B) determined by handicap. Low caps in A flight, higher in B.
5.3.) Mid-Season 18 hole Scramble (1 week). Played after 1st position round or midway. Starts at normal tee times. Play 18 holes. Rules, teams, matches to be determined later.
5.4.) Post-Season “Coyote Cup” Tournament (Final Week,, Shot Gun Start, Dinner and Awards After Golf). Possible Scenario: A “Ryder Cup” type event where half the league members challenge the other half. League team partners continue to play together. Teams are determined by final league standings. Teams finishing 1st, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, and 12th make up one team. Teams finishing 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 10th, and 11th make up the other team.

6. LEAGUE PLAY: “The Golf Rules”
6.1 All matches shall be played from the WHITE TEES, also know as the men’s tees or middle tees. If the white tees are not in the usual location, but in another location, then play them from where they are.
6.2 All matches will be played under USGA RULES, which means the ball will be played down and as it lies at all times. You cannot touch the ball except as explained in local rule 6.3. USGA RULES will govern at all times except where a local or league rule takes precedence. If the course dictates “Cart Path Only” rules, then players can LIFT, CLEAN, AND PLACE the ball in your own fairway only.
6.3 IMPROVE LIE RULE: If your ball is in your own fairway and rests in a divot or in ground which may be considered under repair, even if it is not properly marked, or in an “unfair” lie in a bunker, you may take a drop, nearest point of relief, no closer to hole, without penalty, only after notifying and receiving permission from your opponent. A bunkered ball must be dropped in the bunker. If permission is not granted then the ball must be played as it lies. This is a judgment call by your opponent and cannot be appealed. USGA rules govern casual water and immovable obstructions.
6.4 You may Tap Down Bad SPIKE MARKS on the green with permission from your opponent. This is a judgment call by your opponent and cannot be appealed.
6.5 No putts for par or better may be conceded. Only bogie and higher putts of under 2 feet may be conceded. Please, no exceptions.
6.6 The designated DROP AREAS, if available, WILL be used on the par 3 holes only. You can PLACE the ball within the Drop Circle.
6.7 The MAXIMUM SCORE on any hole is 4 over par. A player may pick up on any hole and take a 4 over par score. If two opposing players take the maximum score on a hole, then the points for that hole are halved regardless if one opponent is getting or receiving strokes on that hole.
6.8 “The 4 Options Rule”: Lost Ball / Unplayable Lie / Out of Bounds / Wooded Areas /Any Hazard
PENALTY: ADD 1 STROKE and use one of the following 4 options…
Option 1: Drop and re-hit from the same place as your previous shot.
Option 2: Drop 2 club lengths from the ball or point of entry, no closer to the hole.
Option 3: Keep the point of entry between yourself and the Flag and drop on this line, no closer to the hole, back as far as you want.
Option 4: Keep yourself between the point of entry and Your Previous Shot and drop on this line, no closer to the hole, back as far as you want.
Definitions:
Point of Entry: The last point where the ball crossed playable golf course – before becoming unplayable, OB, lost, or in a hazard or wooded area. If the shot never crosses playable golf course then take a 1 stroke penalty and rehit from the same spot. If the player and the opponents disagree substantially where to spot the point of entry, it can be a compromised spot agreed to by both sides. Make a decision and GO!
Unplayable Lie: A player at any time can declare his ball unplayable and use any of the 4 options.
6.9 If there are any RULES DISPUTES during a match a provisional ball can be played and the rules committee will make a decision optionally under advisement from the course head professional. Committee decisions are final.

7. THE MATCH
7.1 Each team must have at least one league member and a sub present to be a LEGAL TEAM. If only one member is present and unable to secure a substitute, the match is considered a forfeit and will be scored as described in Rule 9.
7.2 Each TEAM consists of two (2) players, a #1 man, and a #2 man, (team status), who play against the opposing teams player with the same status. The #1 man is the player with the lowest handicap. If both players from the same team have the same handicap, the player with the lowest actual stroke average will be the #1 man. If both averages are the same use adjusted average, and finally use same status as the week before. Substitutes assume the position of the player they are replacing.
7.3 If a team member shows up late, and misses more than 2 holes, he will be allowed to make up those holes for handicap purposes only. If he shows up before teeing off on the 3rd hole, it is a legal match and he can make up the first 2 holes after the round and those scores will be used. If he shows up after teeing off on the 3rd hole then the match becomes a forfeit for those holes missed. The scores for missed holes will be determined using the procedure in Rule 9. The scoring restrictions described in Rule 9 also apply.

8. HANDICAPS and ADJUSTED SCORE
8.1 The actual scores will be adjusted for handicap purposes as follows: Nothing higher than double bogie is allowed.
8.2 There is No Maximum Handicap for the league.
8.3 Handicaps are calculated by taking the Average of the Adjusted Scores Used MINUS Par TIMES 96%.
8. 4 Scores Used for Handicap Purposes:
Week 1 and 2: A league member’s handicap will be the final league handicap from the previous year. New league members and substitute players use the 70% RULE: Adjusted Score Minus Par Times 70% for each round played. (Fractions are rounded up)
Week 3: Use players adjusted scores from the first 2 weeks of play. If a player has less than two rounds then continue to use last years ending handicap or the 70% rule as described in 8.3.
Week 4: Use players lowest 2 of 3 adjusted scores from the first 3 weeks of play. If a player has only two rounds posted then use those two rounds. If a player has only one round posted then continue to use last years handicap if available or use the 70% rule as stated in 8.3.
Week 5: Use players lowest 3 of 4 adjusted scores from the first 3 weeks of play. If a player has only 3 rounds posted use the low 2 of 3. If a player has only 2 rounds posted use both rounds. Players with less than 2 rounds posted then continue to use last years handicap if available or use the 70% rule as stated in 8.3.
Week 6 and Beyond: Use the Lowest 4 Adjusted Scores from the Last 5 Posted. Players with only 4 rounds posted use lowest 3 of 4. If a player has only 3 rounds posted use the low 2 of 3. If a player has only 2 rounds posted use both rounds. Players with less than 2 rounds posted then continue to use last years handicap if available or use the 70% rule as stated in 8.3.
8.8 Plus (+) handicaps are possible.

9. FORFEIT RULE. A forfeit occurs when ONE or BOTH members of a team fail to appear for their match and fails to secure a substitute player or fails to make arrangements for a make-up match (rule 10) with their opponents. A legal team must have at least 1 league member and 1 sub. SCORING PROCEDURE: The absent player or players scores, for scoring purposes, will be determined by drawing a random scorecard from all cards which have 4 league members present. Once the round is complete the league secretary and a member of the rules committee will shuffle and draw a score card from those matches. The scores used will be those in the same position on the drawn scorecard as the absent players position on their scorecard. The points will then be determined using the drawn scores and handicaps for the absent player or players. The team gaining a forfeit, if it is a legal team (see rule 7), will receive a maximum not to exceed the most points earned by any team or individual for that night of golf. The forfeiting team and/or individual will receive the points earned in the match, not to exceed half of the available points. An absent player cannot receive more than 4.5 individual points. An absent team cannot receive more than 20 total points.

10. MAKE-UP MATCHES. MAKE UP MATCHES MUST BE PLAYED IN ADVANCE OF THE SCHEDULED MATCH. There is no penalty for playing a match in advance of the scheduled date.

11. SUBSTITUTE RULE. A substitute (sub) must be at least 21 years old, male, and abide by all league rules. Securing a Sub is the responsibility of the absent league member or his partner. Subs handicaps are calculated using the same method as regular league members. (See Rule 8)

12. RAINOUTS / LIGHTNING. If lightning is present, you are to immediately take the standard precautions prescribed for this condition. Rainouts will be determined by the club pro and/or the rules committee. Take cover if the course warning horn sounds during a round. You will be notified if the round is being postponed or canceled.

13. DISPUTES / RULES COMMITTEE DECISIONS. The rules committee can make league and local rules pertaining to league play at anytime including but not limited to matters which affect points, standings, rule interpretation, etc. All league disputes, violations, and penalties, are subject to review by the Rules Committee. The committee may consult any outside party including but not limited to the parties involved, any witnesses, and/or the head course golf professional. Decisions made by the Rules Committee are final. Major changes in league structure require a vote of the league members.

Contact Information:  Bill Harrison, SECRETARY: 645-8070 / PROSHOP: 626--7011

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