Golf League Rules

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The league is open to anyone 16 and over.  A handicap must be established to play as a member.  Guests are allowed but their scores don't count in the rankings.

1. The league is scheduled for 18 weeks total.  A 17 week regular season finishing with a weekend playoff.
2. Up-front dues for members of $30 allows me to cover the cost of the website and build up a prize pool
   1. there will be a playoff entry fee to fund the remainder of the prize pool.
3. Game play is a stroke play format using handicaps.  Just like the PGA Tour, each week will be like a new tournament. We'll all play against the field (whomever is playing that week), and with our handicaps as the equalizer, you'll be ranked by your NET score at the end of the night.  
   1. If there is a tie of NET scores, the points will be divided evenly between the tied players.  All points will be rounded down to simplify the process.  
4. Members will receive points based on how you rank that week.  Points are awarded as follows: (see points structure below for more details).  These points will accumulate over the course of the season to determine who makes the playoffs.
5. If you miss a week, you may pay $5 to add 45 points to your season total for the missed week.  You must notify and pay the commish by the next week you play.  You can't wait until the end of the season and pay $40 for missing 8 weeks.
6. Throughout the regular season 4 weeks are designated as "major" events which will be worth more points.  Our "majors" will be played in the match-play format.  See the schedule tab for more details.  
7. Handicaps will be determined by your actual scores. Handicap calculation will be done each week when a player's gross score is recorded. We will continue to use your four lowest scores from your last seven, minus PAR. This way you should cycle through about twice during the season.  Please check the Handicaps page to see your scores.
   1. If you have never played with us before (or haven't played in over a year) we will need to find a way to record at least four 9-hole scores before you compete in league events.  This could be playing on your own before the season or playing in the league in "amateur" status, you would play with a zero handicap until 4 scores are recorded.
   2. When entering scores, you must enter your gross score, that is the score you actually made on the hole. To determine your net score simply subtract the number of strokes given from your total to get your NET score. 
   3. To keep handicaps up to date please finish out the hole as best you can but, in an effort to speed up play and make sure everyone gets to finish; please use a max score of double par meaning if you cannot hole out before you reach two times the par of the hole, pick it up and move on (6 on a par 3, 8 on a par 4, 10 on a par 5). Because of this, your 9-hole handicap will be capped at 18.  Scores will be updated to the website as soon as possible when all scores have been validated.
8. Standings are based on points earned over the course of the season, the TOP 16 in points will make the playoffs.  In the event of a tie for 16th place going into the playoffs, the lower handicapped player will take the final spot.
9. The top 16 members will pay a playoff entry fee.  This additional $30 will build the pot for the playoff payouts and prizes.
10. The new WEEKEND playoff will be the first weekend in August, both Saturday & Sunday.  Instead of points like the regular season, you will play off your cumulative net score (+/- PAR) just like a PGA tour event.  There will still be four 9-hole rounds with the goal of the lowest cumulative score.
    1. The top 10 players will start out with a small stroke advantage but still have to play well over the two days.
    2. There is no cut line with this format, all 16 players will compete for prize money.  Top 6 win money so keep pounding!

1. Tee times will begin around 4:40 pm, we may adjust a little this season playing all 3 nines.  It is important that you are ready for your tee-time. Players need to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to their tee-time. If you are running late and miss your tee time just jump in with another group to complete your round but please try to stay in the scheduled tee times, we need to keep things moving along so everyone gets to finish.
2. All men under the age of 60 will play from the White Tees at Tega Cay, Women will play from the Red Tees.  Men 60 & over can play from the Gold Tees (per TCGC rules).
3. ​We will be playing a "relaxed" version of the USGA rules in an effort to speed up the game and make it more fun.  We'd like everyone to finish in 2 hours:
   1. The double-par rule was discussed above.  If you cannot hole out before your score reaches double the par for that hole, pick it up and move on.  The maximum score you can record is 6 on a par 3, 8 on a par 4, and 10 on a par 5.
   2. Penalties will ALL be one stroke, regardless of hazard, out of bounds, unplayable lie, etc.  For times sake, we will not use the stroke and distance penalty either, you have three options for drops:
   3. If the ball is clearly lost/ob from your tee shot you may simply re-tee and play your 3rd shot from the tee box.  A provisional ball may also be hit until it is determined that the original ball is lost or unplayable. (the provisional ball acts as your 3rd shot in the event you cannot find your original ball)
      1. Lateral Hazards: simply drop a ball within two club lengths of where the ball entered the hazard/ob, no closer to the hole, and play on with the one stroke penalty. 
      2. Forward Hazards: you may drop your ball on a line drawn from the hole through the point of entry (hazard, ob, etc.) as far back as needed.  The one stroke penalty still applies.
      3. Search time; 2 minutes is all you will be given to search for a lost ball.  Please move on and keep up the pace of play.
      4. Unfortunate Lies; With your playing partners’ consent, balls may be moved out of divots or footprints, away from tree roots and any other dangerous lies.  This does not mean you can move your ball from behind a tree just because you don't have a good shot.  Just use common sense here and as long as your partner is okay with it go for it.
4. Putts will be holed out every week, only exception is in match-play events where your opponent can concede the putt.
5. With this stroke-play format, you will be REQUIRED to have someone else in the league verify your scorecard and sign off on it at the end of the night.  This is just a crosscheck to keep everyone honest and so you can verify the score that is being turned in for you.
6. In the event of inclement weather, darkness, or other play stoppage and every player is not able to finish the round, scores will be calculated based on the last completed hole (for all players) to determine ranking for the week (minimum of 3 holes completed).  No scores will count towards handicaps in this case since not everyone would have a complete score but we'll earn points for the week based on your rank.
   1. If every group cannot finish at least 3 holes the entire week will not count.
   2. During the playoffs this rule will apply to the first 3 rounds.  If the final round is stopped due to weather, darkness, etc. players will mark their balls at the point play stopped and complete the round during the designated make-up date. (players will have to plan availability just in case or be disqualified).