Rules
Teams
The league will comprise six teams each with four players and one alternate player. Teams will be run by a Captain, who makes all the golf decisions, picks team aesthetic and scheduling, or Co-Captains who share responsibilities. Each team gets one vote on league topics. Upon expansion, the current league captains will elect an individual to become team captain. Trades are legal but must be agreed upon by a majority vote from the teams. Each team will sponsor an event and have a say in the rules and date of said event. Teams will be balanced for fairness when deemed necessary on a year to year basis.
Handicap Rule
Handicap Rule: To provide the most fairness, players must keep a proper handicap through GHIN and the USGA or 18Birdies, and provide the reference number to the league commissioner, and at least two stroke play rounds outside of tournament events for these purposes. Failing to do so, the assumed handicap for the player will match the lowest reported in the league. (this cost about $70 a year and is absolutely necessary if the tour ever goes international)
Attendance
To keep their tour card, players must attend at least 60% of the total league events per year and 75% of the majors over two years. When a player is unavailable, teams must first ask their designated alternate but can then ask any alternate from the field if needed.
Non-Yearly Events
Non yearly events can be added with up to 3 days notice, and are considered sanctioned as long as at least 50% of players can attend. Points will be awarded based upon attendance.
Draft
A draft can be necessary for two reason, expansion and balancing. Drafts will take place in order of highest handicap to lowest. For an expansion draft, current teams have the option to keep a player for their current team as the first draft pick. Balancing drafts will not have keepers.
Alternates
When one of the four core members can't make an event teams must first ask their designated alternate to fill in. If unavailable, any other alternate may be used. When an alternate plays for a team that's not their own they collect individual points and their loaned team (the team their temporarily playing for) collects the team points.
Formats
Stroke Play
The generic rules of golf, individual play.
Match Play
Players go head to head in a bracket style tournament. Strokes are given, up to one per hole for a par three course and up to two per hole on a standard course, based on an individual’s handicap. Seeding will generally be based on the individual's current league standing.
Stableford
Same as stroke play but players are given points based off their performance on a hole (see chart below). Players can pick up their ball after reaching the minimum point score on each hole. Handicaps give players stroke on the hardest holes relative to the base of the nearest lower handicap (for example a 15 handicap takes strokes on the 15 hardest holes, a 25 takes one stroke per hole and an additional one on the 7 hardest holes). 36 is the maximum handicap, anyone over can 36 and take two strokes per hole. A general rule is for an under 18 handicap to pick up after double bogey, 18-36 to pick up after triple bogie and over 36 to pick up after quad bogie.
2/4 Man Scramble
Played like stroke play, however, each team can pick the best ball from each shot to play their next shot. For 2 Man Scramble, take the median of both players handicaps or the lower players handicap plus 8 strokes ( the maximum) to calculate teams handicap.
Texas Scramble
Scramble where a certain number of each player's tee shots need to be used. (Usually 3 in a 4 man, 6 in a 2 man)
Scramble Alternate Shot
Each four man team splits in two teams within, team A and team B, each with two players to be chosen by the captain. Team A and B take turns alternating shots where one team shoots and the best ball is chosen and played by the next team, similar to a 2 man scramble format however you’re relying on your teammates previous shot. Team A always tees off on the even holes and Team B always tees off on the odd holes.
Alternate shot
Alternate shot, also known as foursomes, is a golf format where two partners play as a team, using only one ball and alternating who hits each shot until the hole is finished, with players also alternating who tees off on each hole (odd vs. even).
Scoring
Points will be awarded to both individuals and teams based on the results of each tournament, adjusted for the number of participants at said tournament. Points will be awarded equally to the individual player and team, unless at a major event where the points are doubled for either the individual or team (see chart below). Sanctioned events must feature at least three teams and 8 individuals.
