MCIRA GOLF LEAGUE

RULES & REGULATIONS

2007

Revised March 8, 2007

This golf league must abide by the basic rules of play.  Our own league rules, local rules and the United States Golf Association (USGA) rule book will be the basis for decisions made in the MCIRA golf league.

 

ETIQUETTE

The courtesy and treatment a player shows his fellow golfers and the course is as much a part of the game as paying and playing.  Here are some of the things you should always remember and try to do when you are playing:

 

·       Do not move about, make any noise or stand in the line of play, behind it or beyond when a fellow player is making any stroke.

·       Repair any damage caused by your play by replacing and pressing down your divots and smoothing out ball marks on the green.

·       Smooth the irregularities in sand traps where you have stepped and played the shot.

·       Be certain that the players immediately ahead are safely out of range before hitting.

·       If your shot is headed toward any other person, alert him immediately by shouting "FORE".

·       Never drop any equipment or take any cart of any kind onto tees, greens or any other easily damaged area or into the sand traps.

·       If the search for a ball delays a following group, signal those golfers to play through.  Then wait until they are out of range.

·       Refrain from foul language or throwing of clubs or other equipment that might offend others, cause injury or damage the course.

·       Avoid slow play and coaching.  Make it a practice to leave the green as the last player has holed out, replacing the flagstick immediately.  Mark your score cards at the next tee, where you will not interfere with play.

 

Rules

1.  Foursomes will be formed at the league Golf course and will tee off on a first come first play basis.

a) Each HOME team captain must contact and arrange with the opposing team captain when they will meet at the course.  When arriving at the course all league golfers must SIGN IN at the main desk. To handle the problem of completing matches in April, May and late August, every effort should be made to start as early as possible.

b)  Each team captain must match up handicaps lowest to highest where there is an established league handicap.  Note:  If there is no established league handicap, the judgment of the captains will prevail.

c)  If either player fails to show default may be called by the player present.  In this case, all points (2) will be awarded to the player calling the forfeit.  A score card must be handed in marked "Forfeit". (See new card directions)

d) In case of a forfeit, the player present must play nine holes and turn in his score card.

                                (i)  The round will not be applied toward a player's handicap.

(ii) Although the round itself will be counted toward the 3 matches required for prize eligibility, the round itself will not be eligible for an award.                                

e)       If a forfeit is declared and the player present does not turn in a score card the two (2) points will be split.

f)        For scoring purposes, when a forfeit occurs during the regular season the forfeit will be placed in the agreed upon position of play. (A, B, C, or D)

2.       Tee off times will be between 4:30 p.m. and 5:02 p.m. on MONDAY'S, TUESDAY'S, & WEDNESDAYS.

Important: The Golf course will make every attempt possible to get you out early.

3.  Each golfer will compete against each other golfer on a week to week basis, based on carded scores and handicaps. The score cards must be completed in a legible fashion for all to read and include each golfer Full Name. After agreeing to the number of strokes taken on each hole, the competing golfers must sign the scorecard. Captains now MUST decide who will take the score cards and complete the NEW SCORECARD. (A copy of this Excel file has been emailed to each captain and contains directions for completion.) The New Score Card MUST BE USED and should be emailed to: FredF@mcira.com the next morning. ONLY, if the captain is not available should a clear copy of each original score card be faxed to the MCIRA Office. Both teams are responsible for making sure that match scores are reported to the league office.

 

CAPTAINS MUST READ!

For a match result to be official: All league results must be put on the Excel Score Card File and emailed to the MCIRA Office. The 80% Handicap system is applied automatically by the new score card.

 

For those golfers who wish to determine the match manually:

1.       If both golfers have an established handicap, they must compare the handicaps (index for new golfers) of the competing golfers determine the difference and take 80% of that difference to find out how many strokes they are giving or getting. Example: Joe has an established 10 handicap and Bill has an established 16 handicap. The difference is 6. Now, 80% of 6 is 4.8 or 5 when rounded. Hence Joe has to give Bill 5 strokes.

2.       If one or both of the golfers are playing off the Index Grid (Table), they should first determine the adjusted gross score by referring to the grid to see if they are allowed triple or double bogeys. They must make any adjustments necessary and then go back to the grid with the ADJUSTED GROSS SCORE and determine the Index number that represents their round. Using this number they should follow item #1 above.

 

4.  Handicaps

                a)  On the first night of play, all golfers with an established league handicap from last year should use it. In order for a golfer to have an established league handicap, he/she must have played at least two (2) official matches against an opponent the previous year.  In calculating a new handicap for a golfer with an established league handicap his/her existing handicap will count two (2) times.  The following INDEX GRID, using the ADJUSTED GROSS SCORE will determine index number to use for new golfers.  A new golfer must play off this table his/her first official two times out before a league handicap will be established.  Note:  The NEW Excel Score Card automatically calculates the Adjusted Gross Score based upon the Double Bogey maximum for handicaps 0-9 and the Triple Bogey maximum for handicaps 10 - 20.

Special Clarification

A golfer playing off the table should determine his/her MEDAL score in the following manner:

i) First, glance at the table to determine if his GROSS score requires the use of a triple bogey or double bogey adjustment.

ii) After making the adjustment you now have the ADJUSTED GROSS score; use this score to determine the Index Number for the round.

iii) This Index Number then is subtracted from the GROSS SCORE to determine the Medal score.

Example: Max shoots a 47 Gross and is playing off the table. Since a 47 is listed as a 12, Max must use a Triple Bogey adjustment to determine his Adjusted Gross score. Max only had one hole where he shot more than a triple bogey, it was a Par 4 and he shot an 8, therefore, he had to adjust his Gross by 1 stroke giving him an ADJUSTED GROSS score of 46. A 46 on the table is an 11 handicap. RESULT: 47 Gross minus 11 handicap = 36 Medal.

 

LEAGUE INDEX GRID

Flat Handicap or 100%

 

 

Adjusted Gross

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

 

Flat Handicap

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

 

Adjusted Gross

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

 

Flat Handicap

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

 

Adjusted Gross

54

55

56

57

58

59

60

 

 

 

 

 

Flat Handicap

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

 

 

 

 

Note: To avoid confusion a 25 index at 80% is a 20 handicap, which is the league maximum.

b)  Handicaps after the second official match will be calculated as the average of all handicaps established.

c)  A player with an established MCIRA handicap must use it, even if his/her opponent must use the table.

d)       There will be a DOUBLE PAR MAXIMUM SCORING PER HOLE in force for league play.  If two golfers have taken a DOUBLE PAR and NEITHER player has holed out, the hole will be halved REGARDLESS of their handicap. A player MUST have holed out in order to win the hole. ONLY WHEN both players have holed out at double par will the handicap come into play. If one player is in on double par and the other is not, the hole can ONLY be awarded to the player in on double par regardless of their handicaps.

(i.e. - 1) Player 'A' playing a par 4 hole is getting a stroke and holes out on his 8th stroke and his opponent 'B' also holes out on his 8th stroke, the hole will be awarded to player 'A'.  2) Player 'A' holes out on his 8th stroke but player 'B' does not, the hole will be awarded to player 'A'.

A golfer that reaches the double par maximum and is not in the hole must pick up and add 2 strokes to his/her score on that hole. (ie. Par 3 = 8, Par 4 = 10, Par 5 = 12)

5.  Individual Scoring will be based on Match and Medal play with each golfer competing for a total of two (2) pts.

                a)  Individual Match (game scored by holes) Most holes won = 1 point.

                      If a tie in the number of holes won = 1/2 point

b)  Individual Medal (game scored by strokes)

   Lower Medal Score (Medal Score = Gross Score minus H'cap) = 1 point. Each player will receive 1/2 point for a tie. 

                   c) Team Scoring: A nine- (9) point scoring system will be utilized. Each golfer will compete for 1 match and 1 medal point for a total of 8 points. The ninth (9th) point is a team point and will be decided in the following manner:

            (i) The team with the lowest team medal total is awarded the point.

            (ii) If a forfeited position is involved in the match, the team forfeiting will enter 15 for each hole. The golfer receiving the forfeit must play his/her round and submit the scores for inclusion on the scorecard. If a golfer receiving the forfeit decides not to play, a score of 15 will be entered on the scorecard for each hole not played.

            (iii) If both teams do not have 4 golfers, a score of 15 must be entered on the scorecard for each hole for each missing golfer.

Team Standings: League standings will be determined by the cumulative total of all Match and medal points as well as the new 1 team point for low net earned during the regular season.

d)       A late arriving player may only "catch up to the group" by the 3rd hole of play. That player will forfeit each hole missed, and mark his scorecard with a 15 for each hole.

                f)  Each player should keep his/her own score.

                                (i)  Scores should be agreed upon after each hole. (Off the green please.)

(ii)  If no agreement can be reached (after recounting strokes and before teeing off on the next hole), complete the match and turn card(s) over to the League office with an attached explanation of the problem.

 

6.  League Rules

a) Men will play from "League" Tees; Women will play from "RED" Tees.

Handicap Application to Holes

i) Should a man play a man, then the net handicap strokes should be assigned based upon the men's handicap ratings.   (e.g., front hole # 6 is the hardest for men and on the back hole # 16)

ii) Should a women play a woman, then the net handicap strokes should be assigned based the women's handicap ratings. (E.g. hole #5 is the hardest on the front and hole # 17 on the back)

iii) Should a woman play a man, then the golfers must first determine whether the man or the woman receives the handicap net strokes. If the man receives the strokes, then these strokes should be assigned based upon the men's rating, if the woman receives the handicap net strokes, then the ladies rating should be used.

b) Any ball hit out of play (ie. Out of Bounds, Lost Ball, or Balls hit into hazard) will be played as a lateral hazard. Penalty = 1 stroke. (Drop ball not closer to hole at agreed upon point of loss)

d) Ball in Water: Drop ball away from hole - penalty 1 stroke.

 e)  Unplayable lie (player is sole judge).  Ball may be declared unplayable at any place on the course, except in a water hazard.  If in a bunker (ball must be dropped in bunker), drop ball away from hole - penalty 1 stroke.

f) Ground Under Repair:  Drop ball away from hole, in line with flag - no penalty.

                g)  Ball in Sandtrap Footprint:  Smooth out footprint, USGA Drop - no penalty.

                h)  Miscellaneous Rules:

                * No improvements of ball in woods or rough.

                * All cart paths and roads - free lift - not nearer to hole.

                * All ground under repair work - free lift - not nearer to hole.

* All power lines - option - replayed or played - no penalty. Once you exercise your option, you must play your second ball.

7.        Changing ball only permitted on the putting green, once, on any hole.  Winter rules apply only in the fairway being played - Not adjoining fairways or rough.

 

8.  PUTTING:  To help speed up play, the USGA encourages you, but it is not mandatory, to putt continuously until you hole out.  Unless you are asked to mark your ball because you might be in another player's line.  This will minimize ball markings and loss of time.

 

9.  MATCH POSTPONEMENT

a)  Rain on the night of play:  Check with the golf course for their okay to play the course.  The MCIRA office will render a decision by 3:30 p.m. after which time the club officials will make the decision. Team captains are to notify their players.

                b)  Entire league rain-out matches will be rescheduled by the League office.

c)  If there is any question as to whether the match is to be played, all golfers must show up at the course.  If the course remains open the match must be played.

d)  In the event of a partial rainout (where some matches have been completed) the league office will make a determination regarding completion of the match.

10.  Any score card, not completely filled out will be voided and will not count in the team scoring.

 

11.  HANDICAPS:  Handicap listings will be posted weekly at www.mcira.com

                a)  It is each golfer's responsibility to make certain his/her handicap is listed correctly.

                b)  It is each golfer's responsibility to make certain his/her opponents handicap.

c)  Any golfer marking (using) a handicap on the score card larger than the correct handicap will forfeit both points (Match & Medal).

d)  Any golfer marking (using) a handicap on the score card less than the correct handicap will have all card totals recalculated based on the lesser handicap.

e)  All of the above must be taken into consideration prior to the match, to avoid controversy and to insure a relaxed atmosphere.

 

12.  AWARDS

The following rules govern the awarding of trophies and plaque for regular season league play:

a)  A minimum of 5 matches must be played to be eligible for any individual award using one's AVERAGE. A minimum of 3 matches must be played to be eligible for all other individual awards.

                b)  Limit of one individual award of maximum value to a winning golfer.

c)  In case of ties, the golfer with the most points won in all matches will be considered the winner.

 

13.  MISCELLANEOUS

a)       A golfer can be moved from one corporate team to another ONLY ONCE in a season. Requests MUST be made to the MCIRA office for approval before the change can take effect.

b)       The League office will settle any questions or problems that arise and are not covered in these rules.

c)       USGA rules will be in force when a situation is not covered by MCIRA rules.

 

14.  ROSTER WAIVER: It is mandatory for each team in the league to supply the MCIRA office with a Roster Participation Waiver form prior to the season and signed by their players.  This form will serve as the official team roster.  Names may be added to this roster at any time during the season by using the Roster Addition Waiver and following the same procedure used in completing the original roster waiver. Remember that all forms must be notarized.

 

15.  IMPORTANT:   It is the responsibility of the team captain to provide each member of his/her team a copy of these rules.

 

16.  PLAYOFFS: A play-off will be held at the end of the regular season. Details will be released during the season.  In order for a golfer to be eligible for the playoffs he/she must play at least two times with an established handicap. (Receiving a forfeit counts.)  If a golfer qualifies by attempting to play two matches but does not use that handicap in regular season play at least two times, he/she will still be eligible for the playoffs but the handicap will be adjusted downward 2 strokes.

 

17.  PROTESTS:  In order to file a legal protest, the notification of intent to protest must be made immediately.  All parties shall take notice of the conditions surrounding the protest.  The next step would be to submit the protest in writing to the MCIRA office within 48 hours of the dispute.  A protest will only be accepted in writing.  The formal written protest should contain the following information:

                a) The date and place of the match.

                b) The names of the players involved.

                c) The rule or regulation violated.

d) All essential facts involved.

e) Be sure to mark the scorecard if there is a disagreement BEFORE you sign it.

 

Mciragolfr&r2007

March 8, 2007