Rules & Regulations

1. Match Play Format

The league uses a match play format. Each player competes in an individual match against another player. Matches are played at full handicap. The higher-handicap player receives the difference in handicaps.

These strokes are applied on the most difficult holes as ranked on the scorecard (the “HDCP” column numbered 1–18). Example: If one player is a 6 handicap and the other is an 8 handicap, the 8-handicap player receives 1 stroke on each of the two hardest holes.

A win on a hole is worth 1 point. A tie is worth ½ point for each player. Each match is worth a total of 9 points.

2. Simplified Rules of Play

• Preferred lies — Allowed only in your own fairway, within 1 club length. Moving the ball anywhere else costs 1 penalty stroke.
• No free lift from rocks in the woods, sand traps, or elsewhere.
• Free lift is allowed from man-made objects (stone walls, fences, ball washers, etc.). Exception: No relief from out-of-bounds stakes.
• Water hazards (Yellow) or lateral water (Red): 1 penalty stroke.
• Lost ball, out-of-bounds, or unplayable lie: 1 penalty stroke. Drop the ball in the rough lateral to where the ball was lost or entered the woods.
• Wrong ball: Playing the wrong ball results in loss of the hole.

3. Handicaps

• Handicaps are calculated on 90% of the “adjusted score” relative to par.
• The lowest 10 of the last 11 rounds played in the league are used to compute handicaps.
• The Handicap Chairman may adjust handicaps for members with fewer than 11 rounds if the current handicap appears out of balance.

4. Miscellaneous Rules

• All teams must field 4 players for each match (from their own team or the official substitute list). Always try to get a sub from your own team first. Using a player from another league team is allowed only after exhausting your own team and the sub list. Failure to field 4 players results in a forfeit. A player may not substitute against their own team.
• Once a substitute has committed to play, they cannot be replaced (even by a team member) unless the substitute agrees.
• No threesome may tee off in front of a foursome. Threesomes must wait and tee off last.
• A forfeit awards 5 points to the opposing player. The forfeiting team receives 0 points for that player. The forfeiting player is responsible for greens fees.
• Any player who forfeits twice in a season may be removed from the team at the Captain’s and Executive Committee’s discretion.
• The PGL Executive Committee (President, Treasurer, Handicap Chairman) will rule on any formal protest submitted by a team captain. Their decision is final.

5. Playoff Qualification Rules

Playoffs are held on consecutive Tuesdays after the regular season ends. Three teams qualify:

1. There are two divisions of three teams each.
2. There are three 5-week rounds.
3. Round points: 1st place = 5 pts, 2nd place = 3 pts, 3rd place = 1 pt.
4. The team with the most round points in each division qualifies.
5. The third playoff team is the one with the most match points in the third round (excluding the two division winners).
6. Ties for division winner are broken by: (a) total match points for the year, then (b) head-to-head match points.

6. Playoff Format

Scoring is the same as regular season play. Matches are played as threesomes (3 points available per hole). The League Champion is the team with the most points over the two-week playoff period. All team members are expected to play.

• Each team is allowed 1 free substitute per playoff night (must be assigned/approved by the Handicap Chairman).
• Any additional substitutes cost the team a 3-point penalty (deducted from the two-day total).

Pairing order:
Week 1 – Low handicap to High handicap
Week 2 – High handicap to Low handicap

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