JLAB Golf League (JGL) Rules

 

 

Sections:

1.                 General Provisions

2.                 Handicaps

3.                 Regular Season Match Play Format

4.                 Team Championships

5.                 Playing Rules

6.                 Prizes

7.                 Team Captain's Responsibilities


General Provisions

    1. Rules Committee (RC)

                                                           i.      The JGL will form a Rules Committee made up of three volunteers from the league.

                                                         ii.      Responsibilities

1.      The RC must nominate a spokesperson.

2.      The RC must update and provide the rules to the JGL prior to the start of each season.

3.      Resolve disputable issues and policies.

a.       The RC encourages players to resolve the dispute during the match if possible.

b.      If the players cannot reach agreement, captains for each team shall attempt to resolve the dispute.

c.       If captains cannot reach agreement, the RC shall resolve the dispute by vote amongst members if necessary.

4.      Make any interpretations that shall be settled by vote of the RC, whose decision on any matter is final.

    1. League Planning

                                                           i.      All league planning and organizing is done by Mike Zarecky, x7609, zarecky@jlab.org.

                                                         ii.      Website link can be found at the Jefferson Activities Group Home Page.

1.      The schedule shall be maintained and updated on the website.

2.      All handicaps and statistics are posted on the website.

    1. Eligibility

                                                           i.      The League is open to all Jefferson Lab full time and contracted employees.

                                                         ii.      In addition, “significant others” and children 16 years and older of Jefferson Lab employees are eligible to join the League.

 

  1. Handicaps (- taken out for the time being)
             We are using the USGA handicap system -
                   Link to our league's golf software explaining how the handicap is calculated.
                   This is a link to the USGA's handicap explanation / calculator page

           New League Members

                                                           i.      Initially established by playing two nine-hole practice rounds on any league-play nine at the course selected for the season’s matches.

                                                         ii.      In some circumstances, recent scores from other courses will be accepted.

                                                       iii.      Since there is no score from last year, the handicap from the practice rounds counts as one score, and is carried along for the rest of the year.

                                                       iv.      Example: Danny had two scores in practice rounds: 53 and 57.  His handicap for his first match would be 0.8*((53+57)/2 – 36) = 0.8*(55-36) = 0.8*(19) = 15.2 or 15.



  1. Regular Season Match Play Format
    1. All matches are played on Monday nights for the 2012 season. 
    2. The order of which the foursomes go off the first tee is determined by readiness.

                                                           i.      As your twosome is there and ready to go, find another twosome that is ready to go and claim your order in line.

                                                         ii.      Please do NOT get in line to tee off until your WHOLE foursome is at the course (not somewhere on the road into the course).                     

    1. Regular Season Matches

                                                           i.      All regular season matches are four vs. four.

                                                         ii.      It is the team captain's responsibility to schedule the four players from match to match.

                                                       iii.      Captains must make every effort to field a team of his/her own players but may substitute JGL players from other teams if necessary.

                                                       iv.      There are no restrictions regarding which four players a captain may field.

                                                         v.      Captains are encouraged to rotate players in a fair manner when possible.

    1. Line-Up Arrangement

                                                           i.      The four players chosen for the match are arranged by handicap from lowest to highest by their captain.

                                                         ii.      If two players in the line-up for a team have the same handicap, the captain determines the order of play.

                                                       iii.      If both teams have two players with the same handicap in the same positions in the line-up, the captains of the two teams may agree on the arrangement.  If no agreement can be reached then the order is determined alphabetically.

                                                       iv.      Final line-ups shall be submitted for posting by the deadline of 5 PM on Friday preceding the match.

1.      Every effort should be made by captains to meet this deadline.

2.      Changes to line-ups after the deadline do not require re-shuffling to match handicaps.

    1. Scoring

                                                           i.      Match Play

1.      Individual Matches

a.       Two points available per hole.  Low net score wins the hole.  If tied, each player receives one point for the hole.

b.      Four points available for low net.  If tied, each player receives two points for the individual match.

c.       Total available points per individual match = 18 + 4 = 22.

d.      Once a player picks up with the maximum score, they can only tie the hole, regardless of handicap advantage.

2.      Team Scoring

a.       Points earned by each of four players count toward the team’s total score.

b.      The team with total low net receives twelve points.  If tied, each team receives six points.

                                                         ii.      Scoring Example

1.      The Tree Huggers are playing the Slayers.   The captains chose their four players, numbered 1 thru 4 in order of handicap.  If two or more players on the same team have the same handicap, their captain must break the tie(s) and assign numbers to those players (as the Tree Huggers’ example below shows). Once the Tree Huggers’ captain determined which player would play as #2, and which would play as #3, the pairing of the foursomes was defined.

 

Team A                                               Team B

Player              Hcp.                Player              Hcp.

#1 G. Bush      4                      #1 P. Buchanan           6

#2 B. Clinton  6                      #2 J. Brown                 8

#3 T. Watson   6                      #3 N. Lopez    13

#4 N. Faldo     24                    #4 G. Norman 19

 

2.      From the example above, G. Bush (hcp 4) and P. Buchanan (hcp 6) would play a 22-point match.  Mr. Bush would give Mr. Buchanan two strokes, one each on the two hardest holes by handicap on the scorecard.  They would play for two points a hole (9 x 2 = 18), and four points for low net totaling twenty-two points. The two points per hole goes to the lower net score, or each player gets one point when the hole is tied.  The individual's net score is the actual nine-hole score minus their handicap.  The lower net gets 4 points, or each player gets 2 points if the net scores tie.  At the end of the matches, the four net scores are added together to make the Team Net Score.  The team with the lower team net wins 12 points, or each team gets 6 points if the net scores tie.

                                                       iii.      The winning player should provide the league scorekeeper with a card containing both his score and his opponent’s score for each hole in the match.  Prompt return is appreciated, as handicapping and scoring cannot be completed until all scores are in.

    1. Rainouts/Lightning/Tornado/Hurricane

                                                           i.      On rainy days the league will attempt to cancel by 3 p.m. the afternoon of the match.  If possible, cancellations will be posted on the website.  Notification by email will be sent as soon as practically possible.

                                                         ii.      IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANYONE, DO NOT CALL THE LEAGUE ORGANIZERS - ASSUME THE MATCH PLAY IS ON!

                                                       iii.      If rain prohibits the completion of play, partial scores will not be counted.  Match play that does complete will count.  Eight holes must be played to be considered a complete match (see provision below).  Also, you cannot play just the remaining holes (even if the course allows it).  You must start at the first tee.  Incomplete matches may be rescheduled to be played on the scheduled rain dates depending upon the number of incomplete matches.  A player cannot play twice in the same match (this needed to be stipulated because individual matches can occur on separate nights).  Any scenarios that do no meet these guidelines will be resolved by the Rules Committee.

                                                       iv.      There is a provision for darkness and rain.   If you complete 8 holes and it is too dark (or too wet) to finish the 9th hole, the foursome can option not to play the 9th hole.  Upon doing so, one of the other holes will be randomly selected and the scores of that hole will be used.  A different hole would be selected each night of play. The hole selection will be picked out of a hat the next day by the organizer of the league.

    1. Scoring for short-handed matches (Playing the CARD)

                                                           i.      All players play for the normal 22-point match.

                                                         ii.      Both teams (regardless of the number of their players) will assign all of their players playing numbers 1 thru 4, or 1 thru the number of players, in order of handicap.  If team A has four players, and their opponent, Team B, only has three players, one of Team A's players must play the CARD, and it is the Team A captain's choice as to which of his players plays the CARD.   Beyond that, pairings are dictated by handicap.

                                                       iii.      Unpaired players

1.      All unpaired players will play the CARD.

2.      A player playing the CARD plays with a handicap of 1.25 times of their existing handicap.  This would ensure handicap equality against the card at 100% instead of the normal 80%.

3.      Scoring is the same as regular match play. (i.e. two points for lower net score per hole, one point when hole is tied, four points lower net overall, two points lower net tie overall).

4.      Points are not automatically awarded – players must play against the card in order to score points for their team.

5.      Points won by the card are not added to the short team’s total.

6.      Scores posted while playing the CARD count toward the player’s handicap.

                                                       iv.      Team Low Net – Playing against the CARD

1.      All paired and unpaired matches play for their share of the team low net 12 points.

2.      For example, if Team A has four players, and Team B has two players, Team A will play for the full 12 points, Team B will play for 6 points.  No points are automatically awarded. The paired matches play for 6 points.  The other two players from Team A will play against the card for 3 points each just as they do for the individual low net.     

    1. Tardiness and “No-Shows”

                                                           i.      Players are encouraged to contact their opponents prior to the match to arrange a meeting time or a tentative tee time.

                                                         ii.      A player must wait for their opponent up to the last available scheduled tee time, 4:45 PM, before teeing off.

                                                       iii.      Players arriving late can join their opponents on a later hole but can NOT make up any missed holes.  Those holes will be scored according to ¶ 3.g.iii.

                                                       iv.      If a player and his opponent know beforehand that they will both be teeing off together after or before the scheduled tee times but upon the same day,  then their match is valid provided they can obtain a tee time and complete the minimum number of holes.  These players should make every effort to notify their captains ahead of time if possible.

    1. Playing the Wrong Course

                                                           i.      In addition to identifying the opponent for a given match, players must determine which course to play according to the schedule listed in the website before arriving at the Deer Run facility. 

                                                         ii.      Members must play the course that they are assigned to play unless directed to do otherwise by JGL officers or the Deer Run management.

                                                       iii.      A match played on a course other than that identified by the schedule, JGL officers, or the golf course management will be void.

                                                       iv.      If either of the two players appeal a voided match to the Rules Committee, the committee can decide to allow the scores to stand, have the players replay the match, or keep the match voided depending on the circumstances involved.

 

  1. Team Championships
    1. Regular Season Champion

                                                           i.      The best won/loss record for each third will play to decide the Regular Season Champion.

                                                         ii.      That team earns the #1 seed for the post-season championship will be the team with the best won/loss record for the third.

                                                       iii.      The two remaining teams will play a match to determine who plays the number one seed

                                                       iv.      In case of a tie for the Regular Season Champion, the following tie breaker rules will be in affect:

1.      Head-to-head record

2.      Total points scored.

3.      Lowest Average Team Score.

    1. Only the three top won/loss records of each third will participate in the two match playoff.
    2. No substitution of players from other teams is allowed during the playoffs.
    3. Seeding for the playoff spots will be based on won/loss record.  Again, in the event of a tie, the above tie-breakers will be used to determine the highest seeds.
    4. All participating players must have played a minimum of three (3) regular season matches in order to be eligible during the playoffs.
    5. Match play for all playoff rounds.
    6. Handicaps will be updated after each round of the playoffs.

 

  1. Playing Rules
    1. Only JLAB league members with established handicaps may compete in league events.
    2. A player may choose which tees (blue, white or red) they want to play but must stick to their choice throughout the season including playoffs and events dependent upon handicaps.  (Yes, if some guys want to play the red tees and their sense of machismo can handle it, then so be it.  Also, if some ladies want to play from the whites, YOU GO GIRL!).
    3. Winter rules” will be in effect at the start of the season until the rules committee judges the course to be playable without them.  Thereafter, normal JGL rules (based on USGA) relating to these lies remain in effect unless the RC allows “winter rules” if course quality is unusually poor for a given week.

                                                           i.      Winter Rules:  A ball lying on a closely mowed area through the green may, without penalty, be moved or may be lifted, cleaned and placed within six inches of where it originally lay, but not nearer the hole and not in a hazard or on a putting green. A player may move or place his ball once and after the ball has been so moved or placed, it is in play.

                                                         ii.      Normal JGL rule:  Balls shall be played as they lie.  A player is NOT allowed under any circumstance to improve his lie, including cleaning the ball or moving it even a little bit, anywhere on the course unless allowed by USGA rules.  Some examples where the USGA rules do allow a player to move the ball one club-length no closer to the hole include:  abnormal ground conditions (e.g.; mud, standing water) and around immovable (artificial) objects.  Please consult these rules for details. 

    1. There is a maximum score of twice par per hole. Once a player lies 2 times par tor that hole without holing out, they must pick up and score the maximum strokes: twice par +1 stroke.  This will simplify the scoring process and help speed up play.
    2. For any lost ball or ball hit out of bounds, you must drop a ball no more than two club lengths from the out of bounds spot or location the ball is determined lost. You must take a 1-stroke penalty. DO NOT go back to the original spot to hit again and DO NOT go back as far as you want to choose a nice spot to drop.
    3. Maximum time to look for a lost ball is five minutes.  Players are encouraged to keep up with the group in front of them to speed play.  All such drops should be approved by your opposition.
    4. For balls hit into the woods, you may choose to play it where it lies.  Alternatively, you may go back to the point where the ball entered the woods, drop within two club lengths and take a 1-stroke penalty.  This alternate method applies to balls lost in the woods.
    5. A whiff (missing the ball completely when you intended to hit it!) counts as a stroke.  As long as the intent was to hit the ball, you must count it as a stroke.
    6. FIX BALL MARKS, REPLACE DIVOTS, AND KEEP UP THE PACE OF PLAY!
    7. Outside of a hazard including the woods and tree roots, if your ball comes to rest on or near rocks that you feel might cause injury or damage your club, you may drop the ball within one club-length of the nearest safe spot, no closer to the hole, for no penalty if your opponent agrees.  Otherwise, use the unplayable lie rule: 

·         Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the  original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5 of USGA rules); OR

·         Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped; OR

·         Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole.

    1. Players MAY use devices that measure distance.  Other measurement devices that may affect play (e.g. wind or gradient) are not allowed.

 

  1. Prizes
    1. Mid-Season Classic – Individual Tournament (if held)

                                                           i.      Awards for first place in four divisions

1.      Low net – first flight

2.      Low net – second flight

3.      Low gross – first flight

4.      Low gross – second flight

                                                         ii.      The field will be sorted by gross score first and then divided in half.  If two people are tied, the lower handicap player will prevail.  If still tied, the gross score on the last hole determines the winner.

                                                       iii.      The field is then sorted by net score and then divided in half again.  If two people are tied, the higher handicap player will prevail.  If still tied, the net score on the last hole determines the winner.

                                                       iv.      No double prizes will be awarded.

                                                         v.      Prize table for all participants

    1. Post Season Championship

                                                           i.      Trophies for 1st place in the Tournament.

                                                         ii.      An awards banquet will be held to present trophies.

 

  1. Team Captains’ Responsibilities
    1. The team captain is responsible for defining his team's schedule.  To best accommodate all players, the captain needs to find out the following type of information from all of his players.

                                                           i.      Level of commitment.  How often can you play?

                                                         ii.      Vacation schedule

    1. Captains should also schedule a standby 5th (& 6th) player for each match in the event a scheduled player cannot make it.
    2. Captains should make every attempt to see that all players get equal playing time throughout the year.  Likewise, during the playoffs, attempts to see each player participate are also encouraged.
    3. The captain is responsible for contacting the opposing captain the day of a scheduled match to confirm the match and its pairings.  If the captain is unavailable to do so, they should appoint a team member to fill in.
    4. The two captains should review all scores that have been posted.  Any questions or comments should be forwarded to Mike Zarecky.