League Rules

Wednesday Night Golf League Rules & Regulations

Last updated : March 24, 2020

 rev I

1.0 Membership

Membership in the Golf League shall be open to anyone that is a friend or family member of a past or present league member with board approval.
 

2.0 League Officers

League officers for the season are:

Ted Medeiros – President – 401-744-6680 emedeiros@sensata.com

Steve Braga – Vice President – 508-328-6427 – stevebraga64@gmail.com

Bruce Farrington – Treasurer – 508-243-0853 – baf323@comcast.net

Doug Christensen – Secretary –508-431-3663 dchristensen77@gmail.com

Kevin Kane – At Large Committee Member – 508-838-3963 – kevinkane141@yahoo.com

Steve George – Statistician & At Large Committee Member – 508-336-7313 – sgeorge336@comcast.net

Ernie Boas – Webmaster – 508-662-1959 – eboas@sensata.com

Jay McGowan – Outgoing President – 508-243-5290 – jmcgowan@sensata.com

2.1 Future Officers (The following will NOT always be applicable depending on the level of interest of members to serve as league officers). — To maintain league continuity the preferred succession of officers from season to season is for the Vice President to assume the role of President, and either the Treasurer, Statistician or Secretary to assume the role of Vice President. The outgoing President is requested to serve one year as the Ex Officio to support the transition. League members interested in volunteering for an officer position for the next season should contact the current Vice President or Secretary.

 3.0 League Schedule

The league’s season will consist of approximately 18 weeks of match play and two or three weeks of playoffs at Segregansett CC, 85 Gulliver St., Taunton, MA beginning on approximately the first/second Wednesday in April.

The schedule will be posted on the front page of the Golf League Website. (MNGL.org)
Season ending tournament/banquet will be determined by the committee during the first half of the season. 

4.0 Individual and Team Points

  1. Individual ‘match’ points are how many match points are accrued during the year.
  2. The maximum ‘team’ points a player can earn in any given match is two (2).
  3. There is no point value given on any one hole, you either win, lose or tie.  This is determined after applying the delta of the quotas to the lowest handicap holes.  At the end of the match, you add up how many holes you won vs. how many you lose.  The person that wins the most holes, wins the match 2-0.  If there is a tie (i.e. each person wins 3 holes and they tie 3 holes) then the match is scored 1-1.
  4. All ‘Individual Match’ points will be accumulated each week and an ongoing total will be kept to determine the total team points.  These will be used to determine the league standings, places 1 through 10. 
  5. A player with no opponent must play their nine holes in the company of another League member, and have their score attested before any points are awarded.
  6. If there is a no show and one player does play, that player will win automatically 1-0.  If the quota points for that match equal or are higher than their match quota, they will earn the second match point and will win their match 2-0. 

5.0 Score Cards

  1. All score cards must be neat and contain the following information: each player’s name, scores, quota points and match points.
  2. All score cards must be attested and signed by at least one League player not on the same team completing their round in your playing group.
  3. Record both you and your opponent’s score information on the scoring sheet and include score cards with the record book for verification. 
  4. If you are matching cards, then enter your opponent’s score on your score card or have your opponent do it. Then record both score information on the scoring sheet.
  5. If your opponent is late for his match mark “LS” (for Late Start) on the score card. (See Rule 16.3)
  6. If a player cannot finish his match mark “FH” (for Forfeited Hole(s)) on the score card.  (See rule 16.4)
  7. If your opponent is a no show, then mark “No Show” on your scorecard and “NS” on the scoring sheet.
  8. If both players are absent a team Captain will mark “NS” (for No-Show Absence) on the scoring sheet.

6.0 Player Absenteeism

  1. If a regular player is excessively absent during the season, he may be dropped from regular play pending a review by his captain and the League officers.
  2. Should both players be absent for their scheduled match each will receive zero (0) ‘match’ points.  See Section 13.3.
  3. If you are playing a “no show” match, please refer to section 4.0 for scoring.
  4. A player who arrives late, but catches up to his opponent is given a minimum triple bogey or two (2) strokes more than his opponent’s score on the holes missed. This is very uncommon as most players would match cards after the round; however, this may come into play if the individual is the only golfer remaining on the starting tee.
  5. A player that does not finish his match for any reason will be given a minimum triple bogey or two (2) strokes more than his opponent’s score on forfeited holes.
  6. If a player’s attendance falls below 60% at the end of the year, then that player will not be eligible for the next years draft but can play as a spare. However, the committee may override this rule if members are needed or other circumstances arise.

7.0 Player Replacement

When a spare or new player replaces a regular player on a team, use the following steps:

  1. The replacement player is to be the one in the league the longest.

1a. Should the length of time in the league be impossible to establish then the committee will determine the replacement player.

  1. Should more than one replacement player be eligible under step 1) or there are no replacement players that have previously been in the league.  The replacement player will be the one with the closest quota to the player that is being replacing.

8.0 General Courtesy

  1. The highest quota player will police his foursome during the match and attempt to resolve all questions regarding rules of play.
  2. Position all golf bags, walking carts or electric carts to the rear or side of the green before putting on the green.
  3. Mark score cards on the next tee, not on the green just played.
  4. Any penalty situation must not exceed a three-minute time limit.
  5. For all par-3’s, once on the green, but prior to putting out wave up the following group to help speed up play.

9.0 Spares

  1. A spares list will be maintained by the league.  New spares have to be willing to play as a regular player, if needed. 
  2. If a regular player knowingly cannot play for 3+ weeks (i.e. injury, long term travel, etc…) a spare can fill in until the regular returns.

10.0 General Rules of Play

  1. U.S. Golf Association (USGA) rules govern all play except for  general or specific League rules and course rules.
  2. There will be no practice rounds, holes or shots taken on the same nine on the day of the match, with the exception of the practice green or the driving range.
  3. There will be no practice shots on the tees, in the fairways or on the greens anytime during a match.
  4. There will be no group with more than four (4) players, except for tournaments, per the course rules.
  5. No mutual agreements can be made to ignore any out-of-bounds or to move any ball in the rough without a penalty with the following exception(s):
    1. An agreement can be made to allow an opponent to pick up and drop his ball 6” from the original position and no closer to the hole IF the ball is in the rough, NOT beyond the tree line, AND is resting on rocks or roots. In the case where the rocks/roots cover a large area around the ball and 6″ does not create relief, the opponent may move straight back from the green (NOT parallel) and drop his ball at the nearest point of relief.
  1. All penalty situations, lost balls, ball out of bounds or in hazards, will not exceed a three-minute limit to speed up the play of the league.
  2. A maximum of ten (10) strokes per hole will be enforced. Pick up your ball and proceed to the next hole (except, when both players have not holed out play should continue to determine the winner of the hole).
  3. Each player must exercise common sense and play at a moderate pace to help speed up the play of the league.
  4. Score cards should be marked at the next tee, not on, or next to, the green just played, to help speed up the play of the league.
  5. Should a hole be open in front of any foursome on the tee, both foursomes may tee-off together, then let the trailing foursome play through.
  6. Yardage finding tools such as handheld GPS units or binocular style range finders are allowed during play. Yardage books are acceptable and may include personal notes.

11.0 Specific Rules of Play

  1. ‘Preferred’ lies in your fairway only, no closer to the hole. ‘Preferred’ lies will be allowed in the fairway only, NOT from tree line to tree line. ‘Preferred’ lies cannot be taken to remove hazards from play or to improve the line of flight of the ball. A ‘preferred’ lie means that the ball may be rolled over onto a clump of grass or out of a divot, etc., and is usually consistent with only a few inches of movement.   (No ‘stroke’ penalty)
  2. ‘Unplayable’ lie due to casual water – take a free lift no closer to the hole and consistent with 1) above.    (No ‘stroke’ penalty)
  3. ‘Plugged’ balls due to wet conditions:

a.       In own/another fairway – pick, clean and place no closer to the hole.  (No ‘stroke’ penalty)

b.       In own/another rough – pick, clean and drop no closer to the hole.  (No ‘stroke’ penalty)

  1. ‘Lost’ ball due to plugging or wet conditions –

a.       In own fairway – replace new ball in general location.  (No ‘stroke’ penalty)

b.       In own rough – drop new ball in general location.   (1 ‘stroke’ penalty)

  1.  ‘Lost’ ball in another fairway or rough even lost due to plugging or wet conditions – replace ball in general location.    (1 ‘stroke’ penalty)
  2. Area marked ‘Under Construction’ – take a free lift behind the construction no closer to the hole. (No ‘stroke’ penalty)
  3. Area marked as ‘drainage ditch’ – take a free lift behind the hazard no closer to the hole. (No ‘stroke’ penalty)
  4. ‘Man-made Obstructions’ (not part of out of bounds) – take two club lengths from the obstruction (including fences, water pipes, 150 yard bushes / markers, stone walls or poles, etc.) no closer to the hole.     (No ‘stroke’ penalty)
  5. Hit ball into the woods – if played, as it lies, without being moved or touched.  (No ‘stroke’ penalty)
  6. If you hit the wrong ball, you lose the hole automatically, but continue play to record score, with no stroke penalty.
  7. ‘Lost’ ball in the woods – will be played anywhere along the flight path of the ball from the origin to the point of entry on the fly, tee side of the hazard, no closer to the hole. (1 ‘stroke’ penalty)
  1. ‘Lost’ ball in the water – will be played anywhere along the flight path of the ball from the origin to the point of entry on the fly, tee side of the hazard, no closer to the hole. (1 ‘stroke’ penalty)
  2. ‘Out-of-bounds’ whether the result of a tee or fairway shot – hit from the point of entry on the fly, where the ball went out of bounds, two club lengths no closer to the hole.   (1 ‘stroke penalty)
  3. All disputes not resolved during match play should be presented to the Rules Committee. Their decision is final.  

12.0 Awards

12.1 Weekly Awards

  1. Closest-to-the-pin on #3 or 13 – 1 player award – up to 9 winners ($5 cash prize)
  2. Closest-to-the-pin on #6 or 17 – 1 player award – up to 9 winners ($5 cash prize)
  3. Closest-to-the-pin on second shot #5 or 11 – 1 player award – up to 18 winners ($5 cash prize)

12.2 Season Final Awards – Individual

  1. Season’s most match points – 1 or 2 winners ($20/10 cash prize)
  2. Season’s most plus points – 1 or 2 winners ($20/10 cash prize)
  3. Best winning percentage – 1 or 2 winners ($20/10 cash prize)
  4. High average quota by position – 5 winners ($20 cash prize)
  5. Lowest seasonal score by position – 5 winners ($20 cash prize)

If a tie occurs for an individual season award, it will be broken using the following sequence:

a.       The Committee will determine if funds are available to pay both winners.

b.       Highest attendance

C.    Award split evenly amongst winners.

  • Regular season winners will be paid out at $25 per person on that team.

12.3 Season Final Awards – Team

  1. 3rd place team overall – $50 cash prize – 4 or 5 winners
  2. 2nd place team overall – $75 cash  prize– 4 or 5 winners
  3. 1st place team overall – $100 cash prize – 4 or 5 winners

12.4 End of Year Tournament – Net Score

Depending on the number of golfers that will attend the end of year tournament, they will be divided into as even groups as possible, typically 8-15 players.  The plan is to have 5 even groups.  There will be payouts for the top 2-3 finishers, depending on available funds, for each group.  Spares will use their calculated quotas and guests’ quotas will be calculated based on average scores and handicap provided.  All players will be organized in decreasing order of quota and then broken up into the groups mentioned.  Example Payouts are shown below:

  1. Group 1 – 1st, 2nd and 3rd place $ cash prize
    1. Group 2 – 1st, 2nd and 3rd place $ cash prize
    1. Group 3 – 1st, 2nd and 3rd place $ cash prize
    1. Group 4 – 1st, 2nd and 3rd place $ cash prize
    1. Group 5 – 1st, 2nd and 3rd place $ cash prize
    1. Closest to Pins – 4 prizes $ cash prize
    1. Hole in One Pool – $1 from each league members dues will be placed in a Hole in One Pool.  The first hole in one of the year will win the pool, unless there are two or more in the same week.  If that happens, they will share the pool evenly.  If there are no hole in ones during the year, the pool will carryover to the next year.  If a 2nd hole in one is made during a later week, this will not count vs. the hole in one pool but will be entered in the Eagle pool.  See #8 for Eagle pool details.  Payout will be at the end of the year.
    1. Eagle Pool – $1 from each league members’ dues will be placed in an Eagle Pool all eagles made during the year will split the pool evenly.  If the same person has an eagle twice during the year, they will get two shares of the split pool. If there are no eagles made during the year, the pool will carryover to the next year.  Payout will be at the end of the year.

13.0 Formulas for Awards

  1. Weekly match inputs will be used for all season ending awards.
  2. Award calculations are based on player’s individual and team performance.
  3. Eligibility for awards requires players to have 60% or above attendance or above 10 matches.
  4. Best winning %:  (Total wins plus (total ties divided by two)) divided by total matches.  Example: 11W / 4T / 3 L  =  (11 + (4/2))/18 = 72.22%
  5. High average individual quota:  total of the 10 highest quota scores divided by 10.
  6. Lowest seasonal score: lowest score recorded during the season.

14.0 Tie Breaker Process (Match Play)

14.1 Regular Season

If a tie occurs at the end of the season it will be broken using the following sequence:

a.       Winner of head-to-head competitions. If head to head competition is a tie then proceed to “b”.

b.      Total of all regular team points for the season. If this is a tie then proceed to “c”.

c.    Flip of a coin.

14.2 Playoffs

If a tie occurs during the playoff rounds it will be broken using the following sequence:    

a.       Winner of head-to-head competitions. If head to head competition is a tie then proceed to “b”.

b.       Total of all regular team points for the season. If this is a tie then proceed to “c”.

c.    Flip of a coin.

15.0 Specific Playoff Rules

  1. If there are 10 teams, the top 8 teams, determined after the regular season play (see rule 9.2), will participate in the playoffs as follows:
  1. Round 1:
    1. Match A: 1st Rank vs. 8th Rank   
    2. Match B: 2nd Rank vs. 7th Rank
    3. Match C: 3rd Rank vs. 6th Rank
    4. Match D: 4th Rank vs. 5th Rank
  2. Round 2:
    1.  Match E: best ranked winner of matches A through D vs. worst ranked winner of matches A through D
    2. Match F: middle two ranked winners of matches A through D
  3. Round 3:
    1. Match G: winners of matches E and F for 1st and 2nd place
    2. Match H: losers of matches E and F for 3rd place
  4. All five team match point scores will be counted in playoffs. 

16.0 Golf League Rule Changes

  1. All rule changes must be voted on by the league committee and the majority rules during this process.  In the case of a tie, the item will be tabled and will be included in the next vote.  In some cases, the vote can be submitted to the league membership for a vote.
  2. All proposals must be submitted to the committee in writing (email is acceptable), which, in turn, will discuss the change and hold a vote. The vote shall include implementation date for the rule change (immediate, next season, etc…).

CHANGE HISTORY LOG

Rev Level Date of Change Description of Change Changed By
Orig 4/1/03 Issuing of the 2003 Version of rules. League Officers
A 3/2/04 Changes made to the following paragraphs: 3.0; 6.7; 8.7; 9.2; 24.3 & 24.4 Added Section 27.0 (Specific Playoff Rules) League Officers
B 3/28/05 Changes were made to the following: 2.0; 3.0; 5.0; 9.0.2; 13.0.2; 14.0.3; 19.0.14 & 15; 21.0; 23.1a All award sections were reorganized under section 21.0 and the successive sections were renumbered accordingly. League Officers
2006 rev. A 3/08/06 Made second round of draft pick as inverse of first. Updated 8.3 to enforce match play. Updated 19.5 for ball on rocks in rough. Reworded 20.3 and 20.4 for penalties associated with plugged balls. Reworded 20.11 and 20.12, increased the definition of where to take drop when ball is lost in woods or water. ‘along flight path of ball’ Added tie breaker rule for individual season awards. Updated 22.4 to have the correct award calculation. Updated 23.2b Added new 24.1 for playoff matches.   League Officers
2006 rev. B 3/08/06 Modified 19.5 by adding that the ball must be dropped. Added section 25.0 MNGL Rule Changes League Officers
2006 rev. C 4/05/06 Modified 8.8 by removing last sentence ‘Further the card in question will NOT be used in the NO-SHOW calculations.’ Updated 19.14 to allow for usage of GPS and range finders. Committee and Captains – Vote
2008 rev D 3/13/08 Voted Rule Change: Change rule 8.8 to place ball in rack anytime if No Show. Added sec 11.3  quota calculation for matches 11 Added sec 11.4 moving average quota calculation for matches 12 thru 18. Voted Rule Change 13.0 – changed  No Show Match Table to start at 10 – 8 Voted rule change – Dropped rule 14.3.1, 3.2, & 3.3 Modified 15.3 – recording your scores. Added 15.4 – matching cards. Added 15.7 – recording no shows. Added 16.5 – players attendance falls below 60% then not eligible for the next years draft. Modified 17.1 – committee will determine the replacement player. Modified 20.13 – one club length no closer to the hole. Modified 21.1 & 21.2 to cash awards. Added 21.2a – if tie occurs for an individual season awards (a) the Committee will determine if funds are available to pay both winners. Added 21.4 – rain out tournaments: cash prizes. Added 21.5 – end of year tournaments: cash prizes. Modified 22.6 – calculation for high quota average. Voted rule change 24.3 – all five match scores will be used in playoffs.   League Officers
2009 rev E 3/25/2009 Re-aligned league for 4 man teams from 5 Changed 11.3 Quota formula: The average of the 10 highest quota’s will be used. League Officers    
 2010 Rev F 3/14/2010      Update for six teams League Officers
2013 rev G 3/27/13 Update for various no. of teams, play at Segregansett and new officers. League Officers
2019 rev H 3/15/19 Updated in various sections, most notably sections 2.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0, 11.0, 13.0, 14.0, 17.0, 19.0 (new), and 21.0, 22.0, 23.0, 24.0 (formerly 20.0 thru 23.0).  Most changes were to accommodate Segregansett and eliminate references to Rehoboth, league structure for 10 teams, 18 matches per year, play-off format, end of year prizes, and adding section regarding spares.  Also, No Show scores were modified per section 13.0 and closest to the pin awards after 2nd shot were added for hole #5 and 11. League Officers
2020 rev I 3/24/20 Updated various sections to new match play scoring system (2 pts per match), addition of hole in one pool and eagle pool and new payouts.  Playoff structure is now top 8 places and no toilet bowl.  Dues have also been set to $85 for regulars and $65 for spares.  Spares are now eligible for closest to the pins, hole in one and eagle pools. League Officers