LJO Golf League 2021
Rules
1.0 HAVE FUN
2.0 League Officers
Ø President John Wilkins
Ø Vice President Andy Neuland
Ø League Officers Shon Prendel, Chad Griswold
3.0 Tournament Schedule
Ø Tournaments will vary in length and format. The majority are 18 holes, however there will be a couple 27 hole events.
Ø Most tournaments will be either Saturday or Sunday.
Ø The tournament schedule is set before the season begins; however, golf courses, starting times, and dates are subject to change if problems arise with weather or golf courses.
4.0 League Members and Tournament Registration
Ø League Membership Dues are $80
Ø League members will be emailed 1 week before event with tee times and event information.
Ø YOU MUST CONFIRM BY EMAIL OR TEXT BY WEDNESDAY BEFORE THE EVENT TO RESERVE A SPOT!!!
Ø League members have first option to play, if they do not reserve a spot by Wednesday nonmembers may claim any open spots.
Ø Members are free to bring guest if the notify me by Wednesday.
5.0 The LJO League Rules of Golf
Ø 5.0 Tournament Playing Regulations
o Each tournament may have specific rules or scoring formats. Refer to event descriptions for the details associated with each tournament.
o Arriving late for one’s scheduled tee time will not be tolerated. Players arriving late may join their group in progress but must take a net double bogie for each hole missed or loss of each hole missed in match play format.
o Tournaments will be played as long as the course is open. If the weather conditions are too severe (heavy rain) or if thunder and lightning are eminent then the tournament will be postponed. This decision will be made by the LJO League Committee. Every attempt will be made to make up the event.
Ø The USGA Rules of Golf govern play “in general”.
o The Rules of Golf in Brief
o No more than 14 clubs in your bag
o Be sure you can identify your ball from others. If you cannot identify it as yours, it is considered lost (1-stroke penalty)
o Tee off within 2-club lengths behind the front edge of the tee markers.
o If your ball is moved by someone else or another ball, replace it with no penalty to you.
o If your ball in motion is deflected by or stopped by another ball in play and at rest, play your ball as it lies and, if your ball and the other ball were on the green before your stroke, then you incur a 2-stroke penalty.
o A ball on the putting green may be lifted but its position must be marked.
o If your ball is in “casual water” or “ground under repair”, you may drop without penalty within 1-club length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole.
o A ball hit into a water hazard may be played as it lies or may be dropped any distance behind the water hazard on the line at which the original ball crossed the margin of the hazard and incurring a 1-stroke penalty.
o A swing at the ball with the intention of hitting the ball must count as a stroke even if the ball is missed.
o Observe proper etiquette:
o Play without delay
o Replace divots, rake sand traps, repair ball marks
o Do not step on the line of another players putt
o Do not play until you are sure the group ahead of you is out of the way.
Ø 5.1 The LJO League has adopted the following exceptions:
o 5.1.1 Optional mulligan rule. Players may purchase 1 mulligan a round for $5. This must be paid at time of the event fee. Mulligan can be used on any shot including putts. Player taking mulligan must clearly announce his intentions and must use the mulligan shot. (This money will be added to the Little John Open donation to Make-A-Wish)
o 5.1.2 Shots hit out-of-bounds golfer can choose the stroke and distance penalty or can choose a 1-stroke penalty but without loss of distance. The ball may be dropped within 2-club lengths from the point of entry not nearer to the hole. Same rule applies for a ball declared unplayable or a lost ball. See Appendix B for illustration.
o 5.1.3 Any kind of marks on the putting green may be repaired– including spike marks. In fact, the LJO League encourages players to repair ball marks and all other damage and to leave the green in better condition than it was found.
o 5.1.4 A player may change his/her ball at any time on the green or tee, but it remains the players responsibility to be able to identify his/her ball.
o 5.1.5 When in the fairway or rough the ball may be “rolled over” to improve the lie (Ball must remain in the same cut). This must be done only with the club, player cannot touch ball. Players may not create tees out of turf or change the ground to improve their lie. (2 stroke penalty) The ball may not be picked up and cleaned unless weather conditions have caused us to play clean and place. The ball may be moved up to 6 inches in any direction.
o 5.1.7 Ball hit into a hazard may be placed anywhere on the original line of flight into the hazard with a 1-stroke penalty.
o 5.1.8 A 2nd shot into the same hazard allows the player to cross the hazard on a line between the original shot and the hole, with a 1-stroke penalty.
o 5.1.9 Putts may be conceded at the discretion of the other golfers in your group. All in group must agree, if one says putt it, you put it. Be reasonable giving short putts speeds up play but do not be giving putts that are over a couple feet.
o 5.1.10 White Stakes Out of Bounds If you hit Out of Bounds past white stakes. 1 stroke penalty and drop within two club lengths of where the ball crossed the line of the white stakes. If the white stakes are in course dividing two holes we do not play this as OB. However driving ranges, parking lots, etc. the white stakes are played as OB.
Ø 5.2 Rulings during Tournament play
o Any issues that are not clear on the course during a tournament should be played as best understood by the player and their group and reviewed afterward for a ruling.
o The League Committee will advise and rule on any issue after the players have finished playing and before their scorecards have been signed. Their decision is FINAL and BINDING.
Ø 5.3 Player Scorecards
o Each group will have a scorecard. The group’s scorecard must be signed by all members in the group and turned.
o Players should also keep their own score to compare to the group scorecard.
o After all scorecards are submitted, an officer of the League will verify the scorecards.
o It is recommended that players use this common scorecard to check each other during play.
o One person in the group should also input scores on the golf league tracker website. This provides a good double check on scores and also lets others playing follow your groups scores.
Ø 5.4 1st place Playoffs
o In the event of a 1st place tie among 2 or more players in an 18 hole event, the following procedure will be used to decide a tournament champion:
o A sudden death chip and putt off will be held, LJO Committee will select the spots to chip from.
o In the event of a tie at the following events: LJO Invitational, LJO Open, or LJO Championship we will go to the practice green and have a 4 hole chip and putt playoff with no handicaps. Hole location to be decided by the League Committee. Low score wins. If a tie still exist those still tied will proceed with a sudden death playoff
o In matches for the LJO Match Play Tournament we will have a sudden death chip and putt off.
o Little John Open there is no tie breaker for first place.
Ø 5.5 Ties Other Places
o In the event of any ties for all other places, both points and money for the tied spots will be split between all those tied.
Ø 5.6 Tournament Payouts
o All payouts will be done by venmo within 2 days of the event.
§ https://help.venmo.com/hc/en-us/articles/209690068-How-to-Sign-Up
o The day of the event we will make sure there is not a tie for first and verify who won and who was 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
o However, once we know no playoff is need, I will double check cards, calculate skins, contest wins etc. after being able to verify all cards. There were several instances in the past where money was paid out and mistakes were later discovered.
o Venmo is fast and easy and will eliminate making payment mistakes.
o Unless otherwise stated low net payouts are as follows
§ 1st = 50% of low net pot
§ 2nd = 25% of low net pot
§ 3rd = 15% of low net pot
§ 4th = 10% of low net pot
o If a non member finishes in the low net money, their payout will be based only on the low net money from the golfers on that day and will NOT include the league money in the low net pot.
Ø 5.7 Tournament Postponement
o In the event that a tournament must be postponed due to inclement weather or other circumstances beyond the control of the league, the tournament will be rescheduled to a designated open date.
o Tournament must start anew with details to be forwarded to all members via e-mail.
o In the case where the tournament has already started:
§ Case 1: All players have completed 12 holes
· The 12 hole scores are taken and 2/3 of the handicap is applied to determine final net scores.
· Points for event would be 2/3 of normal points.
§ Case 2: All players have completed 9 holes but have not completed 12 holes.
· The 9 hole scores are recorded and ½ of the handicaps are applied to determine net scores.
· Points for event would be ½ of normal points.
§ Case 3: Any player has not completed 9 holes. All scores are dismissed and the tournament is rescheduled in whole.
6.0 Handicapping Policy
Ø Every LJO player will have a Handicap Index with which to determine a net score in each tournament. THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL WORLD GOLF HANDICAP. WE ARE SIMPLY USING THEIR FORMULA>
Ø The persons Handicap Index will be maintained on the Golf League Tracker Website.
Ø https://www.golfleaguetracker.com/glthome/league/players
Ø Handicaps are based on the World Golf handicap System
Ø Golfers Handicap Index will be calculated with the slope rating of the course we are playing to create their course specific handicap.
Ø If you are unfamiliar with the World Golf Handicap System here is a link to read up
Ø Since the WG System does not provide a handicap until 3 rounds have been played the following will be used until a player has posted 3 rounds.
o 1st Event –New players will declare a handicap. After the round player’s score will be divided into a front nine and back nine score. The lowest of the declared handicap and lower of the front nine/back nine score doubled will be used as player’s handicap for this round.
o After 1st score is posted we will use the lower of the golfers stated handicap or 80% of their handicap differential from the round played.
o After 2nd score is posted we will use the lower of the golfers stated handicap or 85% of their best handicap differential from the round played.
o After 3rd score is posted we will use WG Handicap
Ø These handicaps are not official World Golf Handicaps they are simply based on the system.
Ø Some events may have special handicap situations
Ø Handicap Strokes
o Players are granted a number of handicap strokes for a tournament in order to produce a “net score”.
o It is the net score that is compared to other players in the field in determining a winner and final standings.
o Net score = gross score - handicap strokes
o In match play events, the higher handicap player will get the number of strokes difference between the two golfers. These strokes are applied on the holes starting with the #1 handicap hole and moving up.
§ Examples: Player A is a 5 handicap and Player B is a 9 handicap. Player B would get 4 strokes deducted. 1 stroke on each of the 4 hardest holes.