2016 Ronin Ryder Cup Rules

We will be utilizing the traditional Ronin Ryder Cup format and playing by the rules in which we started this competition.  Here is the synopsis of the rules.

The format of the tournament will be as follows:

Day 1:  2 Man Scramble

Day 2:  2 Man Better Ball (Four-Ball)

Day 3:  Individual Singles

Prior to all matches, we will split each team into an "A" Flight and a "B" Flight.  This division will evenly split in half the lower index players into the "A" Flight and the higher index players into the "B" Flight for each day of competition.   

Added this year will be the availability of non-scoring match for the final two days of competition.  The points for any non-scoring match will be split evenly between the two teams.  The individuals placed in these matches can be determined as late as the day of competition by mutual agreement of the Captains.  This is to account for illness, injury or unavailability.  Outside of unforeseen illness or injury, no player may be placed in this group more than once within the entire competition.  The Ronin Ryder Cup Executive Competition committee is final jurisdiction in upholding the spirit of this clause.     

On Day 1, the 2 Man Scramble will be played with a modified handicap system.  The captains must pair individuals from the same flight to formulate each team and must be paired against teams of the same flight.    Each team in the 13 matches will have the lower handicap player receive 35% of their index and the higher handicap player will receive 15% of their index.  The combined amount for each team will be compared to the opposing team.  The lower team will give the higher team the appropriate amount of strokes, rounding down any fractions to the whole number.  

In addition, a minimum of 5 shots off the tee must be used for each player excluding all Par 3 holes.  As the match progresses, each player must continue to be eligible to utilize 5 tee shots.  If the match ends prior to 18 holes being played, each team member of the winning team must have been able to utilize 5 tee shots.  In other words, a player does not have to use 5 tee shots during the match if it ends early, but only projects out to a 5 tee shot minimum had the match gone 18 holes.  Again, the scoring format will be match play.  

After Day 1 of golf, there will be an added competition in the hosted slot tournament.  The team will the higher total team score in the qualifying and final rounds will receive 2 points each. Thus, it is in your team's interest for you to participate plus your entry fee has been pre-paid.  Relatives or friends who are not playing in the golf portion are welcome to join the slot tournament, but will be designated a sponsor team for those who qualify for the final round to add to that team's total score.  Cost is $20 entry fee.

On Day 2, we will play with the true handicap system in a match play format.  Each golfer will receive their designated handicap listed in the handicap attachment.  Strokes for each individual will be given in accordance with the difficulty of the course layout.  Each team will formulate 2 Man teams and pair them up in 13 matches.  Each Captain must pair an "A" Flight player with a "B" Flight player on each team. 

The lowest individual in each match will play with zero handicap strokes.  The remaining three players will each receive the total number of strokes derived from their own course handicap less the course handicap from the lowest player.  The holes on which they receive the strokes will be in accordance with the course listing beginning with the #1 handicap hole and running consecutively until all remaining strokes are accounted for.  After each hole is played, each team will record their better net score and compare them in a match play format.   

Finally on Day 3, the individual matches will be played with the true handicap system.  The difference between the two players’ course handicap will be given to the higher handicapped player.  The lower player will play from scratch with the higher player receiving the proper number of strokes in accordance with course listing of handicap holes.  The captains must pair opposing players from the same opposing flight only (i.e. An "A" flight player must play against an "A" flight player).  

Each day, the team format will require each of the Team Captains to provide a written pairing of their respective teams for each match.  These teams will be set in a pre-determined manner by each Captain and presented jointly to the other team.  Thus, the pairings and tee off order will be determined in a set draw by each Captain.  These selections must be provided no later than 1 week prior to the start of the competition so that we may forward that information to the set courses.  As with Ronin Ryder Cup tradition, no team member may play with the same team member for the first two days of competition.  

All matches on Day 1 & 2 will be worth 2 points each with tied matches counting as 1 point for each squad.  Day 3 matches are worth 3 points each with tied matches counting for 1.5 points for each squad.  A total of 134 (includes slot tournament points) points are possible during the competition.  This will be a one year competition between these teams as we will be mixing the teams next year for the 20th anniversary event.      

Lunch will be wagered for the first two days of the competition.  The team that accumulated the most points on that day will be entitled to a free meal sponsored by the other team.  In case of a tie, the team with the greater number of closest to the pin winners on that day will be the tiebreaker.  If each team wins the same number of closest to the pin holes, then it will be deemed a tie and each team buys their own meal.    

USGA rules will apply during the competition and putts may only be conceded by the opposing team.  The Ronin Ryder Cup exception to the USGA rules apply of two consecutive shots hit out of bounds by the same player may be played at the point of entry to ensure speedy play.   All matches will be played from the indicated tees on the day of play.  

EXISTING RULE:  To ensure speedy play, each Ronin Ryder Cup player must be ready to hit his next shot at the first available opportunity.  Specifically, no Ronin Ryder Cup player may assist another player locate an errant shot until he has hit his next shot.  (i.e. If a player hits his ball out of play or has to look for his ball, no other Ronin Ryder Cup player may assist him until the other player has hit his next shot.  In other words, you must be ready and hit your ball at the first opportunity before assisting the other player.) 

NEW RULE:  Each player may have an optional 15th club in his bag during any round of play.  This 15th club must be declared at the beginning of the round and designated for use only when a club faces imminent danger of damage from the existing lie (i.e. can only be used when in the desert or next to rocks) of his ball.  The spirit of this rule is to protect one's regular clubs from damage and should not be used for a competitive advantage.