Match Play Format

All matches are match play format. In this format, each hole is essentially a separate competition. Total score does not matter, only which player wins more holes. As the golfers play, a running tally is kept of who has won more holes. If players halve (tie) a hole it is a push and does not carry on to the next hole. Once a player is winning by more holes than are left to play, the match is over and that player is the winner. (you can keep playing, of course, but the rest of the holes don’t count for anything.)

Here’s a sample of how the scoring works:

Bob wins the match 5 & 4 because he is up by five holes with only four to play.

Selecting a course/time

Work with your opponent to select a course and time that works for your schedule, location and budget. You can play any regulation 18-hole golf course. We’re all busy (some more than others) so please do not wait until the last minute to schedule your match.

Selecting tees

Please play from the same tees. If you can’t decide on a tee, it is generally more fair for the better player to move up a tee than for the higher handicap player to move back.

Handicaps

Your handicap index has been set by the committee (and is subject to change throughout the summer). You and your opponent will use your index to find your course handicaps before each round. To do this, go to the USGA course handicap calculator: http://www.usga.org/course-handicap-calculator.html. Enter your index and the slope of your course and tees your are playing.

Example for a slope of 128:
TJ: 16.4 index = 19 course handicap
Pete: 9.2 index = 10 course handicap

Once course handicaps are determined, subtract the smaller course handicap from the larger course handicap to determine your match handicap. In this case, TJ’s course handicap is 9 strokes higher than Pete’s, which means he will get one stroke on the each of the top 9 handicap holes.

Tiebreakers

If opponents are tied after 18 holes, the winner will be determined by an on-card, instant, sudden-death tiebreaker based on who won the #1 handicap hole. If still tied. move to the #2 handicap hole, then #3, etc. until there is a winner.

Conceding putts/holes

There are no “gimmies” in match play. However, your opponent can concede your putt (and you his) at his discretion. Also, if you are hopelessly out of a hole and don’t want to prolong your own misery, you can pick up your own ball and concede a hole to your opponent at any time.

Order of play

Normally I’m a huge proponent of ready golf, but in match play, proper order of play can make a difference. That means using honors on the tee (the player who won the last hole), and whoever is farther from the hole should play first throughout the rest of the hole. If a player plays out of turn, the opponent has the option to make them replay the shot.

Schedule

All matches should be completed according to the calendar below:

First round: May 31
Second round: June 30
Third round: July 31
Final round: August 31

Consolation rd 1: July 31
Consolation rd 2: August 31
Consolation final: Sept 31

If you absolutely can’t complete your match in the allotted time, you may be granted an exception, but if one or both players are being unreasonable, a forfeit may be ruled.

Consolation Bracket

Losers in the first and second round will move into the Consolation Bracket. Losers in the semi-finals will advance into the third place game.

Reporting your score

Once your match is complete, please send your results and a picture of your scorecard to pete. If you have any photos or a match summary or anything you want to put on the website, send that, too.

Payouts

Champion $110
Second Place $60
Third Place $30
Consolation Champ: $40