Rules Governing Team Competition

1) Rules & Handicaps

• USGA Match Play rules apply. Match play prevails.
• Use your current handicap based on your USGA Index.
• Maximum allowable handicap is 18.

Handicaps are official as of Tuesday morning the day of the match.

2) Team Eligibility & Player Limits

• Each team consists of 6 bona fide members of the club, eligible to compete in events at their own club.
• No substitutes or borrowing players from another club.
• A player may play for only one club during the season. Once a player plays for a team, their designation is declared.
• Except for the Wind Up, a maximum of 8 players from any one club may play on a given day (6 team members + 2 alternates).
• Junior members playing under a parent membership and under age 24 may compete in no more than 2 matches, including the Championship Match.

3) Match Format & Points

Each team is divided into 3 twosomes that play a similar twosome from the opposing club.

Individual Matches (Handicap Match Play)

• Each player plays an individual opponent with the full difference in handicaps allowed as they fall on the card.
• Points awarded: 1 point to the winner of each 9 holes and the 18-hole match (ties: ½ point each).

Best Ball Match (Twosome vs Twosome)

• Each twosome plays the opposing twosome in a handicap match play best ball match.
• The lowest handicap player in the foursome is converted to scratch (0), and other handicaps are adjusted downward accordingly.
• Points awarded: 1 point to the winner of each 9 holes and the 18-hole match.

4) Order of Play, Tee Order, and Late Policy

• Players must compete in order of handicap: lowest handicap is the #1 player, second lowest is #2, etc.
• Tee off is in reverse order of handicap (highest handicap to lowest). The first group to tee off is typically the #5 and #6 players.
• Once the teams of 6 have teed off, the handicap order cannot be changed. The three groups may tee off in any order within the allowed time period.
• Late penalty: if a player arrives after their group has already holed out, they forfeit that hole and any subsequent holes their group has holed out before they arrive.

5) Forfeiture Rules (if players are absent)

If all or part of a match is forfeited, the points available are limited as follows:

• If a player’s opponent is absent, the present player can receive a maximum of 3 points.
• If both opponents are absent in a twosome matchup, that twosome can receive a maximum of 6 points.
• If an entire team is absent, the present team can receive a maximum of 18 points.
• If one team has fewer players than the other, the acting captain of the team with more players determines pairings; a 1 vs 2 situation may be required for match points.

6) Standings & Tiebreakers

• Standings are determined by games won and lost.
• A tie match results in ½ win and ½ loss for each team.

If tied at the end of the season, use this tiebreak order:

1. Fewest number of losses
2. Head-to-head record (if all teams play each other)
3. Average points won per match
4. Coin flip

7) Divisions & Season Structure

• The format consists of two conferences/divisions: Red and White.
• Season includes at least 9 regular matches and concludes with a Championship Match on the Wind Up date.

8) The Championship Match (Wind Up Finals)

• The two teams with the best record from each division enter the finals.
• Six players represent each team and compete in order of handicap. To be eligible, a player must have played in at least one regular team match.
• Format: an individual 3-point match played simultaneously within foursomes (each player plays the other three in match play).
• Tee off is in reverse order of handicap.
• A grand total of 54 points can be won by a team.

Championship Tiebreaker

• If tied, use a head-to-head scorecard comparison for players 1–6 (front / back / total point for each matchup).
• If still tied, use the back nine points from the head-to-head format.
• If still tied, the team with the best won/loss record in regulation play is champion.

9) Wind Up Day

• The final scheduled date is the Wind Up, followed by the annual dinner meeting.
• There is no team competition that day except the Championship Match.
• All members who played in one or more team matches are eligible for the Wind Up (limit of 8 players per club).
• Carts are required.

10) Fees, Alternates, and Scheduling Notes

• Fees are $70 per player (including alternates). These cover green fees, prizes, and MDGA expenses (cart rental excluded).
• $20 of the $70 is refunded if the player stays for dinner.
• Each captain is liable for a minimum of $420 per match (6 players × $70), plus alternates if used.
• Alternates (2 per club) must contact the host pro prior to the weekend before the match. Alternates are first come, first served with capacity limits.

11) Additional Rules & Notes

• If carts and/or caddies are not available due to playing conditions, matches may be called off and rescheduled by the Executive Committee.
• Metal spikes are not allowed.
• Cell phones are not permitted except for emergencies (clear with opponent and/or an officer).
• Special rules for slow play: see the attached slow play rules referenced in the official packet.