PGS Local Rules

Pershore Golf Society – Local Rules

Document Background

The society follows The R&A - Rules Of Golf (randa.org) at all times however there are certain guidelines that it uses for its events throughout the year at a ‘local’ level and therefore this document outlines a summary of these

As a society the overall aim is to enjoy ourselves therefore there needs to be a degree of pragmatism applied and as a general approach honest mistakes will be forgiven, cheating (or gaining an advantage) will be penalised

The summary of these below are split across the differing competitions or under general headings

These will be reviewed on a regular basis or as the need arises

Last review on 28/10/22 – V1

Singles Competition

The top player as the first name out of the draw is responsible in contacting & arranging the match at a course of their choice (the choice does though have to be agreeable to both parties)

Three dates are to be offered to the opposing player

All matches to be played by the stipulated dates.

Fixtures not completed in time will result in the elimination of both players.

Match play format, full handicap difference to apply

Any handicap differences to be agreed before commencement of the round

Winner to notify the Competition Secretary of result within 48 hours of match played

Loss of match = 1 Ryder Cup Point.

Winning match = 5 Ryder Cup Points.

Walkovers/Byes = No points to either player.

Both the Final and Semi-final matches to be played at a neutral course to be agreed by both players

For the Final match PGS will pay £30 per player to subsidise the neutral course of choice

New rule for 2023 season

A player who wins a round and then subsequently decides (for whatever reason) to grant a walkover in the next, cannot do so before offering the losing player (the previous round) the opportunity to progress first. If the losing player declines, then a walkover is progressed. For example, Player A beats Player B in round 2 and therefore A goes through to round 3. Player A then cannot play round 3 for whatever reason and so instead of just granting a walkover to the opponent in round 3 they instead say to Player B you play it? If B cannot do it then a walkover is given.
There will be however no changes to the points as said losing player (B) retains their Ryder Cup 1 point and does not inherit a winning 5 points in respect of the match already played

New rule for the 2024 season

To participate in the singles competition, you must have participated in a minimum of two society golf days in the previous year. This restriction will not apply to new members in their first year.

Doubles Competition

• The playing format for this will be decided in the meeting prior to the scheduled event

Champion of Champions (CoC)

• The winner will be the player who accrues the most CoC points at the end of the playing year.

• Notes

The actual season end may differ each year but usually after the last qualifying golf day has been played for accrued points
The CoC for the season is based on the best 4 scores from the Individual Days. This may also change but will be defined on the PGS Web site.

• If two or more players remain tied after the above then the winner will then be decided by who has the most Ryder Cup points which includes all individual day points plus competitions Singles and Doubles points (excluding Angel Cup).

• If players are still tied after the above then a Play Off match will take place, Match play format, full handicap difference to apply

Tour

• Taking place over 3 days, stableford points format and the winner will have the most points accrued across the period

• Players who do not play the whole period (for whatever reason) discount themselves from winning the tour

• In the event of a tie at the end of three days then count back for the final day will be used

• An extra fourth day has been added in recent years but is not part of the tour competition

• After each of the tour days handicap adjustments are made (using the society handicap rules). Marked cards are also returned to the Handicap Secretary

• New rule for the 2024 season

Preferential access to the annual society golf tour will be given to existing members who have participated in a minimum of two society golf days in the previous year, then members who have not played in less than two events and then guests. This restriction will not apply to new members in their first year.

Medal Days

• Medal (stroke play) format

• All players must putt out

• A maximum of 10 shots recorded for each hole

Non-Medal Days

• Format will be outlined in the event invite via e-mail and confirmed by the Captain on the day

Race to the Angel

• As the culmination event for the year advantage will be given to those members with the most Ryder Cup points accrued throughout the season. The 2022 Rules were:

1st & 2nd – 4 shots
3rd & 4th – 3 shots
5th & 6th – 2 shots
7th to 10th – 1 shot

• Adjustments will be made for those attending the event vs the Ryder Cup standings for example if Player number’s 1 and 2 in the standings are not attending the event and Player number 3 is, they will be counted as getting the ‘1st – 4 shots’ therefore working down both attendance and Ryder Cup standing lists

• The Ryder Cup standings will be taken at the point in time when the event takes place. Although at the end of season there may be for example singles competition still ongoing (which attract Ryder cup points). There are no CoC or Ryder Cup points awarded in the Angel Cup.

General - In Play Rules

• The Captain will remind playing members of the rules and emphasise the need for good speed of play before every society day or the tour.

• The society supports ‘ready golf’. Speed of play must be kept up for example by not losing the group in front; leaving trollies and bags by the green exit to the next tee; not marking cards on the green; In stableford format, once a player cannot score then they are to declare the same, pick the ball up and move on (list not exhaustive)

• The three-minute rule for searching for a lost ball applies

• When a ball has gone out of bounds or has been lost and in order to keep up speed of play, they can drop out on the fairway for a two-shot penalty

General – Captains Discretion

• Based on any event there may be local rules, abnormal conditions or events not encountered previously that allows the Captain to use their discretion. For example, abnormal weather conditions have created waterlogged bunkers therefore enabling the captain to declare these GUR for the event

General – Dispute Resolution

• Please see the society constitution

Ryder Cup

• Ryder Cup points are accumulated based on the qualifying golf days throughout the year added to points won in the knockout competitions, singles, and doubles. Points are awarded to individuals based on their event placings (see below). These are then used for a match against another society and can be used deciding other competition for example CoC as and when required

• At the end of each season the society plays against another golf society and the top eight players in these standings plus two wild cards will join the Captain and Vice-Captain in representing Pershore Golf Society

• The home or away status of this fixture is rotated annually with the home team proposing the venue and playing format

• Points awarded are:

Singles Competition – 1 point for a loss and 5 for a win

Doubles Competition – 10 points each for winners, 8 points each for second places, 7 points each for third placing working all the way down using the same format. Everyone gets awarded at least 1 point for playing.

Medal Days –
- 15 points - 1st
- 12 points - 2nd
- 10 points - 3rd
- 9 points- 4th
- 8 points - 5th
- Working all the way down using the same format. Everyone gets awarded at least 1 point for playing