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 18/2/25 – V13.

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.
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.

- The tour including fourth day and Malvern Mafia events do not count towards any society golf days in relation to this rule.

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 is based on the best 4 scores from qualifying events.
This total may also change from season to season but will be defined on the PGS Web site
Qualifying events are all days excluding the singles, doubles, tour including any fourth day, Malvern mafia and any team match events.
This total may also change from season to season 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.

• 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 (R&A Rules apply).

• 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.

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.

- The tour including fourth day and Malvern Mafia events do not count towards any society golf days in relation to this rule.

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.

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.

No Return (NR) - In relation to the format of the day a NR of a marked card from a playing member to the captain on completion of the round will be considered not acceptable as (a), not fitting with the ethos of the society in terms of trying your best even when you are having a poor playing day and (b), not playing on in support of your fellow playing members which may also have an impact on any team format. Only a valid reason will be considered for a NR for example an injury preventing playing on, an emergency or inclement weather where cards are ruined due to rain (list of reasons not exhaustive) and this reason will be communicated to the captain on the day. Without a valid and acceptable reason, an NR will result in an instant 10% cut of the members playing handicap.

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

• 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

• Qualifying events are all excluding tour including any fourth day, Malvern Mafia and any team match events.

• Points are awarded to individuals based on event placings (see below)

• If for any reason the Ryder Cup is held, for example, mid-season as opposed to at the end then the total points will be taken up to the previous event.

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.

Qualifying Events

• The table below outlines what events contribute to awarded points outlined in this document:

Ryder Cup CoC

(Points) (best 4)

Singles Yes No

Doubles Yes No

Christmas Special Yes Yes

Winter Special Yes Yes

Medal 1 Yes Yes

Medal 2 Yes Yes

Medal 3 Yes Yes

Medal 4 Yes Yes

Medal 5 Yes Yes

Official tour (3 days) No No

Optional tour day No No

Summer Special Yes Yes

Malvern Mafia No No

Team matches No No