BARWON DISTRICT SOCIAL GOLF CLUB GEELONG |
GOLF GAMES
AND HOW THEY ARE PLAYED
REMEMBER
- There are other players on the course apart from yourself
- To call following players through when a ball is ‘lost.
- To be ready to play your shot when it is your turn.
GOLF COMPETITIONS AND HOW THEY ARE PLAYED
Stroke
The score at each hole is entered on the score card , totalled and the player’s full handicap deducted. The player who completes the stipulated round in the fewest net strokes is the winner. Usually a gross winner is also determined.
Match Play (BRIAN'S ANTENNAS SINGLES KNOCKOUT)
This traditional form of the game sees two individuals or two sides competing against each other with the number of holes won or lost deciding the match. The match is completed when one side is ahead after the stipulated number of holes or is more holes up than the number of holes remaining to be played. The number of strokes awarded in this competition is the difference between the players’ handicaps. Where there are more than 18 strokes difference between players’ handicaps, the higher handicapped players will receive 2 or 3 strokes per hole where applicable. It is usual for the Committee to prescribe sudden-death continuation if a match is all square after the required holes. In this case handicap strokes are used as in the original round In four-ball match play, the lowest marker reverts to scratch and gives strokes to the higher markers, eg A is on a 4 handicap, B on 8, C on 12 and D on 27. A receives no strokes, B gets 4 strokes, C gets 8 strokes and D gets 23 strokes, irrespective of who is A’s partner.
Par
Players need to allocate full handicap strokes to each hole, as explained for Individual Stableford competition. Once players mentally determine their own par for each hole, the Individual Par competition challenges them to beat their own par. If players do exceed their par, they score a ‘+’ (plus) for the hole. If players equal their own par they are said to have halved the hole which is scored with a ‘□’. If par is not achieved, a ‘-‘ (minus) sign is recorded. At the en,d of the round the plus and minus signs are added and the net result written in as so many ‘up’, ‘down’ or ‘halved’. A player is allowed their full stroke handicap and the strokes are taken at holes as indicated on the card. Where the handicap is more than 18, two strokes will be allowed on the number of holes that the handicap exceeds 18. These strokes will be taken in the same order as followed for the first 18 holes unless the index goes beyond 18. Once again, when marking the score card, the number of strokes taken must always be shown for holes where a ‘□’or ‘+’ is scored. Thus, the card records both strokes and plus, half or minus.
Four-Ball Par
Two players play as partners each taking strokes at holes as in a par competition. If one of the partners wins a hole and the other halves it only the win is counted. If one halves a hole with par and the other loses it only the half is counted and so on. Plus, half and minus signs are added at the end of the round and recorded as in an ordinary par competition. In a four-ball handicap event care must be taken to mark the scores of each player in separate columns headed by the initials of the player. If the scores are mixed and it is impossible for the committee to check the card the players will be disqualified.
Bisque Bogey:
Bisque Bogey is a variation on a standard par event, except the player can decide when and how many handicap strokes he or she will use on each hole. This decision is made AFTER completing each hole. The player informs their marker of how many handicap strokes they wish to use for the completed hole. Over the course of 18 holes the total number of handicap strokes used cannot exceed the players’ handicap. The handicap used and par score gained on any previous holes cannot be altered once the next hole is commenced. Any handicap not utilised by the end of the round is lost. Marking the card is done by recording the stroke score in the first column, the number of handicap strokes taken in the second column and the resultant par score of “+”, “0” or “-“ in the third column. At the completion of play the second column should be totalled and must not exceed the players’ handicap whilst the third column should be totalled and entered at the top of the score card as the players result.
Stableford
Stableford involves scoring points based on results at each hole. Using the index for each hole, players are able to make a mental allocation of their full handicap for each of the 18 holes. For example, a player on a handicap of 18 will add one shot to the par value of each hole to determine their own par for the hole. Thus a hole rated as a par 4 becomes a par 5 for the player. The points scoring method is then calculated by allocating two points for a par, one point for one over, three points for one under, four points for two under, and so on. For example, a player receiving a stroke on a par 4 hole scores 4 giving them a net 3; for this the player receives 3 points. A player at a par 3 hole scores a 4 but does not receive a stroke; for this the player would receive 1 point. Players who exceed their own par by two strokes score no points for the hole and, since they cannot improve on that result, they should pick up their ball. At the end of the round all points scored are added up and the player having the highest number of points is the winner. When marking the score card, the number of strokes taken must always be shown for holes where points are scored. Thus, the card records both strokes and points.
Four-Ball Stableford
This event is played in exactly the same manner as a Four-Ball Par, except that the better ball of the partnership will be credited with points rather than a plus, half or minus.
Singapore Stableford
All players play stableford off scratch, scoring in the normal manner. At the completion of the round points are added and the player's handicap is added to obtain the final score. For example a player off an 18 handicap who scored 18 points during the round would add 18 and 18 to get to a 36 score.
Foursomes
Two players play as partners and use one ball. The partners strike off alternately from the tee and thereafter strike the ball alternately during the play of each hole. Scoring is done as for a stroke round and the total is subject to a deduction of half the partners’ aggregate handicaps. Note: If either player incurs a penalty stroke it does not alter the rotation of play. In a foursome stroke play competition which consists of more than one stipulated round, the order of play may be changed between rounds unless the Committee has laid down as a condition of play that the original order of play must be preserved throughout the competition.
Canadian Foursomes
This event is played as per a Foursomes event except that both players play tee shots at every hole and afterwards continue with whichever ball they nominate, with the partner playing the second stroke. Handicap allowance is ⅜ of aggregate stroke handicap for stroke competitions.
American Foursomes or Pinehurst Foursomes
Both players play tee shots at each hole, and then play a second stroke with their partner's ball. One ball is then selected and play proceeds as in foursomes with the owner of the ball selected playing the third stroke. Handicap allowance is ⅜ of aggregate stroke handicap for stroke competitions. This event is sometimes called "Pinehurst Foursomes".
Ambrose Competition
Playing in handicap order from highest to lowest, each player plays a tee shot at each hole. The Captain selects the best ball and marks its position. This ball must not be lifted and played where it lies. Each player’s drive must be used minimum three times, maximum six times, (Four man Ambrose), minimum four times, maximum eight times (Three man Ambrose) and six times (Two man Ambrose) in the round. Each player then places their ball within one club length and plays in the same order. If the selected ball lies in the rough, players drop their ball within one club length IN THE ROUGH. If the selected ball lies within a hazard , each player to DROP within one club length, not nearer the hole, IN THE HAZARD . When on the green the ball must be placed within 1 putter head and may be putted out of turn. Handicap 1/8 of team aggregate for 4 man Ambrose (if only 3 players 1/6) and 1/4 of aggregate for 2 man.