COMPETITION FORMATS & HANDICAP ALLOWANCE
Competitions take two basic forms – match play or stroke play. In match play two players or sides compete against each other on a hole by hole basis. In stroke play a player or side competes against the whole field on their score over the whole round or rounds.
MATCH PLAY
For allowances for ladies please follow the link below
CONGU Web site
1. SINGLES
Format
One player competes directly against one other player
Handicap allowance
The player with the higher handicap of the two receives strokes amounting to the full difference between the two handicaps. These strokes are taken at the holes indicated by the stroke index.
2. PAIRS (FOUR BALL-BETTER BALL)
Format
Two players form a side, each playing their own ball throughout. The better score of the partners is the score for the side.
Handicap allowance.
The three players with the highest handicaps of the four each receive strokes amounting to three quarters of the difference between their own handicap and that of the lowest handicap of the four. Their strokes are taken at the holes indicated by the stroke index.
3. FOURSOME
Format
Two players form a side and hit alternate shots with the one ball. The two players drive alternately from successive tees.
Handicap Allowance
The two players on each side add their handicap together. The partners, with the higher combined handicap, receive strokes amounting to a half of the difference between the combined handicaps of the two sides. These strokes are taken at the holes indicated by the stroke index.
4. GREENSOME
Format
Two players form a side and both drive off each tee. Either ball may be selected to continue the hole and subsequent shots are played alternately until the hole is completed.
Handicap Allowance
Multiply the lower handicap of the two partners by 0.6 and the higher handicap by 0.4, and add the two figures together to give the full Greensome handicap of the side. The partners, with the higher Greensome handicap, receive strokes amounting to the full difference between the Greensome handicaps of the two sides. These strokes are taken at the holes indicated by the stroke index.
N.B. – If in any match it is all square after 18 holes and play continues to determine a winner, strokes are taken at subsequent holes as though the match had re-started.
STROKE PLAY
1. MEDALS
Format
In Medal Competitions the number of shots that a golfer takes to play a hole is recorded for each hole. This is recorded as the gross score.
Handicap Allowance
The full handicap is deducted from the total gross score for 18 holes to determine the net score. The player recording the best net score is the winner of the competition.
2. STABLEFORD
Format
A Stableford Competition is a form of stroke play where the gross score on each hole is translated into a points value after application of the players handicap allowance. A score of 2 over par or more on a hole = 0 points; one over par = 1 point; par = 2 points; one under par = 3 points; and two under par = 4 points.
Handicap Allowance
Players receive their full handicap allowance and the strokes are taken at the holes indicated by the stroke index. The player with the highest number of points is the winner of the competition.
3. ECLECTIC
Format
Competitors play one or more rounds, choosing their best score at each hole to make up their eclectic score.
Handicap Allowance
If played over two rounds, each competitor deducts 5/6ths of the full handicap from the Eclectic score for the two rounds. If played over three rounds deduct 4/5ths of the handicap from the Eclectic score. If played over four rounds deduct ¾, five rounds 2/3 and six or more rounds, a half.
4. BOGEY (PAR)
Each player plays against the par for each hole, counting a win if the player holes out in less than the par for the hole, zero if it is equalled, and a loss if the ball is held out in more than par. The aggregate of wins and losses is taken to give a final score of so many holes up or down as the case may be to Bogey or (par).
Handicap Allowance
Each player receives their full handicap and the strokes are taken at the holes indicated by the stroke index.
5. TEXAS SCRAMBLE
Format
Usually played by a team of four. Each golfer tees off and the best shot is selected (it may be stipulated that a minimum number of drives must be taken from each member of the team). The position is marked and each member of the team places their ball within 12 inches of that position, but not nearer the hole and plays their shot. The best shot is again selected and the process repeated. When the ball is on the green, it is marked. The other balls are placed within 6 inches of the marker but not nearer the hole. The first ball to be holed is the score that counts for the team.
Handicap Allowance
The combined handicap for the team is divided by the number of team players to provide the handicap for the team, the strokes are taken at the holes indicated by the stroke index.
COUNTBACK
In a stroke play competition where the scores are equal, the winner is normally determined by a “countback”. This is conducted sequentially, best back 9, best back 6, best back 3, best back 1, the winner being the first to be ahead on each of these counts.
VARIATIONS
The Committee or the Captain may vary the format for a particular competition and these variations will normally be indicated on the tee-off sheet or with instructions at the start of the competition.
Michael Wilson – Hon. Secretary – 1st March 2005
