Rules And Information

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On behalf of the Needwood Staff and your fellow league members, we would like to welcome you to the Thursday 2-Player Team League here at Needwood. If you have decided to play in the league at Needwood, know that you are making a 22-week commitment for the regular season and possibly an additional 5 weeks for the playoffs. Please schedule accordingly out of respect and courtesy to other league members and staff. Unless otherwise stipulated below, USGA Match Play rules will govern all league play. In addition, we expect each and every member of our league to abide by specific league and course rules. Below is a brief synopsis of how we will set up the league this year.

Payment

• All players will pay an initial league fee of $185, which covers the prize pool for the season. This includes $5 per week in Weekly Prizes, End of Year Prize Pool and End of Year Banquet Costs.
• The weekly cost is $29.95 per player (Greens Fee) with an additional cost of $12 if you choose to Ride ($41.95 Total). Membership discounts will apply additionally.

Season Schedule/Tee Times

• There will be a Double Shotgun Start- 5 PM- Every Thursday, this may be shifted earlier due to daylight when we get to the end of the season. The 3rd and 4th Week of Playoffs will likely shift to a tee time format, with the last week League Banquet- Shifting Back to a Shotgun Event.
• There will be 22 weeks to our regular season, this will span a time frame of April 11th through September 12th.(Skipping Thursday July 4th-Week 13)
• Playoffs will be 5 weeks long with a final League Banquet (End of Season Shotgun Event & Championship Match) on October 17th.

Playoffs

• The top 32 teams will make the Playoffs.
• Seeding for playoffs will be determined by regular season points. In the event of a two-team tie, the 1st tiebreaker will be the team that won the head-to-head match played between the two teams during the regular season. ONLY FOR QUALIFYING POSITIONS (e.g. tie for 32nd place in a 32 team bracket) - If that match had resulted in a tie or if the two teams did not play each other during the regular season, the 2nd tiebreaker will be a postseason 3-hole mini-match. In the event of a tie among three or more teams for a qualifying position, the tiebreaker will be a postseason mini-match among all the teams involved.
• Any playoff match that results in a tie will require a sudden death tiebreaker, beginning with the first hole you played and proceeding from there. The tie will be broken by net best ball score only -- cumulative net strokes do not matter in the tiebreaker. The first team to win a hole with the better net best ball score wins the match.
• Substitutes will be permitted in any round of the playoffs, however playoff substitutes must have at least two eligible scores in the league handicap system from the current season of this league. In addition, a team may not use a league player from an eliminated team as a substitute for a playoff match.
• If a playoff team drops before the playoffs or cannot attend their playoff match, then the 33 seed gets in and each seed slides down a spot until you reach the dropped team. If 2 teams drop, then 33 and 34 get in, and so on.
• If there is any inclement weather during any week of the playoffs, you are expected to make up that match prior to next week's matches. Make Up Matches may be scheduled any weekday 4pm or later. The course must have the available tee time slot, and it must be booked in advance.

Pre-Play/Warm-Up

• Pre-Play Warm-Ups: If you wish to arrive to the course earlier, before your match, pre-round practice will be limited to the Driving Range, Chipping & Putting Greens, and the Executive Nine ONLY. League members and subs are not permitted to play any part of the 18-hole course prior to their match -- the penalty for this infraction is a forfeit of the match.
• Post Play: Post play is no longer permitted as the league is a Double-Shotgun, so matches will still be ongoing on both sides.

Handicaps

• We use a modified version of the WHS Handicap System to maintain our 9-hole league handicaps.
• All rules, schedules, standings, handicaps and scores will be available at all times on this site.
• Handicaps will be updated weekly, and unless you played in the league in a previous season, your first match handicap will be based on the handicap you provided. If no handicap is provided, you will play to a scratch (0 Handicap) until league scores are obtained.
• New players will receive an initial handicap index based on 10 simulated scores. Once the playoffs begin, the simulated scores will be removed.

Scoring

• All scoring will be based off the low man's handicap. The low-man is the player with the lowest handicap for the match being played. Each player's handicap will then be subtracted from the low-man's handicap for the total amount of strokes given, per player, for the match.
• Each Match will be based on a total of 8 points: Each 3 hole match will be scored according to most holes won (best ball) and low team cumulative net (2 points per match for a total of 6 points). In addition, 2 points will be awarded at the end of the round for total holes won and total team net.
• Since the scoring system uses total team net, each player needs to finish each hole. The handicap software will automatically reduce any score larger than double-bogey back down to a double-bogey for handicap purposes. However, the scorecard must include an accurate raw score for each player, which may include triple-bogeys, quadruple-bogeys, etc. Remember, no gimmies, finish out all putts.

Attendance

• Any team that does not show up for a match will be given 0 points for that week. Additionally, at least one member of your team must be present each week (no double substitutes)
• No Shows
  • 8 points will be awarded to any team whose opponent "No-Shows" a match, as long as a completed 9-hole scorecard is submitted via the GolfLeagueSite app.
  • At least one member of your team must be present for your team to win the full 8 points.
  • Matches against No-Show teams are not eligible for prize money, as there is no one to attest your scores.
• Late Arrival
  • Any player that does not arrive to their starting tee within 5 minutes of the posted tee time will forfeit the first hole.
  • After the first hole is missed, the late player will forfeit each subsequent hole that their group tees off without them.

Substitutes

• If your schedule requires you to miss a week of league play a substitute may fill in for you. It helps to have at least one person in mind that can fill in for you at any given time throughout the season.
• This substitute must either have an active 18-hole WHS handicap or they will be required to play as a 0.
• After the first round a sub plays, they will be placed on our Sub List and will be given an established 9-hole handicap for the next time they play as a sub.
• Please let the League Manager know of any subs as soon as possible so that the necessary changes can be made to your scorecard ahead of time. Also, be sure to select the substitute before you begin live scoring on the GolfLeagueSite app.

Inclement Weather

• Should we experience a rain out on any given week, except during playoffs and the league is cancelled, the next scheduled match will be played the following week, as planned. If heavy rains should persist, we will make every effort to cancel the league, through e-mail notification, NO LATER than 3:00 PM. Always call the Pro Shop if the weather is questionable.

Rescheduling Matches

• It is ideal and preferred that all matches are played on league night. If, however, you wish to reschedule your match for any reason, Please stay in contact with your opponents, not the Pro-Shop, to reschedule your matches. You should only call the pro shop when scheduling your make-up tee time.
• All make up matches must be rescheduled prior to the following Thursday's match. If there is no agreement on time, the team wanting to change will forfeit all 8 points to the team who could make it, barring the team who could make it showed up and played their originally scheduled match time.
• Make-up matches must be scheduled Monday thru Friday, as tee times permit, and will not be eligible for prize money.

Prize Money

• $420 in prizes ($210 each week, per side) are awarded each week for the following categories (listed in order):
  • Team Low Gross-Front 9 ($35/player), Team Low Gross-Back 9 ($35/player)
  • Team Low Net-Front 9 ($35/player), Team Low Net-Back 9 ($35/player)
  • Individual Low Gross-Front 9 ($35), Individual Low Gross-Back 9 ($35)
  • Individual Low Net-Front 9 ($35), Individual Low Net-Back 9 ($35)
• You can only win prize money in one category each week, therefore any team victory will trump an individual prize and the next highest individual score will win.
• Teams playing with a Regular (Non-Sanctioned) Substitute are not eligible for the two weekly team prizes, however, the league member on that team can still win individual prizes for that week. IF a Sanctioned Sub is in play, prize money eligibility remains.
• Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Regular Season Points Winners as well as the Playoff Champions.
  • Regular Season Points Champion - $900 ($450/player)
  • 2nd Place Regular Season Points - $700 ($350/player)
  • 3rd Place Regular Season Points - $500 ($250/player)
  • Playoff Champions - $1000 ($500/player)
  • Playoff Runner Up - $700 ($350/player)
• Prize money will be split evenly among any teams that tie for Regular Season Points Champion or Runner Up, regardless of tiebreaker results for seeding purposes (see Playoffs/League Banquet above)

Hazards: Penalties, Drops, and Relief

• Hole 1
  • WATER LEFT: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
  • HIGH GRASS: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
  • CREEK/TRENCH: water hazard (yellow stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• Hole 2
  • HIGH GRASS LEFT: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
  • HIGH GRASS AND WOODS RIGHT: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
  • WOODS BEHIND HOLE: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• Hole 3
  • WOODS LEFT AND RIGHT: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• Hole 4
  • HIGH GRASS AND WOODS RIGHT: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
  • HIGH GRASS NEAR GREEN: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• Hole 5
  • WOODS NEAR GREEN: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• Hole 6
  • HIGH GRASS AND WOODS LEFT: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
  • WATER COOLER BETWEEN #6 GREEN AND #7 TEE: Immovable obstruction, proceed under rule 16-1. Note, you cannot apply rule 16-1 unless the immovable obstruction is interfering with your stance or swing. For example, you cannot take relief under 16-1 if your ball lies 6 feet from the cooler just because it is in your line to the hole.
• Hole 7
  • HIGH GRASS LEFT: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• Hole 8
  • HAZARDS LEFT: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
  • HIGH GRASS BEHIND GREEN: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• Hole 9
  • CREEK/TRENCH RIGHT: water hazard (yellow stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
  • HAZARDS LEFT: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• Hole 10
  • WATER RIGHT: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
  • DRIVING RANGE LEFT: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• Hole 11
  • HIGH GRASS RIGHT: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
  • DRIVING RANGE LEFT OF FENCE: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here. NOTE: you can only apply rule 24-2 (immovable obstruction) if the fence is interfering with your stance or swing. Even in that case, you must drop within one club length of the nearest point of relief no closer to the hole. There is no scenario where you can drop on the opposite side of the fence when taking such relief.
  • DRIVING RANGE RIGHT OF FENCE: - immovable obstruction - if the fence interferes with your swing or if your ball is stuck in the fence, drop within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole - no penalty. Details here.
  • WOODS BEHIND GREEN: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• Hole 12
  • HIGH GRASS RIGHT: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
  • WOODS LEFT: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• Hole 13
  • HIGH GRASS AND WOODS ENTIRE HOLE: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• Hole 14
  • HIGH GRASS AND WOODS ENTIRE HOLE: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• Hole 15
  • WATER: water hazard (yellow stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit [YOU MAY USE THE DROP AREA IN FRONT OF THE WATER, MEANING THAT YOUR NEXT STROKE NEED NOT TRAVEL OVER THE WATER -- NOTE: THIS AREA MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE MARKED ON THE GROUND]. Details here.
  • HIGH GRASS PRIOR TO WATER: treat as water hazard (yellow stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
  • WOODS BEHIND HOLE: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• Hole 16
  • WATER RIGHT OF GREEN: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
  • HIGH GRASS BEHIND GREEN: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• Hole 17
  • WOODS BEHIND GREEN: lateral hazard (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• Hole 18
  • WATER: water hazard (yellow stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. [YOU MAY USE THE DROP AREA IN FRONT OF THE WATER, MEANING THAT YOUR NEXT STROKE NEED NOT TRAVEL OVER WATER -- NOTE: THIS AREA MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE MARKED ON THE GROUND]. Details here.
  • HIGH GRASS LEFT: lateral hazard (yellow stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Details here.
• General
  • If a ball is lost in play, decide between the two teams on the most likely location of the lost ball. A drop should be taken from that spot with one penalty stroke.
  • On the putting green, a ball that comes to rest in or on an aeration hole may be placed at the nearest spot not nearer the hole that avoids the situation. Enforcement of this rule typically results in moving your ball on the green laterally (no closer to the hole) less than one inch, in order to get out of an aeration hole.
  • Casual water: Find the nearest point of relief no closer to the hole where neither you or your ball lie in water that can be seen without pressing your feet up and down. You may then drop your ball within 1 club length from that point no nearer to the hole at no penalty. If your ball is in an area that has been hit by sprinkler water, this rule applies provided that your ball is actually in casual water from the sprinkler. If your ball is simply wet from a sprinkler you cannot lift it or dry it, play it as it lies.
  • Interference by cart path or sprinkler head: You are entitled to a penalty free drop within one club length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole.
  • Rocks, stones, and tree roots are neither movable nor immovable obstructions, you do not get relief under Rule 24 from them. Rocks and stones are loose impediments if they are small enough that you can easily move them. You must proceed under rule 15 if you'd like to remove such an impediment.
  • Ground under repair must be marked on the course (a small fence, sign, or other notice). If you think your ball lies in ground under repair but there is no indication or marking, play it as it lies.
  • If your ball comes to rest on hard pan that borders the cart path, you may take relief without penalty at the nearest point no closer to the hole, even if the cart path itself will not interfere with your shot.
  • If a player hits the wrong ball, the mistake must be corrected (go back and play the correct ball) and a 2-stroke penalty is assessed. The owner of the ball that was incorrectly hit does not incur a penalty and must place it as near to the original spot as possible. See USGA rules for more clarity on making strokes at the incorrect ball.
  • Any further Ruling Decisions and/or questions pertaining to the rules of the course and the Needwood Thursday Night Golf League will be left to the discretion of Kim Mabry, General Manager, and the two teams involved in the match.

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