GENERAL RULES

• USGA match play rules govern play.
• The player with the lowest net score wins the hole.
• Match standings are given as a certain number of holes up, a certain number of holes down, or all square (AS).
• A winner is declared and the match is over when one player is down by more holes than remain. For example if player A is three holes up with two holes to play, Player A is declared the winner and the results would read: Player A 3 & 2. If player A is one up going into the 18th hole, and Player A wins the hole, the results would be shown as Player A 2 up.
• League play scoring is similar to hockey where a match win is awarded two points (2), a tie is awarded (1) point and a loss zero (0).
• The top sixteen players in each division advance to the playoffs. See PLAYOFFS section for tiebreaker rules.
• If the match ends all square (AS), the match is declared a draw and each player will receive one (1) point. The exception to this rule is during the playoffs (see PLAYOFFS).
• Players shall play and record all 18 holes regardless of match standings.
• In match play, players do not have the option to putt-out as they do in stroke play. The player farthest away always putts first.
• In match play, players have the option to concede putts. Since scores will be posted, please be conservative when conceding putts.
• Players should not concede putts for scores under par/net par since there is a weekly birdie contest (see WEEKLY WINNERS).
• Players should review the USGA rules of golf for additional information on rules of match play.

MERCHANDISE PRIZES

• Merchandise certificates will be redeemable at the player's home course.
• Payouts for each Division (divisions limited to 96 players) are as follows and are based on a full field*:

• City Champions for each division will be recognized in the Hall of Champions section of the City Golf League website.

WEEKLY WINNERS

• Each week the player with the most net birdies per division will receive a dozen Titleist Pro V1 balls. Birdie point totals are assessed as follows:

• Net and gross birdies are calculated the same; i.e. gross birdie and net birdie are awarded one (1) point. A birdie/net eagle is awarded two (2) points and an eagle/ net double eagle is awarded three (3) points.
• All ties carryover to the next week (tying players only). Points and prizes also carry over and the player/players with the highest cumulative total is declared the weekly winner.
• In the event of a final week carryover, all players tied for the weekly birdie contest will split the weekly contest prize.
• To qualify for the weekly birdie contest, matches must be played on or before the weekly deadline.
• Only points accumulated for the scheduled week of play will be counted towards the birdie total.
• Players that have a bye on their schedule are not eligible for the contest during the week of their bye.
• A player can win the birdie contest more than once during the season, but a player is not allowed to win consecutive weeks.
• There is no weekly birdie contest once the playoffs commence.

SEASON

• Cost of City Golf League is $85 per season. Weather allowing there will be four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.
• A season consists of four matches over a four-week period followed by a two week single elimination playoff.
• Season end date will be clearly posted on the website.

HANDICAPS

• A current USGA Handicap Index is required to participate.
• Players are responsible for keeping handicaps up to date on the City Golf League website (http://www.ghin.com/lookup_t.shtml)
• Print your scorecard from the City Golf League website prior to each match. Scorecards indicate who receives strokes and on what holes strokes are taken. Printing scorecards prior to match play will eliminate any confusion regarding handicaps.

DIVISIONS

• Players will be bracketed by division according to handicaps. Divisions will be limited to 96 players.
• Men and women will compete in the same division.

HOME COURSE

• Players will be asked to select a home course at registration.
• The player's home course will be listed on the player profile page and the leaderboard.
• Merchandise certificates are redeemable at the player's home course.
• The player with the home course designation for the scheduled week of play has the option of playing at his/her home course or selecting another GCL course for that week's match.

SCHEDULING

• Schedules will be available on the City Golf League website after registration has closed.
• The player with home course designation should initiate contact for scheduling a match with their opponent.
• Players are responsible for their own tee times and green fees.
• If a player cannot play, the player who can play has the option of rescheduling or taking a default victory. Please make every effort to play each match - even if rescheduling is required.
• Some players will have a bye on their schedule. A bye is counted as a win and awarded two (2) points.

SCORING

• Play is net match play.
• A match victory is awarded two points (2), a tie is awarded (1) point and a loss zero (0). The top 16 players with the most points at the end of the season advance to the playoffs (see PLAYOFFS section for tiebreaker rules).
• The home course player will keep score.
• Both players shall sign the scorecard at the close of a match.
• The winner of the match will keep the card.
• The winner of the match is responsible for posting scores on the City Golf League website.
• A tie is posted as a draw until playoff season.

TEE BOXES

• Men play from the blue tees and women play from the red tees.
• Men 65 and older play from the white tees.

DRAWS

• If a match is all square at the end of 18 holes, the match is a draw (except during playoffs - see PLAYOFFS section rules).

STANDINGS

• You can view league standing on the HOME PAGE and the LEADERBOARD page.
• Players are awarded points based on match results: two (2) points for a win, one (1) point for a draw and zero (0) points for a loss.
• A bye is counted as a win and is awarded two (2) points.
• The top 16 Players with the highest total points advance to the playoffs

PLAYOFFS

• Top 16 players for each division advance to the playoffs.
• The two-week playoffs begin immediately following the regular season.
• Playoffs are single elimination.
• The eventual champion and runner-up will play four matches in this two-week period
• Tiebreaker for playoff spots are as follows:
  • Player with most wins.
  • Player with lowest handicap.
• If a playoff match ends in a draw, there will be a sudden death putt-off held on the practice green immediately after the match. Players putt everything, and the first player to win a hole is the winner. The player putting second always has a chance to tie the hole. The player who last held the tee selects the first hole. Players alternate hole selection after the first hole until a winner is declared.

DISTANCE-MEASURING DEVICES

Rule 14-3 Appendix I; Part B; Section 9.

In City Golf League match play, a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, windspeed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.

QUESTIONS / COMMENTS

• Contact tournament chairman at tchair@citygolfleague.com