Glossary of Golf Competitions

These notes are intended to assist in the general concept of how various competitions are played at Beverley Park Golf Club; they must be read in conjunction with the Rules of Golf.

STROKE

The score at each hole is entered on the score card. The 18 hole score is totalled and then the handicap is deducted. The Player who completes the stipulated round in the fewest strokes will be the handicap winner. Their will sometimes be scratch winners (total score without handicap).

PAR

In Par play the score is entered on the card in the same way as in stroke play with the exception that where the score exceeds par for the hole, after allowing for handicap stroke (if the player is in receipt of one) the score need not be written in. A dash is sufficient to indicate a “wipe”. It is the custom that when a player is beaten by Par, the ball shall be picked up. This helps speed up play.

After entering the stroke score for each hole on the card, the result is marked in the column provided, with a (+) sign for a score better than par, an (0) for a square with par and a (-) for less than par. At the end of the round the plus and minus signs are added and the net result written in as so many (+), (-) or a (0) for square with the card. Players handicap strokes are taken at holes as indicated on the Card.

BISQUE PAR

This event is a variation of the individual Par competition, where players allocate their handicap to each hole however they want. In Bisque Par competition you allocate your handicap on a hole-by-hole basis depending on the state of the game at the time. However, it is necessary to mark on the card the number of handicap strokes allocated to each hole after playing the hole and before hitting off the next tee. The game is played as an individual Par competition, and scored in the same fashion. Players can use as many handicap strokes as they like on each hole. The allocation of handicap strokes will obviously cease once the player’s full handicap has been used.

STABLEFORD

The method of playing a Stableford competition is for the player to take strokes at holes as in a Par competition using their handicap and to score points on the net results at each hole. At the end of the round all points scored are added up and the player having the highest number of points is the winner.

In scoring, without allowing for handicaps, a player who scores par receives 2 points, for a bogey or 1 over par, 1 point, for a birdie or 1 under par, 3 points, for an eagle or 2 under par, 4 points, and so on. For example, a player receiving a stroke on a par 4 hole scores 4 giving 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.

FOUR BALL BEST BALL v. PAR

Two players play as partners each taking strokes at holes as in a par competition. If one of the scores a plus (+) on a hole and the other squares it (0), only the (+) is counted. If one squares a hole with par and the other scores a minus (-) only the square 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.

FOUR BALL BEST BALL STABLEFORD

Played in exactly the same manner as above except that the better score of the partnership will be credited with points instead of plus, half or minus.

MIXED FOUR BALL BEST BALL v. PAR or STABLEFORD

These games are played as described previously except that the WGA player plays from her tees and the AGU player plays from his tees.

HANDICAPPING IN FOUR BALL EVENTS

Only one partner’s score is to be entered on the card for each hole. If the card totals 42 Stable ford points, or Plus 6 in a par event, or better, both/either players are liable to be handicapped.

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 at each hole. Scoring is done as for a stroke round and the total is subject to a deduction of half the partners’ aggregate handicaps.

If either player incurs a penalty stroke it does not alter the rotation of play. In a foursomes stroke play competition which consists of more than one stipulated round the order of play must 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.

Foursomes may be played under either stroke play rules or match play conditions and Rule 29 and relevant definitions apply.

MIXED FOURSOMES

Mixed foursomes are played in the same manner as foursomes except that the WGA player plays from her tees and the AGU player plays from his tees. In competitions consisting of more than one stipulated round, the WGA player is required to play from the first tee in the first round, the AGU player plays from the first tee in the second round.

MIXED SPLIT SIXES FOUR BALL BEST BALL TEAM v. PAR or STABLEFORD

These games are played as described previously except that the two WGA players play from their tees and the two AGU players play from their tees. Whoever of the four records the best score on any of the first six holes (1 to 6), records their score on their card. Whoever of the four records the best two scores on any of the next six holes (7 to 12), records their score on their card. Whoever of the four records the best three scores on any of the last six holes (13 to 18), records their score on their card.

MIXED THREE STEP FOUR BALL BEST BALL TEAM v. PAR or STABLEFORD

These games are played as described previously except that the two WGA players play from their tees and the two AGU players play from their tees. Whoever of the four records the best score on the first hole, records their score on the card. Whoever of the four records the best two scores on the second hole, records their scores on the card. Whoever of the four records the best three scores on the third hole, records their scores on the card. This sequence is repeated on the next three holes, one score for the 4th hole, two scores for the 5th hole, and three scores for the 6th hole and so on.

CANADIAN FOURSOMES

Played as foursomes above except that both players play tee shots at every hole and afterwards continue with whichever ball they nominate. Handicap allowance is ½ of aggregate stroke handicap.

PINEHURST OR AMERICAN FOURSOMES

Both players play tee shots at each hole 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 ½ of aggregate stroke handicap.

MEDLEY COMPETITION

Played as two ball, either par or stableford, with any combination of AGU and WGA players,

AMBROSE

This is a team event with each team consisting of four, three or two members. The lowest marker in the team will be the captain of the team. Where more than one player has the same lowest handicap, the captain is to be decided by mutual agreement or lot. The team captain is required to sign the card as the marker, any other team member counter-signs.

BPGC local rules to place in the rough & bunker is to maintain pace of play and is in force for all Ambrose played at BPGC.

The captain shall determine the order of play for each stroke. When specified each player’s tee shot must be selected a minimum number of times during the 18 holes; Three (3) times for four ball; Four (4) times for three ball; Six (6) times for two ball. Players tee shots must be clearly indicated on the card.

A ball played from a bunker must be played “as it lies” by the owner but can be “placed” in the bunker by the other players.

In the fairway all players can take a “preferred lie”, within one club length from where the ball selected lies (not nearer the hole). In the rough, the same applies except the ball selected will be played from where it lies. Balls cannot be placed in the fairway if the selected ball is in the rough.

The putting format is for each player to putt in turn, with the nearest/best putt marked, until the ball is in the hole. The putt can be taken either side of the marker, within 15cm.

If a team member fails to mark his/her ball before attempting to putt out and misses, then the team putts from where his/her ball finishes (if the ball is required), they may not putt from the unmarked position. If a team has to do this, they have incurred another stroke. If a team member putts out, then that is the score for the team, even if other members have not yet putted.

HANDICAP.

5 Ball, the aggregate handicaps divided by ten (10) 4 Ball, the aggregate handicaps divided by eight (8) 3 Ball, the aggregate handicaps divided by six (6) 2 Ball, the aggregate handicaps divided by four (4)

THE WINNER: The winner is the team, which has the lowest NETT SCORE. Only team results count, there can be no individual scores in an Ambrose.

5 BALL DROP-OUT AMBROSE

A variation where all 5 members tee off, the owner of the selected ball “drops out” and does not play the next shot. After that the owner of the next selected ball “drops out” and the first player who dropped out comes back in. This continues until the ball is holed out. i.e. After the tee shot only 4 players can play each shot including the putting.

HANDICAP.

Aggregate of the five (5) handicaps divided by ten (10).

Unless otherwise informed by notice at the Pro shop or on the board at the first tee, these are the rules for the above games at BPGC. Trophy donors can vary the above rules and create other games as long as players are informed by notice on the day of the event.

Ties in Competitions

• In the event of a countback being necessary, it shall be decided in the following manner:

18 Hole Events

• The best nett score over the last 9 holes. Should there be a tie - The best nett score over the last 6 holes. Should there be a further tie - The best nett score over the last 3 holes. If there is still a tie, the count-back should then be made hole by hole from the 18th hole. Over 36, 54 and 72 hole events: the last 18 holes shall be used and, if still tied, the countback as in 18 hole events shall be used.