SportiBuddies Golf League Official Rules

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• 24 teams of 6 players each
• Divided into 4 groups of 6 teams
• Match play during regular season (May 19 – July 20)
• Top 2 teams per group advance to Knockout Rounds
• Knockout Rounds:
  
  • Quarterfinals: July 21 – August 3
  • Semifinals: August 4 – August 14
  • Final + Scramble Tournament: August 16

• Format:
  Two-player best ball match play & Stroke Play.
• Handicaps:
  Players must provide official GHIN handicaps. Matches will use a 90% adjusted handicap.
• Handicap Verification:
  Players must verify their Handicap Index through GHIN or "The Grint" (WHS) as of April 1st, which will remain valid throughout the tournament. If a player is not registered with GHIN but has "The Grint" and their GHAP is displayed, the opposing player will use this index.
• Handicap Limits:
  • A player cannot give another player more than 12 strokes in match play.
  • In the foursome format, the maximum difference allowed is 18 strokes.
  • Each team captain is responsible for ensuring the handicap differential is fair for competition.
• Scoring:
  • Each hole is worth 1 point. The team with the lowest-best ball score wins the hole. 
• Tees:
  Players must play from the designated tees based on their handicap and age.

Playoff Format

• Qualification:
  The top 2 teams from each group advance.
• Seeding:
  Based on total points from the regular season.
• Format:
  Single-elimination knockout matches.
• Tiebreaker:
  If a playoff match is tied, a sudden-death putting playoff will be played.

• Win: 3 points
• Draw: 1 point for each team
• Loss: 0 points
• Lowest net score: 1 point
• Bonus Points: 
  • A team that wins by 3+ holes earns a bonus point.
  • If the team’s combined HCP has 5+ differences, higher HCP gets 1 point. 

• Teams can substitute players for each match, but each player must play at least 3 regular-season matches to qualify for playoffs.
• No player substitutions will be allowed once registration has been completed, unless a player becomes physically incapacitated or due to justified force majeure, in which case the previously registered player will be replaced for the entire tournament.
• If a team cannot field 2 players, they forfeit the match.
• If either team is not complete, they may play the following week. The team that was complete must provide at least two available days to play. If the other team still cannot play, the victory will be awarded to the team that was ready to play.

• USGA Rules Apply:
  Except for specific league modifications.
• Slow Play:
  Players must keep pace; repeat offenders may be penalized.
• Disputes:
  The League Commissioner will handle any disputes.
• Weather Policy:
  Matches canceled due to weather will be rescheduled.
• Sportsmanship:
  Players are expected to exhibit good sportsmanship at all times, respecting the course, fellow competitors, and officials.
• Alcohol Consumption:
  Moderate alcohol consumption is permitted; however, players who are visibly intoxicated or disruptive may be penalized or removed from the event.
• Language and Behavior:
  Profanity, aggressive behavior, or disrespectful conduct will not be tolerated. The League Commissioner reserves the right to disqualify a player or team for inappropriate behavior.

• Regular Season Champion
• Playoff Champion, 2nd & 3rd place.
• MVP (Most Wins Regular Season)
• Best Round (Lowest Net Score in Season)
• Best Ball tournament Champion, 2nd & 3rd place.

• Clubs:
  Players must use conforming golf clubs, as defined by the USGA.
• Golf Balls:
  Players must use USGA-approved golf balls.
• Attire:
  The league will sponsor each player of each team a uniform collard shirts. If any player does not wear the uniform in any of their matches, the team will lose one point of the points that are up for dispute.
  Proper golf attire is required, including collared shirts and golf shoes. Hats and visors are allowed. No jeans or tank tops.
• Club Usage:
  Each team may use one bag of clubs per round. Any player may use clubs from that bag, but the team must abide by USGA rules on club restrictions. Note: If you see a club please ask not to use if they use the club please report.

• Scheduling Match Days:
  Each captain will schedule their matches with the opposing team’s captain. Matches will be played within designated two-week match windows, during which team captains must coordinate a mutually agreed date and course.
• Multiple games a week are available for make-up rounds in cases of weather delays.
• Rescheduling:
  If a team cannot make the scheduled match date, they must notify the opposing team and the League Commissioner at least 24 hours in advance. Reschedules must occur within the same week unless both teams agree to an extension.
• Match Start Times:
  All matches must start within 15 minutes of the scheduled tee time. Late arrivals will result in penalties or forfeiture of the match. Late arrival will lose the hole automatically. 

• Scheduling Match Days:
  Each captain will schedule their matches with the opposing team’s captain. Matches will be played within designated two-week match windows, during which team captains must coordinate a mutually agreed-upon date and course.
• Multiple games a week are available for make-up rounds in cases of weather delays.
• Rescheduling:
  If a team cannot make the scheduled match date, they must notify the opposing team and the League Commissioner at least 24 hours in advance. Reschedules must occur within the same week unless both teams agree to an extension.
• Match Start Times:
  All matches must start within 15 minutes of the scheduled tee time. Late arrivals will result in penalties or forfeiture of the match. Late arrival will lose the hole automatically. 

• Registration & Payment:
  • For weekly matches, players must register and submit payment by the first Monday of the match week. If playing on Monday, registration and payment must be completed before the match begins. No late entries will be allowed for that week.
  • For season-long bets, payments must be made at least one day before the tournament begins.
• Weekly Team Skins Match ($20 per player): Teams (both players in the match) compete in a Skins format, where a skin is won when a team has the lowest net score on a hole, uncontested. If both teams tie on a hole, the skin carries over to the next hole. The team with the most skins at the end of the round wins the pot. If multiple teams tie, the pot is split evenly.
• Gross Birdie Pool ($10 per player): Players who make the most natural birdies (without handicap adjustments) split the prize pool.
• Net Birdie Pool ($10 per player): Players who make the most birdies after applying their handicap strokes split the prize pool.
• Bogey-Free Challenge ($10 per player): Any player completing a round without a bogey wins or splits the pot.
• Hole-in-One Club ($20 buy-in for the season): Any player making a hole-in-one wins the pot; if multiple players achieve this, they split the winnings.
• Most Birdies for the Season ($50 entry per category): The player with the most birdies in the gross and net categories at the end of the season wins their respective pool.
• League MVP Side Pot ($50 entry): Awarded to the player with the best overall record based on:
  • Total match points earned
  • Lowest net scores throughout the season
  • Number of matches won
  • If tied, the player with the most total holes won will be the tiebreaker.

Sportsbuddies will keep 15% of bets as admon cost.

• For Regular Season Standings:
  If teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, the following tiebreakers will be applied:
  1. Head-to-head results between the tied teams
  2. Total points scored in matches between the tied teams
  3. Total holes won in the regular season
  4. Coin flip (if no clear winner can be determined)

• For Playoff Seeding:
  If teams are tied for playoff spots or seeding, the same tiebreaker system will apply.
• For Match Ties in Playoffs:
  If a playoff match is tied and not resolved by sudden death, the match will be decided by the team that won the most individual holes. If still tied, a second sudden-death hole will be played. Putt off sudden-death.

• Team Captain:
  Each team must designate a captain responsible for submitting scores, confirming match details, and addressing league communication.
• Match Reports:
  The scorecards must be revised by each team at the end of the round. The captain of the winning team, or their designated person, must submit the results no later than 24 hours after their tee time.
  If this is not done, the team will lose 2 points.
• Course Etiquette:
  Teams are responsible for ensuring all players follow proper course etiquette, such as fixing divots, repairing ball marks, and raking bunkers.

• Disciplinary Action:
  The League Commissioner has the authority to impose penalties or suspend players/teams in cases of rule violations, misconduct, or noncompliance with league policies.
• Final Decisions:
  The Commissioner’s decisions are final regarding disputes, rules interpretations, and league management.

16. Communication & Updates

• Official League Website/Platform:
  All match schedules, standings, and league news will be posted on the official Dallas Golf League website or designated platform.
• Emails & Notifications:
  Teams must regularly check for updates. Important messages and reminders will be communicated via email, text, or app notifications.

• Course Choice:
  The captains of each team will choose the golf course for their match from the list of league-approved courses.
• Course Approval:
  All course selections must be made with the League Commissioner’s approval to ensure they meet league standards.
• Scheduling:
  Teams are responsible for booking tee times at the chosen course. Matches must be played at the scheduled times. If course availability causes issues, teams must notify the Commissioner and work to resolve it in a timely manner.

• Finalists and the rest of teams participate in a Scramble on August 16.
• Scramble rules will be shared separately.

This document outlines the official rules and regulations of the SportiBuddies Golf League. By participating, all players agree to abide by these guidelines. For any clarifications, contact the League Commissioner.