Team Information

  • General Information
  • Rules
  • Match Play 101

Eligibility

Regular and replacement players must be full members of the WDCGA. Substitutes may include associate members. WDCGA members who belong to more than one club may be regular or replacement players on only one team; however, members that belong to more than one WDCGA club may substitute for teams from either/any of their clubs as long as the clubs are not in the same division.

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Composition of Teams and Divisions

  1. Teams per Club: Every club may field at least one team. No club shall be permitted to field a third or fourth team before another club has had the opportunity to field its second and/or third team. Clubs may field teams of six or four persons or both.  A six-person team must have six regular players with at least two substitutes for the first team and one for every other six-person team entered.  A four-person team must have four regular players with at least one substitute for each four-person team.  A club that submits more than one team must place its regular team members on teams according to ascending handicap indexes.
  2. Composition of Divisions: Six and four-person teams shall compete in separate divisions. Teams shall be ranked in order of their total handicap aggregate indexes before dividing them into divisions. The seven teams with the lowest total aggregate handicap indexes will comprise the First Division, the next seven lowest teams, the Second Division, etc. except that no club shall have two teams in the same division. When this occurs, the club is permitted to (a) combine two teams to compose only one team or (b) to replace regular team members with any qualified player so that the team falls into another Division. The last division of six-person teams shall consist of no fewer than five teams and the last division of four-person teams shall have no fewer than four teams.  Otherwise, there shall be no limit on the number of Divisions.

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Handicap

All players, both regular and substitute, shall use their current USGA handicap indexes (unless otherwise indicated) for each team match. If a match takes place on the first or sixteenth of the month, then the prior USGA handicap index shall be used. (ex. June 1 matches use May 15 handicap) For handicap purposes, individual scores of participants shall be posted as tournament scores.

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Requirements of Play for Regular Players

Regular team players in both six and four-person divisions must play a minimum of three complete matches in a six-match competition, and a minimum of two complete matches in a five-match competition. Failure to fulfill this requirement without permission of the District Teams Chair and the WDCGA Secretary may result in the player being ineligible to participate in the competition the following year.

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Replacement Players

A regular player may be replaced with the knowledge of the District Teams Chair and the WDCGA Secretary. Teams with a replacement player shall remain in their original Division.   A player who has been replaced shall not be eligible to be a substitute in any division in the team competition without the prior approval of the District Teams Chair and the WDCGA Secretary.   If a player who has been replaced plays as a substitute in a match without such approval, then the player shall be considered ineligible.  Prior to the competition, a replacement player(s) will move into the appropriate slot of a club's team(s) based on ascending handicap indexes.

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Substitute Players

  1. Regular players may not substitute on any other team, in any division.
  2. Associate members may substitute; however they must play to the WDCGA specified maximum handicap index of 21.9.
  3. A team may not have more than three substitute players playing on a six-person team and no more than two substitute players on a four-person team on any one date of the competition.
  4. If a substitute player has the lowest handicap index for the day, she must play in the first bracket except as provided in Rules of the Competition, Team Line-ups, Order of Players.
  5. Members who belong to more than one WDCGA club and who are not regular players of a team may substitute for teams from either/any of their clubs as long as the clubs are not in the same division.

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Fees

Each regular team member must pay a fee to be determined each year.  Fees will be collected at the spring team meeting. Substitute players pay no fees.

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Awards

  1. Division Team winners shall be presented with a team trophy by the Division Captain.
  2. First and second place teams will receive a frame with certificate.
  3. Prizes: First and second place winners shall receive gift certificates (regular team members only).

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The Rules and Decisions

The Rules and Decisions of the USGA govern play, as modified by the Local Rules and conditions of the competition.

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Method of Play

Four-Ball Match Play.

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Handicap Allowances

The Course Handicaps of all four players in a match are reduced by the Course Handicap of the player with the lowest handicap, who shall then play from scratch. The three other players are allowed 100 percent of the difference. Strokes are taken as assigned on the course scorecard.

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Scoring

  1. 18 point System will be used as follows:
    1 point for each hole won
    ½ point for each hole halved
    0 points for each hole lost
  2. Handicap (Net) Competitions. A side (bracket) that begins play with a player playing to a higher handicap than entitled shall be disqualified from the match.   (USGA Rule 6-2a)    The opposing side will receive 13 points and the side with the infraction will receive no (0) points.
  3. Any side (bracket) where two players play against one player may win a maximum of 13 points. The one player side (bracket) may win as many as she can. Totals for these sides (brackets) might not total 18 points.
  4. Opponents in each match are responsible for reporting final match scores to the Host Team Officials.
  5. One Bonus Point will be given to teams that win a match; teams that tie each receive ½ Bonus Point. Bonus Points will be kept in a separate tally to be used for tie breaking purposes only.

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Fielding a Team(s) in the Competition

  1. Each six-person team shall be divided into three sides (or brackets) and each four-person team into two sides (or brackets).  In four-ball match play, each side (bracket) shall consist of two partners playing their better ball against the better ball of two other players (their opponents). 
  2. If a team is unable to find an eligible substitute(s) for a regular player it may, on the date of the competition, field sides (brackets) with one player.
  3. Any club that fails to field six players on a six-person team or four players on a four-person team for any of its team(s) more than once during the competition, including rain dates, may be required to reduce by one the number of six or four-person teams in competition the following year.
  4. Ineligible Player: Any team using an ineligible player on a competition date shall lose any points won in the side (bracket) involved.

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Default

If a team fails to appear for a match, the team will be disqualified from the entire competition. All points won by teams that have been opponents of the disqualified team shall be nullified.

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Team Line-Ups

Order of Players: The player (regular or substitute) with the lowest handicap index must play in the First Bracket. All other players may play in any position. If two players have identical low indexes, either player may play in the first bracket. Each team’s first bracket must play the opponent’s first bracket, second brackets play second brackets, and third brackets play third brackets.

Submission of Team List and Line-ups: Team captains shall fax or email a list of players, with any substitutes noted, their current USGA handicap indexes (unless otherwise indicated) and their course handicaps to the Host Team Captain and Opposing Team Captain by no later than 8:00 pm the day before a match. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the team being assessed -1 bonus point.

Team line-ups (Form A) shall be submitted to the Host Team Captain and the Opposing Team Captain prior to the start of the day's competition.

Incomplete Line-ups of postponed or rained out dates: If a team has submitted a line-up of fewer than six players (for a six-person team) or fewer than 4 players (for a four-person team), then only those players listed may participate in the match if it is suspended and continued on a later date.   If a team submits a lineup with six players (for a six-person team) or four players (for a four-person team) and one (or more) player(s) is not present, that player(s) may join the resumed match as provided for in the Rules of Golf.   If the missing player(s) is the low handicap in the side (bracket), all other players in that side (bracket) will receive strokes based on the missing player's course handicap.   It is recommended that teams always submit a full (6 or 4 players) list on the day of competition even if they have fewer players.

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Order of Team Brackets

Sides (brackets) may tee off in any order, provided there is an agreement between the Team Captains.

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Honor on the Teeing Ground

Teams listed first on the competition schedule have the honor on the first teeing ground. Within each match, the side that wins a hole     (gross – Division 1, net - all other Divisions) shall have the honor on the next teeing ground. If the hole was halved then the team that had the honor on the previous hole shall retain it.

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Undue Delay/Slow Play

  1. The host Team shall monitor play. Refer to the WDCGA Pace of Play Policy for specific procedures. Also refer to USGA Rule 6-7. Penalty for undue delay in match play is loss of hole on which the player has been cited for slow play.
  2. Observers and Spectators are welcome, but must not impede play. They must maintain a clear distance from players and their equipment.

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Official Announcement of Results

For purposes of making claims in WDCGA team matches, results are considered to be officially announced when the host captain or her representative announces that the results are final.  Refer to USGA Rule 2-5.

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Suspension of Play

The decision to suspend play on any date of the competition is the responsibility of the Host Team Captain and the Division Captain.

If play is suspended, and players are in the process of playing a hole, they may continue provided they do so without delay. If they choose to continue, they shall discontinue either before or immediately after completing the hole. Players shall resume play when the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. In case of a dangerous situation play must be discontinued immediately. (Refer to USGA Rule 6-8, Discontinuance of play, and resumption of play). Players have the right to stop play if they feel threatened by a dangerous situation. A player who discontinues play without specific permission from the committee must report to the committee as soon as practicable.

Play shall be resumed from where it was discontinued, even if resumption occurs on a subsequent day.

If a side (bracket) discontinues play before the match has been completed when play has NOT been officially suspended, the side shall be disqualified if the reason for discontinuing play is not approved by the Rules Committee. Bad weather is not, of itself, a good reason for discontinuing play. Points taken during the match by the offending side(s) (bracket) shall be null and void. Points from the holes remaining to be played shall be awarded to the opponents who did not improperly discontinue play.

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Termination of Play

The determination to terminate play is a joint decision of the Host Team Captain and the Division Captain.

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Disputes

If a doubt or dispute cannot be settled within a reasonable time, players shall continue the match without delay after making a claim as provided in USGA Rule 2-5. At the completion of play, disputes shall be referred to the Division Team Captain. If the dispute involves a claim under the USGA Rules of golf, the Division Captain shall defer to the Rules Committee for a decision. If the dispute involves an issue not pertaining to the USGA Rules of Golf, the Division Team Captain shall refer the matter to the District Teams Chair.

All disputes and claims shall be resolved no later than one week after the match was completed.

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Winners of the Competition

Division I
The winner of Division I shall be the WDCGA Team Match Champions.

  • 1st place is awarded to the team with the most gross points.
  • 2nd place is awarded to the team with the most net points.

All Other Divisions

  • 1st place is awarded to the team with the most net points.
  • 2nd place is awarded to the team with the 2nd most net points.

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Ties / Playoffs

1st Place in Each Division:

  • In the case of a tie for the first place winner, the bonus points for winning matches will be added to the total scores to determine the winner. 
  • If there is still a tie between any two (or more) teams there shall be an 18-hole playoff.  The playoff shall be at a neutral site, with the date arranged by the District Teams Chair and the WDCGA Secretary.
  • All 6 players on each team in a six-person division and all 4 players on each team in a four-person division may compete in the playoff.  Subs are allowed.  Teams may play with fewer than 6 or 4 players.  Low index player must play in the first bracket.
  • A list of players, with any substitutes noted, their current USGA handicap indexes (unless otherwise indicated) and their course handicaps must be submitted to the Host Team Captain and Opposing Team Captain by no later than 8:00 pm the day before the playoff. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the team being assessed -1 bonus point.
  • Team line-ups (Form A) are to be submitted to the host team captain and the opposing team captain prior to the start of the playoff.
  • If there is still a tie after the 18-hole playoff, then there shall be a sudden death (hole by hole) playoff.
  • Each side (bracket) will play the 1st hole. At the end of the 1st hole the team with the most points is declared the winner. If still tied, all sides (brackets) will continue to play the next hole and so on until there is a winner.
  • In the interest of expediency, sides (brackets) should continue play (2nd and/or 3rd hole) while trailing sides (brackets) are still playing. A monitor should travel among the sides (brackets) to determine the status of the match.
  • USGA Rule 30 provides information specific to instances when three or more teams compete against each other.

Second Place in Each Division:

  • In the case of a tie for the second place winner, the bonus points for winning matches will be added to the total scores to determine the winner.
  • If there is still a tie between any two (or more) teams, the team that won their head-to-head competition will be declared the winner of second place. If this tiebreaker fails, the second place winner shall be determined by a coin toss.
  • If there is still a tie among three (or more) teams, then the second place winner will be determined by drawing lots.

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With the team competition scheduled to begin in April, here is a review of some of the rules and situations most commonly encountered in match play.

Match Play Rules

If you have time to read only one rule before team play starts, USGA Rule 2 is the one to read. As a matter of proper terminology, in match play the players who are opposing each other are opponents (in stroke play they are competitors). In both match and stroke play, however, the person who is playing on your side is your partner. This is a helpful distinction to realize when you are reading the rules. 

Keep in mind that in match play the focus is on what is happening between you and your opponent. For that reason, rules questions that arise must either be settled between opponents on the spot, or a claim must be made in accordance with the procedure in USGA Rule 2-5. You are not allowed to play a second ball in match play.  (This was the old 2nd paragraph on page 1 of the existing document.)

If you and your opponent have a dispute about a rule, a claim must be made before ANY player tees off on the next hole, or if the dispute arises on the final hole, before ALL players leave the putting green. Otherwise, you will lose your claim. To make a claim, you must tell your opponent the facts that you think are in question and say you want the rules of golf applied. It’s not enough to say something vague like “I don’t think that’s allowed.” Once a claim has been properly made, the Rules Committee will make a ruling for you when you finish the match.

Penalties under Match Play

The format the WDCGA uses for team competition is four-ball match play. This means you and your partner count your better ball against the better ball of your two opponents. The general penalty under match play for a breach of the rules is loss of hole. When you are playing with a partner, if one of you breaches a rule for which the penalty is loss of hole (for example, by hitting someone else’s ball), the effect is to disqualify only the partner who breaches the rule from the hole. The other partner is not affected by her partner’s penalty and can play on for the side.

Keep in mind that not every breach of a rule in match play results in a loss of hole. There are 16 occasions when the penalty is one stroke, in both match play and stroke play.  Some of these one-stroke penalties are well known to most of you, such as going into a water hazard or losing your ball. Others are a bit less familiar, such as striking the ball more than once (the so-called “double-hit”) or allowing too much time to elapse when the ball you putted is overhanging the hole and looks like it’s going to drop in any second.

Penalties are applied differently in some instances depending on whether it is match or stroke play. For example, in match play if you putt your ball on the putting green and it hits your opponent’s ball which is also on the green, there is no penalty. This would be a two-stroke penalty in stroke play. It works the other way around, too. In stroke play if you accidentally move your fellow-competitor’s ball, there is no penalty, but in match play, if you accidentally move your opponent’s ball, other than during a search, you incur a one-stroke penalty. The reason for these variances is based on the underlying difference between stroke play, where you are playing against an entire field of players who must be protected from rules violations that they are not able to witness, and match play where whatever happens affects no one but you and your opponent, both of whom have the opportunity to observe what is happening during the round.

Playing Out of Turn

One of the hallmarks of match play is the emphasis placed on not playing out of turn. While there is no penalty for playing out of turn in match play, USGA Rule 10-1c allows your opponent to immediately require you to replay your shot if you’ve hit out of turn. This is understandable because in a match there can be a big advantage in being the first to play a particular shot and you should not lose that advantage to an opponent who plays out of turn. It’s particularly important to keep this in mind on the putting green, where many of us are in the habit of simply putting out. In match play you need to mark those two-footers, or even those two-inchers, unless they are conceded.

Concessions

Next up is the topic of concessions. A player may concede her opponent to have holed out with her next stroke, which most often occurs on the putting green. A question that often arises is, once your next stroke has been conceded, can you putt anyway with the intention of helping your partner gauge the line of her putt? The answer is no.  If your opponents have conceded your putt (quite often for the very reason that they don‘t want your putt to help your partner), you must pick up. If you don’t, and putt out to help your partner, your partner is disqualified for the hole. Concessions cannot be declined or withdrawn. So if your opponent concedes your putt, and then you putt anyway (not to help your partner, just for practice) and miss, it makes no difference — the concession stands.

Handicap Strokes during Match Play

One important responsibility you have as a player in match play is to ensure that you have the correct number of handicap strokes on your card (USGA Rule 6). If you begin a match having declared a higher handicap than you actually have, and it affects the number of strokes given or received, you and your partner will be disqualified. In team competition, it’s good practice prior to the start of the match to review each player’s handicap with your opponent and agree where any strokes fall for each player.  It’s also wise to check on each hole where the strokes fall for you and your opponents so you don’t pick up prematurely and squander a chance to win the hole.

Other Match Play Rights

You also have some rights that you can invoke to help your side. One of the lesser known ones is in USGA Rule 22. You can have anyone’s ball lifted, if you consider that the ball might interfere with your play or assist the play of another. It’s the second part of this rule that players sometimes forget. So, for example, if you see your opponent’s ball lying near the hole and you think it might serve as a helpful backstop for her partner’s ball, you can have it lifted. This rule comes up often on the putting green, but it can be used over the entire course.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers involving Match Play

  1. I allowed my opponent to mark and lift my ball on the green. Who can replace it?
    It may be replaced by you, your partner or the person you authorized to lift it. In this case your opponent. People often try to convince you that the ball can only be replaced by the person who lifted it — that is not so as Rule 20-1 makes clear.
  2. Can I use my partner’s clubs during the match?
    No, not unless you two were in the eccentric position of having started the match with only 14 clubs between you. (Rule 4-4(b))
  3. If my ball crosses a water hazard (not a lateral water hazard), hits the bank on the other side, and rolls back in, I can drop over there on the other side, right? After all, I crossed the hazard.
    No. The point is not that you crossed the hazard; the point is that, when all is said and done, you have ended up in the hazard. Once you’re in a water hazard, your relief options under Rule 26 all require that you drop behind the hazard and hit over it again.
  4. When am I allowed to clean my ball?
    The easier way to look at this is that there are only three times that you cannot clean your ball: when you are lifting it (1) for identification, (2) to determine whether it is unfit for play, or (3) because it is assisting or interfering with someone else’s ball. (There are two other esoteric instances as well, but they are not important here.) Other than these three instances, any time you are allowed to lift your ball, you can clean it as well.