February 23, 2012

League Rules

EAST LOTHIAN JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE – RULES FOR LEAGUE MATCHES (Jan 2011)

  1. Golf Clubs situated in East Lothian, who have Junior Sections, and who have playing rights on courses in East Lothian, and who have paid their annual subscription to the League, may play in this Team competition.
  2. The dates of Matches will be mutually arranged by Convenors and such dates will be notified to the League Secretary.
  3. Each Team will consist of six players, boys and/or girls, who are members of that Club. Clubs are encouraged to have reserves in attendance, but any match between them will not count towards the result. Unavailability of players will not be regarded as a sufficient reason for changing the agreed date of a fixture, unless both Junior Convenors agree. Matches abandoned or not played due to adverse weather conditions or course closure, must be re-arranged and replayed. 
  4. Team Members must be under 18 years of age on the 1st of January in the year of competition.
  5. Matches must be played from the Mens and/or the Ladies Medal Tees as appropriate
  6. Matches are singles Matchplay.
  7. There is one point for a win, and half a point for a halved game.
  8. No caddies are permitted in these matches.
  9. Junior Convenors, other Team Members or Reserves, Parents or Relatives or any other Club representatives, are not allowed to offer “Advice” to players in either Team during any Match. The definition of “Advice” is: – “Any counsel or suggestion that could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of a club, or the method of making a stroke.” BUT: – Information or interpretation of the Rules or on matters of Public Information, such as the position of hazards, or the flagstick on the putting green, or the shape of dog-leg hole, yardage from sprinklers, and encouragement etc IS NOT advice. In addition, Parents and Relatives are expected to keep a discreet distance from any Matches so as not to influence any Players in any way.
  10. The Rules of Golf as approved by the Royal and Ancient Club, together with any Local Rules, will apply to the Matches. The Home Club Representative must advise the Representative for the visiting Team of any local rules that apply and are not on the scorecard.
  11. All Teams must play their Team as follows:- The three Handicap Matches will tee-off first in matches numbers 1 to 3, in order of rising handicaps. Note – If a player anticipates a handicap reduction by virtue of a recent round, then the player must cut their own handicap based on the CSS, or if CSS is not yet known, on the SSS for the course played. (Rule 16.11 of the SSS and Handicapping Scheme applies.) Matches 4 to 6 are played as Scratch matches. The three lowest handicapped players in any Team must play in positions 4 to 6, i.e. the 3 scratch games can be played in matches 4 to 6 in any order chosen by the Convenor.
  12. Before each match, the Convenors will simultaneously exchange Team Sheets showing their players in playing order for positions 1 to 6.”
  13. Matches 1 to 3 are played as Handicap matches, with full handicap difference being given.
  14. The Handicap limit for Boys is 24. Boys with higher handicaps can play, but they must play off 24.
  15. Girls representing their Team in any match, will play from the Ladies’ medal tees, and if their Match is a Handicap game, they will receive extra strokes equivalent to the difference between the SSS from the Ladies’ and Mens’ Tees. The maximum handicap for any girl player is 24 plus that difference. Any handicap strokes given by a Boy to a Girl will be given as per the stroke index on the scorecard for the Men’s course, and vice versa.
  16. Matches must be played no later than the 2nd Sunday in September.
  17. If any Team turns up short of players, then the players in that Team will firstly fill the highest positions in their order of play, i.e the scratch matches 4 to 6, and then fill the handicap matches with their remaining players. Any other matches will be forfeited by the Team which is short of players.   
  18. The Home Team must ensure that a representative is in attendance to run the Match and ensure that refreshments (one soft drink per player) and a meal are arranged for each Team, and are paid for by the Home Team.
  19. The visiting Team must comply with dress and behaviour codes at Clubs they are visiting.
  20. The Home Team representative must promptly notify the League Secretary of the result, preferably on the official results sheet available on the website, by e-mail, by post or by telephone.
  21. A Committee of at least three Convenors from neutral clubs will be contacted by the League Secretary to decide on any disputes arising from Matches. The League Secretary may advise the Committee but will not have a vote in any decision.
  22. The results and League Table positions will appear on the League’s website at: -
  23. In the event of a tie for first place in the final League table, the winners will be decided firstly by the greatest difference between the total points for and against, and if still tied, secondly by the results of the actual game between the clubs. In the event that there is still a tie, the League Trophy and any prize vouchers will be shared equally by Teams.
  24. Where Teams who are still tied for first or second place after the above process, qualify to compete in further competition, such as the Junior Team Golf Home Nations Inter-Club Championship event, then the Teams will draw lots to determine which Team will represent the League. Should there be another opportunity to represent the League in another event in that year, then the Team losing the draw will then represent the League.
  25. Singles matches joining to make up four balls in the Team League games are not allowed except by the agreement of both Convenors. If this does happen, then players are to be encouraged to continue to engage with their opponent, ignoring as far as possible the presence of a fellow Team member. Rule 9 above – “Advice” must be strictly observed.
  26. The behaviour of players during League Matches must be of an acceptable standard. Convenors must take action as soon as possible to rectify breaches by their Team members, by any method they see fit. Convenors must also bring to the attention of their opposite number, any breaches of etiquette and/or unacceptable behavioural standards, by any opposing Team member. For serious issues, or for repetitive unacceptable behaviour, not adequately dealt with by the Club concerned, the League Secretary should be consulted. The Secretary may convene an independent Committee as at Rule 23 above, to consider appropriate action by The League. (To be revised 2009)

David Warren, League Secretary. Updated 11th January 2011 and issued by email and posted on website.