FAQ's
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RULES & CONDITIONS – BETTERBALL CHAMPIONSHIP?
Entry criteria:
1.The competition is open to male and female golfers who are members of a CONGU affiliated golf club in England, Scotland & Wales.
2. In the Betterball event competitors who are under 18 years of age by 1st June in the year of the competition must play with a partner who is over 18 years by 1st june in the year of the competition.
3. Each competitor must have an active WHS Handicap Index issued by a CONGU affiliated golf club and a competitor’s Handicap Index must remain active for the duration of the competition.
4. The maximum Handicap Index is 18 for men and 24 for ladies. Competitors with a higher Handicap Index can enter but must play off these limits.
5. Each competitor must have played in a minimum of SIX individual handicap qualifying competitions, at the golf club at which their WHS Handicap Index is managed, in the 12 month period from 1st June 2023 and 31st May 2024.
For the purpose of this rule general play scores are not classed as qualifying scores.
6. The entry fee for the Betterball competition is £100 per pair
7. Closing date for entries is Monday 13th May
Competition Rules:
1. The playing format is knock-out Betterball matchplay. At the Regional Final the format is 18 holes of Betterball Stableford and the Grand Final consists of four rounds of Betterball stableford.
2. The Championship is played under 'The Rules of Golf' for matchplay as laid down by The R&A and is Approved by the R&A for the payment of expenses. 3. Each pair must nominate a home course at which they will play their home matches. If competitors in a pair are members at different clubs they must nominate one club as their home venue. Once a team has played a home match they cannot change their home course unless there is mutual agreement between both sides.
3. Matches must be played at courses with 18 holes*. 9 hole courses which have 18 different tees are eligible as home courses. 9 hole courses which only have 9 tees are not eligible. Members of 9 hole courses can enter the competition but must play their matches away.
*Please note we amended this rule in June 2024.
4. The venue for any match may be changed to the opponent's home course if there is mutual agreement.
5. If either team has to cancel the match within 24 hours of the match being due to be played then the other team may claim the match.
6. Competitors must offer weekday and weekend dates / times to play the matches.
7. Under no circumstances may a team change one of its members after the first match has been played.
8. Competitors are responsible for knowing the Rules of Golf and the Local Rules of the course at where the match is due to be played.
9. The use of GPS and laser rangefinding equipment which only measures distance is permitted at all stages of the Championship. Under the R&A Rules of Golf the use of smart phones and other devices which provide additional information such as wind speed/direction and distance taking into account gradient is in breach of the Rules of Golf.
10. Caddies are permitted at all stages of the competition and they are the full responsibility of the player for whom they are caddying.
11. The use of buggies is permitted at all stages of the competition and they are the full responsibility of the player/s who is hiring them.
12 Competitors can enter both the Individual and Pairs competitions however should any player qualify through to the Grand Final in both formats he/she will give up their place in the Individual competition and only play in the Betterball Grand Final.
13. If after qualifying for the Grand Final one player in a pair cannot attend the Final the other player will lose his / her place in the Final. Both players will be invited to the Play Off regional final for the following year.
14. By entering the Matchplay Championship competitors are agreeing to receiving emails from any of the tournament sponsors from which you can unsubscribe at any time.
15. In the case of any dispute the organiser's decision will be final. Any team failing to comply with The Championship Rules or found not to meet the initial entry criteria will be disqualified and the entry fee will not be refunded.
Playing the matches:
1. The regional draws will be issued during the first few days of June. Player A in each pair will receive an email link to the relevant regional draw which will include the names, handicaps, home golf club and contact details of the other 15 pairs in their region.
2. In the first round pair A will play against pair B, C against D, E against F etc. The pair drawn at the top in each match will play at home, that is pair A,C,E,G, I,K,M,O.
3. In the first round it is the equal responsibility of both teams to contact their opponents. In all other rounds it is the away team's responsibility to contact their opponents.
4. Those teams who have received a BYE in the first round will play AWAY in the second round. If two consecutive matches include a BYE the team at the top will play at home.
5. Many clubs offer courtesy of the course to the away pair but this is completely at the discretion of the club. The cost of any green fees charged must be shared equally between all four players and paid for before the match commences.
6. It is the responsibility of the home pair to ensure that the course is available on the date and time the match is due to be played. If for any reason the course is not available the match will be switched to the away course.
7. All matches should start from the first tee unless the club regulations do not permit or there is mutual agreement to start from a different tee.
8. Play will be from the competition tees, usually white, from which Monthly Medals are played. However if the club does not allow play from the competition tees the match will be played from the tees for general play, usually the yellow tees.
9. In matches involving both ladies and gentlemen, the gentlemen must play from the competition tees and ladies will play from the red tees. If the course does not have red tees then the match must be played at another course which does have red tees. If gentlemen are not permitted to play from the competition tees the match must be played at either the ladies home course or a neutral venue.
10. Matches all square after 18 holes will be decided on a 'sudden death' play off commencing at the first hole played and the appropriate shots will be given.
11. If after mutual agreement a match has to be abandoned during the first 18 holes, due to lack of daylight or the course becoming unfit for play, then play shall resume from the point where the match was abandoned as stated in the Rules of Golf.
12. If after mutual agreement a match has to be abandoned during a sudden death play off, due to lack of daylight or the course becoming unfit for play, then the match will be continued over 18 holes at the away team's course on another mutually convenient date.
13. It is the responsibility of the winners of each match to inform the Tournament Office of the result. Results can be telephoned on 0345 466 2222 or entered online at www.matchplay.co.uk anytime.
14. The winning team who are first to register their result online or to inform the Tournament Office of the match result will be the home team in the next round and so on.
Handicaps & Stroke Allowance:
1. Each competitor must have an active WHS Handicap Index issued by a CONGU affiliated golf club and their Handicap Index must remain active for the duration of the competition.
2. The maximum Handicap Index is 18 for men and 24 for ladies. Competitors with a higher Handicap Index can enter but must play off these limits.
3. Each competitor must play off his / her current Handicap Index which may increase or decrease during the period of the competition.
4. Each competitor must be able to show proof of his / her current Handicap Index if requested by their opponent. A National Golf Union app or WHS app eg HDID or Golf Genius, on a mobile phone is acceptable.
5. In accordance with the WHS Rules of Handicapping - Section 7.2a (updated 30/09/24) - the organisers of the competition have the authority to adjust the Playing Handicap of a competitor where there is evidence that the player’s Handicap Index does not reflect their demonstrated ability.
The organisers of the competition will disqualify a competitor if there is evidence of handicap manipulation. The entry fee will not be refunded in the case of disqualification.
6. Stroke Allowance under WHS
6.1 Betterball match between same gender (one set of tees in use) For betterball matchplay the Stroke Allowance is 90% of Course Handicap.
Step 1: Calculate the Course Handicap
Step 2: Apply the Course Rating Minus Par (CR - P) Adjustment
Step 3: Round to the Nearest Whole Number
Step 4: Off-Lowest Adjustment
Step 5: Apply 90% Handicap Allowance
Example:
Slope Rating: 135, Course Rating: 71.8, Par: 71
Player 1: Handicap Index 5.3
Player 2: Handicap Index 11.2
Player 3: Handicap Index 16.1
Player 4: Handicap Index 21.9 (maximum HI for men is 18)
Step 1: Calculate the Course Handicap
Player 1 = 5.3 x 135 / 113 = 6.33
Player 2 = 11.2 x 135 / 113 = 13.38
Player 3 = 16.1 x 135 / 113 = 19.23
Player 4 = 18 x 135 / 113 = 21.50
Step 2: Apply the Course Rating Minus Par (CR - P) Adjustment
71.8 - 71 = 0.8 is applied.
Player 1 = 6.33 + 0.8 = 7.13
Player 2 = 13.38 + 0.8 = 14.18
Player 3 = 19.23 + 0.8 = 20.03
Player 4 = 21.50 + 0.8 = 22.3
Step 3: Round to the Nearest Whole Number
Round the results from Step 2 to the nearest whole number for each player:
Player 1: 7.13 rounds to 7
Player 2: 14.18 rounds to 14
Player 3: 20.03 rounds to 20
Player 4: 22.3 rounds to 22
Step 4: Off-Lowest Adjustment
The lowest Course Handicap among the players is 7 (Player 1).
Subtract 7 from each player's Course Handicap:
Player 1: 7 - 7 = 0
Player 2: 14 - 7 = 7
Player 3: 20 - 7 = 13
Player 4: 22 - 7 = 15
Step 5: Apply 90% Handicap Allowance
Apply the 90% handicap allowance:
Player 1: 0 x 0.90 = 0
Player 2: 7 x 0.90 = 6.3 (rounds to 6)
Player 3: 13 x 0.90 = 11.7 (rounds to 12)
Player 4: 15 x 0.90 = 13.5 (rounds to 14)
Final Adjusted Handicaps are used for the match.
Player 1: 0
Player 2: 6
Player 3: 12
Player 4: 14
6.2 Betterball match including male & female golfers (two different tees in use)
Step 1: Calculate the Course Handicap
Step 2: Apply the Course Rating Minus Par (CR - P) Adjustment
Step 3: Round to the Nearest Whole Number
Step 4: Off-Lowest Adjustment
Step 5: Apply 90% Handicap Allowance
Example:
Tee 1 - Slope Rating: 125, Course Rating 68.8, Course Par 71
Player 1: Handicap Index 5.1
Player 2: Handicap Index 10.9
Tee 2 - Slope Rating 128, Course Rating 71.1, Course Par 71
Player 3: Handicap Index 16.3
Player 4: Handicap Index 22.5
Step 1: Calculate Course Handicap
Player 1 = 5.1 x 125 / 113 = 5.64
Player 2 = 10.9 x 125 / 113 = 12.08
Player 3 = 16.3 x 128 / 113 = 18.46
Player 4 = 22.5 x 128 / 113 = 25.49
Step 2: Calculate Course Rating minus the Par and apply it to course handicap
Tee # 1 Course Rating = 68.8 – 71 = -2.2
Tee # 2 Course Rating = 71.1 – 71 = 0.1
Player 1 = 5.64 – 2.2 = 3.44
Player 2 = 12.08 – 2.2 = 9.88
Player 3 = 18.46 + 0.1 = 18.56
Player 4 = 25.49 + 0.1 = 25.59
Step 3: Round to the Nearest Whole Number
Round the results from Step 2 to the nearest whole number for each player:
Player 1: 3.44 rounds to 3
Player 2: 9.88 rounds to 10
Player 3: 18.56 rounds to 19
Player 4: 25.59 rounds to 26
Step 4: Off-Lowest Adjustment
The lowest Course Handicap among the players is 3 (Player 1).
Subtract 3 from each player's Course Handicap:
Player 1: 3 - 3 = 0
Player 2: 10 - 3 = 7
Player 3: 19 - 3 = 16
Player 4: 26 - 3 = 23
Step 5: Apply 90% Handicap Allowance
Apply the 90% handicap allowance:
Player 1: 0 x 0.90 = 0
Player 2: 7 x 0.90 = 6.3 (rounds to 6)
Player 3: 16 x 0.90 = 14.4 (rounds to 14)
Player 4: 23 x 0.90 = 20.7 (rounds to 21)
Final Adjusted Handicaps are used for the match.
Player 1: 0
Player 2: 6
Player 3: 14
Player 4: 21
Each competitor uses the scorecard and Stroke Index appropriate for the tee they are playing from.
7. In matchplay the par of the hole is irrelevant as the winner of the hole is the player who takes the least number of net strokes. -
RULES & CONDITIONS – INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP?
Entry criteria:
1.The competition is open to male and female golfers who are members of a CONGU affiliated golf club in England, Scotland or Wales.
2. Competitors must be 18 years and over by 1st June in the year of the competition.
3. Each competitor must have an active WHS Handicap Index issued by a CONGU affiliated golf club and a competitor’s Handicap Index must remain active for the duration of the competition.
4. The maximum Handicap Index is 18 for men and 24 for ladies. Competitors with a higher Handicap Index can enter but must play off these limits.
5. Each competitor must have played in a minimum of SIX individual handicap qualifying competitions, at the golf club at which their WHS Handicap Index is managed, in the 12 month period from 1st June 2023 and 31st May 2024.
For the purpose of this rule general play scores are not classed as qualifying scores.
6. The entry fee for the Individual competition is £60.
7. Closing date for entries is Monday 13th May
Competition Rules:
1. The playing format is knock-out matchplay. At the Regional Final the format is 18 holes of individual stableford and the Grand Final consists of four rounds of individual stableford.
2. The Championship is played under 'The Rules of Golf' for matchplay as laid down by The R&A and is Approved by the R&A for the payment of expenses.
3. Each competitor must nominate a home course at which they will play their home matches. Once a competitor has played a home match they cannot change their home course unless there is mutual agreement between both sides.
4. Matches must be played at courses with 18 holes*. 9 hole courses which have 18 different tees are eligible as home courses. 9 hole courses which only have 9 tees are not eligible. Members of 9 hole courses can enter the competition but must play their matches away.
*Please note we amended this rule in June 2024.
5. The venue for any match may be changed to the opponent's home course if there is mutual agreement.
6. If either competitor has to cancel the match within 24 hours of the match being due to be played then the other competitor may claim the match.
7. Competitors must offer weekday and weekend dates / times to play the matches.
8. Competitors must be able to offer dates to play on both weekdays and weekends at their own course should they be drawn at home, otherwise they will forfeit home advantage.
9. Competitors are responsible for knowing the Local Rules of the course at where the match is due to be played.
10. The use of GPS and laser rangefinding equipment which only measures distance is permitted at all stages of the Championship. Under the R&A Rules of Golf the use of smart phones and other devices which provide additional information such as wind speed/direction and distance taking into account gradient is in breach of the Rules of Golf.
11. Caddies are permitted at all stages of the competition and they are the full responsibility of the player for whom they are caddying.
12. The use of buggies is permitted at all stages of the competition and they are the full responsibility of the player/s who is hiring them.
13 Competitors can enter both the Individual and Pairs competitions however should any player qualify through to the Grand Final in both formats he/she will give up their place in the Individual competition and only play in the Betterball Grand Final.
14. If after qualifying for the Grand Final one player in a pair cannot attend the Final the other player will lose his / her place in the Final. Both players will be invited to the Play Off regional final for the following year.
15. By entering the Matchplay Championship competitors are agreeing to receiving emails from any of the tournament sponsors from which you can unsubscribe at any time.
16. In the case of any dispute the organiser's decision will be final. Any individual failing to comply with The Championship Rules or found not to meet the initial entry criteria will be disqualified and the entry fee will not be refunded.
Playing the matches:
1. The regional draws will be issued during the first few days of June. Each competitor will receive an email link to the relevant regional draw which will include the names, handicaps, home golf club and contact details of the other 15 competitors in their region.
2. In the first round player A will play against player B, C against D, E against F etc. The competitor drawn at the top in each match will play at home, that is pair A,C,E,G, I,K,M,O.
3. In the first round it is the equal responsibility of both competitors to contact their opponent. In all other rounds it is the away player’s responsibility to contact their opponent.
4. Those competitors who have received a BYE in the first round will play AWAY in the second round. If two consecutive matches include a BYE the competitor at the top will play at home.
5. Many clubs offer courtesy of the course to the away player but this is completely at the discretion of the club. The cost of any green fees charged must be shared equally between both players and paid for before the match commences.
6. It is the responsibility of the home player to ensure that the course is available on the date and time the match is due to be played. If for any reason the course is not available the match will be switched to the away course.
7. All matches should start from the first tee unless the club regulations do not permit or there is mutual agreement to start from a different tee.
8. Play will be from the competition tees, usually white, from which Monthly Medals are played. However if the club does not allow play from the competition tees the match will be played from the tees for general play, usually the yellow tees.
9. In matches involving both ladies and gentlemen, the gentlemen must play from the competition tees and ladies will play from the red tees. If the course does not have red tees then the match must be played at another course which does have red tees. If gentlemen are not permitted to play from the competition tees the match must be played at either the ladies home course or a neutral venue.
10. Matches all square after 18 holes will be decided on a 'sudden death' play off commencing at the first hole played and the appropriate shots will be given.
11. If after mutual agreement a match has to be abandoned during the first 18 holes, due to lack of daylight or the course becoming unfit for play, then play shall resume from the point where the match was abandoned as stated in the Rules of Golf.
12. If after mutual agreement a match has to be abandoned during a sudden death play off, due to lack of daylight or the course becoming unfit for play, then the match will be continued over 18 holes at the away team's course on another mutually convenient date.
13. It is the responsibility of the winner of each match to inform the Tournament Office of the result. Results can be telephoned on 0345 466 2222 or entered online at www.matchplay.co.uk anytime. 14. The winning player who is first to register their result online or to inform the Tournament Office of the match result will be the home team in the next round and so on.
Handicaps & Stroke Allowance:
1. Each competitor must have an active WHS Handicap Index issued by a CONGU affiliated golf club and their Handicap Index must remain active for the duration of the competition.
2. The maximum Handicap Index is 18 for men and 24 for ladies. Competitors with a higher Handicap Index can enter but must play off these limits.
3. Each competitor must play off his / her current Handicap Index which may increase or decrease during the period of the competition.
4. Each competitor must be able to show proof of his / her current Handicap Index if requested by their opponent. This may be in the form of a printed certificate from his / her club or on their golf club or National Golf Union app / website.
5. In accordance with the WHS Rules of Handicapping - Section 7.2a (updated 30/09/24) - the organisers of the competition have the authority to adjust the Playing Handicap of a competitor where there is evidence that the player’s Handicap Index does not reflect their demonstrated ability.
The organisers of the competition will disqualify a competitor if there is evidence of handicap manipulation. The entry fee will not be refunded in the case of disqualification.
6. Stroke Allowance
Stroke Allowance is 100% of the difference between each player’s course handicap.
Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating – par)
Step 1: Calculate each players Course Handicap
Step 2: Adjust the handicaps so that the lowest player plays off 0
Example:
Tee Slope Rating: 135, Course Rating 72.3, Course Par 72
Player 1: Handicap Index 10.2
Player 2: Handicap Index 20.4 ( Maximum HI is 18 for men)
Step 1: Calculate Course Handicap
Player 1 = 10.2 x 135 / 113 + 0.3 = 12.48, rounded to 12
Player 2 = 18.0 x 135 / 113 + 0.3 = 21.80, rounded to 22
Step 2: Adjust for lowest handicap
Player 1 has the lowest Course Handicap of 12
Player 1 = 12 – 12 = 0
Player 2 = 22 - 12 = 10
Player 1 has a Playing Handicap of 0
Player 2 has a Playing Handicap of 10
Player 2 will receive 10 strokes, taken in line with the Stroke Index from the tees in use.
6.2 Singles match between male and female (two sets of tees in use)
Step 1: Calculate each players Course Handicap
Step 2: Adjust the handicaps so that the lowest player plays off 0
Example:
Player 1: Handicap Index 10.2, Slope Rating: 135, Course Rating 72.3, Course Par 72
Player 2: Handicap Index 17.9, Slope Rating 125, Course Rating 73.7, Course Par 72
Step 1: Calculate Course Handicap
Player 1 = 10.2 x 135 / 113 + 0.3 = 12.48, rounded to 12
Player 2 = 17.9 x 125 / 113 + 1.7 = 21.18, rounded to 21
Step 2 : Adjust for lowest handicap
Player 1 has the lowest Course Handicap of 12
Player 1 = 12 - 12 = 0
Player 2 = 21 - 12 = 9
Player 2 will receive 9 strokes (21 – 12) from Player 1 taken in line with the Stroke Index from the tees in use.
7. Each competitor uses the card and SI appropriate for the tee they are playing from
8. In matchplay the par of the hole is irrelevant as the winner of the hole is the player who takes the least number of net strokes.
