GENERAL CABLE GOLF LEAGUE RULES & REG’S
Section 1A-1– The League will consist of a minimum of four teams of four golfers each.
• The Teams will be selected before the first week of play via a drafting process. Handicaps will be adjusted every week.
• The list of teams and the schedule of play will be posted on the GCCGL web before the first week of play.
• Members and substitutes must have an established handicap in the GCCGL handicap system. Initially it can be accomplished by turning in a minimum of 10 scores (actual golf cards). If anyone plays a match without an established handicap in the GCCGL handicap system the match will be re-scored after the player’s score for that match is entered in the aforementioned handicap system. This will ensure that everyone that is playing/competing under the same handicap calculation.
• Each week we will post results and handicaps for the coming week on the GCCGL Web site.
Section 2A-1 – All substitutes are urged to accept every opportunity to play for a team member when requested
• A list of substitutes will also be posted on the GCCGL Web. When a sub is needed please call or email different people, so everyone gets a chance to play.
Section 2B-2 – Co-op Assumption (Ringer Rule)
Predicates that if an official substitute, which is one who is listed on the substitutes list on the GCCGL website, is available on any given week and makes known his or her availability, then the member MUST secure said substitute BEFORE attempting to introduce an unofficial sub, which is one who is not on the substitute list on the GCCGL website. Only after all subs on the officially subs lists have been given the opportunity to sub, can one introduce a new potential sub after the season begins. Furthermore, under no circumstances, can a co-op, who is subbing for a member, call his buddy, brother, sister, acquaintance, stranger, co-worker, neighbor, girlfriend, boyfriend, relative or roommate to sub for another member.
Section 3A-1 – Play will be in foursomes – The first Tee time is 5:06PM. A schedule of tee times will be sent out to the league so that everyone will know what time they tee off and who is in their foursome. Please be punctual especially the 1st 3 weeks of the season to ensure everyone can complete their round before dark. If an issue arises, please contact Co-commissioners Kreyling and Nill.
Section 4A-1 – Separate score cards for each match (twosome), should be turned into Jason Nill, Kurt Kreyling or George Almeida. Please ensure that the golfers last name and first initial are on the card. Both players should sign the card indicating that the scores recorded are correct and agreed upon between the players. The actual number of strokes used per hole will be recorded for each golfer. For those holes where a stroke is given, the receiver’s score will be circled.
Section 5-0 – Scoring – Ten points will be awarded per individual match. One point is awarded to the player that wins the hole. One half point is awarded to each player for any hole that is tied. The tenth point is awarded to the player with the lower net total for nine holes. If there is a tie, one half point for each player.
Section 5A-1 – If a team member does not have an opponent, because no sub was available, he must play the scheduled nine holes and his card will be matched against a card of the player who he was supposed to play based on that player’s handicap. He will receive the point for low net and his absent opponent will be penalized four strokes for the nine holes.
Section 5A-2 – Amendment to 5A-1 – The player matched against the card can NOT lose the match against the card. The worst the player can do is split (5-5). Therefore, the best the CARD can do is 5 points. It pays to get a sub….
Section 5B-2– The “Goldenberg Rule” – If an opponent leaves the during the middle of the match for unsubstantiated reasons NOT including family emergencies, injury to oneself, prior commitments, time restraints, work emergencies and any other reasonable explanation, the player will be penalized 2 strokes on the last 5 holes if the player leaves after the 4th hole. If the player leave on or before the 4th hole, the player will be penalized 3 strokes from the last completed hole. The player will also forfeit 1 point for low net. The rest of the holes will be played as though the player did not show and the handicap scores plus the penalty stroke will be applied against the card. See Section 5A-1.
Section 6A-1 – Awards – at the end of the season the following prizes will be awarded and paid out at the end of the season:
- 1st Place Team based on total points – $180 (4 x $45)
- 2nd Place Team based on total points – $120 (4 x $30)
- 3rd Place Team based on total points – $60 (4 x $15)
- Individual League Points Leader – $20
- Individual League Win % Leader – $20 (Note: starting with the 2016 season, and going forward, you must have a 69% (or higher), match play attendance record to win this prize)
Section 6B-2 – Weekly Pool – This money will be split into two equal pools determined by handicap, one for the A & B players and one for the C & D players. If there is a tie for handicap, we move to handicap index and if the index is a tie we use the average score from the handicap program. The low net score (or contest winner – closest to pin, long drive, etc.) from each group wins $20.
Section 6-9 – Member Dues – All GCCGL members agree to pay member dues in the amount of $60 ($58 league dues / $2 hole in one pot) on or before the 1stday of the start of the season. Should a member fail to pay their dues on time they will be assessed 1 penalty stroke on their handicap for each week payment has not been received (5 weeks late = handicap that is lower by 5 strokes). If for any reason the season starts with a scramble, each team will start out +1 for EACH player who has not paid their dues. Just as an example, if you have two offending players, you start out the scramble +2, etc. Should any member fail to pay their dues before the season has ended they will receive a LIFETIME ban from the GCCGL as both a member and substitute.
Section 6-9a – Starting with the 2016 season we began building a hole-in-one pot. The hole-in-one pot can only be won by a GCCGL member, substitutes are not eligible to win the hole-in-one pot.
Section 7A-1 – Rules of Play
General
• U.S.G.A. rules of golf will govern play, except where modified in this section.
• Disputes will be decided by the rules committee.
• As the majority of players are not ready for the Nike tour, preferred lies are acceptable.
Allowances
Section 7A-1 – On the Willows BACK nine ONLY. With the Willows BACK nine comes the dreaded “hole 15.” In case you have forgotten, hole 15 plays as a par 3 from the women’s tees and as a par 4 from the men’s tees. After much deliberation, the commissioner’s office has determined hole 15 will play as a par 4 for women. Women will tee off from the women’s tees – but their tees shot will be played as their second shot. Long story short – this is the easiest way to enter scores into the handicap system. If you are confused – talk to co-commissioner Cupcake.
Section 7B-2 – A player must play a provisional ball from the place where he played the first ball if the first ball is out of bounds, or is so close to the markers that it may be out of bounds. Count both strokes played plus one penalty stroke if the first ball is out of bounds. If the first ball is not out of bounds, it must be played without penalty.
Section 7C-3 – A player hitting a ball into a water hazard may exercise one of the following options: (1) Play another ball from the place where he played his first ball, counting both strokes plus one penalty stroke; (2) Play a ball after the hazard, keeping the spot where the ball last crossed into the hazard between him and the hole, counting the stroke plus two penalty strokes. We realize this isn’t PGA regulations, but this allowance is permitted in order to speed along play. However, if you choose option (2) and advance your ball, you must count the stroke plus 2 penalty strokes. For example, you hit one into the water and decide to drop past the hazard. You will be hitting your 4th shot.
Section 7D4 – A player may elect to play a provisional ball if the ball has landed in an area where the probability of finding it is minimal. If the first ball is not found the provisional becomes the ball in play. Count both strokes plus a penalty.
Section 7E-5 – A ball cannot be deemed lost in ground under repair, drainage ditches, casual water, or if a player and his opponent agree that the ball is in the fairway. Ex. plugged in spring time. A free drop is allowed in immediate area.
Section 7F-6 – Intent – the primary intent of the foregoing is to establish a fair and realistic set of rules under which all players will compete equally. The secondary is to eliminate individual interpretations. However the use of common sense, and wherever possible, agreement between the player and opponent should be fostered.
Section 8A-1– Weather – If there are Blizzard conditions, golf will be canceled, but please don’t assume golf is canceled if there is a light rain or some other inclement type stuff. Call or email George Almeida or better yet, check the GCCGL Web for updated information concerning whether league play is still on.
Section 9A-1– The “Witzgall Incident” – During SCRAMBLE PLAY ONLY, substitution is allowed only if the sub who is filling in has a handicap of no better than 3 strokes of the GCCGL member for whom he/she is substituting for, as measured from the same tee boxes. For example, if a GCCGL member has a handicap of 9 from the white tees, then the sub must have a handicap no better than a 6, from the white tees, in order to substitute in the Scramble. The substitute may have a handicap of more than 3 strokes if the member so wishes. In other words, if the substitute’s handicap is a 14 and the member’s handicap is a 9, this will be allowed as a legal substitution.
Section 9B-2– The “3 Isn’t a Crowd” rule – During SCRAMBLE PLAY ONLY, This rule applies to teams playing with less than 4 players during a Scramble. It is believed that a slight advantage is held over the other teams since each player gets to hit twice (3 times) over the course of a nine hole scramble. The advantage come when a player who is hitting twice on a particular hole is able to hit the ball twice in a row. The advantage really comes into play when the person is putting and is able to immediately drop another ball and putt again after missing his/her first putt. The decision was made to have the person who’s turn it is to hit two shots, wait at least one player in between shots, especially when putting. Also, the player who’s turn it is to hit two shots, must hit two shots for the entire hole. In other words, the player will hit his/her tee shot twice, then continue to hit his/her 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc… shots twice until the completion of the hole.
Section 9C-3 – 3 M Rule (Matt McLinn Mercy Rule) – Battle Golf Rules Addendum
The rules of battle golf state, “if player A and player B are opponents, and player A loses a hole, player B may remove any club from player A’s bag. Player A may not use the lost club for the remainder of the round, unless player A wins a hole and elects to take his/her club back from player B.”
The “3 M Rule” eliminates a golfer’s conscience. Consistent with the example above, if player A loses 5 consecutive holes and consequently a club on each lost hole to player B, player B – under NO circumstances – will be allowed to show player A “mercy.” If player B defeats player A on the sixth hole, and does NOT take a club from player A, player B has shown “mercy” on his opponent and shall be assessed a penalty.
The penalty for showing “mercy” on an opponent is the automatic loss of putter for two holes. Adherence of this rule is the responsibility of all members in a foursome. For example, players A and B are in a match and playing in the same foursome as players C and D (also in a match). Players A and B are responsible for monitoring players C and D and vice versa.
Section 10A-1 – GCCGL Scramble Rules Addendum
1 – If the A player is a no show, then only a second ball can be hit on the 6 hardest/lowest handicap holes out of 9. Therefore, everyone is only hitting a 2nd ball on 2 out of nine holes which will be one of the aforementioned 6 hardest holes and no team penalty stroke. The player that is hitting a second ball cannot hit twice in a row, there has to be another player hitting/putting between his 1st and 2nd ball.
2 – If the B player is a no show, then everyone takes a turn to hit an extra ball on ONLY the three HARDEST/LOWEST handicap holes. The other 6 holes, you play as a 3-man scramble and no team penalty stroke. The player that is hitting a second ball cannot hit twice in a row, there has to be another player hitting/putting between his 1st and 2nd ball.
3 – If the A & B players are a no show, then the C & D players can play 2 balls on each of the nine holes with no team penalty stroke, but alternating shots/hits/putts between their 1st and 2nd ball between each other. Again, you cannot hit your second ball without the other player taking his turn.
4 – If the C & D players are a no show, then there are no extra shots for the A & B players and their team score will be a +2 team penalty strokes before the start of nine holes (i.e. starting 2 over par).
5 – If the D player is a no show, then there are no extra shots for the A, B, & C players and the team score will be a +1 team penalty stroke before the start of nine holes (i.e. starting 1 over par).
6 – If the C player is a no show, then there are no extra shots for the A & B players, but the D player will take all the extra shots on the 6 hardest/lowest handicap holes and the team score will be a 0 before the start of nine holes (i.e. starting even par).
7 – If the B & C or the B & D players are a no show, then the A & D or the A & C players can play 2 balls on the 6 hardest/lowest handicap holes out of nine holes with no team penalty stroke.
8 – If the A & C or the A & D players are a no show, then the B & D or the B & C players can play 2 balls on the 3 hardest/lowest handicap holes and the 3 middle handicap holes out of nine holes with no team penalty stroke.
For scramble play only, a team’s A, B, C, & D player ranking will be determined by their handicap index which will be to 1 decimal position.
Section 11A-1 – The “Harris/Rayburn Trading Rule”
1 – Only after week 4 has been played/completed and before week 14 play begins can a team captain (GCCGL member that picked/drafted their team for the year) trade a member of his team for a member of another team. The players being traded has to have a handicap within 3 strokes of each other. For example, if a GCCGL member has a handicap of 9, then the other GCCGL member must have a handicap no better than a 6 or vice-versa in order for the trade to be sanctioned. If the member’s original team wins either 1st or 2ndplace, then the monetary winnings for that team position (A, B, C, or D) would be pro-rated between the original member and the acquired member based on the number of weeks played for that winning team. Any other compensation is between the two trading captains/teams is outside these league rules. A trade can NOT be reversed for 4 weeks of play (completed matches rainouts included).
2 – Only after week 4 has been played/completed and before week 14 play begins can a team captain (GCCGL member that picked/drafted their team for the year) trade themselves for a member of another team with the majority vote approval of the initiating team. The captain being traded has to have a handicap within 3 strokes of the acquired member. For example, if a GCCGL member/captain has a handicap of 9, then the other GCCGL member/captain must have a handicap no better than a 6 or vice-versa in order for the trade to be sanctioned. If the member’s original team wins either 1st or 2ndplace, then the monetary winnings for that team position (A, B, C, or D) would be pro-rated between the original member and the acquired member based on the number of weeks played for that winning team. Any other compensation is between the two trading captains/teams is outside these league rules. A trade can NOT be reversed for 4 weeks of play (completed matches rainouts included).
3 – Only after week 4 has been played/completed and before week 14 play begins can a team (mutineers = three of four members) trade a member of their team for a member of another team with the majority vote approval of the initiating team (mutineers). The member/captain being traded has to have a handicap within 3 strokes of the acquired member. For example, if a GCCGL member/captain has a handicap of 9, then the other GCCGL member/captain must have a handicap no better than a 6 or vice-versa in order for the trade to be sanctioned. If the member’s original team wins either 1st or 2ndplace, then the monetary winnings for that team position (A, B, C, or D) would be pro-rated between the original member and the acquired member based on the number of weeks played for that winning team. Any other compensation is between the two trading captains/teams is outside these league rules. A trade can NOT be reversed for 4 weeks of play (completed matches rainouts included).
Section 12A-00 – The “You Can Pick Your Nose” Rule
The saying goes – “you can pick your friends…and you can pick your nose…but you can’t pick your friend’s nose.” That saying leaves one thing out – pick your golf tees. The women of the GCCGL are given the option to play from the red tees (forward tees) or the white tees. Effective in the 2015 golf season, whichever tees the lady so chooses at the beginning of the year will be the tees she plays for the rest of the season.
In the event a female sub is used during the season, the sub will be asked to choose a tee. Her handicap will be calculated based on the chosen tees and, assuming she will be asked to sub at another point in the year, she will play the selected tees for the rest of the season.
Section 12Z-150 – The “Come on Man…” Rule – Preferred Lies Interpretation
Ever play with someone that spends five minutes rolling a ball to an absolutely perfect lie? Do you feel like they should be on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown segment – “Come on man…”
Section 7A-1 – Rules of Play – reads “as the majority of players are not ready for the Nike tour, preferred lies are acceptable.”
As a reminder – the definition of “preferred lies” is below:
“A player is entitled to prefer the lie of the ball when the ball lies on a closely-mown area through the green, such as the fairway. A closely-mown area is any area of the course that is cut to fairway height or less and includes paths cut through the rough and the fringe/apron around the green. If the ball does not lie on a closely-mown area, the player cannot take a preferred lie.”
The commissioner’s office brings up this definition simply as a reminder to use good judgment. If you hit a ball in the rough, most likely you did not hit a “good” shot. Meaning – you shouldn’t necessarily be rewarded with a perfect lie on your next shot. Be reasonable if you move your ball in the rough. Moving the ball out of a hole because the grass conditions at the glorious confines of Kenton County could be described as average (at best) is one thing…moving the ball to the perfect tuft of grass so you can hit a 215 yard draw to reach a par 5 in two, or hit the perfect flop shot when you have little green to work with is something else.
Section 12X-68 – The “GIMMIE” Some Lovin Rule
“Pick it up” are some of the sweetest words a golfer can hear when they are standing over a tricky downhill 3 footer. However, the “Gimmie” some lovin rule is going to clarify a few points as it relates to freebies.
- If player A and player B are in a match and player A concedes player B’s putt, the putt is good as soon as player A concedes. If player B putts after player A concedes and misses the putt – the stroke is still good and the hole is over. This basically eliminates the following comment (or some variety of this comment) – “that putt is good unless you putt it…if you putt it you own it.” You either give someone the putt or you don’t. Make up your mind already.
- If your opponent makes a putt and wins a hole – your putt is NOT automatically good. For example, player A has a 10 foot putt for par and player B has a 5 foot putt for bogey. If player A makes the putt to win the hole with a par, player B must putt and finish the hole, or continue putting until the hole is conceded. It is important to note that player A should not necessarily give player B the putt just because they have won the hole. Keep in mind there is one point for the total match score and the entire league is competing for overall “low-net” money.
Section 12ACE-01 – The Danielle Lickert – Hole in One Rule
Raise your hand if you ever thought we would need a rule for a hole in one? Now put it down because you are lying. Danielle Lickert’s Ace during the 2015 season was equally awesome and controversial. Hence, an addendum to the Stabbleford Scramble scoring system.
Each season, the commissioner’s office will determine the point system for the Stabbleford scramble. Beginning in 2015 – a hole-in-one will carry the most points regardless of the technical term (i.e. an eagle on a par 3 or an albatross on a par 4).
Section 17OLD- The Retirement Rule
Once you are a GCCGL member, you are a GCCGL member for life! Unless…you decide to retire (or fail to pay your dues).
The GCCGL gives full-time members the ability to confirm their membership status at the beginning of each season. The commissioner’s office understands that life changes happen and full-time members may have to drop down to a substitute level from time to time.
However, the commissioner’s office has decided that if a full-time member elects to “retire,” said individual will not be permitted to partake in the GCCGL as a substitute. Obviously, the person retiring has either grown too old to play golf, or just grown tiresome of the league antics in general.
Furthermore, if an individual decides to change their full-time status to sub, without a valid reason, the commissioner’s office may determine the decision to drop to sub status is actually a retirement. In other words – the commissioner’s office reserves the right to determine if a full-time member has truly retired. For example, say a GCCGL member discusses retirement for an entire offseason, and waits until the last minute to confirm his membership in 20X1. If this member decides to drop to sub status in 20X2, the commissioner’s office could determine this change of status is, in fact, a retirement. This individual may be forbidden as a substitute for the foreseeable future.
BEST OF LUCK TO ALL
