2025 Emerald Greens Men’s Club

9-Hole League Rules

Format:

• 2-Man Team vs Team Best Ball Match Play 9-Hole (Handicapped).

• USGA Governing Rules for Match Play.

• Local Rules when applicable.  Including Out of Bounds/Lost Ball in lieu of stroke and distance.

• Tees: Under 55 Must play white tees; 55+ have choice of gold tees (must declare and play the entire season).

• Disputes will be subject to the on-course rules committee.   League director(s) have final resolution.

• Each week we will rotate Gold/Silver-Front/Back at Emerald Greens.

Scoring:

Each player plays their own ball. Each player will set their handicap against the lowest handicap from each tee group.  After each player from each team holes out, the lowest score for that team will be the lowest of the two players’ score minus handicap. (Based player HC and hole HC).

• Hole-by-hole Team Match Play Best Ball:

• (1) Point per hole

• Halved holes will result in ½ point per hole

• Team Best Ball Full Match Play

• (2) Points per Match

• Match Ties result in 1 point per player

• (11) TOTAL POINTS available per week. 

Handicapping:

Your scores will be calculated each week and computed to establish and maintain a LEAGUE HANDICAP.

Max Handicap is 18

Returning players:

• If you are a returning player, your handicap will carry over from the previous season adjusted to the new formula:

• Lowest 4 scores of the last 10.  The lowest (4) scores will be an average at 100%

New player handicap options:

• Current GHIN calculated down to a 9-Hole handicap

• (1) 18 hole round at Emerald Greens attested by an opponent - Scorecard is required.

• Other proven handicap system (Ghint, 18 Birdies etc) approved by the 9-Hole League Director

• 9-Hole League Director is the decision maker for all handicaps (new and existing).

No established Handicap:

• You will start as a scratch (zero handicap)

Calculation:

• Your best 4 scores out of your last 10 will be used for your league handicap-100%

• If you do not have 4 scores, we will drop the following high scores to establish handicap:

• (1) Round - No dropped scores

• (2-3) Rounds - (1) highest score dropped

• (4-5) Rounds - (2) highest scores dropped

• (6-9) Rounds - (3) highest scores dropped

• Round up at .5 or higher

• Equitable Stroke Control(ESC) is in play  – Maximum allowed per hole is NET Double Bogey.

• Picking up or conceding to your opponent will require an “X” on the card or software and will result in an automatic score of:

• 6(par 3), 7(par 4) and 8(par 5); automatic loss of hole. Adjusted to net double bogey.

Scorecard/Mobile App:

A Mobile App will be used.  Live scoring on course will be permitted by 1 or all of your Foursome.  You must also keep a physical scorecard when using the mobile app.  

If the mobile app is not functional, Scorecards must be used and signed by one player from each team.  The cards (unless already preprinted) must include First and Last Name, TEAM numbers, Handicaps and points per team at the end of the match.

Handicaps must be accurately displayed on the cards.  If there is a discrepancy whereby a player records their handicap as higher than it actually is on the card, they could be disqualified for that match, or at the discretion of the league director, it may be adjusted to actual League HC.  If a player records their handicap as lower than it actually is, your card is final with no adjustments.

Teams and Divisions:

There will be (3) Divisions with (16) RED, (16) WHITE, and (16) BLUE teams per division.

There will be (2) 9-week halves.

Play-offs (subject to change):

To get into the play-offs, we will take the top 16 teams based on total points for the entire season. Top teams after the play-offs will receive winnings.

We will payout winnings First Half and Second Halves: 1st and 2nd Place from each division (6 teams).

In the event of ties per half, tie breakers are in force-subject to change:

• Head-to-Head play from a weekly match most recent, if no head to head match was played in the past or near future (for first half tie breakers), then:

• Chip and Putt off on practice green – Both teams count strokes from a specific spot outside the practice green.  Add up strokes needed to hole out a specified hole on the practice green.  The team with the fewest strokes, wins.  If there is a tie, then we do it again, but further away. Repeat as necessary.

• If Chip and Putt is not an option for any reason, then a coin flip will determine the winner.

• Coin Flip

On Course Events:

Each week there will be (2) on course events per division - $20 each cash. 

Substitute Players

Substitute players are allowed to compete for the ON COURSE EVENTS only if a $25 fee is paid prior to the match.

Subs cannot be used for the playoffs unless a player is injured and must hold a similar league handicap within 1 stroke; or unless pre-approved by the league director(s).

SUBS - TEAM ASSIGNMENTS are on the first two players listed

Absent Player/BLIND Rules:

One or Both players must be present to earn points per team. If you are the only player for your team, your score is the “BEST BALL” 

Missing team/opponent:

If your entire opponent's team is missing, you must earn points.  Your team will play the course at PAR.