Tournament Rules

Etiquettes:

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* The player with the low handicap in the same group is the team leader of the tournament and is responsible for the etiquette and interpretation of the rules. In case of dispute, it will be decided by the Committee after the competition.

 

* Before kick-off, the match ball is marked and announced to other players in the same group.

 

* When trying to swing individually or hitting the ball with the same group, keep your distance from the others. Do not walk around and talk to and affect the player in motion.

 

* Maintain an appropriate pace with the players in the previous group. Before hitting the ball, make sure that the players in the previous group are out of the hitting range to ensure safety.

 

* Make sure the player in the same car is seated before moving forward/backward. Don't be reckless. When overtaking, reduce your speed and keep a safe distance.

 

* Do not talk or laugh loudly during the game. Repair/maintain individual fairway marks, smoothen sand in the bunkers.

 

* The result of each hole is declared based on the actual number of strokes and is registered as a number. Do not use +/- scores.  

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Rules for the event:

 

​* NYTGCF Match Play Club Championship:

  The Match Play is only open to NYTGCF members. Competitors must have a GHIN Handicap.  The Match Play consists of seven rounds. The first round is the qualifying round, and 64 players will be advanced to the second round. Half of the players will be eliminated in each round.   The seventh round is the championship round. Any player absent from the match will be deemed as a forfeit and the opponent in the group will advance.

 

* "Self-discipline" is the most important basic principle of golf.  Don't do anything unfair.

 

  Men’s Tee: White

  Seniors Tee: Gold

  Ladies’ Tee: Red

 

* Tee Area: Bounded by the outer edges of the two tee markers, the tee zone is within the 2 clubs length behind them. Outside the zone, 2 penalty strokes and re-serve.

 

* In the event of an OB Shot:

a. Declare a provisional ball on the spot with a penalty of 1 stroke, calculated as the 3rd stroke. or

b. Throw the ball out of the area of the radius of the length of 2 clubs within the OB area or where the ball is lost, not close to the direction of the flagstick, and throw the ball out of trouble at knee height, 2 penalty strokes (OB/Lost Ball + Distance), calculated as the 4th stroke.

c. If the match ball and the provisional ball are lost at the same time, the ball shall be thrown at the 6th stroke in the area where the provisional ball was lost, not close to the direction of the flagstick, and the length of the two clubs is within the radius.

 

* When hitting the ball into the water from the tee box or elsewhere: (1 penalty for a, b, c)

a. can be replayed on the spot, or

b. The location of the obstacle zone where the ball enters the water, not close to the direction of the flagstick, the area with the length of 2 poles as the radius, and the ball is thrown out of trouble at knee height. or

c. Throw the ball out of trouble at knee height with the flagstick and the ball in the water point, extending the line indefinitely, and the radius of the length of the two poles.

 

* In the case of a fairway OB stroke or a lost ball:

a. Declare the provisional ball on the spot and impose a penalty of 1 strokes.

b. Throw the ball out of the box at knee height within the OB bounds or at the place where the ball is lost, not close to the direction of the flagstick, and the length of the two clubs is within a radius. A penalty 2 strokes. (OB/Missed Ball + Penalty Distance).

 

* Time to find the ball conceded:

The time for 2 people in the same group to find the ball is based on the principle of 3 minutes. or stop looking for the ball after another group of players have dealt with the blow.

Throw the ball away from the area where the ball was missed, and make 2 penalty strokes. (Missed Goal + Penalty Distance). When looking for the ball, there is no penalty for touching the ball.

 

* Inside Divot on the fairway only, the ball can be taken out of the "scorecard" width without penalty strokes. (NYTGCF Rules)

 

* Scattered obstacles are removed in each area, no penalty is given. However, if the ball is moved, a penalty of 1 stroke.

 

* 2 strokes for improving the batting environment. For example: moving the tee, stepping on the environment before and after the tee, pulling weeds, breaking branches and other behaviors.

 

* Ball stuck in the dirt (embedded ball):

In fairways or general areas, including in semi/rough areas, any part of the ball is below the ground level of its own impact marks. You can take it out and throw the ball out of trouble, except in the bunkers and free throw areas.

 

* When you confirm the match ball, mark it first.

It is not necessary to ask for the consent of the same group of players first. However, if the situation allows, it is best to inform the players in the same group first to avoid misunderstandings.

 

* No penalty will be given if the ball is not intentionally hit repeatedly.

 

* Unplayable in any area:

At the point where the ball lands, not close to the direction of the flag, the length of the two poles is the radius of the area, and the ball is thrown out of trouble at knee height. 1 penalty stroke.

 

* Ball lane/renovated ground/temporary water accumulation, etc.: Find the nearest "complete" escape point according to the rules, do not rely on the direction of the flagstick, 1 club length, and throw the ball at knee height to get out of trouble. No penalty strokes.

 

* Inside the bunker: Footprints can be cleaned.

- Scattered obstacles can be removed, and no penalty can be made. No penalty stroke for unintentional touching of sand. When trying to do pre-swing and hit the sand. 1 penalty stroke. 

- If the ball is unplayable in the bunker: a. 1 penalty stroke for throwing the ball in the bunker. or b. Throw the ball from behind the bunker and out of the bunker, 2 penalty strokes.

 

* On the green:

- Unintentionally move or try to touch the ball, put it back in place, no penalty stroke. - Any part of the ball below the rim of the hole is considered to be in the hole.

- After a player puts the ball and it collides with another ball that is not being marked and removed, 2 penalty strokes to the other ball owner.

- If the ball hits the flagstick and bounces/rolls out of the hole, it does not count as in the hole.

- Gimme is 18 inches

 

* a) Gross Award: When players have the same score, the player with the highest handicap wins.

b) Net Award: When players have the same score, the player with the lowest handicap wins. 

c) Knockout: Calculated and decided by the USGA Countback method. Please refer to https://www.competitiongolf.com/what-is-a-countback 

 

* The version of the competition rules was revised on 4/16/2024.

 

*  USGA rules supersede. If there is an error, please notify the committee to correct it.

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