RULES OF PLAY
Scoring Format and Handicaps
Eligibility: This is a private men’s league. You must be from the local area and membership to our league is subject to the approval of the Jenkintown Golf League Committee. You must be no less than 21 years of age.
Match Play:
Match play is a method of play where you are competing against your opposing team for each individual hole. If your team scores a 4 and the other team scores a 5 then you won the hole. At the end of the 9 hole match you total up the number of holes won rather than the total number of strokes taken.
Scoring:
Point and Quarter Point Scoring - When the 9 hole match is finished the winning team is awarded one ( 1 ) point for the win and a quarter point ( 1/4 ) point for every hole they won by. For example - if a team wins the match 1 up, they get 1 and a 1/4 point. If they win 2 up they get 1 and a 1/2 points, 3 up wins 1 and 3/4 points etc. If a match is tied after nine holes or halved each team gets a 1/2 points. Standings are kept by totaling the points earned after each week. No points are deducted for losing a match just points added for winning or a tie. If you reach a point in the match that you can not mathematically win and there are still holes remaining to be played, do not give up as the other team could accumulate a 1/4 point for every hole that the team wins by. Both teams should compete until the final hole is played.
Team Handicaps:
Team handicaps are used so strokes may be given depending on who you are playing. Team Handicaps are posted on the season schedule under the Schedule link above. For example - If your team handicap is a 7 handicap and your opponent's team handicap is a 5 then you get 2 strokes on the number 1 and 2 handicap holes. The score card should be marked where the shots fall. Please agree with your opposing team - each teams handicap and which hole(s) the strokes apply.
It is important that we know when alternates are playing because they could change the team handicap.
Hole 3 Rules for 2024
If your ball lands in dirt, ground under repair, near construction equipment or construction materials as a result of the Galman Project, Creek Widening project or from the creation of a new hole, you have two choices
Play ball where it lies (within in one club length, no closer to the hole)
Play ball at “nearest relief”, no closer to the hole (no penalty)
We will monitor this hole throughout the season and we may need to change to rule. The large dirt mound directly behind the temporary 3rd hole green that is now currently covered by tall grass is not applicable to nearest relief. You must play it as it lies.
General Rules
The League is governed by the rules of the USGA (www.usga.org/rules) and generally accepted two-man scramble golf rules, with the following amendments and/or clarifications. Please read these rules as there are Abington Club-specific rules listed below.
All team members tee off (white tee markers) on each hole and then decide which tee shot they like the best and mark the spot with a tee or ball marker.
Team members pick up their balls and place (they do not need to drop the ball) their golf ball within one club length (no closer to the hole) of the marked spot. Each team member hits their next shot from the chosen spot. This procedure is followed on every shot for the remainder of the hole, including putts. The ball should be marked on the putting green as well
Putts need to be made within ~3 inches (or the length of the putter blade) of the marked spot (and NO closer to the hole).
The first ball to go in the hole is counted for the team score. When putting, once a ball is holed out, no further strokes count.
The team is cautioned NOT to make "tap" in putts until all team members have had the opportunity to attempt the team’s original putt. Remember, the first ball to go in the hole is counted as the team score. You may ask the opposing team to "clean up" your putt before your partner makes his putt, but you must ask - or the first ball to go in is counted as the team score.
Each player’s tee shot must be used at least two (2) times during the 9-hole competition. This is strictly enforced. Please clearly mark these two drives for each player on your scorecard
If you do not have a partner (i.e.: a no show or you are unable to secure an alternate) and you are playing by yourself, you are entitled to choose the best shot from two tee shots, all other shots are played as single shots. If you are an A player you may only use one drive.
Alternates are required to be registered on the Jenkintown Golf League Website under the Alternates page before playing. This is to insure we have the name and handicap posted.
Tee times will be strictly enforced. Given we have 9 holes filled/36 golfers, teams will need to tee off at the stated tee time. Forfeits/penalties could occur if you are late.
Under no circumstance may a player play the course on the same day prior to a match.
Hazards:
A hazard is an area that is in-bounds on a golf course that provides an intentional obstacle (i.e.: stream, creek, pond, lake, sand bunker). The Abington Club does not mark its hazards (i.e.: you will not see red or yellow stakes) and for our league the hazard rules will be the same for hazards and lateral hazards. The commonly defined hazard areas at the Abington Club is the creek (at the bottom of hill on the 4th), tall reeds (5th and 6th), tall cat tails (6th) and the moat (dry or wet) at the 6th. Sand bunkers are on every hole. You can still loose your ball or hit your ball out of bounds on holes 4 thru 6 without it entering a hazard. If this is the case, hazard rules would NOT come into play. Please agree with your foursome when hazard rules come into play. Below are the general guidelines. If the ball you choose to play is in a hazard you have the following options.
If you are able to locate your ball in the hazard. You may play the ball where it lies or one club length no closer to the pin, however your ball may NOT leave the hazard. As with all hazards, once you ball is placed, you may NOT ground your club prior to striking the ball. There is no stroke penalty for this option. If you cannot find your ball in the hazard please choose 2 thru 4 below.
You may drop a new ball (plus a stroke penalty) two club lengths (when you seek relief you are able to take two club lengths), no closer to the pin, from where the ball entered the hazard
You may drop a new ball (plus a stroke penalty) anywhere “in line” from the location of the pin and where the ball entered the hazard. You may not move closer to the pin. Meaning, you may “walk back” as far as you would like, as long as you stay “in line” with where the ball entered the hazard and the pin.
Lastly, you may hit another shot (plus a stroke penalty) from where you played the ball last.
6th Hole: Island / Moat Hole:
There is an unmarked drop location on this hole. It is located to the right of the cart path, on the fairway, at the bottom of the hill just before the bridge. You may also use this as an option (plus a stroke penalty) for this hole if your ball is lost in the hazard. The commonly defined hazard area on the 6th hole is the creek, tall reeds, cat tails and the moat (dry or wet). If you ball does not enter these areas and your ball is lost, see the rules for "Out of Bounds or Lost Balls" below. Please agree with your foursome when hazard rules come into play during your round to avoid any confusion.
We had a lot of confusion last year. Lets do a better job this year.
Unplayable Lie
An unplayable lie is when you ball is in a location (other than a hazard or out of bounds) where you cannot hit or strike the ball. Typically, this occurs when your ball is near or against an "unmovable object" such as a tree, wall, fence, etc. Items that are movable such as benches, cart path ropes, temporary signs, downed branches, etc. can be moved by the player in order to strike their ball. In a match play, scramble format, you are able to lift, clean and place you ball, one club length, no closer to the pin, without changing your condition. If a ball still remains as an unplayable lie after a player places a new ball, that player must deem their ball as unplayable.
A player may deem his ball unplayable at any place in-bounds on the course except when the ball is in a hazard. ( If ball is in the hazard, please follow the hazard rules listed above). The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable. Once the player declares his ball as unplayable, the player will take a stroke penalty, and pick one of the following options:
You may place a new ball two club lengths (when you seek relief you are able to take two club lengths), no closer to the pin, from where the ball sits
You may place a new ball anywhere “in line” from the location of the pin and where the ball sits. You may not move closer to the pin. Meaning, you may “walk back” as far as you would like, as long as you stay “in line” with where the ball sits and the pin.
Lastly, you may hit another shot from where you played the ball last.
In all cases, you may NOT move the ball closer to the pin. If your unplayable lie does not allow you to place your new ball farther from the pin, than your only option is option 3.
100 Yard Markers (Tall Grasses)
If you are able to locate your ball within a “Tall Grass 100 Yard Marker” you may place your ball (not closer to the pin/hole) so that your swing and stance is not impeded by the 100 yard Marker.
Out of Bounds or Lost Ball:
Out of Bounds or a Lost Ball is not the same as losing a ball in a Hazard. If your ball goes out of bounds or if your ball is lost (and not in a hazard), the penalty assessed is a stroke AND distance. For example, if both tee shots are lost (and not in a hazard), you lose a stroke and you MUST replay your ball from the tee. You do NOT hit your shot from where your ball went out of bounds or where it was lost (unless you chose the alternative described below). If both balls are lost on a chip shot, the same rules apply - both players will take a stroke and play another shot from the original position of the chip shot location. There are no out of bounds stakes on the Abington Club course (you will not see white stakes/painted lines). Please declare to your opponents once your ball is lost or out of bounds. Once a ball is declared as being out of bounds or lost, you may NOT replay that ball - even if the ball is found seconds later. No exceptions. You may also use the Local Rule as described below.
New Local Rule for Out of Bounds and Lost Balls (alternative to stroke and distance)
This option allows the player to drop in a large area between the point where the ball is estimated to have come to rest or gone out of bounds and the edge of the fairway of the hole being played that is not nearer the hole. The player gets two (2) penalty strokes when using this relief option. This means that the relief is comparable to what could have been achieved if the player had taken stroke-and-distance (player returning to the place where they hit the ball originally) relief. This rule is not for balls in a hazard, unplayable lie or provisional balls. For more info on this new local rule, please see the following link
Stroke and Distance: New Local Rule (usga.org)
Golf Balls in the Rough:
If the ball you choose to play is in the rough (first cut, second cut, tall grass or not in the fairway) you cannot place the ball outside of that original condition of play. You may reset your ball as appropriate like any other shot (one club length), as long you do not improve your condition (i.e.: you cannot move a ball that was in the rough to the fairway). You cannot "groom" the condition of the course (except on the green) where your ball is located (i.e.: you cannot cut down, remove, whack or cut tall grass, bush or tree branches around your ball). If your ball is on a cart path, sprinkler head, or on or under downed branches, etc. you may move your ball one club length assuming it can be moved to grass, no closer to the pin.
Provisional Shots:
Unless a given player declares a second shot as a provisional (please announce it to the other team and make sure they confirm), once a ball is declared as being lost, you may NOT play that ball, even if the ball is found seconds later. No exceptions. We had a few complaints about this last year – lets make sure we follow this rule.
Disputes:
Foursomes are encouraged to raise potential rule infractions, questions, to their opponents while they are playing. If there is any doubt, just ask your opposing team their opinion. Once cards/scores are handed in the round is considered final, so if you have an issue with another team please raise it during the round. If you are not able to settle the issue on the course, please let the scorecard collector know at the end of the round about the issue. Disputes will not be addressed after the fact.
The Rules Committee may change handicaps, rules, add drop areas, depending on weather condition, and in the interest of fair play, etc. Look for these changes on this website.
Most Common Mistakes (from emails and discussions from players):
1. Out of Bounds or Lost Balls: If your ball is lost or out of bounds, the penalty is a stroke and distance. You must hit again from where you last played your ball or chose the 2 Stroke Local Rule (see above). This does not apply if you ball goes in a hazard, for unplayable lies or provisional shots. See hazard rules above
2. Condition of Lie. You may lift, clean and place your ball one club length as long as you do not move closer to the hole and as long as you do not improve your condition. Condition is defined as rough (tall grass off fairway), fairway, hazard, brush, first cut/fringe of green, green, etc. If your ball goes into a bush or very tall grass, you may move that ball as described above, as long as it does not improve your lie better than your current condition.
3. Grooming. You may not groom a spot on the course (except on the green) where you intend to place your ball. You may lift, clean and place your ball, but you cannot "hack away" at tall grass or remove, cut or hit overhanging branches, etc. The second you groom a spot, you must take a stroke. You may also not intentionally or unintentionally groom your spot during a practice swing, This can occur if your practice swing hits a branch and that branch is permanently altered. According to the USGA, if your practice swing hits a branch and a single leaf falls to the ground - you must take a stroke.
4. Grounding your club and taking practice swings in hazards/sand traps. You may not ground your club - in other words, your club cannot touch the sand in a bunker, until you take your swing.
5. The chain link fence behind the green on Hole #3 (see new rules for temporary 3 Hole Green). If the ball you choose to play is at the base of the fence you may not move the ball one club length away from the fence, because (in most every case, sometimes you can) by doing so you are moving the ball closer to the pin. You may lift, clean and place - as long as you do NOT move your ball closer to the pin. If this is your only option, than you would need to either hit it where it lies or deem your ball as an unplayable lie. Please see Unplayable Lie rules above. This rule applies to any situation, under no circumstance, can you move your ball closer to the pin !
6. Swinging and Missing. If your intent is to swing and hit a ball - and you miss the ball. You must take a stroke. The operative word is "intent." If that is what you intended to do, man up and take the stroke. The same applies if you tee up your ball and you inadvertently knock the ball of the tee (while not addressing the ball), this is not a penalty because in that moment you did not intend to swing and strike the ball.
7. Putting Assistance Rule: Under no circumstance can a player make a putt with his caddie, his partner or his partner's caddie positioned on or close to an extension of the line of play or line of putt behind the ball. After the ball is struck, you may stand on the line. (USGA 4.2 b). The definition of the Line of Play or Line of Putt is from the ball to the hole and not beyond. The extension referenced in USGA 4.2b is behind the ball (USGA Definitions II). In addition to this rule, USGA golf etiquette rules state that a player should be given the courtesy to putt a ball without a player or caddie in his view at the time of putting, therefore you may stand on the line of play or line of putt beyond the hole, as long as you are not standing in a position where the player making the putt objects that you are standing in their view. (USGA – General Rules of Golf Etiquette)
8. Sharing Clubs: Golfers may not share clubs or putters. Each golfer is limited to 14 clubs in their bag.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Playoff Format:
The Jenkintown Golf League Playoffs are formatted as a Single Elimination Tournament. All teams make the playoffs
Please review the Bracket page of this website for your seed and opponent. Seeds were determined by your total score for the season. See your team's final score under the Weekly Standings page of this website. Playoff rounds will be played on a Monday night beginning at the end of the regular season.
Alternates may NOT play in the playoffs. If you have a qualified conflict ( i.e: previously planned vacation, travel for work, etc.) you may play your round at a time convenient to your partner and the team you are playing. If you are unable to play on a Monday night, you must complete your round close to the scheduled date and no later than the following Sunday. If you have a qualified conflict, please email Kevin Guerin and Dan Ferry and let us know when you are playing. Everyone should make a "best efforts" attempt to play on the scheduled Monday night time slot.
Playoff Rules
Every team is eligible to play in the playoffs. Each team’s seeding is based on the final standings. If ANY player does not play at least 6x during a season (more than half) that team will be moved to the lowest seed in the tournament. An additional penalty, such as a change in handicap, could be accessed if a significant time is missed.
The rules of play are the same as the regular season with the exception that there are no ties. Your round must conclude with a winner. The playoff tiebreaker is sudden death. If after 9 holes you are tied, keep playing until a winner is determined. If you have a rules issue, please address it as it happens and on the course with your foursome. Yes, handicaps still apply in the playoffs!
Given we are now in the fall season, please be mindful of pending darkness. Rounds should begin no later than 5:00 pm ( we will monitor this throughout the playoffs ). If your round is not complete and it becomes to dark to play, an unanimous decision by all four players must be achieved in order to continue the round. It is perfectly fine to carry the round to another day, if that is what was decided by all four players. If you play another day due to darkness, please start at the following hole. Also, handicaps apply in tie breaker rounds. Again, If you have an issue with darkness, please address it on the course with your foursome. Once you tee off, you must complete the hole.
Many people "relax" a bit during the regular season when it comes to the rules. It has been my experience ( by the many emails that I get! ) that most players would rather play to the "letter of the law" during the playoffs. Given its a single elimination tournament, please adhere to the rules. A good rule of thumb is if you have any doubt on a ruling, please consult your opponent and agree. As long as you agree - there is no issue.
Many of these matches go down to one stroke or the last hole. Please be respectful to everyone's quest for the illusive "Commissioners Cup."
Cost
The first round of the playoffs is covered by your entry fee. This does NOT include the "Play In" round or rounds after the first round. The Play In round and rounds beyond the 1st round are to be paid at the front desk at the Abington Club. The cost is $15.00 per round. Please let the front desk know that you are in the Monday Night Golf League and your fee is $15.00.
Once you complete your round, please send me a note or email me the result.
Abington Club Rules:
If a golfer causes damage to the property of the Abington Club or its guest (i.e.: broken window, car in the parking lot, etc.) it is the responsibility of the golfer to pay ALL damages.
