Mile High Men’s Golf Club
Match Play Rules/Guidelines
6/20/22
The Mile High Men’s Golf Club has three major match play competitions, the two-man best ball (net), the Presidents Cup (net) and the Club Championship (gross). The following guidelines are to help members understand the rules for a fair competition.
Match Play
Match play is governed my USGA Rule 3.2 Here is a link:
Scheduling Matches
It is up to the competitors to schedule their match. Once an agreement is reached on date and time the match is considered scheduled. If a competitor does not show up, he is considered to have forfeited. Deadline for completion of match: The Committee has secured a 2 p.m. Sunday tee time in case competitors cannot agree on a time prior.
Matches can be played on any course except for the Club Championship which must be played on the AHGC North course from the black tees.
Applying Handicaps in Handicap Match
Competitors must announce their handicaps before the match begins. Handicaps are determined as of the day of play. IMPORTANT: If you declare a wrong handicap and don’t correct the mistake before your opponent makes a stroke:
- If the declared handicap is too high and this affects the number of strokes you get or give, you are disqualified.
- If the declared handicap is too low, there is no penalty, and you must play off the lower handicap.
Handicap strokes are given by hole, and the lower net score wins the hole. If match remains tied after completion of 18 holes it now becomes sudden death. Beginning on hole one, handicap strokes are given by hole in the same way as in the round.
Where strokes apply: Strokes are based on the differential between competitors. Play is based off the lower handicap who will not receive any strokes, the competitor will receive the difference on the hardest holes. Example: Player A is 10 handicap; Player B is a 12 handicap. Player B will receive 2 strokes in the match applied to the 2 hardest holes per the scorecard.
Order of Play
Starting First Hole. The honor is decided by agreement or by using any random method.
Starting All Other Holes. The player who wins a hole has the honor at the next teeing area. If the hole was tied, the player with the honor at the previous teeing area keeps it.
After Both Players Start a Hole. The ball that is farther from the hole is to be played first.
In all cases, if you play when it is your opponent’s turn to play, there is no penalty and your competitor may make you replay your ball. Exception – Playing Out of Turn by Agreement to Save Time: To save time, you and your opponent may agree to play out of turn.
Concessions
You may concede your opponent’s next stroke, a hole or the match, but a concession is only made when it is clearly communicated. Once a concession is given it can not be rescinded or declined.
Your Responsibilities in Match Play
In most cases there will not be a referee available to consult for a ruling if you believe a penalty breach has occurred, be specific with the facts of the rules when calling a penalty on your opponent. Players should make any all attempt to agree, without delay, whether a penalty should be assessed, mark the proper hole result and move on.
If not in agreement refer to USGA Rule 20 to make a request for a ruling in time. Here is a link to rule 20. https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=pe§ion=rule&rulenum=20. The Tournament Committee will make the final call.