The Members committee would like to welcome and encourage all members to take part in competitions and matches what ever their ability; juniors, seniors ladies etc. (5 Day members are only eligable to play in Competitions and Matches – Monday to Friday) and as the ‘Friendly Golf Club’ to promote fairness and encourage members to meet and mix, entrants will go into a draw to determine pairings/groups for play.

The exact method for handicapping used for each competition will be determined on the day for each specific competition.

For those less familiar with competition play the following is a brief guide to the main types of competition that may take place.

Strokeplay [Medal competitions]

The player totals their score for each of the 18 holes, giving a gross score before the deduction of the handicap. (The handicap is deducted from the gross score to give the net score).
This is usually considered the most testing form of golf.

Stableford

In this, the player takes his or her handicap against par, according to the Stroke Index of the holes on the course.

Stroke Index indicates the rank of difficulty of a hole on the course and is shown on the scorecard usually in the column marked “S.I.”
A player gets strokes per round equalling his/her handicap which are then allocated by hole according to Stroke Index.
Examples:

12 handicap would get 1 stroke each for holes of Stroke Index 1-12.
18 handicap would get 1 stroke for every hole.

24 handicap would get 1 stroke on every hole (equalling 18 strokes) plus an additional stroke on those holes of Stroke Index marked 1-6 (equalling 6 strokes). Therefore he/she would receive a total of 2 strokes for the 6 most difficult holes on the course and 1 stroke for all other holes.

On the card the gross score is filled in and then, after deducting the strokes received, counts two points for a hole completed in net par, one point for a score of one over par, three points for a net birdie, four for a net eagle, and so on. The player with the most points for the 18 holes wins.

Matchplay

This is a head-to-head match between two players. If played off handicap, the lower handicap player normally gives 3/4 of the handicap difference to the higher handicap player – the strokes being taken by following the stroke index column on the scorecard.

Foursomes

In this, four golfers play together in pairs, but use one ball between a pair, and take alternate shots for each hole. One player elects to drive the first hole and will then drive on every odd numbered hole; the other takes the even ones. This can then be played on a match play or strokeplay format

Four Ball Better Ball

This is a form of play in which four players play together, each using their own ball. It is played in partnerships, recording the lower score for each of the partnerships. Four Ball Better Ball can also be played in strokeplay form. In a match, the handicapping is normally taken on a 3/4 basis, the players taking handicap strokes from the lower handicap of the four.

Greensomes

In this competition, players go out in fours, made up of two pairs. All four players drive on each hole. The players of each partnership choose the better drive of the two and finish the hole playing alternate shots. The player whose drive was not taken plays the second shot.

Texas Scramble

This is a team competition, usually four-up. Each player drives off the first tee. The team captain then chooses the best drive and all the players take their ball to this position. They all then hit a shot from there. The captain again chooses the best second shot. Everyone else takes their ball to that spot and continues until the first player has holed out.

Bogey Competition

This is in effect, a Matchplay competition in which the golfer plays a hole-by-hole match against par (bogey). The player normally receives 3/4 of their handicap and takes those in the form of strokes from par according to the stroke index. Unlike a true match, the whole round is completed and the player records on each hole whether, after receipt of the stroke, they have won or lost the hole against bogey. At the end of the round they record how many up or down they are against par, for example three up or six down.