Conditions of Competition at Frodsham GC
Click on any of the heading in the table to take you to the relevant section on the page. Use the Back Button on your browser to return to the top of the page.
1.0 Introductions
R & A Rules of Golf (33-1) provides, "The Committee must establish the conditions under which a competition is to be played."
The conditions should include all matters necessary to comply with this Rule, such as method of entry, eligibility, number of rounds to be played, etc.
2.0 Competitions
The following Conditions of Competition apply to all members competitions organised by the Members Committee (the Committee).
2.1 Eligibility
The following eligibility criteria apply to competitions organised by the Committee:-
- Full members can compete in all competitions
- Members must have a CONGU Handicap to play in Competitions. (Exception: a CONGU handicap is not required to play in Ball Competitions).
- Juniors who are playing members and who have attained the age of 18 by the date of the competition are eligible to enter all competition.
- Juniors may play in adult competitions with the following restrictions:
- (a) Juniors may play in Major competitions providing they have a handicap of 18 or less.
- (b) Juniors may play in Medal competitions providing they have a handicap of 20 or less.
- (c) Juniors are not allowed to play in Ball Competitions
- 5 Day members cannot compete in weekend competitions or competitions organised on Bank Holidays
3.0 Stipulated round Back to Top
All Competitions will be played over 18 holes in their correct sequence unless otherwise stated.
4.0 Handicap Back to Top
All Competitors must have a current Frodsham Golf Club CONGU handicap or an ‘away’ handicap registered on the Club’s Master Handicap List to enter and compete in a competition.
4.1 Members with Inactive Handicaps will not be allowed entry into Major Competitions in 2010.
4.2 Members with Inactive Handicaps may play in Medals. Medal Cards submitted will qualify as one card submitted under CONGU Rule 26.3 and 16.2 to regain a full CONGU handicap.
5.0 Mixed Competitions Back to Top
All members’ competitions at Frodsham Golf Club are mixed competitions.
5.1. R&A Rule 10.0 Order of Play:
Order of Play from Teeing Ground: all Frodsham GC Competitions are mixed competitions, therefore to ensure players do not risk disqualification because they did not comply with R&A Rule 10.0m, the Committee has decided that a Local Rule under R&A Rule 33 shall be made.
5.2 Local Rule:
- Stroke Play: to ensure that unsafe situations do not arise and to reduce slow play, the player(s) whose tee is furthest from the green will always tee off first. At Frodsham GC this is almost always the Men.
- Match Play: it is to be agreed by both parties whether the Ladies tee off according to who has the honour or the player(s) whose tee is the furthest from the green. This must be agreed on the First Tee and maintained for the full match.
5.3 Handicap Adjustments in Mixed Qualifying Competitions
The following procedures apply when Competitors play from tees with a Rated
Standard Scratch (SSS), i.e. Men’s White Tees SSS 70 and Ladies Red Tees
SSS 71:
The result will be determined by reference to the lowest Nett Scores in relation to the appropriate Standard Scratch Score. Ladies must record their correct handicap on the scorecard. In Stroke Play Competitions Ladies handicaps will be adjusted by 1 shot by the Computer or the Committee.
Return scores as normal and enter into the computer. The Men’s scores will be adjusted by deducting 1 point. The applicable deduction of 1 will be made by the Computer or the Committee from the highest stroke index hole where the man receives a shot. If he doesn’t score on that hole then no deduction is made.
For Mixed Partner Better Ball Competitions, the ladies’ handicaps must have the required fraction applied after an adjustment of an extra 1 is made to the ladies handicap. For Foursomes and Greensomes the Ladies’ handicaps should have the adjustment added by the Competitor before the partnership’s handicap is calculated.
The Handicap adjustment of 1 is applied to the Ladies’ handicaps, by the Competitor, and then the appropriate fraction applied. In Better Ball Match Play, shots should be taken from the lowest handicap Competitor. Ladies should adjust their handicaps by 1 before the appropriate fraction is applied.
5.4 Handicap Adjustments in Mixed Winter Qualifying Competitions
The following procedures apply when Competitors play from winter tees ie, Men’s Yellow Tees SSS 69 and Ladies Red Tees SSS 71:
- All as 5.3 except that the adjustment is 2 shots.
5.5 Handicap Adjustments in Mixed Winter Non-Qualifying Competitions
- As the situation with winter tees is generally similar to 5.4, adjustments of two shots will apply.
6.0 Method of Entry Back to Top
All Competitions details and entries are available through the Professional shop.
6.1 Entry lists
The entry lists for all competitions will be open two weeks before each competition at 12.00 noon, except for invitation competitions, which will be open six weeks prior to each event. Competitors are expected to attend the Professional shop to book and enter a Competition. (See 6.7 for telephone bookings).
6.2 Summer Knockouts
Singles, Pairs and Mixed Knockouts will start from 1st April onwards. Entries open in January and close in March. Completion dates for each round will be shown on the draw sheets which will be put on the notice board in the Spike Bar foyer.
It is a requirement of entry that correct contact details (Telephone number: Land Line and/or Mobile) are entered on the booking sheet.
In the event of matches not being played by the required completion date both or all players will be scratched from the next round.
However, if contact has not been made or a date cannot be agreed by the last day of the round “play by date”, the person(s) who are on the tee at 12.00 noon and ready to play will automatically go through to the next round. The Professional Shop must be notified that the person(s) have arrived and are available to play and have a tee time booked (this can be for anytime after 12.00noon with the Pro Shop advised at the time of booking that the tee reservation is for a match).
6.3 The P.C. Downing Winter Betterball Knockout
The entry sheet will open on 1st November and close on the second Sunday in December. All rounds must be played on the specific dates on the draw sheets.
For these Competitions held in January, February, March, October, and November, the first Monthly Competition is a Stableford Competition and the second Monthly Competition is a Stroke Play Competition. The entry procedures are as follows:
1. Entry Sheets will open 1 week prior to the Monthly Stableford.
2. Members may book themselves and up to 2 other players into the same time slot.
3. Members can only enter both the Monthly Medal and Stableford if places are still available in either the Stableford or the Medal on the Thursday prior to the Stableford or Medal competition; members may then enter both competitions.
4. £3 Entry Fee is to be paid on the day of the Stableford or Medal.
5. If places are available on the day of the competition, entry for both Stableford and Medal competitions can be made on the day, by the player contacting the Professional shop either in person or by telephone.
6.5 Majors Competition
Entry into a Major Competition is via a time zone. The procedures are as follows:
1. A Member may enter his/her name and the names of two other Members. The three Members do not have to play in the same time zone.
2. A draw will take place by the Thursday prior to the Major Competition. The draw sheets will be available from the next day, Friday, on the notice board in the Spike Bar foyer. Competitors may also telephone the Professional shop for their tee time or visit the golf club web site.
3. Draws for Major competitions will balance high, mid and low handicap Competitors.
4. Certain Major Competitions count toward the Merit Cup. Details of these competitions can be found in the Competitions Fixture List and on the Frodsham Golf Club website.
5. The Scratch Championship is a 36 hole Competition played off scratch over two days (Saturday and Sunday) by the top 42 qualifiers - see fixture list for qualifying competitions.
6.
If places are available on the day of the competition, entry into Major Competitions can be made on the day, by the player contacting the Professional shop either in person or by telephone, providing he / she has not previously withdrawn from that competition.
6.6 Christmas Competitions:
A Member may book him/herself and up to 3 other players into a time slot.
6.7 Booking other Members into a Competition
1. Competitors who book and enter other Members into a Competition must inform those persons.
2. It is the responsibility of each Competitor to check the Competition date and their allotted tee time.
6.8 Booking by Telephone
Telephone entries will only be accepted after 1.00pm on the day the competition opens. Competitors may book and enter themselves only by calling the Professional shop telephone number 01928 739442. No calls will be transferred from the office number. If members wish to book in more than one Competitor, this must be done in person at the Professional shop.
7.0 Time of Starting Back to Top
Non Appearance for Competitions and Lateness on the tee.1. A competitor who is up to five minutes late shall receive the following penalties:
Stroke Play – Two shot penalty Match Play – Loss of hole.
2. A Competitor who is between five minutes and one hour late will be disqualified from the Competition. If a competitor pays the competition fee a ban will not be enforced.
3. If a competitor withdraws from the competition but turns up on time and pays the competition fee, a ban will not be enforced.
4. A Competitor who is over one hour late or withdraws on the day of Competition will be disqualified from that Competition and banned from the next two individual Competitions.
5. A Competitor who fails to notify the club or turn up on the day of the Competition will be banned for the next four individual Competitions.
6.
A Competitor who fails to pay the entry fee for the Competition on the day of the Competition will be disqualified from the competition.
Any queries relating to these matters will be subject to a Committee decision.
8.0 Returning Scorecards, Incomplete Cards and No Returns Back to Top
8.1. After completion of an individual competition round, each Competitor must enter his/her scores, hole by hole, into the computer terminal in the Spike Bar, including ‘No Return’ scorecards, and place the scorecard in the box provided.
8.2. A Competitor who fails to hand in their Competition card, whether the round has been completed or not, will be disqualified from the competition.
8.3 Competitors with ‘Away’ handicaps must make adjustments to their handicap at the computer terminal before entering their scores. Failure to do so will lead to disqualification.
8.4 It is expected that every Competitor who enters a qualifying competition intends to complete the round.
8.5 Sympathetic consideration will be given to Competitors who have had to discontinue play for any cause considered to be reasonable by the Committee, (eg: feeling unwell or injury).
8.6 Competitors who persistently submit incomplete cards or make ‘No Returns’ will be dealt with in accordance with the relevant CONGU clause. See also CONGU clause 8.10/1 (page 22) whereby when a ‘No Return’ is recorded on one hole only and the rest of the holes are completed, handicap adjustment can be calculated in accordance with clause 19. We encourage competitors to complete their scorecard and reduce the need for penalties.
8.7 ‘No Returns’ nullify 2’s, Nearest the Pin, and/or Longest Drive.
9.0 Competition End Back to Top
The competition is ended when the Committee are ready to post a result.
10.0 Competition Result Sheets Back to Top
The aim of the Committee will be to display a result sheet for each competition by midday on the following day of the competition. The results will be displayed on the notice board in the spike bar foyer and on the Club website.
11.0 Prizes and Presentation Nights Back to Top
1. All competition prizes won during the month will be presented on the next published Presentation Night date, usually the last Saturday of that month, at 8.30pm prompt. However, end of month medal winners will be given prizes at the following month’s presentation. Note the exception will be the end of month medal in November when prizes will be given at the November Presentation Night.
2. It is the Competitors responsibility to determine whether or not a prize has been won in any competition.
3. If a Competitor is unable to attend the Presentation evening, he/she is asked to nominate a person to collect the prize and advise the Captains. If neither of these options is possible then the Competitor must attend the following Presentation evening to collect his/her prize. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the prize being forfeited.
12.0 Competition Standard Scratch Back to Top
A Competition Scratch Score shall be calculated for ladies and a separate Competition Scratch Score will be calculated for men. Both will be displayed after each competition.
13.0 Caddies and ‘Trolley pullers’ Back to Top
A Competitor is prohibited from having any person who is not a current member serve as a caddie or ‘trolley puller’ during the stipulated round.
14.0 Pace of Play Back to Top
The Committee will establish pace of play guidelines to help prevent slow play as it deems fit.
15.0 Suspension of Play Due to a Dangerous Situation Back to Top
When play is suspended for a dangerous situation and if the Competitors in a match or group are between the play of two holes, they must not resume play until there is a resumption of play. If they are in the process of playing a hole, they must discontinue play immediately and not resume play until there is a resumption of play. If a Competitor fails to discontinue play immediately, he/she is disqualified unless circumstances warrant waiving the penalty as provided in Rule 33-7.
1. The signal for suspending play due to a dangerous situation
will be a prolonged note of the siren.
2. The signal to resume play will be two short notes of the siren, repeated.
3. It is the Competitor’s responsibility to discontinue play if he or she considers that conditions are too dangerous to continue, whether or not the siren has been sounded.
16.0 Transportation Back to Top
Competitors may use buggies during a stipulated round.
17.0 Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Back to Top
Competitors may use GPS during a stipulated round.
18.0 Ties Back to Top
The following procedures apply in the event of a competition tie:
Match Play
A match which ends all square should be played off hole by hole until one side wins a hole. The play-off should start on the hole where the match began. In a handicap match, handicap strokes should be allowed as in the prescribed round.
Stroke Play
(a) In the event of a tie in a scratch stroke play competition, cards will be matched on the basis of the best score for the last nine holes. If the tying Competitors have the same score for the last nine, the winner will be determined on the basis of the last six holes, last three holes and finally the 18th hole.
(b) In the event of a tie in a handicap stroke play competition, cards will be matched on the basis of the best score for the last nine holes. If the tying Competitors have the same score for the last nine, the winner will be determined on the basis of the last six holes, last three holes and finally the 18th hole. In a handicap stroke play competition, one-half, one-third, one-sixth, etc of the handicaps should be deducted. Fractions should not be disregarded. If this method is used in a competition with a multiple tee start, it is recommended that the "last nine holes, last six holes, etc" is considered to be holes 10-18, 13-18, etc.
19.0 Competition Fees Back to Top
Competition fees are set by the Committee. Payment must be paid in the Professional shop when collecting the competition card prior to commencing play. The fees make provision for prizes, a ball sweep (two’s) and on occasion, prizes for nearest the pin (see below) and hole in one. The exception to this is the Charity Cup when all fees go to the designated Charity.
19.1 Nearest the Pin
A nearest the pin competition is deemed null and void if a hole in one is recorded on the same hole. The person with the hole in one will receive a commemorative prize only.
20.0 Draw for Match Play Back to Top
The draw for match play competitions will be by the drawing of lots.
21.0 Conforming Clubs Back to Top
The driver the competitor carries must have a club head, identified by model and loft, which is named on the current List of Conforming Driver Heads issued by the R & A Rules Limited. A driver with a club head that was manufactured prior to 1999 is exempt from this condition.
An updated List of Conforming Driver Heads is available on the R & A website
22.0 Rules of Golf Back to Top
Competitions shall be played in accordance with the Rules of Golf as approved by the R & A Rules Limited. Competitions not recognised by the R&A will be played with guidance from the Committee and displayed on the notice board in the Clubhouse or Professional shop foyer.
23.0 Rules of Frodsham Golf Club Back to Top
Competitors must abide by the Rules of Frodsham Golf Club in respect of course etiquette, behaviour, dress code and Local Rules as displayed on the back of the scorecard and from time to time on the notice board in the Clubhouse or Professional shop foyer and on the Frodsham Golf Club website.
24.0 Competitors Responsibility Back to Top
It is the Competitor’s responsibility to be aware of these Conditions of Competition.
25.0 Review of Conditions of Competition Back to Top
These conditions will be reviewed by the Committee as necessary. Any issue relating to any aspect of these conditions of competition or any matter related but not specifically identified in these conditions will be brought to the attention of the Committee. Any decision made by the Committee is final.
References Rules of Golf
Rules of Golf - R&A Ltd
CONGU – Unified Handicapping System
English Golf Union
Ladies English Golf Union
Frodsham Golf Club Rules
Frodsham Golf Club Fixture List.
Conditions of Competition Version 14.0
The Members Committee Frodsham Golf Club
13th January 2010