1.1 League membership is open to all IGL employees, their spouses, and their children and friends over 16 years of age (throughout these rules, the term 'employee' will include current and former employees of IGL and its subsidiaries).
1.2 Size of the league will be limited as necessary by current circumstances, as determined by the Rules Committee from year to year.
1.3 In case the number of applicants exceeds the existing limits, preference for entry into the league will be given by the following priorities (the term 'existing limits' can refer to those placed on the league by the golf course, or as determined by the Rules Committee in order to make the schedule work. Every attempt will be made to give each division an even number of teams, in order to avoid BYE weeks):
2.1 Fees are to be determined each year based on course requirements. Any team failing to pay these fees by the required dates will be dropped from the league.
2.2 Fees for the 2002 season will be $10, which will go to the league prize fund. Golfers will be responsible for paying their own greens fees. The league will NOT pay for playoff greens fees.
3.1 Individual opponents shall be matched in the order of their handicaps. The player with the lowest handicap on each team will play the corresponding lowest handicap player on the opposing team. Likewise, the highest handicap player on each team will play the highest handicap player on the opposing team. This applies to both regular and substitute players. If a player has no previous league handicap, the INGR WEB PAGE will calculate one and swap the players as necessary.
3.2 A golfer shall not play two or more matches simultaneously.
4.1 An IGL member will have their handicap computed by the following system. The USGA's Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) will be in effect, and administered by the INGR WEB PAGE. The chart below shows how handicaps will be calculated:
| Scores Available | Scores Used | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 75% |
| 2 | 1 | 80% |
| 3 | 1 | 85% |
| 4 | 1 | 90% |
| 5 or 6 | 1 | 96% |
| 7 or 8 | 2 | 96% |
| 9 or 10 | 3 | 96% |
| 11 or 12 | 4 | 96% |
| 13 or 14 | 5 | 96% |
| 15 or 16 | 6 | 96% |
| 17 | 7 | 96% |
| 18 | 8 | 96% |
| 19 | 9 | 96% |
| Last 20 | 10 | 96% |
The USGA’s slope system will be used when calculating handicaps. To learn about the USGA Handicap System, see their web page.
4.2 Tournament handicaps will be maintained separately from league handicaps. Tournament handicaps will be based on 18-hole rounds, but otherwise be calculated the same as league handicaps, except that 3 scores will be required. Until 3 tournament scores are entered, new golfers will play in the Calloway flight. Scores will be used from all previous seasons. You can no longer use your league handicap for tournaments, or vice-versa.
For tournaments on par 3 courses, 75% of the tournament handicap will be used.
4.3 Course ratings and slopes are available from the INGR WEB PAGE. When competition takes place on a course where the men's rating differs from the women's, handicaps will be adjusted by the difference as per USGA rules. Since this adjustment is based on the course played, it will be shown from the Match Input screen only. Handicaps for tournament play will be adjusted in the same manner.
4.4 Handicaps will be limited to 20 strokes per nine holes for women, and 18 strokes per nine holes for men.
4.5 Handicaps will be recomputed when the match results are input (see Section 6).
4.6 Handicap strokes will be taken on the holes as designated on the scorecard by the men's handicap.
4.7 Match final results will be based on actual handicaps. It will be the responsibility of each player to know the handicaps for himself and his opponent. If erroneous handicaps are posted by the league secretary, for any reason including scores input in the wrong order or missing scores, the Rules Committee must be notified by the end of the next working day after the match is played, or the match will stand with the handicaps as posted.
4.8 Substitute rounds will not be used when calculating handicaps of league regulars.
4.9 For scrambles and smorgasbord tournaments where you pick your own team, the following formulas will be used:
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5.1 Scoring will be on a handicap basis.
5.2 A match will consist of both team low net and individual match play.
5.3 Players of each team will compete head to head for 18 total points, 2 points per hole with ties to split 1 point each. The combined teams will compete for a low net score worth 6 points, ties to split 3 points each (42 total points possible per match).
5.4 Team points will be accumulated throughout the season for determining the league or division champions.
6.1 After each match, the winning team is responsible for inputting the results into the database, and the other team is responsible for verifying those results. Scores must be input the next day whenever possible. If late input of a match results in an erroneous handicap that affects the outcome of the next match, the league secretary will correct the results retroactively.
6.2 All matches must be played and input within 4 weeks of the schedule date by 12:00 noon. Failure to enter scores will result in forfeiture of all points for both teams for that match. Teams will be notified of missing scores 3 weeks after the scheduled date, and the match will automatically be forfeited after 4 weeks. All matches must be played and input within 1 week of the last schedule date of the season.
THESE DEADLINES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED, NO APPEALS!!!
6.3 Partial match play is NOT ALLOWED. All match participants must play at the same time. It is no longer legal for teams to play separately.
7.1 The following options, listed in order of preference, are available to teams with an absent member:
7.2 If, for any reason, a postponed match is not played within the 4-week time limit, both teams will forfeit all points. If a player cannot make an agreed upon postponement, he may use the league blind score, provided his team has not already used a blind in the same match.
7.3 If, for any reason other than weather or darkness, a player does not complete a 9-hole round, he will forfeit any unplayed holes and team net. His score will not count towards his handicap or individual awards. His opponent will play against the league blind for the unplayed holes.
8.1 The league blind score is a net score of the men's course rating plus three strokes. The individual playing the blind will get 3 strokes added to his handicap and play against par for each hole. The points will be awarded as follows:
8.2 The team using a league blind will receive six points for the individual match involving the blind. They may also receive points for team net. Their total net score is the sum of the present player's net score plus the league blind score.
8.3 If each team is using a blind, the two players present will play each other regardless of their 'A' or 'B' standings for 18 points, the blinds will each receive 6 points, and team points will be decided by the low net score of the players present.
8.4 If an A player is missing, the B's still play each other and the A player plays the blind. The B player doesn't get promoted to A because his/her partner is missing.
9.1 If both members of a team are absent and no substitutes are provided, that team will forfeit 42 points.
9.2 The forfeiting team's opponents will play against two league blinds (see Section 8).
9.3 Tee times will be listed on the schedule and the weekly standings sheet. If a player is not on the tee at the scheduled time, the rest of the foursome should tee off anyway. The late player should join them as soon as possible, and make up the missed holes after completion of the nine.
10.1 A league-wide rain-out rainout will occur when a course is officially closed for the rest of the day due to bad weather. In the case of league-wide rain-out, all holes played will be disregarded, and all matches must be made up within the 4-week time limit. The original schedule will not be altered by rain-outs.
10.2 When individual teams agree to abort a match, all holes played will count. In case of a dispute on whether or not to abort an individual match because of weather, the Rules Committee will render an after-the-fact decision. The decision will be influenced by the action of the majority of the players playing at the time of the dispute. In the case of lightning, either opponent may terminate the match, to be resumed later.
10.3 In the case of a rain delay, all tee times will be pushed back until such time that weather permits a restart.
11.1 If a team or individual withdraws from competition during the season, replacements may be formed from available substitutes. If an individual replaces his partner in the final three weeks of the season, the new partner must be approved by the Rules Committee.
11.2 A replacement team will receive credit for all points won by the withdrawing team.
11.3 The withdrawing team or individual will not receive a refund of any fees paid. The replacement will receive credit for any unused fees.
11.4 If a replacement cannot be found, league blind scores will be used for any remaining scheduled matches.
12.1 The league schedule and prizes will be determined each year based on current participation.
12.2 The division winners will compete in a playoff match to decide the League Champions (see Commemorative Awards). Substitutes are not eligible for League Championship play without Rules Committee approval.
12.3 The playoff scenario will be determined based on the number of divisions as follows:
12.4 All playoff matches will be played on the course of the team with the best record. The league championship will be a 9-hole match played at a neutral site (most total points wins). Any playoff match resulting in a tie will be decided by a sudden-death overtime, ending when one team has more points than the other upon completion of a hole.
12.5 If hazardous weather conditions, non-leaguers late teeing off, or any other obstruction beyond the control of the players occurs and it prevents league play from starting off the first tee at the regularly scheduled time, all tee times move back so that the order of scheduling is not affected.
12.6 A foursome may start on a hole other than 1 or 10 in order to complete their round before dark. However, the previous hole must be completely clear of ANY golfers before this is done.
12.7 Position round rankings will be determined in the following manner:
13.1 At the end of the season, award winners will be offered the choice of plaques or the equivalent cash prize.
13.2 Commemorative Awards - The league will make the following commemorative awards each year:
13.3 Special Awards - The league will give the following additional prizes to league members who have played at least 75% of their scheduled league matches. Only matches played within the golfer's division will count toward any of these special awards -- substitute matches will not qualify for special award statistics. These three awards will be given in each division:
13.4 Ace Club - Each year for $1, any person participating in IGL tournament or league play can join the Ace Club. Any Ace Club member making a hole-in-one in league or tournament play wins the kitty. The Ace Club season runs from time of payment through December, so Polar Bear aces won’t count. One witness is required. If no one scores an ace in a given year, the kitty will be raffled off to a lucky club member.
14.1 The league members will elect four officers (President, Secretary, Tournament Director, and Treasurer) at the beginning of the year.
14.2 The President will appoint members-at-large to serve on the Rules Committee.
14.3 The Rules Committee will consist of the four officers and the members-at-large.
14.4 If an officer is unable to serve his full term, the Rules Committee will appoint a new member.
15.1 They will establish and publish the season schedule prior to the beginning of league play.
15.2 They will hear and rule on all protests. To be considered, a protest must be submitted, in writing, to a member of the Rules Committee not later than 24 hours after the completion of the match in which the protested event occurred.
15.3 They will advise and render interpretations of USGA golf rules, local club rules, or league rules.
15.4 They will enact rules changes prior to the start of league play.
15.5 They will conduct the election of officers for the following year.
15.6 They may serve in other capacities as requested by the President.
15.7 The Treasurer will be responsible for maintaining a checking account at a local (Madison) bank. He will deposit all league fees at the beginning of each league season, and purchase and distribute all league prizes at the end.
16.1 The Rules Committee has the responsibility and sole authority to enact any changes in the rules or constitution it deems necessary.
16.2 In January, the IGL Issues web page will list any issues brought up by the league membership, in order to solicit and discuss suggestions for rules changes.
16.3 Prior to the start of league play, the Rules Committee will make any rules changes it deems necessary, and will finalize the constitution, based on the responses from the general membership, and will publish the final constitution prior to the first match of the season.
17.1 All play will be governed by current United States Golf Association (USGA) rules and local course rules unless otherwise stated in the league constitution.
17.2 The lie of the ball may be improved (modified winter rules) only in the fairway of the hole being played. A ball resting in the fairway of the hole being played may be rolled, with the club, to a location no more than one club length from the ball's original position, but no nearer the hole (NO PICKING UP THE BALL). A ball resting in the rough or an adjacent fairway may not be moved, and must be played as it lies. Penalty for violation of this rule is two (2) strokes added to the score for that hole.
17.3 If a ball is out-of-bounds, lost or deemed unplayable (including in a water hazard), you can take a 1 stroke penalty and drop it anywhere along the line of flight, no closer to the hole than the point the ball was last seen or deemed unplayable. If a ball is deemed unplayable in a bunker, it must be dropped inside the bunker. This is an IGL option in addition to the options provided by the USGA.
17.4 A player shall not spend more than 5 minutes looking for a lost ball.
17.5 All drops must be approved by the playing partner or opponent.
17.6 The fence bordering Sunset Landing and the airport should be played as a man-made obstruction, allowing a free drop within 2 club lengths, no closer to the hole.
17.7 INGR league play is governed by match play rules. As such, putts may be conceded by either of your opponents (in fact it’s recommended to speed up play). Only your opponents can concede your putt. If you play two league blinds, you must putt everything out.
Because we play a combination of a match play (your individual match) and stroke play (team low net), we have to apply stroke penalties for any rules violations (as opposed to loss of hole). Apply the penalty to the hole were the violation occurred. For example, if a player discovers he played a round with 15 clubs in his bag (the limit is 14), the rules state: Two strokes for each hole at which any breach occurred; maximum penalty per round: four strokes. The player would take a 2-stroke penalty on each of the first 2 holes.
17.8 INGR tournament play is governed by stroke play rules. Gimme’s are not allowed in stroke play. Everything must be putted out.