1.1 League membership is open to anyone over 16 years of age.
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.
1.4 Match Scores
Match scores are used to determine league seniority (see Section 1.3),
and the minimum score requirements for individual awards (see Section 13.3).
Match scores are scores from regular season matches played at your home course. They DO NOT include
playoff scores, or scores when a league member subs. They DO include scores when a non-league
member subs. Match scores are weighted for the most recent years.
2.1 Fees are to be determined each year based on course requirements. Any team failing to pay
these fees by the required dates may be dropped from the league.
2.2 Fees 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 IGL 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 IGL WEB PAGE. The chart below shows how
handicaps will be calculated:
2. League Fees
3. Pairings
4. Handicap System
| 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.
Calloway handicaps are permitted in afternoon scrambles. The handicap will be based on any prior scores PLUS the score from the morning round.
4.3 Course ratings and slopes are available from the IGL 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:
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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 weekly, 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 not 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, a player does not complete a 9-hole round,
he will forfeit any unplayed holes. His score will not count towards his handicap or individual
awards. His league blind (Section 8) will be used for the unplayed holes and for team net.
8. League Blind
8.1 If a player is missing and no sub is available, the missing player's average league net (for up to the last 20 scores) will be used as a blind score. If no league scores have been played, the men's course rating plus three strokes will be used instead. The blind score is rounded to the nearest whole number. For individual match points, the difference between the blind score and course par is added to the handicap of the player opposing the blind, who then plays against par. For team net, the actual blind score is used.
The IGL WEB PAGE will calculate blind scores and match results.
8.2 The team using a league blind will receive six points for the individual match involving the blind. They may receive points for team net. Their team net is the present player's net plus the 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.
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. However, if a team
uses a sub and a blind, the sub will become the A player and the blind will be that of the B player.
8.5 If each team uses a BLIND, team net will be based on the nets of the present players ONLY.
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 the absent players' 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(s) should join them as soon as possible, and make up the missed holes
after completion of the nine. If you miss your tee time, you move to the end of the tee time schedule.
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.
The Rules Committee will decide whether to push back the schedule. If not, all matches must be input within the 4-week time limit.
If a match is suspended due to weather, you have three options:
In case of a dispute on whether or not to suspend a 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, anyone can choose to stop playing and head for cover.
10.2 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 Divisions will be limited to 16 teams.
That limit will be extended to 18 with overflow teams until there are enough overflow teams (six) for a new division.
Until then, the overflow teams will be assigned to existing divisions, keeping the total teams per division as even
as possible.
The league schedule and prizes will be determined each year based on current participation.
12.2 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.
12.3 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.
13.1 At the end of the season, the league will distribute cash awards as league prizes.
Cash awards for these prizes will be proportional to the size of the division.
Winners will have one month after league prizes are announced to claim them. Unclaimed prizes will be forfeited and returned to the league treasury.
13.2 Team Awards
The league will award the following team prizes:
13.3 Individual Awards
To win these awards, league members must have played at least 75% of their scheduled
match scores. Only regular season
matches played within the golfer's division at their home course
will count toward any of these special awards -- substitute and playoff
matches will not qualify for special award statistics.
Individual award winners will receive 2 shares of the division prize fund.
The league will award the following individual prizes 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. The first Ace Club member making a hole-in-one in league or tournament play wins
the kitty. The Ace Club season runs from the first of May through the following April.
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.
13.5 Points Race
Each year, points will be awarded in each tournament based
on overall net finish. For example, if 50 people play in a tournament:
Prizes will awarded to the top six (6) point leaders at the end of each tournament season.
These prizes will be funded by the participants in each tournament and is included in the entry fee.
The prize payout will be by shares (6 shares for 1st place, 5 shares for 2nd, etc.).
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
Unless specified by the course, the ball will be played down (no winter rules) in league play. Free drops from
unmarked ground under repair must be approved by the opponent.
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 (this is an IGL option in addition to the
options provided by the USGA).
If a ball is deemed unplayable in a bunker, it must be dropped inside the bunker.
Since we allow the line of flight drop, provisional balls are unnecessary for IGL golf. Provisional balls are
intended to speed up play when a player might have to re-hit from the original spot. According to USGA rules,
it is not legal to play a provisional ball from anywhere besides the original spot.
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 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.
17.7 INGR tournament play is governed by stroke play rules. Gimme's are not allowed in stroke
play. Everything must be putted out.
17.8
USGA-approved distance-measuring devices are allowed in league and tournament play. This does not include
devices that take slope into account (USGA does not allow this).
The following is the league recommended tournament format. Any exceptions must be specified by the
Tournament Director.
18.1 Eligibility
Tournaments are open to anyone over 16 years of age. When space requirements limit the field size,
preference will be given in order of fee payment.
18.2 Tees
Men will play from the tees closest to, but not exceeding, 6500 yards. Women will play from the
ladies tees.
18.3 Scorecards
Those of us that input tournament scores would appreciate it if everyone would follow some simple guidelines
to make our life easier.
18.4 Slow Play
Please help speed play by playing “ready” golf when your group is behind. Only those groups who can keep pace
should be afforded the right to use tee/shot honors. Please limit the time looking for lost balls.
If your group falls behind the group in front of you, please let the group(s) behind you play through.
If you observe a group who is woefully behind and doesn't allow groups to play through, please inform
the tournament director of this. Tournament directors will keep up with the complaints and will start putting
habitually slow/inconsiderate groups last in future tournaments.
18.5 Scrambles Format
Each player will hit, and the best ball will be chosen. Each player will then place his ball within
one club length of the chosen ball (no closer to the hole), and hit. The 'one club length' does not
allow you to change the lie of the ball. That is, you can't move the ball from rough to fairway,
fringe to green, or out of a hazard. When putting, the ball must be placed within 6 inches of the
chosen ball (no closer to the hole). Repeat until the ball is holed. No gimme's.
18.6 Tournament Prizes
The Tournament Director plays for free (greens fees and tourney fees). He also gets whatever extra free golf he
can negotiate with the course. He pays his own bestball and scramble fees.
The prize fund will be divided as follows:
19.1 The division winners and wildcard teams will compete in a playoff to decide the League Champions
(see Team Awards).
19.2 The wildcard teams will be the 2nd place teams in each division, provided the division has at least
ten teams. If not, only the division winner will make the playoffs. Ties will be resolved by previous head-to-head play.
19.3 The playoff teams play 9 holes at a neutral course on a predetermined weekday evening shortly after the league ends.
Low Team Net (no roundoff) are League Champions.
19.4 Substitutes must be approved by the Rules Committee. Blinds
are not allowed, and each player must complete every playoff hole before their team is eligible (no Auto-Fill).
Putts cannot be conceded in the playoff, everything must be putted out.
9. Team Forfeits
10. Rainouts
11. Withdrawals
12. Schedule of Play
13. Prizes
Double points will be awarded for 2-round tournaments (like the Year End).
Multi-person events (scrambles, smorgasbord) will divide the points by team size, so that
the total points awarded for a tournament is always based on the field size.
14. Rules Committee
15. Duties of the Rules Committee
16. Rules Changes
17. Rules of Play
18. Tournament Format
19. Playoffs
Questions or Comments?