2010 Michigan Golf Tour
Rules
I. Flights
A. A Flight will be Handicap Indexes 0- 14
B. B Flight will be Handicap Indexes 15-20
C. C Flight will be Handicap Indexes 21 -28
**All indexes are determined by the Michigan Golf Tour authorized handicap software. **
II. Tees:
A. A Flight will playing from back tees (this does not necessarily mean the tips; that will depend on the course)
B. B & C Flight will be playing from forward tees
(this change is mainly addressing pace of play and equitable scoring opportunities)
III. NEW GOLFERS (anyone who has <10 records in MGT system)
A. Play the first three events in the A Flight at 1 stroke below the lowest handicap in the field that day. For example: the lowest handicap in A Flight is 10, and then the new golfer would be a 9 handicap. The next week the same equitable index will be applied.
B. After a new golfer has played 3 rounds, a modified handicap will be generated by the MGT authorized software and you will play at 70% of handicap until they record 10 MGT events. However, they will play all remaining events at a Handicap Index of 1 stroke below the lowest handicap in their Flight that day or his Handicap, whichever is lowest until they have recorded 10 MGT events; Ex. For the 4th event the NG has a HI of 16 which places them in the B Flight; the lowest Handicap that day for b Flight is 15, and therefore they will play at a 14 HI that day. This will occur until they receive 10 MGT scores.
C. Once a new golfer has recorded 10 MGT events, they will receive 100% of their handicap or the maximum handicap for whichever flight they fall in
D. New Golfer may use a Verifiable USGA Handicap or GAM, then they will play 1 stroke below the lowest handicap in their flight until they record 10 MGT events.
E. Moving Day for Flights will occur after the individual golfer’s 6th event. This is an audit of your handicaps and is the only time a golfer can change flights.
F. Each golfer will play straight up within their flights.
IV. The ultimate goal of each golfer is to qualify for the Master’s Cup Championship. In 2010 the following requirements must be met to qualify:
A. Top 3 Point getters within each flight are automatically IN.
B. All Past Champions Cup & Points Champions, Previous Year Flight Champions, (who have not met either item above) who place no less than 5th place in their flight & have played at least 9 events are IN.
C. Any Current Year single event Winner who plays at least 7 events is IN; if current event winner has less than 7 events, you are eligible to play in the Wild Card Playoff to qualify for the championship.
D. Finish 4th in your flight & played in at least 10 events, YOU ARE IN
**Event Winners are Determined by their Net Scores (just like previous years) Gross Score less your Handicap.**
+++Anyone who is not automatically IN will have to play in Wild Card to qualify for Championship.
E. Wild Card Qualifier
1. Before each event, we will randomly draw 2 holes to serve as the wild card qualifier
2. We will track the scores for those two holes for the entire season
a. The holes will be handicapped with a maximum of 18
b. You will get a stroke if the hole selected is less than or equal to your handicap.
c. Your Net Score will be recorded
3. At the end of the regular season, the lowest (net)score will win the Wild Card Qualifier and be eligible to compete for the Championship!
4. If the winner is already in the championship, then we will take the next lowest score that is not already in the championship.
V. Points. Each flight will have places and qualify for a set amount of points. Each event has the same allotted amount of points. Remember, Each Golfer will be play Straight Up within each Flight (NO HANDICAPS for Points). See below:
A. First Place - 15 points
B. 2nd Place - 12
C. 3rd Place - 10
D. 4th Place - 8
E 5th Place - 6
E. 6th Place & below will all receive 3 points.
VI. MAJORS
There will be 2 Major events that will be worth double points as described below. To be eligible for the 1st Major, you must have played at least 3 events. To be eligible for the 2nd Major, you must have played accumulative 5 events.
A. 1st Place 25 points
B. 2nd Place 18 points
C. 3rd Place 14points
D. 4th Place 11points
E. 5th Place 9 points
F. All others will receive 7 points.
VII. Awards
A. Flight winners get 2 regular season rounds of Free Golf next year(excluding championships & majors)
B. Champion get 6 regular season rounds of Free Golf next year (excluding championships & majors)
VIII. Pairings will be determined randomly within each flight to encourage the highest level of competition.
IX. Slow Play Penalty Enforcement
a. Player will be Docked 5 points from each event
b. Player will be Penalized the next 2 events after penalty assessed
c. If a player is found to have 3 slow play enforcements, they will be suspended from play for the remainder of the year.
X. Rain outs Rule: we will try to schedule a make-up event if time & schedule permits.
A. Only those originally registered are eligible to play (must have been registered for the event)
B. There will be no make ups scheduled during the last month of the season (august- since we are scheduled every week.
XI. Rule Highlights (USGA Rules except where noted below).
A. Tee Times will be determined a week prior to event; Most tee times will be b/w 7:45am & 9:00 am. On Saturdays. Upon occasion tee time may be Later to accommodate availability or group size. Starting Tee Times: All members are responsible for being at the course one half hour prior to the first tee time scheduled. This is to complete all registration in clubhouse and with league officials. Penalty for missing your group tee is one stoke higher than the highest recorded score of the entire field for that hole that was missed. i.e. 6 on par 3, you take a 7.
B. Event Cancellations are made ONLY by Chuck Gregory or Antonio Stokes; Call either Chuck or Antonio for confirmation.
C. Chuck 248.866.1597
D. Antonio 248.910.0308
E. All Golfers should check their Email within 24 hours of event for any updates.
F. DO NOT CALL THE COURSE for Cancellation!
XII. Play it as it lies (no rolling or improving your lie)
XIII. Modified Out of Bounds.
A. Out of Bounds: Defined by the inside edges at ground level of boundary walls, split-rail fences, perimeter fence posts, street curbing, roads, parking lot, white stakes and white lines connecting markers. A ball that crosses a public road defined as out of bounds and comes to rest beyond that road is out of bounds, even though it may lie on another part of the course. Defined by white stakes and /or lines. When both stakes and lines are present, lines define the hazard
B. If you take the distance 2 stroke penalty; any ball out of bounds or lost, take your distance; drop new ball & play out the hole; Add 2 strokes after completion of hole. Out of bounds drop is 2 club links from spot it went out of bounds(not back on the line of sight)
a. ex1. 1stball out or lost, 2nd shot hole out plus 2 strokes = score of 4
b. ex2. 2nd ball out/lost, 3rd on green & 2 put= 5 plus 2stroke=score of 7
C. Play your provisional from the same spot & its a 1 stroke penalty- any ball out/lost, re-hit from same spot & play out hole then Add 1 stroke;
a. Ex1. 1st ball out/lost, 2nd shot hole out plus 1 stroke = score 3
b. Ex2. 2nd ball out/lost, 3rd on green & 2 put= 5 plus 1stroke=score 6
XIV. Modified Lost Ball Rule: any ball that is hit & after approaching area where you thought your ball should be but is NOT found(Blind Lost) or after hitting a ball in an area where you think you will NOT be able to find the ball(Known Lost)
a. Blind Lost
1. You CANNOT GO BACK and hit provisional
2. Approach the area where you thought your ball came to a rest; Take the distance, and drop ball in the area where you thought your ball came to rest; (i.e. if the ball ended in the rough, drop ball in the rough) Play out the hole and Add 1 stoke to score
b. Known Lost
1. You see your ball go into an area that you feel you may not be able to find once you get to the place where your ball would rest. The area is NOT A HAZARD, UNMARKED BY SIGNS, LINES OR CUSTOMARY MARKINGS.
2. If you approach your shot and do not find your ball, you MUST DROP in the area where you thought your ball came to a rest. Add 2 Strokes to your score as a penalty for Distance & Drop.
3. Or, Play a provisional from the previous spot - any ball out/lost, re-hit from same spot & play out hole then Add 1 stroke
4. Example: Sanctuary Lakes Tall Grass hole Number 1 or 10 which is NOT a Hazard. Tee shot goes into Tall Grass (Known Lost). (a) you go to the area to try and find ball. Unsuccessful, you drop in the Tall Grass and play out the hole. Add 2 strokes to score as Drop/Distance penalty. (b) Re-hit ball from previous spot, play out the hole and take 1 stroke penalty.
XV. Stones in Bunkers: Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions. Rule 24-1
XVI. Obstructions: Relief without penalty shall be given for the following immovable obstructions; (1) Concrete cart paths, (2) restroom facilities, (3) Sprinkler heads and drainage covers, (4) Ball Washers and benches.
XVII. White Lines tied into Obstructions: White lined areas tied into an obstruction are part of the obstruction and not ground under repair.
XVIII. Ground under Repair: Defined by white lines, French drains are deemed to be ground under repair, otherwise, if it’s not marked, It’s not under repair. If it has had recent digging activity, use the group’s judgment.
XIX. Lateral Water Hazards: Defined by red stakes and /or lines. When both stakes and lines are present, lines define the hazard.
XX. Staked Trees: Free relief if stake is within intended swing path. Drop within one club length not nearer the hole.
XXI. Pace of Play
A. Keep Up with Group in Front – it does not matter that you are not being pushed; Pace Of Play is about not falling more than 20 minutes behind the group in front.
B. First Group must complete their round within 5 hours
C. Penalty for Slow Play—if your group finishes their round more than 20 minutes behind the group in front them, your entire group’s score will be raised by 2 strokes per golfer. I.e. If you shoot a gross 80 and you are penalized for slow play, your final gross will be 82.
D. Play ready golf - Don't wait for someone else to step up and hit, if you are ready and it's not your turn, just forgo honors and play your shot. You should also not be sitting in your cart waiting to be driven over to your ball when it is your turn.
E. While your cart partner is taking his shot, you should be at your ball clubs in hand determining distance, wind conditions, etc. and be ready to take your shot when it becomes your turn.
F. Take no longer than 60 seconds to look for a lost ball. If it's lost and you don't find it within 60 seconds chances are you won't find it if you take the extra time. This is the #1 rule that gets overlooked on tournament day, but is also the biggest detriment to slow play. Take your penalty drop and move on. This needs to be enforced by your foursomes so keep this in mind when out on the course.
G. On the Green—Get your angles of your put when you approach the green but before it is your turn to putt. If that is what you think you need to do in order to hole it, then that should be done while the others in your foursome are taking their turns.
XXII. Telecommunication Devices: All cell phones must be place on vibrate, please be considerate of others, take your shot and walk away, don’t hold up play on the phone.
A. Conduct Unbecoming: The use of loud, foul or abusive language toward any member, Tour or course official will not be tolerated. A member is subject to revocation of playing privileges and membership for the continued use of such language. Any member throwing a club in anger or frustration can receive a warning from anyone in the group or official, a second occurrence will be cause for the player to be disqualified immediately. The group must advise a MGT official that the player has been warned by the group as soon as possible.
B. Use of Electronic Measuring Devices: Conforming Electronic yardage measuring devices is permitted for all rounds.
XXIII. Skin Pot Format
A. $10 Per Player
B. Par or Better to win the hole is a Skin; two or more of the lowest score cancels the hole.
C. Closest to the Pin is worth $10 per par 3 hole(2 CTP per flight per round); We deduct the first $20 from the skin pot to payout the CTP.
