Club Policy & Procedures
Flights
Tournament flight splits are determined by the number of tournament participants, and are divided equally based on handicaps. For example, flight splits can be divided into index 0-10.9 (Flight-A), 11.0-15.9 (Flight-B), or 16.0-36.0 (Flight-C).
As a general rule, all flighted groups will play from the same tee box. Under circumstances where the size of the tournament, and demand to regulate pace-of-play, split tee boxes may be recommended by the course tournament director. The DDGC committee also reserve the right to institute club rules such as (on your 9th stroke, pick-up the ball and move to the next hold, or time constraints to complete holes) in order to regulate pace-of-play.
Handicaps
DDGC will leverage the GHIN and USGA Handicap System to ensure golfers of differing abilities enjoy fair competition. We are a member club of a licensed authorized golf association under USGA, requiring DDGC to comply with the “The Rules of Golf” and the USGA Handicap System in order to coordinate golf tournaments under the USGA Handicap System. The club’s failure to comply with the rules of golf will result in the club’s priviledge to issue a Handicap Index to be withdrawn.
DDGC will utilize USGA handicap controls, a series of checks and balances to ensure that a Handicap Index will accurately measure a player's potential ability. These handicap controls prevent scores that are not representative of a player's potential ability from distorting the player's Handicap Index. The following handicap controls to name a few are incorporated into the USGA Handicap System to produce a reliable and equitable Handicap Index.
1. Course Handicap
A "Course Handicap" is the USGA's mark that indicates the number of handicap strokes a player receives from a specific set of tees at the course being played to adjust the player's scoring ability to the level of scratch or zero-handicap golf. For a player with a plus Course Handicap, it is the number of handicap strokes a player gives to adjust the player's scoring ability to the level of scratch or zero-handicap golf.
2. Eligible Tournament Score
An "eligible tournament score" is a tournament score made either within the last 12 months or within the player's current 20-score history.
3. Equitable Stroke Control (ESC)
"Equitable Stroke Control" (ESC) is the downward adjustment of individual hole scores for handicap purposes in order to make handicaps more representative of a player's potential ability. ESC sets a maximum number that a player can post on any hole depending on the player's Course Handicap. ESC is used only when a player's actual or most likely score exceeds the player's maximum number based on the table in Section 4-3.
4. Reduction of Handicap Index Based on Exceptional Tournament Scores
11-6. Reduction of Handicap Index Based on Exceptional Tournament Scores
An alternate calculation is used to determine the Handicap Index of a player who has two or more eligible tournament scores with tournament score differentials at least 3.0 better than the player's Handicap Index. (See Section 10-3.)
11-7. Handicap Index Adjustment or Withdrawal
The Handicap Committee is authorized to modify or withdraw a Handicap Index of a player who does not return all acceptable scores, or does not otherwise observe the spirit of the USGA Handicap System. The Handicap Committee has the authority to increase the Handicap Index of a player who, because of exceptional circumstances, has a Handicap Index that is too low. The Handicap Committee must review a Handicap Index that is modified, reduced, or withdrawn at each revision. (See Sections 8-4d, 8-4e, and 10-3e.)
DDGC Tournaments and Competitions
There will be three separate competitions taking place (at the same time) during tournament play. They are the
- Flighted Competition
- Contest (bets) Competition
- Points (year-end) Competition
Net scores will be used to determine the winners (applying 80% of the current handicap). A maximum gross handicap of 32 will apply.
- Flight Competition: There will be at least two (2) flights at each stroke play tournament. Each participant will be placed in a given flight based on the index split determined for each tournament. Players within each flight will compete against each other during that tournament. As a general rule, the prizes will be awarded to the 1st – 2nd Low Net finishers per flight. Prizes will be adjusted according to number of participants. The prize fund is generated by a participant contribution of $7 per tournament. A prize will also be awarded to the golfer with the overall best low gross score of the day.
- Contest (bets) Competition: There are (4) contest to be played during the tournament and require a small predetermined amount (normally $5) to enter into the contests. Entry into the contest is open to all DDGC, NCGA, or WSGA members with a valid GHIN handicap on a voluntarily basis. Cash payouts are distributed at the end of each tournament.
· Closest-to-the-pin (CTP)- This contest is played on the (4) par 3 holes of the course. The pot is divided equally by the number of par 3 holes, and awarded to the player who reached the green closet to the hole in regulation. You must either birdie or par out the hole in order to win.
· Skins- A contest where cash is awarded to the golfer with the lowest score on a hole. The winner of a hole is the winner of a skin. The pot is divided by the number of skins won. There are no carryovers. Ties, or halves will cancel out the hole. No strokes are given on the skins contest.
· Sweepstakes- The overall 1st thru 4th low net winners are awarded cash for their exceptional play during the tournament.
· Long Drive- Cash award to the longest drive on a predetermined hole of the tournament.
- Points (year-end) Competition: Points will be awarded to the top 8 low-net finishers of a tournament by two flighted brackets. The “Tiger” bracket is divided by 0-13.9 handicaps, and the “Woods” bracket is divided by 14.0 - 40 (including Match Play). Net scores across each bracket will determine the point recipients for a given tournament. Points will be accumulated over the course of the season. Players that finish in the top 8 point positions of each bracket will be recognized by cash prizes and gifts at the year end awards banquet. The 1st place finisher of each bracket will receive a club trophy for “Golfer of the Year”. The year-end prize fund is generated by participant contribution of $8 per tournament.
· Ties are calculated and broken by the GHIN Tournament Participant Program (TPP). The software calculates the lowest score on the back nine holes of the scorecard first to break ties. The lowest front nine score will be used as the next tie breaker.
“Tiger” Bracket (0-13.9) Points:
|
Finish |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
6th |
7th |
8th |
|
Regular |
100 |
91 |
82 |
73 |
61 |
52 |
43 |
34 |
|
Major |
200 |
182 |
164 |
146 |
122 |
104 |
86 |
68 |
“Woods” Bracket (14.0-40) Points:
|
Finish |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
6th |
7th |
8th |
|
Regular |
100 |
91 |
82 |
73 |
61 |
52 |
43 |
34 |
|
Major |
200 |
182 |
164 |
146 |
122 |
104 |
86 |
68 |
All participants of each tournament will receive 25 participation points for
regular tournaments and 50 participation points for major tournaments. This
allows for a total of 125 points to be gained by placing first in your
tournament bracket.
Guest Participants
All guests participants with a valid NCGA or WSGA GHIN handicap index are welcomed to participate in (2) DDGC sponsored tournaments and be eligible for tournament winnings. Upon your request to participate in a third DDGC sponsored tournament, you will be asked to join DDGC so that you can take full advantage of all of DDGC venues.
In the event that your membership is inactive, or your current handicap index is inactive, you will be eligible to participate with no handicap (NH), but ineligible to win prizes.
Rules and Regulations
Tournament play will be according to the rules and regulations as published by
the
current USGA rules. It is the player’s responsibility to play by and know the
rules.
Fun
It is the responsibility of each player to have fun. Violation of this rule can result in heart failure and should be monitored by a trained professional.