Comp Rules - Godley Hall Golf Society

Godley Hall Golf Society Competition Rules

The Society was established in 1986 and in 2026 will be enjoying its 40^thanniversary. It was formed to encourage golfers of all abilities to participate in regular social golf, meet new people and develop friendships while enjoying playing many of the beautiful golf courses we have in the North West of England and further afield.

On this basis, it is essential we all play to the same set of rules and regulations as laid down by the English Golf Association. In 2019, there was a big overhaul of the golf rules for non-professional golfers and these were published by England Golf the same year. A good summary of the 20 essential changes is enclosed in the following pages. Appendix A

Some of the main reasons for the changes was to

a. Simplify the rules governing hazards and penalties.

b. Remove some of the unnecessary penalties, i.e. hitting the flagstick while putting, double hitting, accidently moving the ball by foot or club & plugged balls on fairways.

c. Speed up play; 3 mins only to look for a ball, not 5 mins.

d. Recommended to take maximum of 40 seconds to play a shot and to play ‘Ready Golf’ instead of waiting for furthest player to play first. Anyone can tee off first on any hole in stableford golf. Match play is different.

Handicaps

All WHS affiliated golf clubs in the UK have strict rules governing handicaps and how your handicap can change after each round, i.e. go up or down

Category	Handicap Bands	Buffer Zone	H’cap decrease for every shot below CSS
1	Plus – 5.4	1 shot above CSS	0.1
2	5.5 – 12.4	2 shot above CSS	0.2
3	12.5 – 20.4	3 shot above CSS	0.3
4	20.5 – 28.4	4 shot above CSS	0.4
5	28.5 – 36.4	5 shot above CSS	0.5
6	36.5 – 54	6 shot above CSS	0.6

All Society events during the season are scored on the Stableford system like most golf club competitions. We also have an annual Knock Out Cup competition and this is a Match play competition. Holes are either won, drawn or lost based on handicap difference.

As a Society we only play 7 monthly competitions and the best 5 scores count to the end of season prize.( Most golf clubs expect a minimum of 8-10 rounds per golfer before they can enter club comps.)Therefore we make more generous adjustments to our handicaps during the season including shots lost for actually winning an event.

Any scores between 30 & 33 pts, no adjustment to handicap.

For every point above 33, you will be deducted according to your handicap division.

Handicaps	Point Deduction > 33 pts	Winning an Event
Division 1 (0 – 9)	0.1	— 1 point
Division 2 (10 -19)	0.2	— 2 points
Division 3 (20- 28)	0.3	— 3 points

Additions to handicaps:-

Stableford Score
19 pts & below	1 shot back
20 – 24 pts	0.5 back
25 – 29 pts	0.3 back
30 – 33 pts	0 shots back

Appendix B ( Examples from each division)

When a player has completed more than 5 events, they can drop their lowest score(s) . The player with the highest total score for 5 events will be winner of the Summer Shield.

Monthly Competitions

There are 7 events planned for each season which count towards the Summer Shield.

There may be event cancellations due to adverse weather on the day. It was agreed that if 60% of players complete the course, the results will stand . If less than, the event is void.

Members are required to notify the Captain of their intention to play the event soon after it is announced by email from the Captain. The latest they should confirm their attendance or absence is the Friday before the event takes place. The Captain will usually book for 7-8 tee times up to 8-10 months in advance, such is the demand for playing popular courses. Therefore a rapid response is required before the allocation of places is filled up.

Each event shown on the Captains Diary has the date, first tee time and the cost. All payments are made by bank transfer to the Society’s account, at least a week before the event is due. Appendix C.

We usually book a course on a Friday with first tee before midday, 10-11am ideally. However, the Captain has the authority to change the format of the days event or events to his choice This will normally only apply to the Captains weekend at the end of the season finale.

The cost includes a full round of golf and refreshments; tea/coffee and bacon sandwich. Any food allergies or alternative needs should be notified to Captain at the time of accepting the invitation so he can notify the club.

Players are expected to make their own travel arrangements, i.e. Car sharing, etc Players are expected to arrive an hour before the first tee and this will be in the email invitation.

Captain will arrive early to mark the cards. Groups are picked at random on the day from members who are expected to attend. These may be 3 or 4 ball to match the number of players and tee times. Team cards are also issued, 2 per team. Cards are completed with name and handicap, also nearest the pin on a designated par 3 and nearest the pin in 2 shots on a designated par 4. In both cases the ball must be on the green and nearer than any other ball to the pin. A tubular marker is left on each hole with a sheet inside so names can added if a player lands inside a previous mark. The final group is required to bring the 2 markers back. These are used on the Spring trip and each event and belong to the Society.

We also have a 2’s competition with its own prize pot. This is shared between all who score a 2 or even a hole in one. There is no longest drive competition, hence nearest the pin in 2.

We also have a ‘Sweep’ competition. After a player has been awarded the Winners trophy, he asked to select a scorecard from the shuffled pack of score cards. Unless he has left early, the Sweep winner will receive £20 cash on the day.

The Daily Team event is scored by combining the points of the best 2 scores on each hole. This is done on 2 separate team cards to avoid mistakes. A player may be disqualified for returning a card with higher score than earned. Likewise a team can be disqualified from the team event if they submit a score higher than earned.

There is also a daily “Football Card” competition with the proceeds going to the Captains chosen Charity for the season. £5 per square with 50% to the charity and 50% to the winner. This is a voluntary purchase, not compulsory.

To cover the prize money awarded daily, players are asked to pay £5 to the treasurer at each event. On the Spring trip, 5 euro’s is payable.

After the completion of the round of golf, players need to check the score cards they have marked and sign them as marker or player. Cards must have 2 signatures with the players total shown CLEARLY at the top of the card. After players put their equipment away and change shoes/clothes as needed, cards must be handed in to Captain or deputy before socialising or leaving early. No card means no score.

Appendix D (How a score card should be completed; Ben’s example after lockdown 2020)

When all groups have handed their cards in, Captain and Vice will complete the checking for scores and prize winners. A card countback will be used in the event of a tie on points to decide the winner, Treasurer will have the prize monies available. Any prize money not awarded will be carried over to the next event(s).

After each event, the daily winner will receive the original Trophy or Shield and a memorial trophy with the event, date and venue shown on a plaque.

Appendix E (List of all trophies & the events they correspond to)

Spring Trip

This event has taken place over 7 days for many years now and is organized by the Vice-Captain. The group has chosen to play abroad these days such as Marrakech, Morocco in 2024 & Belek, Turkey in 2025.

5 events are played with 1 rest day after 3 events. All 5 scores count towards the award of Spring Trip winner. The normal Society rules apply with regard to handicaps and points gained or lost after each days play. Daily winners are deducted points depending on their handicap division. Normally all players would revert to their normal Society handicap except the winner who would lose 2 pts. An AGM amendment agreed;

All players on the Spring Trip would keep their final Spring Trip handicap for the start of the new season in 2025. The Winner will lose 1, 2 or 3 shots as per their division.

Summer Knockout Competition.

This competition takes place in summer alongside the 7 monthly events and should be finished by the end of the season before the AGM in October. Entry costs £5, payable with the annual fee of £50 for the season. The draw will take place at the first event of the season, Derek Wilson Plate at St Annes Old Links.

Home drawn (1^st name drawn) player gets choice of course. (If it is the players home course, costs of the guests green fee are to be shared equally.)

A deadline will be provided for each round. Players should arrange a mutual date & venue. A match could be played at a monthly event on deadline day. If not played by deadline, a coin toss will decide the qualifier for the next round.

Match play rules apply – full handicap difference.

E.g. Danny = 17.9 Chris = 11.4. 17.9 – 11.4 = 6.5. Danny receives 7 shots on the SI 1-7 holes i.e. the 7 hardest holes.

This is played on a Match play basis, each hole is either won, drawn or lost based on handicap difference. The order of play is significant in Match play. After players agree to who has the honour on the first hole, play should depend on who is furthest from the green or pin. Players can cancel this agreement on any shot. However if player A plays out of turn, the opponent can cancel their shot and play their ball first. Player A must retrieve and play their shot again.

If a match is drawn after 18 holes, a play-off hole(s) is required to decide the winner.

The final is to be played at a neutral venue and the Society provide £100 to cover green fees for this, any excess is shared by the finalists.

Out of Season Competitions.

These normally consist of Captain v Vice Captain and the Turkey Trot.

Captain v Vice is ideally played Oct/November on a Match Play basis.

Each take alternate picks from the players who have arrived then pick a playing order of their own choosing. Groups of 4, 2 pairs, tee off after deciding on the full handicap difference for each pair. The full 18 holes can be played even when a match has been won before the 18^th.

Each match is worth 2 pts for a win, 1 pt each for the draw.

The Shield can be won or shared if drawn.

The Turkey Trot is also played in winter, ideally just before Christmas. Using stableford scoring and following local winter rules, e.g. mats on fairways, bunkers GUR, etc. Everyone should bring a prize worth up to £15 with them. After the round & players have changed, the prizes are displayed. When the points have been totalled, the Winner receives the trophy and gets first choice of the prizes. Runner up gets the next choice of the prizes and this continues till they are all claimed. There are the usual cash prizes for Nearest pin, NP in 2 and 2’s, provided everyone paid £5 prize money on arrival.

Extra Points of Order In recent times, we have encountered a number of controversial issues, usually as a result of playing new courses we are not used to.

Playing from the wrong tee If a group plays a hole out of turn through missing the signs, there is a 2 shot penalty (-2 points) on the hole for each player and the score on the hole is discounted. (Better than a DQ!)

Playing from the wrong tee Red or White tee, is 2 shot penalty. Play another tee shot from correct tee.

Wrong ball is hit 2 shot penalty, play correct ball.

If another player plays your ball, replace in the same spot & carry on. Other player receives the penalty.

Late arrival on the first tee. If a player arrives late within 5 minutes of the tee time, 2 shot penalty for that hole.

The Society’s Committee will meet to decide whether any further penalty is needed if a players misses their time completely. This may be due to extraordinary circumstances like severe traffic delays, car breakdown/accident.

If a player(s) is seriously delayed, they should telephone Captain/Vice and the playing order may be altered to leave a later slot for them to fit into. If a player misses the Society’s last tee time, they will not be able to score at that event. The Society may try for a refund but golf clubs may not be so obliging.

A player must notify Captain before the Society meets that day in order that their match fee is not paid to the club and is carried over to the next event. It is unlikely a member will be refunded for an event without good reason.

Appendix F (list of G H GS committee members)

Godley Hall Golf Society Membership

The annual fees for the Society are £50 which go towards the annual running costs, prizes/trophies and there is usually a small subsidy towards the cost of Captain’s day. Each member will also be covered by our Golfers Insurance policy. Annual fees are due before the 1^st March.

The cost of the Society’s Yellow shirt is £10. First rule is that failure to wear the Society shirt at an event bears a 2 point penalty! (It works better than a £5 fine!)

We run a Summer knockout each year and the entry cost is £5. This is payable with the annual joining fee but is not compulsory of course.

Appendix A

Appendix B Examples of handicap adjustments after a round of golf.

Any scores between 30 – 33, no adjustment to handicap.

For every point above 33, you will be deducted according to your handicap division.

Handicaps	Point Deduction > 33 pts	Winning an Event
Division 1 (0 – 9)	0.1	— 1 point
Division 2 (10 -19)	0.2	— 2 points
Division 3 (20- 28)	0.3	— 3 points

Additions to handicaps:-

Stableford Score
19 pts & below	1 shot back
20 – 24 pts	0.5 back
25 – 29 pts	0.3 back
30 – 33 pts	0 shots back

Division 1 player (0-9 h’caps)

Ian 7.2. Scored 35 pts as winner. Win = -1 pt, 35 – 33 = 2 x -0.1 = -0.2.

-1 + -0.2 = -1.2. 7.2 – 1.2 = 6 = new H’cap.

Division 2 player (10-19 H’caps)

Mike 13.3. Scored 39 points as winner. Win = – 2 pts, 39-33 = 6 x -0.2 = -1.2

-2 + -1.2 = -3.2. 13.3 – 3.2 = 10.1 = new H’cap.

Division 3 player (20 – 28 H’caps)

Keith 25.8. Scored 48 pts as winner. (Saddleworth 2018)

Win = – 3 pts, 48 – 33 = 15 x – 0.3 = – 4.5.

-3 + – 4.5 = – 7.5. 25.8 – 7.5 = 18.3 = new H’cap.

Shots Back.

Division 1 Shaun 8.1. Scored 23 pts.

20 – 24pts = 0.5 back. 8.1 + 0.5 = 8.6 new H’cap.

Division 2 Hilton 10.1. Scored 21 pts

20 – 24 pts = 0.5 back 10.1 + 0.5 = 10.6 new H’cap

Division 3 Dave 19.7. Scored 19 pts

19 & below = 1 shot back. 19.7 + 1 shot back = 20.7 new H’cap.

Handicaps are awarded with decimal points included. For the round of golf scoring, they are rounded down or up to a full number. 10.1 — 10.4 = 10. 10.5 – 10.9 = 11.

Appendix C. Godley Hall Golf bank account details for payments.

Account name: Godley Hall Golf Society

Sort Code: 40-25-23 HSBC

Account no: 71297481

Appendix D. Completing a Stableford competition score card.

Appendix E. List of Godley Hall Golf Society Trophies.

Trophy	Competition	Holder 2024	Date of Comp 2025
Derek Wilson Plate	1^st Monthly	Ben Faulkner	14^th March St Annes Old Links
Gertrude Planchette	2^nd Monthly	Trevor Horton	^2nd May
Memorial	3^rd Monthly	Jamie Todd	23^rd May
Christopher Jackson	4^th Monthly	Danny Lee	24^th June
Albert Dale	5^th Monthly	Mike Noble	18^th July
Colin Robinson	6^th Monthly	Stephen Henderson	22^nd Aug
Captains Shield	7^th Monthly	Mark Doyle	TBA (September)
Summer Shield	Annual	Stephen Henderson	TBA (September)
Joker Trophy	Monthly	Hilton Alexander	TBA
Spring Champion Shield	Annual	Steven Henderson	10-17^th April 2024
Spring Champion Shield	Annual		30^th March — 6^th April 2025
Winter Shield	Annual	Not Played
Knock Out Shield	Annual	John Field 2023
Super Cup	Annual	Not Played

Appendix F. List of members of GH GS Committee.

Chairman, Captain, Vice-Captain, Treasurer & Secretary.

2025 Holders

Keith Faulkner, Danny Lee, David Wilson, David Wilson & Ken Coop

Appendix E (List of all trophies & the events they correspond to)

{We seem to have evolved a different ‘tradition’ in awarding the original trophies to the winners in order to get trophies engraved by the Society. Once upon a time, players arranged and paid for their own names to be engraved. Unfortunately, we are running out of room on some shields & trophies for any more plaques. Hence the need to replace some trophies. I suggest we award trophies at each event for the players to keep and arrange their own engraving. We need to review the practice of awarding the trophies again at the AGM in October. Do we ask players to bring their trophies to the AGM and award them again to keep until next year? When do we get them back for using the next season?