SJGA Men’s Match Play League Procedures and Rules 2007 

1. Teams for matches consist of six players. A match consists of 6 individual matches and 3 better-ball matches of paired partners and  opponents in each foursome. Each team should invite two to four (or more) players, if possible, to be substitutes. Every effort should be made to avoid forfeiting individual or team matches. 

2. Matches are played with full course handicaps off the lower player. A separate card is kept for the better-ball match where full course handicap strokes are taken for three players off the lowest  course handicap in the foursome. 

3. The six match players should presented by handicaps from low to high and play in that order whenever possible. There is no competitive advantage to juggling handicaps. If players must play out of order, captains should be prepared to explain the reasons to their opponents.  

4. Visiting teams should only pay a cart fee and home teams should also take riding carts to repay the course for waiving green fees and welcoming the SJGA Men’s League. This is the same arrangement that the Women’s League has used for many years. 

5. Home captains should prepare and present before the match any local rules or abnormal conditions affecting play. Otherwise USGA rules for Match Play will apply. One local rule permitted in the SJGA League will be to play preferred lies (up) in the fairway and it is expected that most courses will use this rule. 

6. All players and substitutes must have SJGA cards and numbers. Last minute subs may obtain SJGA cards through the website www.sjgolf.org. 

7. Each individual match and each better-ball match is worth  1 point. Individual matches, better-ball matches and team matches can all finish as ties. No extra holes should be played. A team match will total 9 points. 

8. The teams with the most team match victories out of four matches will win the division. A playoff between the two division winners will determine the SJGA Men’s Match Play Championship. Ties for the division winner will be broken according to the extensive rules and regulations of the SJGA Women’s League Handbook. This handbook will be our first starting point for rulings on any other technicalities involving forfeits, eligibility, or other knotty issues. It is available online at the SJGA website. 

9. The SJGA Men’s Match play League of 2002-2004 combined competition and good times in just about the right proportions. The desire to win, sportsmanship, and fun must be balanced (as they are in all our SJGA tournaments) for our league to succeed this year, continue for years to come and attract other clubs and players.