GOLF LEAGUE RULES
(ver: 2026)

1. Rules of Play: 

A) Current USGA rules govern play except when otherwise specified by the local course rules (governed by the LVMC 2022 Local Rules and Condition of Play document) or the Hughes Twilight Golf Rules.

B) Modified Winter golf rules apply. The ball may be adjusted (with club head only) to allow REASONABLE relief no closer to the hole from hard ground, divots, holes, paths, casual water, mud, etc., except in hazards. A ball in the rough must remain in the rough.

C) Whenever an outside agency (be it human, animal or mechanical) moves a ball, the ball is to be replaced without penalty.  If the outside agency is a successful thief, another ball may be substituted.

D) There is No relief from drought tolerant flora.

E) The Rules Committee will penalize habitual "Slow Player/Teams" to tee off last for their flight.

F) Fences which form the external boundaries of the course (i.e. perimeter fences) are not considered as part of the course.  They are not artificial encumbrances, and offer no relief.  Play the ball as lies, or take a drop within two club lengths no nearer the hole with a one-stroke penalty, this includes the protective screen on hole #2.  If the ball enters the cement drainage ditch on holes #1 or #2, drop within two club lengths from the point of entry, with no penalty.  The first fence on the left-hand side of hole #2 is course perimeter fence and is considered out of bounds.

G) Any protest of a rule or regulation must be lodged with a member of the Rules Committee or League Officials prior to leaving the golf course, or by the end of the next working day.

H) If a ruling is disputed, play a second ball from the point in question, play both balls separately until the hole has been completed (mark the score for each ball).  After the round has been completed, the Rules Committee will make an appropriate decision as to which ball will be counted.

I) If your ball comes to rest in or next to an unranked footprint in a bunker that prohibits reasonable opportunity to execute a shot, your opponent may grant free relief, by placing the ball  away from the footprint no closer to the hole.

J) If a ball is lost or out of bounds, the player may take a drop after getting consent from their opponent at a location mutually agreed upon with a two-stroke penalty. (The intent is to speed-up play)

K) The use of personal rangefinders including slope and all other functionality is acceptable.

L) If a ball lies through the green and an immovable obstruction (Sprinkler Head) on or within two club-lengths of the putting green and within two club-lenths of the ball intervenes on the line of play between the ball and the hole, the player may take free relief. (See Example)
2. Format of Play and Scoring:

Play will be individual match play and overall team low net. The lower handicap golfers and higher handicap on each team will be paired, for the first half, and the second half pairing will change to allow everyone to be paired. The pairings are set at the beginning of the season based on the handicaps of the regular players at the end of the previous season.

B) There is a total of twelve points awarded in team match. Four points are awarded for each individual match won. Two points are awarded for, a tie. Four points are awarded for team low net, and two for a tie. Overall low net, for that night, will be two points for every team beat. One point for every team tied.  (See Example)

D) When appropriate, individuals may offer their opponent a "give me" putt to expedite play.

E) Order of play.  Opponent match-up during league play shall be established using the following guidelines: 

á       First match-up, High-high and low-low handicaps as submitted on the team's application

á       Second match-up, Opposite of first

 If in doubt play the card as it is written enter a protest to a league officer.


3. No Shows and Make-up Matches: 

A) Golfers waiting to play are not obligated to wait past the last scheduled tee time for their opponents to show up. 

B) A substitute may be used for any player unable to make their tee time (see Rule 4). Only one substitute per team may be used. If one or both members of a team fail to show up, they lose their match and team points for the match and the remaining team/player will play against a "no show card". (See Rule 3-D & 3-E). 

C) If both team members know in advance that they will not be able to make their tee time, they must notify a league official, and they may schedule a make up match with their opponents prior to 12:00 noon of the scheduled day of play. All make-up matches must be completed within two weeks of scheduled day of play. This does not preclude playing matches in advance. Teams are responsible for making their own tee times, and paying their own green fees for make-up matches. No refunds will be given for missed nights. All make-up matches must be completed prior to the final" night. If both teams are responsible for failure to make up a match, both will be awarded zero points. If only one team/player shows, they will play against a "no show card". 

If a makeup match causes matches to be played out of event order, then the higher numbered event will have the handicaps locked so they will not be changed by the results of the subsequent lower numbered event. No other adjustment will be made to the normal process of calculating handicaps in event order.

 

D) No show cards receive zero individual match points. If one player does not show then that player receives zero individual points. If both players are a no show then both players receive zero individual and team points.

E) No show scoring is determined by the following: 

9 handicap and under   36 + handicap + 3 
10-19 handicap            36 + handicap + 4 
20-29 handicap            36 + handicap + 5 
30-39 handicap            36 + handicap + 6 
Etc.                               Etc.

i.e.: 9 handicap golfer 48 (36 + 9 + 3).


F) Golfers are responsible to pay League fees prior to play. If you are unable to complete the League schedule after the start of the first night of play, it is your obligation to find a replacement and meet the financial obligations to the League.

G) Maximum handicap is defined as: 

á       Tuesday night (B flight) max handicap is 18

á       Wednesday night (C flight) max handicap is 27


4. Substitutes: 

A) Anyone designated by a team can be a sub. Playing members from other divisions (not within you own division) may also be used.  Obtaining substitutes is the responsibility of the team member and not the League Officials. 

B) On any given night only one substitute may be used per team. No team shall consist of two substitutes. 

C) Points won by substitutes go to the team being substituted for. Scores by substitutes from another division do not affect his/her handicap or League Awards. Non division substitutes handicaps will be adjusted as required. (See Rule 5-B). 

D) Substitutes may play in sweepstakes and attend the banquet, but are not eligible for any League Awards.


5. Handicaps: 

A) Handicaps will be established by the third week and updated weekly using the low three of the last five actual differentials. 

B) Handicaps at the start of the season will be computed as follows: 
 
 

Week

New 

Players / Substitutes

Returning 

Players / Substitutes

1

70% of actual differential
(score card adjusted)

Low 3 of last 5 differentials (last 5 differentials of last year)

2

80% of lowest differential
(score card adjusted)

Low 3 of 5 differentials
(last 4 differentials of last year + last weeks differential)

3

100% of lowest differential
(score card adjusted)

Low 3 of 5 differentials
(last 3 differentials of last year + last 2 weeks differential)

4

Lowest of last 3 differentials
(no adjustments)

Low 3 of 5 differentials
(last 2 differentials of last year + last 3 weeks differential)

5

Low 3 of 4 differentials

Low 3 of 5 differentials
(last 1 differentials of last year + last 4 weeks differential)

6

Low 3 of 5 differentials

Low 3 of 5 differentials

¥ The Course Rating and Slope for the front (9) comes from the "USGA Course Rating and Slope Databaseª"

¥ Gross scores will be adjusted using The World Handicap System (Net Double Bogey).

C) Sweepstakes handicaps will be based on the lowest 60% of the rounds played for the entire season: (average of lowest 60% x 71)/36 for men (average of lowest 60% x 72)/36 for women.

D) In the event a player is unable to complete the entire round, a minimum of 5 holes must be completed during a match for the round to count. The unplayed holes will be scored as net par for that night's match. However, the incomplete round will not be used in the handicap calculations for future matches.


6. League Organization:

A. The league shall have four officer positions, President, Treasurer, Handicapper, and Web Master. Positions may be co-chaired by more than one individual.  The president, treasurer, and web master pay full league fees and course fees.  The handicapperÕs league fees and course fees are paid for by the league.

B. The league shall have a ÒRules CommitteeÓ responsible for ratifying all rule changes and mitigating any rules issues that arise during league play. Membership will be determined by the current President and will consist of current and past board members or players.


7. Financial Obligation:

A. Golfers are responsible to pay League fees prior to play. 

B. League fees are to be paid to Louis Heredia, League Treasurer.

8. League Season Final Payouts:

 

A.   League prizes are funded by the remaining League fee funds and then from the golf leagues unspent greens fees. In the event, there are no remaining unused green fees at the end of the season, the prize moneys amounts shall be reduced accordingly. Once the prize money awards have been paid out and the league has settled its account with the golf course at the end of the year. The remaining green fees shall be divided equally and refunded to each returning player only in the form of a discounted towards their next season greens fees. The league shall hold a balance of $500 or less to cover any unexpected issues.

 

B.    The league end of the seasons team prize awards are as follows for each night, $350 for first place, $250 for second place and $150 for third place. There is no additional award payout for to the winner of the championship match between the B flight and C flight champions.

 

C.    Winners of the specials are paid awards of $100 dollars per event.