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Games and scoring

GOLF COMPETITIONS AND HOW THEY ARE PLAYED

These notes are only intended to assist in the general concept of how various handicap competitions are played. They must be read in conjunction with the Rules of Golf.

STROKE
The score of each hole is entered on the score card, totalled and the player's full handicap deducted. The player who completes the round with the least strokes is the winner.

 PAR AND STABLEFORD(See Rule 32)
Determine each holes 'Calculated Par'
Using the 'Stroke Index' from the scorecard, firstly allocate your handicap to determine each holes 'calculated par'.
For example, a player on a handicap of 10 will add one shot to the 'par' value of each hole with a stroke index of 10 or less.
On each of these holes a par 4 would become a 'calculated par' 5 for that player. (a par 3 would become a calculated par 4)
A player with a handicap greater than 18 will receive 2 shots on the number of holes calculated by subtracting 18 from their handicap.
For example, a player with a handicap of 21 will receive 2 shots on three holes. (21 - 18 = 3). They will receive one shot on the other 15 holes.
For the three holes they receive 2 shots on, (i.e. the holes with a stroke index of 1, 2 and 3) a par 4 would become a 'calculated par' 6.

Scoring for STABLEFORD Competitions

Players who exceed their calculated par by two strokes receive no points and wipe the hole.
A score of one stroke over your calculated 'par' will result in one point.
If you make your calculated 'par' you will score two points.
A score of one stroke better than your calculated par will result in three points.
A score two strokes better than your calculated par will result four points.
A score three strokes better than your calculated par will result in five points (and so on).

Scoring for PAR Competitions

A hole is either won, lost or halved. Once again this is determined by comparing your actual strokes against your 'calculated par'.
If you make your calculated 'par', you will halve the hole. - a 0 (zero) or a small square is recorded in the scorecards result column.
If you score better than your calculated par you will 'win' the hole. A '+' (plus) is recorded in the scorecards result column.
If you score more than your 'par', you will 'lose' the hole. A '-' (minus) is recorded in the scorecards result column.

AMBROSE

Played with one or more partners. Each player tees off and the best shot is selected and its position marked. Each player in the team then places the ball within one score cards width of the marked position. The team may play in any order. The ball selected to play may be lifted, cleaned and placed once its position has been marked. If on the green, the balls are to be placed within one putter head of the marker.

Number of drives required by each player:

Handicaps Calculation:
Teams of 4, divide by 8
Teams of 3, divide by 6
Teams of 2, divide by 4

MATCH PLAY

In Match Play, the game is played in holes. A hole is won by the player or side that holes the ball in fewer strokes. In a handicap match the lower nett score wins. The score is kept by the term "holes up", "holes down" or "all square".
A hole is halved if each side/player holes out in the same number of strokes or the same nett score.
A player/side may concede a hole or a match at any time prior to the conclusion of the hole or the match. Concession of a stroke, hole or match may not be declined or withdrawn.
A match is won by the player/side when the number of holes "up" is greater than the number of holes remaining to be played

Note:
Scratch Events-A match which ends all square, shall be continued hole by hole from the hole where the match began, until one side wins a hole
Handicap Events-As in scratch events, but with strokes being allowed as if the match has been recommenced.

In handicap Match Play, the method of ascertaining handicap is that the lowest marker, in any particular match, goes back to scratch and then give the other player or players the difference in their respective handicaps.