AT&T Centennial Golf League

On this page, you will find the League rules, detailed instructions on how to calculate your handicap index as well as how to convert that index to a course handicap, and finally, how, exactly, you can score the weekly matches. Select appropriate button.

Click on this button for the League Rules

Click on this button for how to Calculate Your Handicap

Click on this button to review how to Score A Match

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CENTENNIAL GOLF LEAGUE

LOCAL RULES

The league rules listed here supplement both the USGA rules and the local rules on the scorecard, all of which will govern play in Centennial Golf League competition.

1. "PICK-UP" Rule (Maximum Score per Hole). Rule is intended to discourage slow play, and individual player embarrassment, (not to mention high handicaps), a player should "pick-up" his/her ball when their score for that hole reaches "twice par plus 1". Therefore, no score higher than "twice par plus 1" should ever be recorded on a scorecard for any hole. On par 3's, the maximum allowable score is 7; on par 4's, 9; and on par 5's, 11.

If only one player in match play "picks-up" under this rule, that player loses the hole, regardless of handicap. If both players in a match "pick-up" on the same hole, that hole is won by the player getting strokes on that hole.

If both players in a match "pick-up" on the same hole, and neither player is getting strokes, the hole is split between players. For example: If Jim picks up (on a par 5) after having taken 11 strokes, and Jane picks up after having taken 11 strokes, and neither player is getting any strokes on this hole, the hole is halved for their individual match point.

Simply stated: You pick up, you lose. Your opponent also picks-up, you tie (unless you're giving or getting strokes on that hole).

2. FORFEITS: A league match is scheduled for each Thursday, usually from the 1^st or 2^nd Thursday in April through mid September. For any one match, if neither team plays (no scorecard turned in), BOTH TEAMS LOSE 6 POINTS!. If one of the teams shows up (both regulars, or 1 regular and 1 substitute or 2 subs) AND plays 9 holes, AND turns in that scorecard, that team is awarded a forfeit victory AND 6 points (or 12 on a straight Position Night) and no losses. If only 1 regular plays 9 holes and claims a forfeit victory, they only receive 4 points (or 8 on Position Nights) and 2 losses (or 4 on Position Nights), while the forfeiting team still loses all 6 (or 12) points. Teams are responsible for getting any necessary substitutes. Scores turned in from a forfeit match will be counted towards handicaps.

If no substitute is available, and your partner plays the match alone, your 2 match points and the 2 points for Low Net are forfeited, and your partner can only play for his/her 2 points. If one member from each team plays the match (head-to-head, regardless of high/low handicaps), they only play for their 2 individual match points and for the low net points (2), with the EACH TEAM LOSING THE OTHER TWO POINTS!

If you absolutely need to play earlier in the day, you may do so but this should be a very rare occurrence. Don’t plan on doing this every week. Also, you must send an email to your opponents and cc the Commish by noon on Wednesday and remember to drop your scorecard in the envelope when finished. Playing unopposed is not allowed on 12 point bumper nights.

Matches can always be played in advance. If you know that you will be away in a few weeks, arrange for a sub (or 2) or play the match EARLY (not necessarily on Thursday), or match cards early with the team you are scheduled to play the night you cannot be there (but YOU MUST NOTIFY ME AND THE CARD COLLECTOR FOR YOUR DIVISION, WHEN DOING SO). IMPORTANT: You must play the same 9 holes on the same day to match cards. NEW (as of 7/5/06), because teams are not always at the same course, matching cards ahead of time may not always be possible. So, I will consider postponement requests on a case-by-case basis. To do so, I must get confirmation from both teams that they need a postponement at least 7 days before the scheduled date of the match.

3. ATTENDANCE: Since we have a Performance Bond commitment to Somerset County, we need to make sure our individual attendance doesn't fall below that commitment. It is also assumed that people joining our league have a sincere and genuine interest in playing golf. Therefore, any player who misses more than 4 matches (rain-outs NOT included) and does not get a substitute to take their place will not be invited back to play next year. Teams forfeiting more than 2 matches will not be invited back to play next year.

A team CAN be represented in match play by two substitutes. The only exception to this rule is on 12 point position nights and during the playoffs. On these occasions, you MUST have at least one regular team member and if you use a sub, they MUST have a handicap INDEX (requires at least 5 rounds). Regular players not playing in a match on that day may be used as a substitute. Also, matching of cards on position nights is strictly prohibited.

4. RAINED-OUT MAKE-UPS: "It Never Rains at Quail Brook, Spooky Brook, Bunker Hill or Mattawang". If you pay the Greens Fees and want to play in the rain, nobody will stop you. Each golfer should use their own judgment to determine if they want to play in the rain or not. Our league has always had some good mudders. On any one league night, if less than half of the number of regularly scheduled golfers at a particular course turn in scores, OR if less than half of the matches at a particular course are "contested", that night will be declared a rain-out for that particular course. Matches that were played and turned in, will count towards standings and handicaps. Other matches (not played) will be made-up the following Thursday, providing it doesn't rain. It is up to both teams to make sure you each play the same nine holes in order to match cards. If both teams play but do not match cards, they both forfeit all the points. If only one team plays, normal forfeit rules will be applied.

For example: Your match against team 44 was rained out last week. This week, you're scheduled against someone at Quail Brook, and team 44 is also scheduled to play at Quail Brook. If all four teams play, and assuming they play the same nine holes, you should match cards with team 44 for the make-up. If for some reason the cards are not matched, both teams forfeit all the points. If team 44 doesn't show up, they not only forfeit this week's match against their opponent (if their opponent turns in a scorecard), but they also forfeit last week's match to you (if your team turns in a scorecard), but that counts as only ONE forfeit against their attendance.

One exception: The CGL Commissioner may override these rain-out rule requirements if he clears it with the course management that the attendance be waived for that evening. Once the Commish declares a rain-out, teams may agree to match cards the following week. Even if more than half the players play and more than half the matches are contested, no forfeit will be issued to these teams. Again, the call is up to the Commmish and any team deciding not to play, must notify their opponents AND the Commish. Failure to properly notify all parties will result in a forfeit. The responsibility to match the cards the following week (or first week both teams are at the same course) falls squarely on the 2 teams involved. As in a normal rain-out, any matches not scored will result in forfeits.

When the weather is in doubt, be sure to check your email and the CGL web site for the latest status.

5. Our league uses Winter rules. They should be used in your own fairway only. Winter rules allow the ball to be moved, either by the club or by hand, to a better lie within a radius of 12 inches from where the ball originally came to rest. Under winter rules, the ball may also be cleaned before, during, or after improving the lie. A new ball may be used for putting. Players wishing to use summer rules are permitted to do so but cannot expect their opponents to also play summer rules.

6. A player whose ball comes to rest in an "unfair" lie is entitled to a drop no closer to the hole and on the same line with the hole. An "unfair" lie occurs when the ball comes to rest in an area which is obviously under construction and is not meant for play but is unmarked as being under construction. Under this rule it should not be construed that any poor lie in the rough or fairway is "unfair" and entitles the player to a free lift.

7. Plugged balls may be marked, lifted and cleaned. In your own fairway the ball may be placed, otherwise the ball must be dropped near the original lie.

8. Out of bounds will incur the loss of one stroke, but not the distance. A player hitting the ball out of bounds will play their next shot as near as possible to where the ball entered the out of bounds during its trajectory, not where it eventually comes to rest.

9. A ball lost, in bounds, will incur the loss of one stroke, in addition to the stroke that lost the ball. The next shot will be played as near as possible to the assumed spot where the original ball was lost. (If you knew the exact spot, the ball wouldn't be lost!)

10. A ball in a sand trap, either resting in a footprint or next to a rock, may be dropped as close to the original spot as possible after raking the lie area. This must be done in the presence of a member of the opposing team.

11. On 12 point Position Nights, substitute players without a U.S.G.A. Handicap Index (meaning less than 5 rounds reported) may compete but they MUST use 0 (zero) as their handicap.

12. We have a reserved block of starting times at each course as follows: Quail Brook (4:15) and Spooky Brook (4:00) will not allow any other golfers (excluding "cross-overs") to tee-off during those times. Mattawang (4:15 - tentative) will send us off the front or back to accomodate other golfers and other leagues. Bunker Hill times are from 4:25 until 4:50. Once your entire group has paid your Greens Fees, let the starter know you're ready, and "queue-up" on the 1st or 10th tee as directed by the starter.

13. IMPORTANT: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, when turning in your weekly scorecards, CLEARLY indicate FIRST and LAST NAMES on the cards, both team numbers and the respective points won. I reserve the option of double checking the scoring of points to be sure they coincide with the rules. I also reserve the right to issue forfeits to both teams for sloppy cards, so please keep them legible.

14. No player's handicap will exceed 24 (for 9 holes) although their USGA Handicap Index might.

15. Whereas this is simply recreation and not the US Open, and whereas a 9 hole round should take less than 2 1/4 hours, when your opponent's ball is "inside your grip", meaning the distance from their ball to the hole is less than the that from the head on your putter to your grip, their putt is deemed a "gimme" and MUST be conceded to speed up play.

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CENTENNIAL GOLF LEAGUE

CALCULATING A HANDICAP INDEX and COURSE HANDICAPS

Calculating handicaps:

In 1992, our league began using the USGA Handicap System to determine Handicap Indexes. The best explanation of the calculations comes from the USGA Handicap System and Golf Committee Manual. Here are the relevant parts.

"The System is based on the assumption that every player will endeavor to make the best score he/she can at each hole in every round he/she plays and that he/she will report every acceptable round for handicap purposes, regardless of where the round is played."

A USGA Handicap Index is determined by a golf club or authorized golf association as follows:

a. Determine the handicap differentials by subtracting the corresponding USGA Course Rating from each of the last 20 adjusted (stroke controlled) gross scores and multiplying each resulting value by 113. Divide this result in each case by the corresponding USGA Slope Rating (from the course where the round was played) and round off to the nearest tenth.

b. Total the lowest 10 handicap differentials and multiply the result by .096. Delete all numbers after the tenths digit. (Do not round off to the nearest tenth.)

These two "simple steps" result in your Handicap Index.

The following chart is the scoring record of a fictitious player showing how his Handicap Index is determined, and how that Index is converted to a course handicap.

 
 A B C D E
 Date Adjusted U.S.G.A. Score minus U.S.G.A. Handicap
 Played Score Rating Course Rating Slope Rating Differential
  (A minus B) (C x 113)/D
 
 6/3/91 45 35.1 9.9 118 9.5
 6/6/91 46 35.1 10.9 118 10.4
 6/7/91 47 36.4 10.6 115  10.4
 6/12/91 44 35.1 8.9 118 8.5 *
 6/21/91 45 35.1 9.9 118 9.5
 7/1/91 45 36.2 8.8 114 8.7 *
 7/4/91 46 37.2 8.8  119 8.4 *
 7/5/91 46 36.5 9.5 114 9.4
 7/14/91 46 36.2 9.8 117 9.5
 7/21/91 44 36.6 7.4 118 7.1 *
 7/22/91 45 36.2 8.8 117 8.5 *
 7/28/91 46 36.2 9.8 117 9.5
 8/2/91 42 35.4 6.6 111 6.7 *
 8/7/91 43 35.4 7.6 111 7.7 *
 8/8/91  45 36.1 8.9 115 8.8 *
 8/9/91 42 34.0 8.0 113 8.0 *
 8/15/91 47 35.1 11.9 118 11.4
 8/22/91 46 35.1 10.9 118 10.4
 8/24/91 44 34.0 10.0 112 10.1
 9/5/91 44 35.1 8.9 118 8.5 *
 * Indicates each of the 10 lowest handicap differentials used
 
 Total of 10 lowest handicap differentials: 80.9
 Total multiplied by .096: 7.7664
 Delete all numbers after the tenths digit: 7.7
 U.S.G.A. Handicap Index is: 7.7

A player does not play off his U.S.G.A. Handicap Index. Rather, he converts the U.S.G.A. Handicap Index to a Course Handicap and plays off the Course Handicap. (Exception: A player with a U.S.G.A. Handicap Index who plays at a course without a Slope Rating shall play off his Home Course Handicap.)

A course Handicap is determined by multiplying the U.S.G.A. Handicap Index by the U.S.G.A. Slope Rating and dividing by 113. The resulting figure is rounded off to the nearest whole number (.5 is rounded upward).

For example: To calculate a handicap for the above fictitious player at Warrenbrook (whose Slope Rating is 124), multiply the 7.7 Handicap Index by 124, then divide by 113 and round off to a whole number. [7.7 multiplied by 124 = 954.8, divided by 113 = 8.4495, or a Warrenbrook Handicap of 8.] Using the same Handicap Index to calculate a handicap for Rutgers (Slope Rating of 106) would result in a Rutgers handicap of 7 [7.7 multiplied by 106 = 816.2, divided by 113 = 7.223].

Stroke control calculations:

USGA Stroke Control is applied to each reported score. The adjusted score will be the one entered into the handicap system. Remember, for match play, you must use your actual score.

Here's how stroke control works: When entering a player's score into the handicap system, the scorecard is reviewed, hole by hole. The scores will be altered before being added into the handicap system as follows:

A golfer having a handicap less than 5 cannot have a score above 6 recorded for any hole.

Golfers with handicaps greater than 4 but less than 10 cannot have a score above 7 recorded for any hole.

Golfers with handicaps greater than 9 but less than 15 cannot have a score above 8 recorded for any hole.

Golfers with handicaps greater than 14 but less than 20 cannot have a score above 9 recorded for any hole.

Golfers with handicaps greater than 19 cannot have a score above 10 recorded for any hole.

For example: Desmond has a 13 handicap. For stroke control, he can not record a score of more than 8 on any hole. He reported a nine-hole score of 58 with an 11 on the 7th hole (which he lost to Mookie, who shot a 9 on the 7th hole during the match). Desmond also shot 2 over par on the remaining eight holes. Before recording Desmond's score, 3 strokes will be dropped off of the par 5, 7th hole and Desmond's round will be recorded as a 55 since the handicap system will not allow Desmond to score more than an 8 on any hole. This 8 does not retro-actively win the hole for Desmond since stroke control does not apply to match play.

Fewer than 20 scores available:

a. FEWER THAN 5 SCORES: A U.S.G.A. Handicap Index shall not be issued to a player who returned fewer than five acceptable scores.

** NOTE **: For the benefit of league play, the Centennial Golf League will calculate a Handicap based on the lowest round of the first five rounds recorded, but will not generate a corresponding U.S.G.A. Handicap Index until after the fifth round is turned in.

b. BETWEEN 5 AND 19 SCORES: When at least 5 but fewer than 20 acceptable scores are available, the formula used to determine a U.S.G.A. Handicap Index is as follows:

1. Determine the number of handicap differentials to be used from the following chart:

 
 Available: 5or6 7or8 9or10 11or12 13or14 15or16 17 18 19
To be Used: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

2. Determine handicap differentials by subtracting the course rating from the adjusted score, multiply the result by 113, then divide by the slope rating of the course where played.

3. Average the lowest handicap differentials to be used, as shown in Column II above.

4. Multiply the average by .96.

5. Delete all numbers after the tenths digit (do not round off to the nearest tenth).

For Example: The following chart is the scoring record of another fictitious player showing how her Handicap Index is determined.

 
 A B C D E
 Date Adjusted U.S.G.A. Score minus U.S.G.A. Handicap
 Played Score Rating Course Rating Slope Rating Differential
 (A minus B) (C x 113)/D
 
 7/14/91 46 36.2 9.8 117 9.5
 7/21/91 44 36.6 7.4 118 7.1 *
 7/22/91 45 36.2 8.8 117 8.5
 7/28/91 46 36.2 9.8 117 9.5
 8/2/91 42 35.4 6.6 111 6.7 *
 8/7/91 43 35.4 7.6 111  7.7 *
 8/8/91 45 36.1 8.9 115 8.8
 8/9/91 42 34.0 8.0 113 8.0
 8/22/91 46 35.1 10.9 118 10.4
 * Indicates each of the 3 lowest handicap differentials used
 
 Total of 3 lowest handicap differentials: 21.5
 Average (21.5 divided by 3): 7.1667
 Total multiplied by .96: 6.8799
 Delete all numbers after the tenths digit: 6.8
 U.S.G.A. Handicap Index is: 6.8

Finally, a Course Handicap is determined by multiplying the U.S.G.A. Handicap Index by the U.S.G.A. Slope Rating (of the course where you'll be playing) and dividing that product by 113. The resulting figure is rounded off to the nearest whole number (.5000 and above is rounded upward). For example: 6.8 x 115 (women's rating at Quail Brook) / 113 = 6.9204, or 7 Handicap at Quail Brook for this fictitious woman.

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CENTENNIAL GOLF LEAGUE

MATCH SCORING

We will continue to use a 6 point scoring method.

A. All matches will be match-play and stroke-play over nine holes except the league championship match which is over 18 holes. White tees will be used for men, and the red tees for women.

B. A total of six (6) points will be awarded for each match, except on Position night when twelve (12) points will be awarded. Points are awarded for each of the following:

*** Low handicap player versus low handicap player from each team - match play for 9 holes. 2 points.

*** High handicap player versus high handicap player from each team - match play for 9 holes. 2 points

*** Team net score for 9 holes. 2 points.

Any ties over the nine hole match will result in 1 point being awarded to each team.

If any of the individual matches being played are tied at the end of nine holes (4 1/2 holes to 4 1/2 holes), one point will be awarded to each team for that match.

C. If both players on one team have the same handicap, that team will decide who will play whom (from the opposing team) prior to the beginning of the match. If only one player is present for a team and the other team members don’t have the same handicap, that player has the choice of which opponent to compete against.

D. If substitutes are used and if they have a league handicap, scoring remains as described above. If a substitute has no established handicap, points for the match cannot be determined until the handicap is calculated by the league statistician.

E. To speed up play, all players should putt out unless continuing to putt will interfere with another player's lie.

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