Competition Rules & Contacts

BDUGC Hand Book 2021

Chris Wren (Calverley G. C.)

President 2024

COMPETITION RULES 2024

1 (a) The Union through its Golf Committee shall arrange each year, such Championships, Competitions, Matches and Golf Meetings as may have been sanctioned by the Executive Committee. The Competition Secretary of the Golf Committee shall be empowered to make all the necessary arrangements for the events with the clubs on whose greens they are to be held. In the event of the competition being postponed the Golf Committee shall have the power to rearrange that competition in the same or similar format.

(b)  If it becomes impossible to complete an event in accordance with the rules thereof because of adverse weather conditions or other circumstances which in the opinion of the Golf Committee make it impossible or impracticable to do so, the Golf Committee shall be empowered to vary such rules to the extent necessary to achieve a result within the time available. The Golf Committee’s decision shall be final. The Competition Committee of the day shall consist of the Competition Secretary and two members of the Golf Committee.

(c)  The time for starting shall be that shown on the official draw. If a player arrives at his starting point, ready to play, within five minutes after his starting time, the penalty for failing to start on time is loss of the first hole in Matchplay or two strokes at the first hole in Strokeplay. Otherwise the penalty for breach of rule 6-3a is disqualification as per the Rules of Golf.

2. Entries to Team Events and Team Championships shall be made by the Member Clubs. Entries to individual events shall be made by individuals. In both cases entries, together with entry fees shall be received by the Competition Secretary at least 14 days before the event. The Golf Committee reserve the right to cancel any Championship or Competition for which the entries fall below half of the maximum entry for the event.

3. All Championships, Competitions and Matches shall be played according to the Rules of Golf as approved by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the Local Rules of the Club upon whose greens the event are being played, in so far as they do not contravene the Rules of Golf and have the approval of the Golf Committee.

In the event of a dispute relating to the Rules of Golf, or of a Competition organised by the Union, the Golf Committee shall arbitrate. Two members of that committee shall form a quorum.

4. Except where otherwise stated the competitions shall be open to all male playing members of the member clubs, and junior male members as appropriate. Such playing members shall play under their correct names and must:-

(a)  Conform to the definition of Amateur status as laid down by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.

(b)  Be in possession of a current WHS Handicap, the conditions in Regulation 4 above shall apply.

(c)  Conditions of Play: Entry fees for Individual Championships are due and the player is then liable 14 days prior to the Competition date. In the event of a competitor having to scratch after the closing date, the entry fee will not be refunded. Scratching(s) will not be accepted at any time unless confirmed by text or e-mail.

A competitor playing in a 36 hole competition shall complete both rounds of golf unless justifiable reason is given for his not doing so. The Golf Committee’s decision as to whether such reason is justifiable or not shall be final and the Golf Committee will not accept the player’s entry to the next competition. The Golf Committee shall report such action to the player’s home Club.

5. The Golf Committee shall determine the greens upon which golf meetings are held, and shall decide the dates of such meetings.

6. Championship Trophies shall be held by the recipients for a period of 28 days from acceptance and must then be returned to the Competition Secretary.

7. The Union has the right to refuse an application for entry for whatever reason it deems fit and it shall not be required to disclose such reason.

8. The format and rules of each competition shall be as follows:-

(a) Amateur Strokeplay Championship

18 hole Strokeplay from scratch. Entry is restricted to 72 players, and if more than 72 entries are received, there shall be a ballot from the higher handicap entrants. The Amateur Strokeplay Trophy shall be presented to the winner. In addition, entry is open to all golfers of BDUGC Clubs who have a HI of up to 9.4 two weeks prior to the date of the competition and depending upon numbers prizes will be awared for both gross and nett scores.

(b)  Amateur Matchplay Championship

Shall be played as a knock-out competition from scratch, each round to be over 18 holes. A trophy will be awarded to the winning player – other prizes will be awarded. All rounds, including the semi-finals will be played on 'neutral' courses decided by the Competition Secretary.

The event is open to all male members of member Clubs. There is no restriction on the number of players from any one Club. The greens for the matches and the dates for the rounds shall be arranged by the Competition Secretary. It is the resonsibilty of the player to pay the appropriate entry fee

Matches will be played on the greens allotted. If the Club appointed as a venue for the match is unable to accept the match on the date and time agreed by the contestants, then, and only then, by mutual agreement of the two players, the green allotted may be varied, provided permission is previously obtained for the change from the Secretary / Professional of the Club concerned and the Competition Secretary of the Union. Players must arrange with The Secretary / Professional of the host Club before their match, the time and date they wish to play, irrespective of whether their match is played on the original green or at a venue changed by mutual consent as above. The semi-final and final WILL be played on the date arranged by the Competition Committee i.e. Bradford Union Final’s Day. A player must not enter this competition if he is aware that he will be unavailable to play on Final’s Day. If after the 1st round a player subsequently finds that he is unavailable on Final’s Day then he must give his opponent a ‘walkover’ into the next round.

All matches must be played within the specified period and if no previous date is arranged, the last date shall be the closing date of each round as specified and the last time shall be 6.00pm. If only one player is present at that time, the match shall be awarded to him. If both players are absent they shall both be scratched.

Notice of results together with the names of the players and the venue shall be sent to the Competition Secretary to reach him by 8.00pm the following day. If no result is reported within the period allowed then both players will be scratched.

In the event of a tie after 18 holes, the players shall proceed without interval to the 1st tee and play until either player wins a hole.

(c) Open Championship

36 hole Strokeplay from scratch. Entry is open to members of Member Clubs and members of the Professional Golfers Association who are retained by and working for Member Clubs and their assistants working and employed at Member Clubs within the Union. Entry shall be restricted to 72 players, and in the event that more than 72 applications are received, there shall be a ballot from the higher handicap entrants.

The Challenge Trophy shall be presented to the winner, and the Sidney Carr Trophy shall be presented to the leading amateur. Other prizes shall be awarded.

(d) The Jim Wade Trophy

This trophy was presented in 1999 by Tim Wade the son of the late Jim Wade. This shall be awarded annually to the player returning the best joint scores in the Amateur Strokeplay Championship and the Open Championship.

(e) Inter - Club Four Ball Strokeplay Championship (replacing Foursomes Strokeplay)

Shall be played as a Four Ball Better Ball Medal from 85% handicap allowance over 18 holes. The competition is open to all male members of member Clubs who have a playing handicap index of 18 or below on the date of entry. There is no restriction on the number of pairs a Club can enter.

 The Championship Trophy shall be awarded to the winning players, other prizes will be awarded. Prizes will be awarded to the pair with both the best gross score and best net score. Other prizes will be awarded.

(f) Inter - Club Foursomes Matchplay Championship

Shall be played as a knock-out competition from scratch, each round to be over 18 holes. A trophy will be awarded to the winning player – other prizes will be awarded.

The event is open to all male members of member Clubs. Each Club may enter as many teams as they wish but the players can only represent one team in each season. All rounds to be played on a 'home or away' basis up to and including the semi-finals.  A random draw will be made prior to the competition commencement date indicating which player has 'home venue' and the draw will indicate home & away for all rounds up to the semi-final. A 'pdf' document will be included on the web site showing full details of the home/away draw. 

Matches will be played on the greens allotted. If the Club appointed as a venue for the match is unable to accept the match on the date and time agreed by the contestants, then, and only then, by mutual agreement of the two players, the green allotted may be varied, provided permission is previously obtained for the change from the Secretary / Professional of the Club concerned and the Competition Secretary of the Union. All pairs must arrange with the Secretary / Professional of the host Club before their match, the time and date they wish to play, irrespective of whether their match is played on the original green or at a venue changed by mutual consent as above. The Final WILL be played on the date arranged by the Golf Committee. This could be a separate date to Finals Day and will be known as ‘Reserve Finals Day’

This competition should be treated as a ‘Club Competition’ so that if one of the original nominated players is unavailable during a stipulated round, the player may be substituted either permanently or on a temporary basis for that round. A player may not be used who has played in another team. This also applies to Foursomes Finals Day.

All matches must be played within the specified period and if no previous date is arranged, the last date shall be the closing date of each round as specified and the last time shall be 6.00pm. If the representatives of only one Club are present at that time, the match shall be awarded to them. If the representatives of both Clubs are absent, they shall both be scratched.

Notice of results together with the names of the players and the venue shall be sent to the Competition Secretary to reach him by 8.00pm the following day. If no result is reported within the period allowed then both teams will be scratched.

In the event of a tie after 18 holes, the players shall proceed without interval to the 1st tee and play until either side wins a hole

(g) Team Championship

The competition shall consist of teams of three players, each team representing a Member Club, and shall be decided by play over 18 holes Strokeplay from scratch

The aggregate scores of the three players in each team shall decide the Championship, the lowest aggregate to win. A Member Club may enter a second team. 

The Team Championship Trophy shall be presented to the winning club; mementoes will be presented to the three players in the winning team. Other prizes shall be awarded.

(h)  Team Championship - Nine Hole Clubs

The competition shall be for teams of four players. Each team representing a Nine Hole Member Club, and shall be decided over 18 holes Strokeplay from scratch, the best 3 scores to count. Such member clubs may enter one team only. The team with the lowest aggregate score shall win the Championship. In the event of a tie the 4th card shall be used to decide the winning team and if still tied the last team player’s card shall be used. Thereafter a card count back shall be used. Maximum playing handicap 12.

In conjunction with the Team Championship there shall be a competition to decide the Individual Nine Hole Club Amateur Strokeplay Champion, who shall be the player with the lowest gross score over the 18 holes of the Team Championship.

Each player competing in the Team Championship for Nine Hole Clubs shall be deemed to have entered the individual event. The Championship Trophy shall be presented to the winning club; mementos shall be presented to the six players in the winning team.

The Challenge Trophy shall be presented to the player returning the Best Gross score.

The R G Dracup Trophy shall be awarded to the player returning the Best Net score over 18 holes. Other prizes shall be awarded.        

(i) Second Division Team Championship

The competition shall be for teams of four players, each team representing a Member Club, and shall be decided over 18 holes Strokeplay from scratch.  Such Member Clubs may enter one team only and each player in the team shall have a handicap index within the range 9.5 to 18.4 inclusive. The team with the lowest aggregate score shall win the Championship.

The Championship Trophy shall be presented to the winning club mementoes shall be presented to the four players in the winning team. Other prizes shall be awarded.

The Clubs occupying the top 16 places in the 2nd Division Team Championship will qualify to compete in the Handicap Matchplay Championship. The four players who have participated in the 2nd Division Team Championship (or their substitutes) will be split into 2 pairs (Section A & Section B) and will compete throughout the season in a Four Ball Better Ball Matchplay Competition from handicap. Competitors will be restricted to handicaps between 10 and 18. The handicap is applicable on the day the round is played. If a competitor’s handicap falls below 10 he is still eligible to play from the lower handicap and shots taken accordingly by other players. If a competitor’s handicap increases above 18, the maximum handicap must be kept at 18.

Strokes to be taken from the lowest handicapped player (90% difference). Four rounds will be played through the season (including the semi-finals) and the overall winner of Section A will play the overall winner of Section B on Bradford & District Union of Golf Clubs Finals Day over 18 holes. A PLAYER CAN ONLY PLAY IN ONE TEAM, NOT BOTH.

This competition should be treated as a 'Club Competition' so that if one of the originally nominated players is unavailable during a stipulated round, the player may be substituted either permanentley or on a temperary basis for that round. A player may not be used if he has played in another team. This also applies to Finals Day. Extensions for a round will not be given for example, holidays.

The Championship Trophy shall be presented to the winning team, other prizes will be awarded.

(j) Clubman’s Championship

18 hole Medal Strokeplay from handicap.  The competition shall be open to all members of Member Clubs who have a handicap index between 5.5 and 15.4 on the date of entry.  Entry is restricted to 120 players, and if more than 120 entries are received there shall be a ballot from the higher handicap entrants. A Championship Trophy shall be presented to the players with both the best gross score and the best net score. Other prizes shall be awarded.

(k) Seniors & Veterans Championship

18 holes Medal from scratch. The Seniors Trophy shall be open to all members of Member Clubs who have attained the age of 55 years on or before the date of the competition. The Veteran’s Trophy shall be open to all members of Member Clubs who have attained the age of 65 on or before the date of the competition. The total entry shall be restricted to 120 players. If entries exceed this number there shall be a ballot from the higher handicap entrants.

In parallel to the main competition, there shall be a Stableford Competition from full handicap with four age groups:  55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and over, for which prizes shall be awarded.

(l) League Championship

1. The competition shall be open to all Member Clubs, who shall notify the League Secretary in writing of their intention to resign or re-apply before 31st August in the year prior to the coming season. A club that re-joins the League shall do so in the lowest division.

2. The Golf Committee shall decide the number of divisions and the number of clubs in each division which shall comprise the League. Teams in Division 1 shall be represented by four players, teams in all other Divisions shall be represented by three players.  At the end of each season, whenever possible, the top two teams in each division except in the first division shall be promoted to the next division above and the bottom two teams in each division except the last division shall be relegated to the next division below.

3. In the event of a tie on points at the end of the season to decide League Champions, promotion and relegation it shall be decided by the number of individual games won by a club. Should there still be a tie, then the placing’s shall be decided by the number of points won in the two league matches played between the clubs involved in the tie. If there is still a tie then the result shall be decided by the total of the highest winning margins in the individual games between those clubs. Should there still be a tie then the result shall be decided by the total of the highest winning margins in the individual games during the season.

4. Matches shall be played on Friday evenings in accordance with the published Fixture List, and shall commence at 5.30 pm with the last match no later than 6.00 pm, or at a time agreed upon by the team captains involved.

5. All matches shall be played from scratch over 18 holes in accordance with the Rules of Golf as approved by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the Local Rules of the Club on whose greens the fixture is being played, in so far as they do not contravene the Rules of Golf and have the approval of the Golf Committee.

Scoring shall be 2 points for a win and 1 point for a half.

A player shall represent only one Club in any one season.

6. A match postponed or suspended due to bad weather and/or the condition of the course shall be completed within 14 days of the original date, by mutual agreement between the two Team Captains, or in the case of a dispute, decided by the League Secretary whose decision shall be final. The re-arranged dates must be agreed on the night of the original fixture and notified to and be confirmed by the League Secretary. Games in the match may be played on different days but the result must be posted on the website within 14 days. It is permissible to switch home and away fixtures if both Team Captains agree, but only with the permission of the League Secretary.

If it is not possible for the home club to host a match on the day, the match must be completed within 14 days. Games in the match may be played on different days but the result must be posted on the website within 14 days.

In the event of teams failing to play or rearrange a postponed match or game, within the stipulated period, both teams shall be awarded no points.

7. Only the team captains can decide whether a match should be postponed or suspended. A match shall be postponed at 5.30pm or later in the day provided that play has not commenced in any individual game.

Should any or all games in a match have commenced, suspension of such games shall be subject to Rule 6-8 of the Rules of Golf, and play shall commence at the place it was suspended.

8. Players in a postponed match which is rearranged need not be those who were originally selected. For suspended games the players shall be those involved at the time of suspension. A player who cannot resume a suspended game shall forfeit the points.

9. Only In exceptional circumstances shall the League Secretary grant an extension to the rule regarding the completion of matches after the due date.

10. The Captain of each team shall list his team in playing order. The team lists shall be exchanged simultaneously and the pairing of the games taken accordingly. A downloadable pdf result card is available on the website for this purpose and should be retained in case of any dispute. It is the duty of the Home Club Captain to provide the visiting team players with a scorecard and local rules of the course.

11. Team captains are responsible for inputting their squad list on to theUnion's web site. Team captains must enter the selected players for every match, home and away.

12. Both clubs are responsible for the input of the players’ names and scores on to the website before 5.00pm on the Monday following the match.

13. A player who fails to present himself for a match at the arranged time shall forfeit the points to his opponent.

14. If a team fails to turn up for a match, they shall be given written notice that if they re-offend again before the end of the following season they shall be relegated to the lowest division at the end of that season. If they are in the lowest division then they shall not be eligible for promotion from that division for one year. Persistent breach of the rule may result in that club being suspended from the league.

15. Disputes must be communicated to the League Secretary before 5.00pm on the Monday following the match. This must be followed up in writing with a letter to the League Secretary within 7 days of the date of the match. The Decision of the Golf Committee regarding all disputes shall be final.

16. A Championship Trophy shall be presented to the winning club in each division, and they shall each receive a plaque as a permanent memento.

(m) Charities Four ball Competition

18 holes Four Ball Better Ball Strokeplay from Handicap.  Each competitor shall be entitled to 85% handicap stroke allowance, from a maximum handicap index of 24.4.  Competitors with a playing handicap of more than 24 may play in the competition, subject to the handicap limit.

The competition shall be open to all Member Clubs who shall be entitled to enter 4 teams. Should the full allocation of places for each Member Club not be filled, those places may be taken by other Member Clubs (even though their allocation may be filled) on application to the Competition Secretary. Monies raised by way of entry fees to the competition shall be donated to a charity as specified by the Annual General Meeting prior to the event each year.

The Trophy shall be presented to the winning club. Other prizes shall be awarded.

(n) The Sue Ryder Salver

An 18 Hole Stableford Team Championship from 85% Handicap allowance.  Each Team shall consist of 3 players, who must all be members of a Member Club of the Bradford Union.  There must be at least one player from each of the Handicap Index range 0-15 and 16-28.

The best 2 scores on each hole shall count and the Team with the highest aggregate of points for the round shall be the winners.

 (o) The Bradford Union Club Officials’ Competition

An 18 hole Stableford Team Competition from 85% handicap, allowance.  Each Team shall consist of 4 players - Club Captain, Club Secretary, Lady Captain and a Bradford Union Official.  Substitutes are permitted, and all participants shall be members or officials of Member Clubs of the Bradford Union.  Team selection shall be made by the Competition Secretary.  The best 2 scores on each hole shall count and the Team with the highest aggregate of points for the round shall be the winners.

(p) Champion Club

All Clubs are entitled to enter one Team which will consist of 5 players with handicap index ranges 0-7, 8-12, 13-18, 19-28 plus one other player nominated from any category. Entry is open to any male member of a Member Club. The players can be selected from a qualifying round attached to an Individual Strokeplay Competition played at the members own Club during the period April to August.

The Team Championship will be held in August / September on the greens and date to be decided by the Golf Committee. The Championship will be played in Stableford format from 95% handicap with the 4 best scores to count. In the event of a tie, the 5th best score will be used to decide the winning team. Thereafter a card count back will be used.

The Club Team Championship Trophy will be presented to the winning Club. Other prizes will be awarded.

(q) Winter Alliance

For the season 2020/21 the entrance fee to competitors shall be £30 per couple to be paid on the day including £3.00 per player optional sweep.

The sweep money shall be divided 1st 33%, 2nd 25%, 3rd 20%, 4th 15% and 5th 7%. In the case of a tie sweep monies shall be shared.

The prize money (cash to professionals – voucher to amateurs) shall be divided as follows: - Professionals prize £100 to winner, £40 to second (minimum of eight professionals playing or prize money pro rata). The remaining prize money will be divided as follows: - 1st 33%, 2nd 25%, 3rd 20%, 4th 15% and 5th 7%.

B.D.U.G.C. ‘Rules for Competitions’ rule 9 (procedures in the event of a tie) shall apply to all Winter Competitions. The comparison of holes will start with the last 9 holes. All competitions except where stated shall be 4 Ball Better Ball Stableford played from 85% handicap allowance. For all competitions the entry will be limited to individuals with a playing handicap index not exceeding 22 strokes. Combined handicaps not to exceed 44 strokes.

Competitors must use the name they are handicapped under at their own Club and have a CONGU (c) handicap.

Entry is open to all male members of Member Clubs and members of the Professional Golfers Association who are retained by and working for Member Clubs and their assistants who again are working for Member Clubs and have either already passed or are in the process of taking the PGA Foundation Degree.

Competitors must strictly adhere to the published starting times. They must report to the starter 5 minutes before their allotted starting time. Late arrivals will be penalised in accordance with the Rules of Golf.

Where an amateur is a member of a winning couple he shall be penalised 2 strokes in the next Alliance competition he plays in.

All competitions and will be played from the front or winter tee. Preferred lies will apply in accordance with the Rules of Golf appendix 1, Rule 3 (b). Members of the PGA shall also play an Individual Stableford competition on the day.

Dress on the Course and in the Club House must conform to the House Rules of the Host Club.

All members of the PGA (including assistants) will be required to play off a handicap of scratch.

9. In the event of a tie in the Bradford Open Championship and the Bradford Amateur Strokeplay Championship the winner shall be decided by sudden death play-off as soon as possible after completion of the competition.  If a sudden death play-off is not
possible owing to bad light or weather the Golf Committee shall decide an alternative date upon which the play-off shall take place.

10. In the event of a tie all other Individual Championships and all Team Events and Team Championships after 18 holes the winners shall be decided by a comparison of scores over the last 9, 6, 3 and 1 hole (except the Junior Team Championship where the third score is taken into account). Should there still be a tie after 1 hole; a comparison of scores shall be made hole by hole from the 1st hole.

11. In the event of a tie on points for the Karl Curran Trophy (in association with the Telegraphy and Argus) “Golfer of the Year Award” the Competition Committee shall arrange a play-off over 18 holes Strokeplay from scratch on a neutral green

12. A player with dual membership shall represent only one Club in any one season in the following competitions:-

Team Championship

The League Championship

Inter Club Foursomes Matchplay

APPENDIX

 Use of Ride on Buggies

The use of ride on buggies is generally prohibited in competitions.  Players should walk at all times unless permission to ride has been given by the Golf Committee in consultation with the host club.  Permission shall only be given in exceptional circumstances. Application to use a ride on buggy shall be made to the Golf Committee in writing who alone may authorise its use.

An application to use a ride on buggy by a person who is disabled within the meaning of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 shall be made by the player’s Club and supported by a medical certificate signed by a registered medical practitioner certifying that the player is a disabled person within the meaning of the Act and by reason thereof the player is unable to play golf without the use of a ride on buggy.

  Distance-Measuring Devices     

In all Bradford Union organised Championships, Matches and Meetings a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If a player takes onto the course a device that is also designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether the device is actually used. A multi-functional device such as a smartphone may be used, but it must not be used to gauge or measure other conditions where doing so would be a breach of Rule 14-3.

  Anti - Doping Rule

A competitor may not make use of any drug to enhance his performance. Attention is drawn to the list of prescribed drugs issued by the Sports Council.

 Any competitor infringing this rule or, if asked to do so, refusing to take a test will be disqualified.

 It is a UK Sport requirement that the Terms and Conditions of entry to competitions must include a clause stating that the competition may be subject to anti-doping testing.

Advice

In accordance with the note to Rule 8 of the Rules of Golf, each Team Captain (in addition to the persons from whom advice may be asked under that Rule) may give advice to players of his own Team, except when the player’s ball lies on the putting green.

Suspension of play due to a dangerous situation

The signals shall be:-

Discontinue Play Immediately: one prolonged note of the siren. Resume Play: two short notes of the siren, repeated

Bad behaviour

Any competitor, who during the course of an event, misbehaves by, for example, swearing, throwing clubs, or vandalising the course or clubhouse, fails to comply with the regulations or acts in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute may be barred from continuing in the event and from entering or taking part in future events for such a period of time as the Golf Committee may decide, and will be reported to their home Club.

Accidental movement of ball on putting green

Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows:

When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any caddies or equipment. The ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1.

This Local Rule applies in ALL Bradford Union events and only when the player’s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental.

Note: If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result ofwind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must beplayed as it lies from its new location. A ball marker moved in such circumstances is replaced