Glamorgan County Golf Union League Rules
(As Applying May 2025)
The Tournament shall be played between Clubs affiliated to the Glamorgan County Golf Union, and such other Clubs as may be admitted at the discretion of the Committee.
The Tournament shall be played according to the Rules of Golf as approved by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.
Club Teams
A Club may enter up to and including three teams and the entry fee per annum for each team shall be such sum as decided by the Committee.
Divisions
The Committee shall divide and allocate the teams into as many Divisions as is practical.
Where clubs have more than one team in a division the two shall play each other on the first two matches of the season. Where either of the matches are postponed, they must be replayed before the teams play any of their remaining fixtures.
Matches
The teams shall play against all other teams in the same Division on a home and away basis. These Matches may, by mutual agreement between the Clubs, be played on a neutral course.
Format
The Tournament shall be run from May 1st to August 31st annually and each Match shall take the form of three foursome match play games over 18 holes. The result of a Match, as decided by the number of games won, being two points for the winning team; and one point to each team for a Match drawn.
Fixtures
The dates and times of fixtures when a Match is to be played shall be mutually agreed upon by the Club Representatives. Failing agreement to arrange a match: the match will be played on the date to be decided by the Committee, of which at least 10 days notice will be given to the respective Clubs.
Postponement/rearrangement of an agreed fixture shall be by mutual agreement. Requests for rearrangement would normally require a minimum of four days notice (inability to field the strongest team will not be considered a sufficient reason for postponement). A team that concedes / fails to fulfil a match for reasons not acceptable to the Committee will be deducted 2 match and 3 game points.
If a fixture is not fulfilled or conceded (a walkover granted to the other team), this will result in a 1 point reduction at the start of the following season.
End of Season Ties
In the event of a tie at the end of the season, where promotion or relegation are concerned, the aggregate total of Games won will be taken into account. If still a tie the games halved shall be taken into account, followed, if still tied by the aggregate result of the two matches between the clubs. If it remains a tie then the Clubs shall play off on a neutral course, should the “play-off” be tied then one player pre-selected, from each team shall play-off until a hole is won.
Promotion And Relegation
At the end of each season the two teams at the bottom of the Premier Division shall be relegated into the First Divisions and replaced by the top team from each of the First Divisions. In the First , and subsequent, Divisions the bottom two teams shall be relegated and in the Second and subsequent Divisions the top two teams promoted.
Team Members
Male amateur golfers who are Club Members are, subject to Union acceptance, eligible for team selection. Players must have a current (not suspended) WHS Handicap. Any member, having represented a club in the Inter-Club Tournament shall not, in that season, be eligible to play for another club in the Tournament. Teams that include an ineligible member shall forfeit the Match not just the game with the ineligible player.
Nominations
Clubs entering two or more teams shall nominate, before playing any first, second or third team Matches, six members who shall constitute the club’s first team for that season. A list of nominated first team players must be dated and posted in the club. A member whose name appears on the first team list is ineligible to play for the second or third team.
Any member, in addition to those listed, may play for the first team, but having played for the first team on more than two occasions shall be ineligible to play for the club’s second or third team. Where a club has three teams there is no requirement for a nominated second team. However, a player who has represented the first or second teams more than twice (in total) becomes ineligible to play for the third team.
A team that includes an ineligible player in any game will forfeit the Match 3 – 0, not just the game in question.
If you are nominated for one club, you cannot play for another unless authorised by the league secretary.
Match Captains
Match Captains are responsible for ensuring that a list of first team members and copies of the fixture lists for first, second and third team matches are received by the League Secretary by 30th April. No points will be awarded to either first, second or third teams until the first team list and fixture dates for the clubs’ teams have been received by the League Secretary. Undue delays in forwarding either of the above lists or a Match result can lead to a forfeiture of points. He shall determine the order of play for his side.
Conduct of Matches
Matches shall be played using the medal tees applying at the time of the fixture. The use of temporary greens is not normally acceptable, except for an immediate emergency (where the agreement of the visiting captain must be obtained), the Committee’s permission must be obtained before any temporary green can be used.
The home team captain shall enter his team, and its order of play, on the scorecard and hand it to the visiting captain who will then enter his team and its order of play.
Lateness on the tee. If a player arrives at the starting point more than 30 minutes later than the agreed starting time, in the absence of circumstances that warrant waiving the penalty the player and his partner shall lose the first hole. The penalty beyond 35 minutes is disqualification of the player/pairing. (Rules of Golf Rule 6-3, also Appendix 1-part C and the Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2000-2001, Decision 6-3a/3 will give some guidance). However, discretion should be exercised, particularly as the Committee will rarely be available to adjudicate, (Decision 2/5
should be considered) and the ability to complete the Match in daylight should be significant in reaching any decision.
Inability to reach a result on the agreed fixture date. If it is not possible to complete a League match on the agreed fixture date, the result of all completed games shall stand, and clubs should make every effort to resume the incomplete games at the place where play was suspended. If it is not possible to fix a date on which all members of incomplete games can resume play, then those games shall be declared null and void and be replayed at a subsequent date with each team free to alter its original team. Players in games which have been completed cannot take any further part in the match.
Mobile Phones: The use of mobile phones (except in an emergency) during matches is not permitted.
Transportation: Players should always walk unless permission to ride has been given by the Committee.
Note: Permission will only be given in exceptional circumstances, providing the Committee receives a written application from the player’s Club, together with a letter from the player’s doctor confirming the need. Additionally, the player must obtain the permission of the Club where the Match is being played prior to the date of the match.
Distance Measuring Devices: The use of permitted distance measurement devices is allowed PROVIDED that the Club where the match is being played has adopted a Local Rule permitting their use. Where no such Rule has been adopted their use is NOT permitted. [In away matches it is essential that the player checks the situation since the penalty for use where not permitted by Local Rule is disqualification.
League Score Cards
The Match Captain of the home side is responsible for completing the League Score Card and for ensuring that the results are received by the League Secretary within 72 hours of the match being played.
REPORTING BY EMAIL IS THE PREFERRED METHOD. A picture or attachment of the result should be sent to: secretary@glamorgancountygolf.com
Where the Executive decide that a team has been in significant breach of this Rule during a season the team will be cautioned that a repeat in the following season, without an acceptable reason, will result in automatic relegation (or double relegation should the team finish in a relegation position).
Results of matches not received by the League Secretary more than 14 days after the last date permitted for completion of fixtures will not be included in the Final League Tables, unless there are significant extenuating circumstances.
