Updated: 2014 Season
(**Changes highlighted in RED)

Fees, Scoring, and Handicap Calculation

(1) HANDICAP - At the first club event of the year, members will be given a handicap based off their estimated average. This handicap will be used for the member's first 2 events. At which time a new handicap will be calculated based on a modified USGA Handicap formula.

*Exception: Any player with at least 2 events in the previous season will use last year's final handicap for event 1. Handicaps can change with each subsequent event!!

A player's Handicap Index will be assigned based on the following formula (Modified USGA Handicap System**).  **Only the number of scores used has been modified from the USGA's formula:

The procedure for calculating Handicap Indexes is as follows:

Use the table below to determine the number of handicap differentials to use

Number of
Scores**		 Differentials
To Be Used
1 *Initial HDCP Used
2 Lowest 1
3 or 4 Lowest 2
5 or 6 Lowest 3
7 or 8 Lowest 4
9 or 10 Lowest 5
11 or 12 Lowest 6
13 or 14 Lowest 7
15 or 16 Lowest 8
17 or 18 Lowest 9
19 or 20 Lowest 10

Determine handicap differentials;

Handicap Differential = (Adjusted Gross Score - USGA Course Rating) x 113 / USGA Slope Rating

Following is an example for determining a differential using an adjusted gross score of 95 made on a course with a USGA Course Rating of 71.5 and a USGA Slope Rating of 125:

>Adjusted Gross Score - USGA Course Rating: 95 - 71.5 = 23.5
Difference x Standard Slope: 23.5 x 113 = 2655.5
Result / USGA Slope Rating: 2655.5 / 125 = 21.24
Handicap Differential (rounded): 21.2

Average the handicap differentials being used;
Multiply the average by .96

A player's Course Handicap is determined by multiplying a Handicap Index by the Slope Rating of the course played and then dividing by 113. The resulting figure is rounded off to the nearest whole number (.5 or more is rounded upward).

A player's Adjusted Gross Score is determined by using Equitable Stroke Control (ESC)

ESC is an adjustment of individual hole scores (for handicap purposes) in order to make handicaps more representative of a player's potential ability. ESC is applied after the round and is only used when the actual score or the most likely score exceeds a player's maximum number. ESC sets a limit to the number of strokes a player can take on a hole depending on Course Handicap. Apply ESC to all scores, including tournament scores. Below is the maximum number a player can take:


(2) POINTS - **2014 Change: Total points per event will now be based on a percentage of the current FedEx Cup Points breakdown. There will no longer be Bonus points for the top finishers as the new points scale weights more toward the top finishers. Here's a look at the NEW WGT Cup points distribution:


Regular Events
(1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9)		 Major 1 Major 2
250 300 500
150 165 300
95 105 190
68 80 135
55 65 110
50 60 100
45 55 90
43 50 85
40 45 80
38 40 75
35 37 70
33 35 65
30 32 60
39 31 57
38 30 56
38 30 55
27 29 54
27 29 53
26 28 52
26 28 51

(3) MEMBERSHIP DUES - $12 instead of $10. $2 dollars of every entry will be put into the membership fund/year-end pot. Anyone wishing to pay the $20 up front must do so BEFORE their first event.


(4) POINTS RACE - The pairings in the first Major and the final 2 events of the season will be determined by the points standings. Lowest points off first and highest points in the final groups.


General Rules of Play

Rule 1 - All tour events will be individual stroke play, with each event being governed by the USGA Rules of Golf for the current year. Local rules may supersede USGA rules and will be discussed at each event. All players must hole out on each hole. There are no "gimmes."

Rule 2 - During all regular tour events, "winter rules" will be used. The ball may be moved 1 club length; no closer to the hole. Summer rules, playing the ball as it lies, will also be used for ALL Majors (course conditions permitting).

Rule 3 - "Ground under repair" should be determined by at least one other member of the group in which you are playing. As a rule of thumb, if there is a risk of doing damage to your club, treat it as ground under repair.

Rule 4 - At water hazards that are not marked with a hazard line, use the edge of the water or the nearest point as the hazard line.

Rule 5 - In sand bunkers, a free rake and place will be granted if a ball clearly comes to rest in a footprint that has not been smoothed.

Rule 6 - If the group cannot come to an agreement about how a rule should be played, play two balls from the two most likely rulings recording both scores on the card. The tournament committee will make a final ruling after the round has been completed.

Rule 7 - The one ball rule will NOT be in effect for tour events.

Rule 8 - Some rules will be modified in order to keep up the pace of play. These include losing a ball in an area where it should be located (i.e. 5 feet off a fairway, green, etc.). In these cases, when the group can come to an agreement of the approximate location, drop and take a 2-stroke penalty and play from where the original ball should have been. This will eliminate the time a stroke and distance penalty would normally take. Again, any questions concerning rules, play 2 balls and a decision will be made after the round is completed.

Rule 9 - Last, but not least, have fun! The tour was created to make golf more exciting, so "TEE IT HIGH and LET IT FLY!!!"

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