THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE FOUR BALL BETTERBALL LEAGUE
Revised November 2023
1. LEAGUE MISSION STATEMENT
1. The primary aims of the league are to foster friendship and camaraderie and to promote the playing of golf through a competitive matchplay league.
2. To uphold fair play at all times.
3. To recognise that modern players face the challenge of incorporating golf into increasingly hectic lives. Consequently the playing format has been selected to maximise the game time for each player.
4. Matches are to be played at times to suit the many rather than the few.
5. The Rules of Golf apply at all times
2. TERMINOLOGY
1. Club refers to those golf clubs who are affiliated members of the league.
2. Team refers to the body of male players fielded by a competing club.
3. Tie refers to each individual 18 holes played between two pairs.
4. Match refers to the overall competition of 6 ties being played between the two teams.
5. Pair refers to the players competing in each tie. Please note that this can be one player if the team is unable to field two players in a tie.
6. Player refers to a single golfer.
7. Official date is the date agreed for a match by both teams at the start of the season.
3. TEAMS
1) Teams will play Four Ball Better Ball off handicap.
2) Teams are made of 12 male players per club.
3) Clubs may enter more than one team.
4) All players must have a WHS Index.
5) Maximum handicap index for players 23.4.
6) Handicap allowance to be 90% difference to lowest handicap player in that tie.
7) Players may receive no more than one shot per hole.
8) Team order and pairings must be confirmed by the team captains prior to the 1st tee off and should be entered onto a team sheet and exchanged with opposing captain before the first tee-off.
9) Players can only play for one club per season. In the event of a player being a member of more than one affiliated club then they must nominate a home club team for that season and will only be eligible to play for that club during that season.
10) If a club enters more than one team in to the league players can only play for one club team during the season.
11) Teams -
a) Teams will be made up of players from within two handicap index bands; Band One up to 11.4 and Band Two 11.5 – 23.4, with equal numbers from each band.
b) Pairs will be made up of one player from each handicap index band.
c) Pairs do not have to be selected in handicap order or played in handicap order.
d) Players with a handicap index over 23.4 may play but must play off a handicap index of 23.4.
e) Teams can select players with handicap indexes over 11.4 to play in Band One but they must play off a handicap index of 11.4..
12) Note, a pair can consist of one player where the club cannot field a full team. Such a player will play off their individual handicap index.
13) If a player has had his playing handicap altered up to 72 hours prior to a match, he may compete in the wrong handicap band but must play off his new handicap
4. MATCHES & SCORING
1. The R & A Rules of Golf shall be strictly observed.
2. The official start date for the season is 1st March and ends on 1st October.
3. All matches are to be played on dates and at times by agreement between teams.
4. All matches to be played off white tee blocks.
5. The away team tees off first on the first tee in all ties.
6. Catering arrangements, if any, to be agreed between teams.
7. No green fee is to be levied on visiting players representing their team on away matches.
8. Captains to agree the match score at the conclusion of the match
9. Both teams can update results on the website. Any anomalies/errors will be resolved by referral to the League Secretary.
5. LEAGUE FORMAT AND SCORING
1. The league is based on teams playing all other teams in the league twice. One home and one away fixture.
2. Fixtures will be played on dates within the league season agreed between teams. All fixture dates will be arranged and supplied to the league secretary by January 31st each year.
League scoring is as follows:
1. Scoring is based upon Points per Hole Matchplay where every hole counts.
2. One point is played for on each hole. The winning pair of the hole is awarded 1 point, the losing pair 0 points. In the event of a halved hole both pairs are awarded half a point. 18 points are available in each tie.
3. All ties must be played to a conclusion to ensure all 18 points are played for. The result of the tie must therefore add up to 18. i.e. 9-9; 10-8; 11-7 etc.
4. The team score for the entire match is the sum of points per hole gained across the 6 ties. Therefore a total of 108 points are available and the sum of the two teams scores must add up to 108. Example results are therefore: 65-43; 55 -53 etc….
5. In the event of any tie being abandoned due to poor weather or any other cause beyond the control (not including retirement – see 6.) of any of the pairs then any remaining holes not completed will be halved.
6. In the event that a pair has to retire from the tie and is unable to complete the tie then they concede the remainder of the holes not completed and all points for these holes are awarded to the opposing pair.
7. If a team is unable to field pairs in every tie they must field single player(s) to contest each tie. No tie can be conceded.
8. In the event that a match is cancelled prior to the start due to weather conditions then the match should be re-arranged for another date. In the unlikely event that it is not possible to re-arrange then the result will be halved.
9. League points will be awarded as follows-
• 3 points for an away win
• 2 points for a home win
• 1 point each for a draw
• A team winning by 20 points or more will receive an additional bonus point
• A team losing by 5 points or less will receive a losing bonus point.
10. The team receiving the most League points will win the League.
11. In the event of a tie the League winners will be determined by head to head results.

6. DIVISIONS

1. The League shall be divided into divisions.
2. Divisions should be equally divided where possible.
3. Teams will be drawn for divisions at the AGM annually i.e. there will be no promotion or relegation
4. If the League comprises of one division then the leading team at the conclusion of all fixtures will be declared Champions.
5. If the league comprises of two or more divisions the top two teams in each division will qualify to play in the end of season play offs. The top team in one division playing the second team in the other with the top teams securing home advantage.
6. The Final will be hosted by the preceding years Champions.



7. GENERAL
1. Distance-Measuring Devices. For all league matches a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. However, if, during a league match, a player uses a distance measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might effect his play (e.g. gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of this rule (see also R&A Rule 14-3), for which the penalty is to concede the match at a default score of 7 – 11, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used.
2. Use of buggies. In the spirit of the league, for social, competitive matches, all players will be expected to walk the round together. However, as a courtesy, Captains will confirm to the other Captain (in advance if possible) if an individual player needs to use a buggy. Medical certificates will not be required. The playing partner of the player using a buggy will be required to walk.

8. AGM, COMMITTEE, CHAIRMAN & AMENDMENTS TO RULES
1. The AGM will be made up of up to 1 representative from each affiliated club, the league chairman, secretary and treasurer.
2. The position of league chairman will be a 2 year post which must be rotated. The position will be approved by a majority decision of appointed clubs, one vote per club at the AGM.
3. Nominations for chairman should be tabled prior to the AGM at the end of the 2 years.
4. A league committee will be constituted to resolve all matters between AGM meetings. It will meet as required. Decisions of the league committee will be binding.
5. The league committee will be made up of the League chairman, secretary, treasurer and 3 representatives from clubs nominated at the AGM. Four members will constitute a quorum.
6. An Annual general Meeting will be held at the end of each league year.
7. An annual subscription for the following year shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting. The agreed fee payable by all participating clubs for each team entered must be paid by 1st March annually, before commencement of the playing season.
8. League fees will cover website costs, trophies, engraving and general administration.
9. All decisions will be decided by one vote per club. A majority decision will be required to pass any motion. The chairman will have the casting vote if required.
10. Amendments to any rules of the league can only be made by the league committee.
11. New clubs being proposed to join the league will be by committee vote. They will join on a one year probation. Probationary clubs will have no vote at committee.
12. Any club represented by more than one team must strictly apply the players rule stated in the competition rules. If selected to play in the same division the matches between both teams must be completed within the first four matches of both teams.
13. In the event that clubs fall short of the expectation of the other affiliated clubs then a motion for removal of the club from the league can be put forward by any affiliated club. In this event the club in question will be advised of the reason and asked to respond to the motion for removal. This will then be discussed at the next committee meeting and a committee vote (including the club in question if present) will decide the outcome of the motion at this meeting