League Rules

The league is open to any male golfer in good standing with St. Anne's Golf Club who has paid the seasonal league dues by the registration deadline. Guests may substitute up to three times per season but are not eligible for individual or team prizes.

All players must carry an active, verifiable handicap index. New members without an established index will be assigned a provisional handicap by the committee for their first three weeks of play, after which their posted scores set their official league handicap.

A player must appear in person for at least six of the regular-season weeks to qualify for the playoffs. Roster changes after Week 3 require committee approval and may not be made for competitive advantage.

Teams consist of two players: one designated A player and one designated B player, based on handicap. The lower-handicap partner is the A player. Designations are locked after the season kickoff and may only change if a partner withdraws.

Each league night, teams are paired against one opposing team. Within that pairing, the two A players contest the A matchup and the two B players contest the B matchup. Team standings combine the results of both matchups.

The weekly schedule is rotated so that every team faces a balanced mix of opponents across the season. Tee groups and the front/back nine assignment are posted by the Wednesday before each league night.

League play uses Men's Course Handicap derived from the St. Anne's Stroke Index (SI). Strokes are allocated hole-by-hole in ascending SI order: the hardest hole (SI 1) receives the first stroke, SI 2 the second, and so on across the nine holes in play.

In each matchup the lower-handicap player gives strokes to the higher-handicap player equal to the difference between their handicaps. For a nine-hole round, strokes are allocated only across the nine holes being played that night.

Maximum league handicap is capped at 36. Handicaps are recalculated weekly from posted scores, and any single-week score more than eight strokes above a player's average is flagged for committee review before it counts.

Team play is a two-person scramble: both partners tee off, the team selects the better ball, and both play their next shots from that spot until the hole is complete. The selected ball must be played within one club-length of its original position, no nearer the hole.

Matchups are decided by net match play. On each hole, the player with the lower net score (gross minus any strokes received on that hole) wins the hole. The matchup goes to whoever wins the most holes over the nine; a tie is recorded as a halved match.

Points are awarded as follows: three points for winning your matchup, one point for a halved matchup, and zero for a loss. Each team can earn up to six points per night across its A and B matchups. Scores must be signed by both teams and submitted before leaving the course.

League nines should be completed in two hours and fifteen minutes or less. Keep pace with the group ahead, not the group behind. If you fall more than one clear hole behind, pick up and move along to restore position.

Ready golf is encouraged throughout — hit when you are ready and it is safe to do so, regardless of honors. Limit practice swings, line up putts while others are playing, and be ready to play when it is your turn.

Persistent slow play may result in a one-stroke warning from the committee and, if uncorrected, forfeiture of the matchup. We are all here to enjoy the evening and get to the patio before dark.

Members are expected to uphold the etiquette and traditions of the game. Repair ball marks and divots, rake bunkers, and observe quiet and stillness while others play. Treat the course, the staff, and your fellow competitors with respect.

Disputes over a rule should be settled amicably on the course where possible. If agreement cannot be reached, play out the hole with two balls if needed, note the disagreement on the scorecard, and refer the matter to the committee afterward.

Unsportsmanlike conduct, repeated rule violations, or abuse of staff or property may result in a warning, matchup forfeiture, or suspension at the committee's discretion. The league is a privilege built on mutual respect.

Play is suspended immediately when the horn sounds for lightning or dangerous conditions. Seek shelter and do not return to play until the all-clear is given. Safety always takes priority over completing a round.

If a league night is canceled before any group completes the nine, the week is rescheduled or dropped at the committee's discretion. If at least half the field completes the round, results stand and incomplete matchups are halved.

Make-up nights, when scheduled, are announced by email and posted on the league board. Players unable to attend a make-up may take a substitute under the standard substitution rules.

The top eight teams by total points qualify for the season-ending playoffs. Ties for seeding are broken by head-to-head record, then by total holes won across the season, then by a one-hole chip-off if still deadlocked.

Playoffs are single-elimination across two league nights, culminating in the club cup final. Matchup format and handicap allocation are identical to the regular season — net match play across the assigned nine, A vs A and B vs B.

The winning team's names are engraved on the St. Anne's Cup, displayed in the clubhouse, and defended the following season. In the event of a final-match tie, play continues hole-by-hole in sudden death until a team wins a hole outright.