Machate Open - The Official Rules

Same rules as last year with the addition of section B, subsection 2. Until next time.... stay fit and have fun!

Section A
Registration
1. All registration must be done by midnight of the previous day.
2. No late-registrations unless authorized by the Board of Nerds

Section B
Organization of Play Groups
1. Players will play in groupings of four [4]. Exception:
A) If the number of players is not divisible by four [4], teams of one [1], two [2], or three [3] players will be made in order to assure that all players receive equal opportunity to compete.
2. Players are permitted to use only [1] club during the duration of he tournament; this club may be any the player choses. In the event the club breaks the player will be permitted to select another club.

Section C
Order of Play
1. For the first round, groups of four [4] will be organized by random draw. Players must play in assigned groups.
Exception:
A) If the Board of Nerds sees fit, foursomes may be changed in order to ensure enjoyment by all players in the group.
2. After the first round, groups will be re-organized for each round thereafter by the number of strokes each player has, with the four [4] players with the highest amount of strokes going first and the four [4] players with the lowest amount of strokes going last.
A) In situations where more than one [1] player has the same amount of strokes, alphabetical order by first name will determine the order, where the earliest the number in the alphabet puts the player in the front of the order.

Section D
Sportsmanship
1. Sportsmanship will be emphasized throughout the tournament. Any action committed by another player that physically interferes in the game play of the shooter will result in a one [1] stroke penalty for the person that caused the interference and an optional re-shot for the shooter.
* This includes interfering in ball’s movement

Section E
Scoring
1. The scoring will be done the same way golf is regularly scored. (Each hit counts as one [1] stroke).
2. The maximum amount of strokes taken by a player per hole will be ‘double par plus one [1]’. (Ex. Par three [3] course = maximum stroke count is seven [7])

Section F
Obstacles
1. Ball MUST be played where it lies. Picking up the ball and placing it elsewhere will result in a one [1] stroke penalty.
2. Ball may be moved one [1] club head length away from wall on course in order to allow room to swing the golf club. Ball cannot be moved by anything BUT golf club.
3. The ball cannot be stopped during mid motion. If ball hits obstacle and rolls backwards past mat, the shooter may choose to either:
A) Pick up the ball (taking a one [1] stroke penalty and placing it back on the tee.
B) Playing the ball where it has stopped

Section G
Observing Course
1. When observing course layout (including hole) one foot must remain on tee box at all times.

Section H
Disputes
1. All disputes with rules may be taken to the Board of Nerds in way of a form. The written dispute will be looked over by the board and immediate action will be take and the disputer will be notified of such actions. Form is available by download here .
2. Disputes between players at tournament are encouraged to be solved by parties involved. If parties involved cannot solve dispute, at least two [2] of the Board of Nerds will solve the issue at hand by consensus between the members of the Board of Nerds.

Section I
Determining Winner/ Playoffs (In case of Tie)
1. The winner of the open will be determined based on final score of all three courses. The player with the lowest stroke count (or most ‘under par’) will be determined the winner.
2. In case of a tie the players who are tied with the lowest stroke count will play a one [1] hole playoff in which the winner of the hole wins the tournament. The playoff hole will be the first hole of the last course played.
*In the situation where the tie continues, the playoffs will continue to the second hole and so on.