Cyder Cup
Rules, Format & Terminology
Rules, Format and Terminology
The Rules of Golf which govern play are determined by the United States Golf Association and applied by The Professional Golfers' Association of America and where applicable, by Local Rules or by mutual agreement of all players involved in the particular match.
If unsure of a ruling or without mutual agreement, finish the hole with two balls, one for each interpretation of the rule. Afterwards the rule can be verified and the score adjusted accordingly.
Format is Match Play, including foursomes (two-man teams in alternate shot), fourball (two-man teams in better ball) and singles (18 holes at match play).
Match Play Guidelines and Terminology
· Match play is a game played by holes.
· A hole is won by the team, which holes its ball in the fewer strokes.
· Score is kept by the number of holes up (won) and the number of holes to play. (Example:
· When a team is up (winning) by more holes than there are holes remaining, then the match is closed out and a point is awarded.
· One point is awarded for each match won.
· If the match is tied or "halved" through 18 holes of play, each team receives one half of a point.
· A total of 30 points are awarded in this years Cyder Cup competition.
· If a match is currently tied while in competition, then it is considered "all-square".
· A match is considered "dormie" when one side is up by the exact number of holes that remain.
· A player/twosome is said to be 2-up thru 10 after winning two more holes then their opponent(s) through 10 holes.
· A player/twosome is said to win the match 2-up after winning two more holes than their opponent thru 18 holes.
· A player/twosome is said to win 3 and 2 after winning three holes more than their opponent(s) with only two holes left to play, assuring victory.
What are Concessions?
A stroke, hole or an entire match can be conceded at any time prior to the conclusion of the hole or the match. Concession of a stroke, hole or match may not be declined or withdrawn.
Can the Cyder Cup Matches end in a tie?
If, at the conclusion of the Cyder Cup Matches, the teams are tied at 15 points each, the team who last won the Cyder Cup retains The Cup. To win the Matches outright, either team will need 15½ or more points.
Scotch Foursomes (five groups of two-man teams)
"Foursome" play is a match where two golfers compete on a team against two other golfers and each side plays one ball. Both golfers tee off and pick the best ball. From there, the golfers play alternate shots (player A hits the second shot, player B hits third shot, etc.) until the hole is played out. If player A’s drive is chosen as the best ball then player B must hit the second shot and Player A the third shot etc. The team with the better score wins the hole. Should the two teams tie for best score, the hole is halved. The amount of strokes given is determined by half the difference of both teams total.
For example, if Team A’s total is 29 (a 9 and 20 handicap) and Team B’s total is 18 (a 6 and a 12). Half the difference is (29-18)/2= 5½. Team B would give team A a total of 6 shots. One shot on each of the 6 hardest holes.
Fourball (five groups of two-man teams)
"Fourball" play is a match in which each member of the two-man teams play their own ball. Four balls are in play per hole with each of the four players recording a score on the hole. The team whose player posts the best score on that hole wins the hole. Should players from each team tie for the best score, the hole is halved. Each player uses ¾ of his own individual handicap. The lowest player in the fourball will play off scratch and the others will adjust accordingly.
Example. A is 8 (¾ of 10), B is 5 (¾ of 7), C is 14 (¾ of 18) and D is 21 (¾ of 28).
B is the lowest so he will play off scratch, A will play off 8-5=3, C will play off 9 (14-5), and D will play off 16 (21-5).
Singles (10 groups of one-man teams)
"Singles" is a match in which one player competes against another player. A player wins the match when he is up by more holes than there are hole remaining to play. Full handicaps will be used to determine where shots are given.
For example, if an 18 handicap is playing a 12 handicap then 18-12=6. The 12 handicap has to give the 18 handicap a total of 6 shots. One shot on each of the 6 hardest holes.
Players will be selected against an opponent from the same handicap grouping, A or B.
Example "A" Players will be selected against opposing "A" players.
This ensures the singles matches are against a player of similar ability, which will ensure the competition is more enjoyable for all. Each tee time should consist of an A & B player from each team.
Pairings
When both teams are tied:
Each team captain submits the order of play for his team to the appointed opposing captain. The lists from each captain are matched resulting in the pairings. For singles the players will be matched by team captains with a player of similar skills to ensure competition and enjoyment for both.
When both teams are not tied:
Each team writes down their 5 team pairings but does not share with the opponents yet. For every point a team is ahead, they must share their team pairing for 1 match.
Example: If Team
This allows the losing team enough advantage to close the gap but not significantly disadvantage the winning team.
Cards are not necessary, but the score should be agreed verbally at the conclusion of each hole.
See Tee Times above.
When a fourball or foursome match is closed out, both teams may continue and finish the 18 holes if they wish. However in singles, if your match is closed out you need to get out of the way of the other match that is still active. Let the active match drive and putt first.
You don’t want your cart passenger looking for your ball when he is still in his match.
Pick up! Be a cheerleader, not a distraction.
If a group falls behind by one full hole or more, all four players are to skip the next hole and catch up with the group ahead.
Golden Rule
A player must be present at tee off to participate for that hole.
I.e. if the opposing player or players tee off without the presence of a player then that player is excluded for that hole. The players that did tee off must finish the hole, before they proceed to the next.
For example in fourball, the player who is missing his teammate can play the hole on his own. In foursomes, the team that is missing a player will automatically loose the hole, and every hole that they are short a team member. There will be no reshuffling of groups or players to satisfy someone who is late.
If a player gets injured or cannot play because of some unforeseen circumstance beyond his control then that match shall be called a tie.