Rules

                      

Extract from Rules & Conditions of Play 2011 - Updated January 2011

2. INTER-CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP - SILVER SHIELD, SILVER TROPHY & BRONZE SHIELD. All Stand Alone Competitions. All individual matches played off scratch.

a)  Clubs shall, for each team entered, pay an amount as approved by the Management Committee and entries to be made by a date determined by the Committee. Clubs must be affiliated to the County Association.

b)  Handicap restrictions: Silver Shield - none; Silver Trophy - 10+; Bronze Shield - 19+.

c)  No club may enter more than one team in any competition.

d)  Juniors under the age of 16 are permitted to play in the Inter Club Competitions. If matches are played on a school attendance day they must provide a letter on school notepaper, countersigned by a parent or guardian stating the date absence has been granted for.

e)  Bronze players may play in Silver Shield/Silver Trophy matches without affecting their eligibility for the Bronze Shield. (N.B. they would no longer be able to play in Harris Bowl matches for the remainder of the season). 

f)  Any lady who plays in the Silver Shield and/or Silver Trophy is ineligible to play in the Harris Bowl.

g)  Players must be paid-up members of the club they are representing by 1^st March.

h)  The number and composition of leagues shall be decided by the Committee according to the entries received.

i)  Matches must be played on or between dates arranged by the Committee. All arrangements between Clubs regarding dates of matches must be confirmed in writing.

j)  Teams shall consist of seven players (five in the Silver Trophy) with a player's position in the team being determined by handicap, whether or not she is playing as a reserve. Positions of players with the same playing handicap shall be determined by the Team Captain.

k)  Each individual match will be 18 holes match play, starting from the 1^st tee of the designated course and played to a conclusion. Buggies are not permitted unless sanctioned firstly by the County Association (ELCGA) and then the host club. (See N.B. below).

l)  A player may not play in the same competition for more than one club during the season.

m)  The Team Captains shall be solely responsible for their teams playing in the correct order according to their correct playing handicap. If any player knowingly or unknowingly plays in the wrong position, her match and any other match affected through wrong positioning shall be conceded as walkovers to the opposing players. The Team Captain may give advice to team members during play of a match.

n)  Should a player fail to be on the 1^st tee within 45 minutes (Silver Shield/Bronze Shield) or 30 minutes (Silver Trophy/Harris Bowl) of the agreed starting time of the team match, the opposing Team Captain has the right to claim a walkover in that individual match.

o)  A team may play only if it can provide a minimum of four players (Silver Shield/Bronze Shield) or three players (Silver Trophy).

p)  In the event that a full team cannot to fielded on the day, players in that team must fill positions 1 to 4/5/6 (Silver Shield/Bronze Shield) or 1 to 3/4 (Silver Trophy). The opposing team will receive a walkover in the remaining matches, i.e. the empty position(s) has/have to be the last match(es).

q)  Matches must be played on the designated course, if the course has been declared unplayable or is otherwise unavailable the match must be re-arranged. In the event that some holes are closed, 18 holes must be arranged in the best way possible. If advisable, nine holes may be played twice.

r)  During a match, if play cannot begin at the appointed time or is suspended in accordance with Rule 33-2d of the Rules of Golf and play cannot be started/resumed that day, a future date should be amicably arranged by the two Captains. However, if no play is possible, no decision to re-arrange may be taken until a minimum of 2 hours have elapsed, during which time all players are required to remain at the club. If a match is re-arranged, the teams must be represented by the same players who must resume their matches in accordance with the Rules of Golf (see Rules 6-8 and 20-3) at whichever hole they were playing when the suspension occurred. Should a player on either side be unable to attend she must give a walkover to her opponent. If players occupying the same position on both sides are unable to play, both teams may use a new player in the last position, maintaining correct handicap order. Any reduction in a player's handicap in the interim period is ignored for the purposes of completing her match. (For Public Courses only: if the home club is unable to arrange to finish the matches from the appropriate holes, the remaining holes in these circumstances, including unfinished holes, may be played commencing from the first tee).

s)  Depending on the number of leagues and as previously determined by a draw, the winners of each league will play quarter or semi-finals. 

t)  The team with the greatest number of wins will be the league winner. In the event of a tie in the number of wins, the number of individual matches won will be the deciding factor. If there is still a tie, an extra point will be awarded for each away team win. If there is still a tie, the winner will be determined by the results between the teams in the leagues matches.

u) Should there be an uneven number of leagues, after determining the winners as described above, the best runner(s)-up will be determined: (i) When there are the same number of teams in each league, the team with the greatest number of wins will be the runner-up. In the event of a tie in the number of wins, the number of individual matches won will be the deciding factor. If there is still a tie, an extra point will be awarded for each away team win. If there is still a tie, the runner-up will be determined by a play-off between the two teams on a neutral course. (ii) When there are a different number of teams in each league, the team with the least number of lost matches will be the runner-up. In the event of a tie in the number of losses, the number of individual matches won will be the deciding factor, determined by expressing the matches won as a percentage. If there is still a tie, an extra point will be awarded for each away team win. If there is still a tie, the runner-up will be determined by a play-off between the two teams on a neutral course.

v)  Team Captains must notify the relevant Organiser as soon as the league match dates have been agreed. No match dates may be altered after 1^st April except under rules (q) and (r) above.

w)  Any club unable to play on the agreed date or giving a walkover to the opposing team will be withdrawn from the league and all matches played cancelled.

x)  The Committee shall decide the dates of the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals. The clubs involved will be notified of the venue and starting times. Note: Clubs who qualify for quarter or semi finals are expected to make their courses available for another match in that round or later rounds. Any lack of availability must be notified to the appropriate Organiser as soon as possible.

y)  No courtesy round may be requested at any time for Silver or Bronze matches.

3.  HARRIS BOWL - Played off Handicap

a)  One entry per club.

b)  Players must be paid-up members of the club they are representing by 1^st March.

c)  Handicap limit + - 28 (ladies with a higher handicap must play off 28).

d)  Juniors under the age of 16 are permitted to play in the Inter Club Competitions. If matches are played on a school attendance day they must provide a letter on school notepaper, countersigned by a parent or guardian stating the date absence has been   granted for.

e)  Any lady who plays in the Harris Bowl is ineligible to play in the Silver Shield/Silver Trophy, except under rule (f) and any lady who plays in the Silver Shield/Silver Trophy, is ineligible to play in the Harris Bowl.

f)  Any Harris Bowl player with a handicap of 19 and above, who is required to play in her club's Silver Shield/Silver Trophy Team, would become ineligible to play Harris Bowl matches for the remainder of the season. A player with a handicap of under 19 cannot be asked to play in the Silver Shield/Silver Trophy, is she has played in the Harris Bowl.

g)  Teams to consist of 5 players.

h)  Teams to play in handicap order. Position of players with the same playing handicap shall be determined by the Team Captain.

i)  Handicap allowance as per CONGU.

j)  Matches to be played to a conclusion. Any extra holes to be played from where started and handicap allowance continued.

General Information

Items in Section 2 listed as (a), (c), (d), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), (s), (t), (u), (v), (w), (x) and (y) also apply to the Harris Bowl. N.B. (j) (o) and (p) apply as in Silver Trophy.

4.  MUNRO FOURSOMES - Played off Scratch

a)  The competition shall be open to all clubs affiliated to the County Association.

b)  Two players, who may be changed at any time during the competition, shall represent each club. No player shall represent more than one club.

c)  The preliminary rounds shall be played over 18 holes on neutral courses. The final will be played over 36 holes on a course decided by the Munro Foursomes Organiser. All matches must be played to a decision. In the event that some holes are closed, 18 holes must be arranged in the best way possible. If advisable, nine holes may be played twice.

d)  A complete draw shall be made and the Munro Foursomes Organiser shall notify the clubs on which course the next round shall be played.

e) The Munro Foursomes Organiser shall arrange fixed dates for each round.

f)  Entrance fee, of such amount as is approved by the Committee, to be sent to the Munro Foursomes Organiser and made payable to the Essex Ladies' County Golf Association.

g)  No courtesy rounds may be requested at any time.

h)  Buggies are not permitted unless sanctioned by the County Association and the host club. (see N.B. below).

CADDIES are allowed in the County Championship, Inter-Club Competitions (Silver Shield, Silver Trophy, Bronze Shield & Harris Bowl) and Munro Foursomes. They are there to assist the players; they may go on the green and hold the flag if requested to do so, but play must not be delayed. Professional or Trainee Professional golfers are not permitted to caddie or give advice in any ELCGA competitions.

N.B. USE OF BUGGIES in the COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP, HANDICAP MEETINGS (excluding ladies in Senior Category C who may use a buggy if they wish), SILVER SHILED/SILVER TROPHY/BRONZE SHIELD/HARRIS BOWL and MUNRO FOURSOMES:

If, due to a registered medical condition, a golfer is unable to play the game of golf without the use of a buggy, she may apply annually to the County Secretary, through her Ladiesā€™ Secretary, for this to be recorded. A letter from her Doctor should accompany the initial application. It should be noted that, once registered, she would not be permitted to play at clubs where buggies are not allowed.

DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES (DMD's) With effect from January 2011 DMD's will be permitted in Silver Shield, Silver Trophy, Bronze Shield, Harris Bowl, Munro Foursomes, County Open Meetings, Windfall Trophy, Ormsby Cooke Cup, Hunter Foursomes, Logan Trophy and Hitchcock Trophy if the home/host club does not have a local rule precluding their use. PLEASE NOTE THAT DMD'S ARE STILL NOT ALLOWED IN THE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP, THE SENIORS COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP, THE GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIOP OR COUNTY MATCH WEEK. THE RULES RELATING TO EWGA RUN COMPETITIONS REMAIN UNCHANGED.

MOBILE PHONE DMD APPLICATIONS ARE NOT PERMITED.

MOBILE PHONES 

Mobile Phones should be switched off at all times. The making or receiving of telephone calls (including unanswered calls) using mobile phones, or the use of a mobile phone as a DMD, on the course by Players/Caddies & Team Captains is not permitted in any County Competition.

Penalty for breach:

Match play: 1^st offence -loss of hole, 2^nd offence - loss of game 10-8. 

Stroke play: 1^st offence - 2 shot penalty, 2^nd offence - disqualification.

The exception is the use of a mobile phone in an emergency.

SLOW PLAY  

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP, SENIORS COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP, GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP & INTER-CLUB COMPETITION FINALS: Each player is responsible for playing without undue delay and consideration should be given to other competitors in the field. If a competitor or group are seen to be playing slowly or losing ground then a Rules Official may warn the group or player to get back into position with the group in front. If this is not achieved then a penalty may be imposed if a player or group has to be warned again.

Penalty for breach:        

2^nd offence in Match play - loss of hole. Stroke play - one shot penalty. 

3^rd offence in Match play - loss of hole. Stroke play - one shot penalty.     

Subsequent offence - Disqualification.  

INTER CLUB AND COUNTY TEAMS: All Inter Club and County Team Players/Team Captains must be full members of the County Association (ELCGA).

Any doubts as to procedure not covered by the above rules should be referred immediately to the appropriate County Organiser.