All players are expected to conduct themselves according to the spirit of golf and fair play. Results can be overturned by the committee if a complaint is upheld. Please replace all divots and repair pitchmarks.
1. In a knockout tournament, the loser of a match is eliminated and the winner goes through to the next round.
2. The entry for the individual tournament will specify course and number of holes.
3. If handicaps are used. Subtract the lower handicap from the higher handicap. The result is the number of shots awarded to the higher handicap golfer.
They will then receive one shot on each of the holes of index equal to that number of shots and lower. The lower handicapper plays off scratch.
Example: James is playing Robbie. James is handicap 14 and Robbie is handicap 24. Robbie will receive (24-14 =) 10 shots in the match. He will receive one shot on each of the holes index 1-10. James plays off scratch. So, on the first hole (index 5) James scores a 4 and Robbie scores a 5. Robbie has a shot so his score is net 4. The hole is halved. The hole indexes are on the scorecard.
4. The person lower (i.e. the lower seed) in the draw is responsible for calling their opponent and arranging the match. Please be ready to play at short notice, if you can, to grab the weather. If the weather is poor and both players agree, the match can be put off until another day if the new date doesn’t go past the deadline for the round. If there is no prospect of playing the match before the deadline, toss a coin.
5. It is acceptable to combine the match with a Winter/Summer League round, only if both players agree. Remember that for the League, all putts must be holed out, even if a putt is given in matchplay.
6. Matches should be played to a conclusion. For each extra hole, shots are awarded to the higher handicap player as for the original round. In the example above, if the match goes to an extra hole, Robbie will get a shot on the first.
7. Matchplay draws are seeded (1 to whatever, 1 = high to low) in order of handicap on the day of the draw with the exception of the defending champion who will be seeded first. The lower seed in each match is responsible for arranging the match (they will be lower in the draw) at a mutually convenient time. They should arrange the match as soon as possible after the players are confirmed for each round. If the match is not arranged in good time (at least two weeks before the deadline) the higher seeded player goes through by default. The primary objective is to play all matches, so crack on with arranging the match if it is up to you.
Winter Matchplay Handicap
Matches take place over 9 holes on the Westray Winter White/Red courses.
Summer Matchplay Handicap
Matches take place over 18 holes on the Westray White/Red Courses
Club Championship
Matches take place over 18 holes on the White/Red course for Gents/Ladies. Handicaps are not used, all golfers play off scratch.