Best Ball Match Play Tournament Rules & Regs
All best ball matches will be played and scored in accordance with the official USGA Match Play Rules. If you're not sure, ask questions now! Don't wait until you are on the 2nd hole of your first match!
All matches in this tournament will be 9 holes in length.
Each tier's seeding will based upon the sum of you and your partner's stroke play scoring average. The teams with the lowest total will be given the #1 seed in each tier.
The higher ranked team (#1, #2 etc) will invite the lower ranked team to the match. The inviting team should occupy slots 1 and 2.
Match Windows
Each tournament will consist of 3 rounds and each round will be approximately 10 days in length. This will provide plenty of time for teams to play.
Method of Play
Teams can choose to play matches in one of two ways. The
recommended method for completing matches is to group everyone up as a
foursome and play. This is the easiest and most fun way to play.
However, due to connection issues it may not be feasible for you to
play in a foursome. If this is the case teams will need to split up
and play their matches in a 1v1 format. Player 1 from Team A will play
against Player 1 from Team B. Player 2 from Team A will play against
Player 2 from Team B. Both players from teams will need to complete a
9 hole
round. Teams will need to compare score cards after the completion of
both rounds to determine the winning team of the match. This is the
more difficult way to do things and can be confusing. Avoid doing it
this way if possible.
Just so everyone is clear, here is an example of the second method (which is also a good example of Best Ball scoring).
Bob & Bill are partners against Jim and John. They can't do a
foursome for scheduling reasons so, Bob plays with Jim one day and Bill
plays with John a few days later. After Bill & John finish, the
teams compare cards:
| Bob |
3 4 3 |
5 4 4 |
4 3 5 |
|
|
Jim |
4 5 4 |
4 3 4 |
4 2 6 |
| Bill |
3 3 4 |
4 3 6 |
5 4 4 |
|
|
John |
5 5 4 |
4 2 4 |
4 4 4 |
Bob & Bill (Team B) go 1up on the first hole because their
birdie beats Jim & John's (Team J) par. Team B goes 2up after the
2nd hole (eagle to par). Team B goes 3up after the 3rd hole (birdie to
par). Hole #4 is halved (tied) with pars. Team J wins hole 5 with
John's birdie and reduces Team B's lead to 2up. Hole #6 is halved with
pars. Hole #7 is halved with birdies. At this point, Team B is 2up
with 2 to play. Jim's birdie on #8 keeps the match going as Team J
reduces Team B's lead to 1up with 1 to play. Hole #9 is halved and
Team B hangs on for the victory.
Ties
If the match is tied after the designated match length (9 holes), then play must resume on Hole #1 with the team who won the
final hole inviting the team who lost. If the final hole was tied,
then the team who teed off first on the final hole will send the
invite to resume play. Play will continue as long as it takes until
one team wins a hole and the match ends immediately.
Disconnections
If teams are disconnected during the match then every effort
should be made to continue at the point of disconnect. If possible,
return to the approximate positions you were in and resume counting
strokes manually once you get there. You may not improve your lie. If
you disconnected in the bunker, you must return to the bunker. Only if
both teams agree may play be restarted from the tee of the hole you
were on when disconnected. In that case, you'll need to start again
and resume the match scoring on the appropriate tee. In other words,
if you agree to resume on #5 then just play the first 4 holes again for
fun and pick up the match on the 5th tee.
Playing Matches Early
For the sake of scheduling, you may complete your next match prior
to the start of the round. However, out of respect for other teams,
please do not post or discuss your match results until the actual start
date for that round.
Disputes
All disputes will be settled by the tournament director (me) and
those decisions, including any disqualifications are final.