Note: In our transition to using tee times (home events only) during good weather months, live playoffs are suspended.  Card matching will be used for the President's Cup, Director's Cup, Player's Championship and most likely, the Club Championship

 

Although the USGA recommends settling ties with a playoff of at least three holes for stroke play before going to sudden death, our club uses sudden death, NOT two or three holes, based on course availability ONLY and only for "trophy status" in Major Championships or NCGA Qualifier events.  Typically we start and cycle on hole 9 until a winner emerges as this allows the membership to watch the playoff from the patio.

 

For non-majors or when the course is not available we use the USGA 'Card Match' system, also known as 'Scorecard Count-Back'. 

**it is important to note that ties are broken using holes 10-18 of the official card, as we play many shotgun events

 

Summarizing the non-playoff, "matching score cards" method...

(breaking gross ties involves no handicaps; this is the method for breaking net ties)

 

Compare...

1. Gross score for last 9 holes (10-18) minus one-half handicap; if still tied continue
2. Gross score for last 6 holes (13-18) minus one-third handicap; if still tied continue
3. Gross score for last 3 holes (16-18) minus one-sixth handicap; if still tied continue
4. Gross score for 18th hole minus one-eighteenth handicap

 

Example:

 

Assume Dan has a 10 handicap and Joe a 14 handicap (on the course/tee played)

 

Last 9 holes (#10-18)

 

Dan 39 - (10 / 2) = 39 - 5 = 34
Joe  41 - (14 / 2) = 41 - 7 = 34

 

Still tied...

 

Last 6 holes (#13-18)

 

Dan 27 - (10 / 3) =  27- 3.3 = 27 - 3 = 24
 Joe 29 - (14 / 3) = 29 - 4.7 = 29 - 5 = 24

 

Still tied...

 

Last 3 holes (#16-18)

 

Dan 12 - (10/6) = 12 - 1.7 = 12 - 2 = 10
 Joe  14- (14/6) = 14 - 2.3 = 14 - 2 = 12

 

Dan WINS!