2009 Shootout Series Special Rules

The Shootout Series has the following special rules in effect that should be read and understood by all players:

I. REGISTRATION
II. PACE OF PLAY
III. HANDICAPS
IV. HANDICAP MARGINS
V. USGA RULES
VI. GOLFSTYLES PERSONNEL AND SPONSORS
VII. DISQUALIFICATION
VIII. CONTACT PERSON
IX. POINT SYSTEM
X. TIE BREAKER SYSTEM


I. REGISTRATION
You must register for each event by clicking here.


II. PACE OF PLAY
Do not enter the Shootout Series unless you can play 18 holes of tournament golf in 4 hours, 30 minutes or less.

We all agree that a round of golf can and should be played in 4 hours.
To ensure that the Shootout Series field can finish its round in 4:30 or better, the entire field will be placed on a generous pace of play clock.
On average each group will have 2 hours and 15 minutes to play each nine. The actual time period for each nine will vary according to the host course's recommendation.

If course conditions dictate, additional time may be added to each time period. The slow play penalty for missing either the front nine target or the back nine target is two strokes for each person in the group. If you miss both the front nine and the back nine targets, your group is subject to disqualification. If the tournament director can determine that a particular member of a slow group is responsible for it falling off pace, the tournament director may choose to penalize only that person.

If the group ahead of you misses a target, your time will be adjusted accordingly and your group will not be penalized so long as it hits its adjusted time target.
Keep up with the group ahead of you and you will not be in danger of having your group penalized.

Golf is a game of honor and integrity. Players are expected to keep each other's score and call fellow competitors on any rules violations. There is no reason why you can't encourage your playing partners to pick up the pace and make your round more enjoyable.

III. HANDICAPS
Handicaps must be properly maintained and updated. Tournament scores must be entered as such. GolfStyles personnel will contact your home course to verify your handicap.

IV. HANDICAP MARGINS
Career rounds can and will happen in competition. However, we all agree that statistically they shouldn't happen more than once in a month-long competitive series. Therefore, if a player shoots a net score that is below the course rating, he creates a Handicap Margin.
The formula for creating a Handicap Margin is as follows:

1. Course Rating minus Net Score = X
2. X times Current Index divided by 36.4 (highest USGA Index) = Y
3. Current Index minus Y = Z (new Shootout Series Index)

A real life example:
A player with a 15.1 index shoots a net 67 on a course rated 70.1.
1. The difference between his net score and the course rating is 3.1.
2. The difference (3.1) is multiplied by his current index of 15.1 and divided by 36.4 for a margin of 1.3.
3. The margin (1.3) is subtracted from his current index of 15.1, making his Shootout Series index 13.8.

X. TIE BREAKER SYSTEM: Ties will be broken by a match of cards starting with the last nine holes. If players are still tied, the last six holes and then last three holes, if need be, will be used. If a double tee or shotgun start is used, it is the last nine on the scorecard.