League Rules and Structure

Max strokes per hole is + 5:

  Maximum strokes per hole will be par +5.  (par 3 = 8, par 4 = 9, par 5 = 10)

Starting Tee Box:

   Seniors (65+) and Ladies = 5500 to 6000 yds 

   Men = 6000 to 6500 yds

   Exception:  Everyone plays from Men's Tee for all Par 3's and Longest Drive Hole.

New 2023 Handicap Rule: 

   Refer to the "Handicaps" section below for details

2023 Player of the Year: 

   Player with the most points at the end of the regular season schedule will receive a free entry into the year end tournament / playoff PLUS the Player of the Year trophy

No Cap for Net Score:

   We polled our members and the majority wants to remove the net 69 cap.  For 2023, there will be no cap on net score IF your have a verifiable handicap.  Else cap at 68.

During each regular season tournament, points will be awarded to all participants plus additional points to the top 3 finishers.  Points earned will be as follow:

50 points - 1st Place

30 points - 2nd Place

20 points - 3rd place

10 points - for all other places

** If enough players register, the flight will be divided into A & B with 50 points for first places and 30 points for second places - no 3rd place

NOTE:  Player with the most points at the end of the regular season schedule will receive a free entry into the year end tournament / playoff plus the Player of the Year trophy.  If there's a tie, winner will be decided during the playoff with the winner having the lowest net score.  Must be in it to win it.

All participants are expected to show the highest level of respect, honesty and integrity towards the game and fellow participants.  USGA rule apply unless amended here.

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html 

Amendments:

* One (1) stroke penalty for hazards (red markers)

* Two (2) stroke penalties for Out of Bounds (white markers)

* One (1) stroke penalties for lost balls.  Balls lost near OB markers will be considered out of bound

* 3 minute rule is in effect - you have 3 minutes to locate your ball, else take the penalty

* Ball placement is allowed along the path of ball flight, not closer to the direction of the pin

* One club length relief for balls on hard surfaces and objects (e.g. concreate cart paths and rocks), not closer to the direction of the pin

Our goal is to move to Golf Genius for tournament management in 2024.  Golf Genius requires each player to have a GHIN and we encourage all our members to to have an official GHIN by the end of 2023.

For League play, we will use our League Running handicap until everyone moves to GHIN.

Tournament fee is broken down as follow:

$10 - goes to the tournament prize pool

$5 - goes to the Longest Drive and CTP

$5 - goes to the Year End Playoff Prize Pool, cost of trophies, hat trick and web site hosting

Best score (minus handicap) wins and the payouts are as follow from the tournament prize pool:

1st Place = 50%

2nd Place = 30%

3rd Place = 20%

** If the field is split into A & B flights, payout is 80% 1st place and 20% 2nd place

To qualify for the Year End Playoff, players must compete in at least half of the qualifying events.

Example:

if 10 tournaments were scheduled, players will need to play in at least 5 games to qualify.

If 9 tournaments were scheduled, players will need to play in at least 4 games to qualify.

Prize Pool

- Depends on how many players played throughout the year.

Every tournament, $5 from each tournament is set aside and added to the "Hat Trick" prize pool.  To win, player most have an established league handicap and win three (3) consecutive tournaments.  Regular tournaments and Playoff counts towards winning the "Hat Trick".  

Q:  Why are we moving to GHIN?

Answers:  

1.  We want to have a consistence calculation for everyone's handicap.  This will help eliminate any questions or concerns on how handicaps are calculated for league play.

2.  Our goal is to move to Golf Genius for tournament management in 2024.  This is what most golf courses used to setup tournaments.

3.  Having a GHIN will allow our members to compete in other Leagues such as MFAGA and AGC, and vice versa.

Q:  Why do I need to register?

A:  We work with golf courses to block off a certain number of tee times for league play.  Prior to the tournament date, we need to turn in the total number of players and names so that the golf course can prepare carts and score cards.  This will also allow the golf course to release any unused tee times that were blocked off or add more tee times if needed.

Q:  Is there a fee to join the league or membership fees?

A:   No. Anyone who participated in any Lao Golf of Florida event is considered a member. $5 from every tournament fee is set aside to pay for Year End Playoff prize pool, trophies and website hosting. 

Q.  Can I bring friends to league play?

A.  Yes.  The league is open to everyone.  We do expect all participants to show the highest level of respect, honesty, and integrity towards the game and fellow participants.

Q:  Why are there no entry fees for the Year End Playoff?

A:  The Year End Playoff is a qualified event.  You must compete in at least half of the qualifying events to qualify for the Playoff and for Playoff prizes.  See 'Year End Playoff' section for more information.

Q:  I don't have an official handicap.  Can I play in league tournaments?

A:  Yes.  See the "Handicaps" section of the 'League Structure'.  If a player does not have a GHIN or GHAP, the 80% rule is used to determine the players handicap.

Q:  How can I tell which events are "qualifying events" for the Playoff?

A:  Qualifying events are marked with the following statement, "Playoff Qualifier"

Q:  Is Lao Golf of Florida a private business?

A:  No.  We're a non-profit organization under 501(c)(3)

Please send questions, comments or suggestions to LaoGolfofFlorida@gmail.com