GENERAL

1. All competitions are played under “The Rules of Golf” as specified by The R&A (UK version 2010-2011) and any local rules made thereafter by the host golf club for club qualifying and matchplay competitions or by the Tournament Director and Tournament Referee of The International Pairs UK organisation for the Regional Finals, National Finals and World Final.

2. The tournament is “Approved by the R&A for the payment of expenses – Rule 4.2g RA/19/2011”.

3. All participants must be amateur golf club members and of aged 16 or above at the regional final stage.

4. You must present a current active handicap certificate at the registration desk prior to your competition round.

5. The maximum handicap for men is 24 (i.e. 18 shots) and ladies is 32 (i.e. 24 shots). Any competitors with a higher handicap will compete off the above.

6. Both competitors must sign the golf registration form prior to the commencement of their round to validate their entry and to confirm acceptance of the competition rules.

7. Any necessary adjustments as a result of the difference between the men’s SSS and par and the ladies SSS and par will be made. Any additional shots, for ladies or men, will be added to the players’ handicaps before the ¾ allowance is calculated.

8. All strokes will be taken from the Men’s card and will be allocated according to the stroke index on the card.

9. All competitors must be at the first tee at least 10 minutes prior to their start time. Should a pair miss their start time, they may be disqualified.

10. All competitors must play with golf balls that conform to the current R&A list of conforming balls.

11. All competitors who carry a driver must ensure that it is not on the list of non-conforming drivers issued by the R&A.

12. Electric ride-on golf buggies are not permitted during the competition day unless due to a medical condition with the prior written consent of the Tournament Director. A medical certificate will be required.

13. Caddies are permitted but are restricted to carrying and cleaning clubs and advising of distance. For the avoidance of doubt, they must not assist in club selection or the lining up of putts.

14. In this competition a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during the competition, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. gradient, windspeed, temperature etc) the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used. R&A Rule 14.3.

15. The pace of play will be monitored and Rule 6.7 penalties will be enforced.

16. In the event of inclement weather (i.e. thunder and/or lightning) play may be suspended. If it is, a siren or horn will be sounded. All competitors should mark the position of their ball and return to the clubhouse immediately. Play will not recommence until authorised by the Tournament Director.

17. Any questions regarding the Rules of Golf should be directed to the Tournament Referee. All other matters relating to the competition should be passed to the Tournament Director.

18. Any unsettled disputes shall be settled by the Competition Committee (3 to form a quorum) whose decision shall be final.

19. The winners will be the pairs with the highest number of Stableford points.

19.1 Prize winners who do not stay for the presentation will forfeit their prize unless due to extenuating circumstances and prior authorisation has been given by the Tournament Director.

19.2 Prize winners who cannot attend the National Final forfeit their prize.

19.3 No alternative prizes will be offered.

REGIONAL FINAL

1. The competition round at the regional final consists of two 9 holes. If all competitors do not complete their round, the Tournament Director along with the Tournament Referee may declare the result over 9 holes. In the event of all competitors not completing 9 holes, the winners will be decided by the Tournament Director and Tournament Referee.

2. In the event of a tie after 18 holes, the results will be decided on a count back on last 9, 6, 3 and 1 holes. If the tie still exists a hole by hole card Stableford match play starting at the 1st will decide the winner. The first pair to win a hole will win.

3. The number of pairs to qualify for the National Final will be determined per event as a ratio of the overall competition participation. The organisers’ decision is final.

NATIONAL FINAL

1. The competition round at the national final consists of two 9 holes. If all competitors do not complete their round, the Tournament Director along with the Tournament Referee may declare the result over 9 holes. In the event of all competitors not completing 9 holes, the winners will be decided by the Tournament Director and Tournament Referee.

2. In the event of a tie after 18 holes, the results will be decided on a count back on last 9, 6, 3 and 1 holes. If the tie still exists a hole by hole card Stableford match play starting at the 1st will decide the winner. The first pair to win a hole will win.

3. The winning pair will be invited to represent their country in the International Pairs World Final. The organisers’ decision is final.

WORLD FINAL

1. The format of the competition at the World Final is 36 holes of betterball stableford with a ¾ handicap allowance.

2. Each competition round at the World Final consists of two 9 holes. If all competitors do not complete either round, the Tournament Director along with the Tournament Referee may declare the result of the round over 9 holes. The result of the World Final may be declared over a minimum of 9 holes completed by all competitors in either round.

3. In the event of a tie at the end of the competition, a sudden death play-off will be conducted until a result is concluded. The format will be stableford match play to decide the winner, strokes to be taken in accordance with the stroke index on the card. The first pair to win a hole will win the play off.

4. The winners will be the pairs with the highest number of Stableford points. The winning pair will be crowned International Pairs World Champions. The organisers’ decision is final.

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