Lakers League Rules 2025

1.

RULE NUMBER ONE – HAVE FUN!

2.

League Governance – Lakers Golf League has four league officials:

The League officers for 2025 are:

1.     President – Duane Sparks          

2.     Secretary – Dave Cummings / Pete Coulter

3.     Treasurer – Mike Krauskoff        

4.     Sgt at Arms – Ted Shymanski

5.      

6.     These positions are one-year terms and require re-election each year at the league spring meeting.

The Laker’s website requires a fee for web-host support. That fee will be covered under normal league budgeted expenses. Current cost is $40/yr

Additionally, the league has three committees.

1.     Rules Committee – Consisting of three non-board members, decisions of the rules committee are final. - League officials will be called in if necessary

2.     Membership Committee - Consists of all league officials.

3.     Outing Committee – This position is preferably filled on a voluntary basis but can be filled by league wide vote if no volunteer exists.

3.

League Scoring format - Medal play against the field using net score. Players will earn 2 pts for every player they beat, 1 pt for each player they tie. Points will be based on the number of players that begin each season as full-time members.  Example. If 24 players begin the season, the maximum 1st place points = 46pts   2^nd place = 44pts, etc. In the case of ties, points are split between players (one for each player) and 0 pts for last place.

The scoring will include three (3) drops of your lowest point totals in that season. 

The 2025 prize money for the league is $50.00 per player.

4.

Substitutes & Guests –

a.     Subs will pay total $30 but their scores do not count toward weekly points. A sub is the responsibility of the member who invited the sub, skins and greenie fees are included.  

b.     Sub fee ($20) collected by treasurer, will be put into a fund that will be spent on programs that are expected to benefit all current league members.  Skins money ($10) will be collected and added to skins pot.  Subs with a valid GAM index will get a HDCP for skins.  No GAM = 0 HDCP for skins.

c.      Subs who were specifically invited by an absent member will play in that member’s spot on the weekly roster.

d.     Subs not specifically playing for an absent member may be substituted for an ‘unplanned’ member absence but will not be able to play if the league roster is full for the week (20 players).

e.     Subs exceeding our league roster (20), may tee off before the league with permission from the golf course.  Sub will pay golf course the 9 hole rate and additional $10 for skins and pins.

5.

USGA Rules - At all times the Lakers Golf abides by the USGA Rules of Golf, except where noted for speed of play and practicality.

The following rules are included in the USGA Rules of Golf and are added here for emphasis and clarification where the Lakers League Rules deviate from the USGA Rules.

(Emphasis) - Play the ball down (2 STROKE PENALTY)! Clean and place may be in effect subject to course conditions. The decision on course conditions is made by:

1.     The President - in his absence the decision follows in order,

2.     Secretary

3.     Treasurer

4.     Sergeant at arms

5.     The Rules Committee

Rule adaptation: Observing local ruling on course playing conditions.

 Whereby, when the golf course management has determined the course has excessive water which dictates limiting certain access for golf carts for playing golf shots (e.g. cart path only ruling), Lakers League will have in force “Lift, Clean, Place” through the green (meaning everywhere on the particular hole where the restricted access is so stated).

(Emphasis) - Putt all balls in the hole – You Are Not Allowed to Take A Gimme Putt. (Violation - Two Stroke penalty)

6.

Lakers Rules -

A.     Scoring Rules: To avoid confusion and disputes each group must maintain two independent methods of scoring. (e.g. one scorecard and electronic scoring). Electronic scoring is the official record.

B.     Playing Rule: Twosome pairings are to be avoided if practical – i.e. (make two threesomes out of last 6 players to tee off)

C.     Drop Areas: Use assigned drop areas if any exist.  See an officer or rules committee member if questions arise.

D.     2:00 Minute Rule: If a ball is lost allow TWO MINUTES 2:00 to search for a lost ball! After two minutes a player must take a drop under lost ball rules and proceed accordingly

E.     UNMARKED AREAS ON GOLF COURSE DEFINED (HEAVY WOODS/DENSE VEGETATION). If not marked by stakes or painted lines, all areas of the golf course that are heavily wooded or covered by vegetation are RED PENALTY areas and the edge of the penalty areas is where the wooded area or dense vegetation begins.

OUT OF BOUNDS (white stakes) or BALL EXITS COURSE. Ball out of bounds marked by white stakes or ball exists the course, will be played as RED PENALITY AREA. DO NOT GET LINE-OF-FLIGHT. 1 stroke penalty from drop location.

F.      The player proceeding under rule E above MUST consult with the remaining players in the group to assist in determining the point where the ball exited the course and inform their playing partners of their intended place of drop BEFORE they proceed.

G.    Bunker in less than normal expected condition (e.g. uneven sand distribution, ball in divot, ball in footprint or depression, – player is permitted to mark, lift and clean ball, rake area, place ball as near the original location and proceed with playing the shot.

H.    Ball coming to rest in fairway divot – After approval from players group; player is permitted to mark ball, lift, clean and place ball outside divot no closer to the hole and continue with playing the shot. (note: this applies to fairways only).

I.       Drop areas for all Par 3’s – After the initial tee shot lands in the hazard, the player will proceed to a designated drop area or a point where the fairway begins in front of the green as decided by committee, drop a ball, proceed with play. (1 stroke penalty applies)

J.      BALL UNPLAYABLE - The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable."  Under penalty of 1-stroke, the three options for proceeding are to:

1)     Play a ball as near as possible to the spot from which the original ball was last played; or

2)    Drop a ball at a point behind where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot where the ball is dropped. There is no limit as to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped; or

3)     Drop within two club lengths, not nearer the hole.

K.      EMPHASIS: Rule in dispute while playing WHETHER USGA OR LAKER RULE– As a reminder if a dispute arises within a group during the play of the round the player for which a rule is in dispute should proceed on that hole playing TWO balls for that hole and before posting a final score card should get a ruling from the rules committee as to the correct ruling and which score should be posted for the final scoring.

L.      Cheating (in any form) is prohibited for all Lakers competitions. Violators will be subject to disqualification from the stipulated round. Repeat offenders will be subject to removal from the league at the discretion of the league officials.  

7.

Rules committee - For all other judgments, rules committee will decide. The 2025 rules committee members are:

A.     Steve Tashman

B.     Rick Pringle

C.     Ron Wolski

Remaining league officials will be called in if necessary:

President - Duane Sparks                        Secretary – Dave Cummings/Pete Coulter

Treasurer – Mike Krauskoff                       Sergeant at Arms – Ted Shymanski

8.

Handicap Calculation - 

Handicaps will be calculated in the spirit of a true USGA handicap index.  The Laker league modification is to utilize the lowest 6 of your last 9 most recent league scores.

·       Equitable stroke control (ESC) will be applied for the 2024 season.

New members will use the following guidelines, in priority order, to establish beginning handicap:

1. Verifiable USGA index
2. Submit scorecards of the last four rounds played.
3. Handicap verified by current or sponsoring member.
4. May be given based on honor system with approval of membership committee.
5. Practice round handicap will be used as beginning handicap.
6. First League score will establish beginning handicap.

Following the establishment of a beginning handicap, the following Lakers League guideline will be used:

Number of rounds       Scores to use

1 to 2                           1 Lowest rounds

3 to 4                            2 Lowest rounds

5 to 6                            3 Lowest rounds

7 or more                     6 lowest rounds of last 9 played.

9.

Tee Box Election – Lakers golf league for 2025 has elected to play from the below listed tees.

EACH PLAYER WILL DECLARE WHICH TEE THEY WILL BE PLAYING FROM FOR THE SEASON

(make your declaration to the secretary prior to league start)

Tanglewood Tee Options for all three nines:

White or Silver

10.

League Gaming – The cost per player is $10 total each regular play week.  You may drop out of the gaming, only once per season. Once you elect to drop out, you are out for the balance of the season. Subs DO NOT have the option to drop out.

Max 9-hole hdcp = 18

Weekly money winners will be awarded (1) one skin value for the following:

1.      Lowest gross score

2.      Lowest net score

3.      Net skins

4.      Closest to pin (CTP) on all par 3’s

5.      Gross eagle or better

HOLE IN ONE RULE – If a league member or guest subbing for an absent member gets a hole in one, ALL monies for that day (including carryovers) is awarded to that member or guest.

11.

Membership committee - consists of all league officials. Retired league members must notify the league prior to the Annual Spring League meeting to reserve a position. If multiple retired league members are vying for an opening, the retired league member with the most recent tenure gets first choice. Current members must notify the membership committee of their intent to return, between Jan 1 -   Mar 1st of the new season. Cash is king & pay to play will take effect. Subs will then get next consideration from the membership committee; sub list will be used to gain new players. The membership committee will make judgment call on any other issues that are not specified above concerning membership. Please pay in advance.

Note: All new members are on probation for the season of play. The league will then vote to retain or reject the player for future seasons.

12.

League Night Procedures - First group in clubhouse collects league skin monies. For the remaining groups: Please submit group MONEY (indicate $ amount collected on scorecard) and a COMPLETED LEGIBLE SCORE CARD to the collection table before putting clubs away or doing anything else. Someone in each foursome will take charge of collecting the money for each foursome. It is YOUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that the scorecard and scores entered into live scoring are accurate.  Live scoring results take precedence over the scorecard.

·       EMPHASIS: NO MODIFICATIONS WILL BE MADE ONCE THE SCORES ARE TURNED IN AND POSTED.

13.

Payment of Dues - Members are expected to pay league dues one (1) week prior to league start. You may be removed from the league roster if you fail to pay. We have an obligation to all other league members as well as a contractual obligation to the course to fulfill our financial responsibilities. Extenuating circumstances require executive committee approval.

14.

Non-League Play Days (Fun Nights) - In case of ties during the Scramble format or any other game that is league sanctioned, we will follow a scorecard tiebreaking system. Start at the lowest handicap (hardest) hole with all groups or individuals and continue to move down the cards to the next lowest (hardest) hole on the cards until someone or some team wins the hole outright by having a score that is lower (best) than the remaining individuals or teams.

15.

Scheduling - The purpose for the Lakers League weekly schedule is to play with all league members throughout the year and to put some organization into a potentially chaotic situation. Following the schedule is our priority. Inviting a sub or playing with a relative or nonmember can be arranged. Please make every effort to get to the course prior to THE FIRST SCHEDULED TEE TIME.

16.

Rainouts & Other Delays - Pay-off for skins and any greenies and awards for points will be awarded if the entire league finishes the 7th hole in the following order:

1.     If delay ends within reasonable time return to the course and finish the round. (this is a decision of the President in conjunction with the course)

2.     If the round cannot be completed, your final one or two holes will be handicapped to complete your score. (these scores DO NOT count towards skins and pins)

3.     If you leave the golf course on your own, you will still owe $10. In case of rainout no points can be given, and no gaming will be collected.

4.     If the league cannot finish the round and proceeds under the handicap rules skins and pins will only apply to holes completed by all members.

17.

League Voting - Ties in league voting will retain the status quo.

18.

Member Behavior - There will be no abusive language or inappropriate behavior to the employees or staff of the golf course or fellow league members. Bring any problems to the attention of the league president and the sergeant at arms.

19.

Outing for the golf league – Two positions exist for the league outing:

1.     Outing chairperson this person is responsible for the format and games at the outing and

2.     Location coordinator this person is responsible for selecting the location of the outing for the year.

a.     The location coordinator for the next season will be chosen on the last day of the League for the current season by a volunteer or a vote if necessary.

b.     The location coordinator will endeavor to select a package prior to the first of the New Year so that the outing information can be sent to the members at the beginning of the year with the due’s statements.

c.      All discounts, incentives, etc. offered by a perspective outing golf resort/course shall be applied towards the total outing expense to be shared by all league outing participants.

2025

Location Coordinator – Bill Gibson

Outing Chair- co-chairs: Pete Coulter/Duane Sparks/Bill Gibson

20.

League Financial Information – The Treasurer’s report (balance Sheet and Profit & Loss) will be made available upon request and on the web site for league dues and fees breakdown.