Nelipallo Cup - rules
As in all Kytäjä competitions we follow the Rules of Golf, the guidelines of the Finnish Golf Union and the local rules of Kytäjä Golf.
The Nelipallo Cup is a pairs competition and the format is "fourball betterball" matchplay, under handicap, over 18 holes, from the yellow tees (red tees for ladies). The rules of matchplay are not repeated here but can be found from the rules of golf (Rule 2 - Match Play) or the competition handbook created by the Finnish Golf Union. Guidelines for determining how the stroke allowances are calculated for matches in this competition are shown below. |
Determining the amount of strokes to be given/received in each matchThe handicap allowance is determined based on the slope handicap of each player for the tees used in the competition.
Under the Finnish Golf Union rules for "fourball betterball" the lowest handicap player in the group must give strokes to the other three players. The player with the lowest slope handicap has to give the other players a number of strokes corresponding with 90% of the difference between in their slope handicaps. ExamplePlayer A (hcp 8) and Player B (hcp 17) play against Player C (hcp 2) and
Player D (hcp 34). Player C has the lowest handicap and must give strokes to each of the other three players (including his own partner!). - Player A would receive 5 strokes (The difference between their slope handicaps is 6, 90% of 6 is 5.4 which is rounded down to 5) - Player B would receive 14 strokes (difference is 15, 90% of 15 is 13.5 which is rounded up to 14) - Player D would receive 29 strokes (difference is 32, 90% of 32 is 28.8 which is rounded up to 29). |
Table showing 90% values for calculating amount of strokes to be allocated |
At which holes are the strokes received?Each player receives strokes at the holes indicated by the stroke index.
e.g. if you are receiving 8 strokes then you receive them at the holes with stroke index 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 (see below example) In cases where more than 18 strokes are received then the player receives his strokes in the same way. Once there is a stroke allocated to every hole the 19th stroke is allocated to stroke index 1 (making two strokes on that hole) and the 20th stroke is allocated to stroke index 2, etc.
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What happens if the match is tied after 18 holes?If the match is tied after 18 holes then a sudden death play-off must be played.
The two competitors return to the 1st tee (competitors MUST play the extra holes in sequence from the 1st hole and cannot agree to play different holes) and continue the match until a player wins a hole. That player is then the winner of the match. The handicap allowance for the extra holes is done in exactly the same way as for the first 18 holes... so a player receiving strokes on stroke index 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in the first 18 holes will also receive strokes on those holes if they are played as part of the play-off. Slope Handicap CalculatorClick the image above to open the Kytäjä Golf slope handicap calculator (made by golfpiste) in a new window.
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Matchplay is different!
Many of the rules of golf are common between matchplay and strokeplay... but there are some important differences to keep in mind when playing a match.
1. The order of play
The rules related to "whose turn it is" are actually the same in strokeplay and matchplay... the player whose ball is furthest away from the hole must play first. The difference in matchplay is that the rule is absolute and cannot be waived by the players... whereas in strokeplay it is permissable to agree a deviation from the rule (although doing so without agreement is a breach of etiquette). For example it is very common, especially in less serious circumstances, to agree that someone who is closer but off the green plays first in order to help with the speed of play.
In matchplay the correct playing order must be kept and cannot be changed, even by agreement. If you play "out of turn" then your opponent has the option to ask you to replay the shot. If your ball is out of bounds then he will probably not ask you to play it again... but if you hit a great shot then it will count for nothing when he asks you to play it again!
In team games, such as fourball-betterball (Nelipallo in Finland) then the "right to go first" is held by the team whose ball is further away, not by the individual. This allows for some interesting team tactics... the partner of the furthest away player can play first even if he is the closest player.
2. Concessions
In strokeplay it is necessary to hole out on every hole... but in matchplay things are a bit different. A player may concede a putt, a hole or the whole match at any point in a matchplay round. The most common use of this is on the green where it is good etiquette to concede very short putts to your opponent... but it is possible to concede at other times also, for example conceding a hole after driving 4 balls into a lake.
3. Penalties
Another difference between strokeplay and matchplay can be seen in the penalties for rules infringements. Many offences which would result in a two shot penalty in a strokeplay situation result in loss of hole in matchplay! You should always carry a rules book in order to ensure that the proper penalties are applied and to resolve any issues that you encounter during the match.
1. The order of play
The rules related to "whose turn it is" are actually the same in strokeplay and matchplay... the player whose ball is furthest away from the hole must play first. The difference in matchplay is that the rule is absolute and cannot be waived by the players... whereas in strokeplay it is permissable to agree a deviation from the rule (although doing so without agreement is a breach of etiquette). For example it is very common, especially in less serious circumstances, to agree that someone who is closer but off the green plays first in order to help with the speed of play.
In matchplay the correct playing order must be kept and cannot be changed, even by agreement. If you play "out of turn" then your opponent has the option to ask you to replay the shot. If your ball is out of bounds then he will probably not ask you to play it again... but if you hit a great shot then it will count for nothing when he asks you to play it again!
In team games, such as fourball-betterball (Nelipallo in Finland) then the "right to go first" is held by the team whose ball is further away, not by the individual. This allows for some interesting team tactics... the partner of the furthest away player can play first even if he is the closest player.
2. Concessions
In strokeplay it is necessary to hole out on every hole... but in matchplay things are a bit different. A player may concede a putt, a hole or the whole match at any point in a matchplay round. The most common use of this is on the green where it is good etiquette to concede very short putts to your opponent... but it is possible to concede at other times also, for example conceding a hole after driving 4 balls into a lake.
3. Penalties
Another difference between strokeplay and matchplay can be seen in the penalties for rules infringements. Many offences which would result in a two shot penalty in a strokeplay situation result in loss of hole in matchplay! You should always carry a rules book in order to ensure that the proper penalties are applied and to resolve any issues that you encounter during the match.