Reikäpelimestaruus - 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.
In the Reikäpelimestaruus the format is scratch singles matchplay, over 18 holes, from the white tees. 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. |
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 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.
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.