Description of BLSGC Tournaments
Our schedule of Tournaments includes many different types, each of which is described below. For the Season, we ask members to keep a copy of this Directory in their golf bag and to refer to these instructions on the day of tournament play.
Please remember to print your first and last name on your scorecard, check it and have it attested before handing it in.
Tournaments canceled due to inclement weather will not be rescheduled, except for the Club Championship, which may have a make-up date scheduled. If inclement weather prevents at least 16 players from completing their rounds, then the tournament will be canceled.
Monthly Nassau
This is a stroke play tournament played on the first Tuesday or Thursday of each month. Two players use one card, with their names on lines 1 & 3 and putts marked on lines 2 & 4. Greens-in-one are indicated by a circle around a player’s score for that hole.
You may play 18 holes, front 9 only or back 9 only. Prize points are awarded for the first, second and third best gross and net scores for 18 holes, front 9 and back 9 holes. Prize points are awarded for least putts, most greens and most birdies.
Points are also awarded for the longest drive and closest-to-the-pin on designated holes. The longest drive is the distance from the tee to where the ball comes to rest on the fairway or green. The 1st cut around the green is considered to be fairway. A ball in the rough does not qualify. Closest-to-the-pin is the closest ball to the pin when on the green or the 1st cut of fringe around the green.
Captain’s Choice
This is an 18-hole, best ball, stroke play tournament with teams of fours and threes. (Note: Need at least 3 players to be eligible to compete) Enter team members’ names on lines 1 through 4 on the scorecard. The team’s best ball score and putts are recorded on the bottom line.
Each member of the group will drive off each tee with the Captain deciding the best drive for the next stroke. A foursome team must use three drives from each member. A threesome team must use four drives from each member; however, a threesome team can play four balls on each hole with team members alternating HOLES (not shots) to play the fourth ball.
The fourth approach, chip and putt(s) must be taken by the same player who had the fourth drive on the hole. The fourth ball drive may be counted as a drive for that team member if played by the team.
Place an ‘X’ on lines 1 through 4 to indicate which team member’s drive was used on each hole. Indicate team score and putts on the last line (score/putts).
The Captain marks the ball position on the best drive. Each player then plays the next stroke from this mark. Place the ball as near as possible to the mark without improving the lie. This method of play continues until the ball is holed out. On the green, each ball is placed (not dropped) near the marker.
Do not hole out on the green after a missed putt. Mark the ball and continue play until all have putted. Once a ball is holed out, the hole is completed and no further putts can be made.
Prize points will be given for first, second and third lowest gross and net scores, as well as fewest putts.
Captain’s Choice Team Handicap
Team handicaps are calculated by adding 25% of the lowest individual handicap of the team plus 20% of the next lowest plus 15% of the next lowest plus 10% of the highest handicap. When there are three members of a team, the average of those three player’s handicaps will used as the fourth number of the calculation. Attempt is made to equalize team handicaps as much as possible.
Three Clubs and a Putter
This is an 18-hole stroke play tournament. Each player must have only four (4) clubs in his or her bag, including the putter. Scorecards can include the full names of up to four players on lines 1 through 4. Prize points are given for first, second, and third gross and net scores for 18 holes. Putts, greens and birdies are not counted in this tournament.
Greensome Twosome
This is an 18-hole tournament, with members deciding their own pairs, mixed or not. Each player in the pair will drive off the tee; the better ball is then selected by the pair (as in Captain’s Choice), but, then the two paired players will take alternating shots until the ball is holed out. Indicate score and putts for each hole. Write players full names on lines 1 and 2. Scores and putts shots on lines 3 and 4. Prize points are given for net and gross score, as well as for putts.
Even Holes Tournament
Score all 18 holes as usual since your card will be used for handicapping. Only the scores on the EVEN holes count for prize points. Two players will score on one card with their names on lines 1 & 3. Putts are marked on lines 2 & 4. Prize points are given for the first, second and third best gross and net scores for 9 holes. Prize points are also given for the fewest putts on the EVEN holes only.
Odd Holes Tournament
Score all 18 holes as usual since your card will be used for handicapping. Only the scores on the ODD holes count for prize points. Two players will score on one card with their names on lines 1 & 3.
Putts are marked on lines 2 & 4. Prize points given for the first, second and third best gross and net scores for 9 holes. Prize points are also given for the fewest putts on the ODD holes only.
Red, White and Blue
This is an 18-hole stroke play tournament with male members under age 80 driving from the red, white and blue tee boxes, alternatively, throughout the round. Note: Male players 80 and older alternate between the red and white tees. Female players alternate between the red and white tees. Female players over 80 and older can hit 20 yards in front of the red tees on the red holes.
Two players may score on one card with names on lines 1 & 3. Putts are marked on lines 2 & 4. Greens-in-one are indicated by a circle around the player’s score for that hole. Prize points are given for the first, second and third best gross and net scores for 18 holes. Prize points are also given for the fewest putts and the most greens-in-one.
Worst Holes Tournament
Score all 18 holes as usual since your card will be used for handicapping. Up to four players may score with names on lines 1 through 4. The scores for the three highest holes will be deducted from the 18 holes gross score of each player. Prize points are given for the first, second and third best gross and net scores for the determined 15 holes.
Match Play Golf
The match play format lends itself very well to season long ladder-type tournaments where winning one match will move the golfer onto the next round and so forth. The format also features more forgiving play where one golfer who is struggling on a particular hole can choose to pick his / her own ball up and give the hole to his opponent as a result. This feature combined with the fact that groups are made of only 2 golfers, match play matches are played much quicker than a four-man group of medal play.
Match Play: How to Play Match Play
Each golfer hits his own ball throughout the round and after each hole, scores of both golfers for the hole are compared. The golfer with the lowest score is said to have won that hole. If both scores are identical then no points (or holes won) are awarded for that hole.
Match Play Golf Rules.
A round in match play golf will see two golfers competing head to head against each other and not against the rest of the field. Rather than trying to post the lowest score for the round golfers are here trying to win (or not lose) more holes than their opponent.
How to Win in Match Play
A winner is declared during the round when his lead is such that his opponent can no longer close the gap mathematically. Or in other words, a winner is declared when his opponent can no longer tie or win the match even if he were to win all of the remaining holes.
How to Adjust Scores for Net Matches
At the start of the round, golfers declare their own handicaps and the difference between those is calculated. The golfer with the highest handicap will be awarded an extra stroke on as many holes as that calculated difference number.
For example, player A declares a handicap of 5 and player B declares a 10, for a difference of 5 (10 – 5 = 5). Player B will thus be given a free stroke on each of five holes with difficulty ratings of 1 through 5. If player B were to need 5 strokes for the most difficult hole and player A to need 4 strokes on that same hole, the hole would be halved instead of seeing player B losing that hole thanks to his free stroke.
Net: When match play matches are played in the NET format, each golfer’s score is adjusted after each hole according to handicap and the net scores are compared to determine a winner for a hole.
The Club Championship
This is a 36-hole stroke play tournament. The Championship is played over four rounds on four days (two Tuesdays and two Thursdays), with two lowest rounds used to determine each player’s 36 hole score. If a rain date occurs, the tournament reverts to the best two out of three rounds.
(Only two rounds need to be played to qualify for the Championship.) Four players may score on one card. The card must be attested and dated.
The Club Champions will be the lady and man having the lowest 36 holes gross score for any two rounds. The low net Club Champions will be the lady and man having the lowest net score total for two rounds.
BLSGC Prize Point System And Table
Participation Points
These are awarded to each member who takes part in a non-tournament round, tournament or outing and who submits a signed and attested card. Two points are awarded for each 18 hole round played. One point is awarded if less than 18 holes played.
Competition Points
These are awarded to each member who takes part in a non-tournament round, tournament or outing and who submits a signed and attested card. Two points are awarded for each 18 hole round played. One point is awarded if less than 18 holes played.
Points for Birdies
One point will be awarded for each birdie. However, golfers with a handicap of 10 or under must shoot four birdies to get one point. The handicap will be noted at the end of each month. Each player will record the birdie (s) on the Birdie Sheet posted on the bulletin board. The birdie (s) should be posted at the end of each round.
Value of Points
The value of each point is determined each year depending on the number of points awarded and the amount of funds available for prize money.
At the end of the year, if the value of the points is under three dollars, the prize money will not be awarded. However, the dollar amount of the points can be applied to the following year’s dues. Those members whose prize money is under $3.00 will be notified by email of the value of their prize.
Prize Table
| Individual Tournaments | First | Second | Third |
| Low Gross (18 Holes) | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| Low Gross (9 Holes) | 3 | 2.5 | 2 |
| Low Net (18 Holes) | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| Low Net (9 Holes) | 3 | 2.5 | 2 |
| Fewest Putts (18 Holes Only) | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Most Greens (18 Holes Only) | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Longest Drive | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Closest to the Pin | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Most Birdies (18 Holes Only) | 3` | 2 | 1 |
Team Tournaments (including outings). No points are awarded for outings where cash prizes are awarded.
| Low Gross | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| Low Net | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| Fewest Putts | 3 | 2 | 1 |
If the golf Gods are with you and you get Hole in One you win 5 points towards your year end point total and $$ prizes.
Rules of Play
All play is governed by the U.S. Golf Association (USGA), unless modified by local rules described below.
The following USGA 2019 rule changes will affect play in the coming season. While the USGA is making many changes, the following changes have the most relevance to our membership and could result in speeding up play.
- Penalty for accidental double-hitting the ball has been removed.
- There is no longer a penalty for striking the flag stick when putting a ball on the green. The flag stick can remain in the hole at a player’s choice while putting without penalty.
- Accidental touches of the ball (i.e., with foot, when placing marker, during practice swing when not addressing the ball) are no longer penalized. The ball is to be replaced without stroke penalty.
- There is no longer a penalty when the ball first hits an object then touches the player (as in bouncing off a tree or marker).
- The allowable time to search for a lost ball is reduced from 5 minutes to 3 minutes.
- Formally only a ball embedded in the fairway could be lifted without penalty, now if the ball is embedded anywhere on the course may be lifted and cleaned without a penalty.
(One exception: ball embedded in a sand trap. You can either choose to hit the ball as it lies or place the ball outside of the trap away from the green. A one stroke penalty will be assessed if you choose to take the ball out of the trap.).
Local Rules for Burke Lake Golf Course
Winter rules prevail throughout the year, i.e., the ball may be rolled over on the fairway to improve its lie. The ball must be played as it lies except if it is embedded in the rough. An exception to this rule is granted when the ball rests on gravel, hard pan, or among tree roots. In these cases, the ball may be moved to the nearest earth or grass plot without penalty. This provision should not be used to improve an unplayable lie. In moving the ball, players should not improve their “line of play” or “area of intended swing.” A penalty stroke shall be assessed in these cases. A ball located in the fairway, to include plugged balls, may be marked, picked up, cleaned and replaced. Failure to mark prior to lifting the ball will result in a one stroke penalty.
A ball hit into the pond on Holes #11 or #16 may be replayed from the tee or played from the drop zone. The player is playing a third stroke from either location (shot into the water and a penalty stroke.) A ball placed into the drop zone should not be teed up. For Hole #11, the drop zone is on the green side of the pond, immediately to the right after crossing the bridge. On Hole #16, the drop zone is left of lake at the red tees box. On Hole #16, ladies may tee off from either the red tees behind lake or red tees left of lake. Balls found in “unplayable lies” at the edge of the pond on Holes #11 and #16 may be placed in the appropriate drop zone for the hole being played. A penalty stroke shall be assessed in these cases. If a ball comes to rest in the ditches crossing Holes #’s 2, 7, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16,, a free drop is allowed, no closer to the hole. Hole # 11 ditch is left of the bridge.
Hole #15, “out of bounds” is the golf course side of the road on left of the fairway. White stakes on holes # 5 & 9 define “out of bounds”. A ball hit out of bounds may be returned to the nearest point in bounds. A penalty stroke shall be assessed in these cases. A player may stand out of bounds to play a ball lying within bounds. If the player chooses to play a provisional ball and the first ball played is found to be out of bounds, a penalty stroke shall be incurred.
During play in the fall, if a ball is lost in leaves, a new ball may be dropped without penalty, as near as possible to the area where the original ball was deemed lost.
For all rounds where a card is completed, attested, signed and returned for handicap and/or tournament purposes, each hole will be completed by holing out or taking a gimmie in non-tournament rounds. If you have taken seven strokes on a hole, there is no need to hole out.
If you are unfortunate to find the sand trap play the ball where it lies in the sand trap UNLESS there are no rakes available to smooth out the sand. If no rakes are available, please lift the ball and place it no closer to the hole WITHIN in the sand trap.
Rakes should be placed inside sand traps after each use.
Handicaps
At the beginning of a new season, handicaps will be carried over from the previous season and will be updated as members submit new cards. Only members with a club handicap will qualify for net tournament prizes. However, a handicap is not necessary to enter tournaments where the winner is determined on the best gross score. This applies to the Club Championship, which is open to all current members. The Club Championship Tournament scores will determine the men’s and women’s low gross and low net winners. The maximum handicap allowed for men is 36, maximum handicap for women is 40. For members who do not have a regular USGA handicap, on Club golf outings, handicaps will be computed at 160% of players BLSGC handicap.
For the 2020 golfing season, the BLSGC will transition to the new World Handicap System (WHS)
The USGA handicap determination is a complex calculation using course rating, measure of difficulty (slope) and limits strokes on each hole based on handicap. The calculation is simplified for a par 3 short course like Burke Lake.
Under the new WHS, final handicaps are determined by the lowest 8 scores of the most recent 20 rounds recorded. This is a change from the old system where ten scores were used. A final handicap is determined by the average of the best 8 scores minus Burke Lake par (54). The average handicap is then rounded off to the nearest hole number. Under the new WHS there is no multiplying by .96 to arrive at the handicap. It takes a minimum of 5 scores to receive a valid initial handicap at which point the handicap is determined by the lowest score of the 5 rounds. The handicap index for those members with less than 5 scores is 99.9. The number of lowest scores used in the calculation is increased as more scores are recorded New members may notice frequent handicap changes as they progress from 5 rounds to 20 rounds.
Other Practices
If a player swings at the ball with the intention of hitting it, but misses, i.e., a whiff, it is counted as a stroke.
Only scores from the Club’s regularly scheduled Tuesday and Thursday rounds will be recorded. Only birdies scored during these rounds will be posted on the Birdie Sheet.
Every scorecard should be printed with the first and last name of the player(s). The player is responsible for the correctness of the score recorded for each hole on his/her card.
After completion of the round, each player should check his/her score for each hole is make sure the score is correct and to ensure the card is signed and attested before it is handed in for handicap and/or tournament purposes. Place the cards in the wire basket below the bulletin board immediately after completing the round.
BLSGC uses an on-line program to sign up for tee times. You will need to create an account by going to www.signupgenius.com. Invitations for sign-ups will be sent via emails or sent to your account. If you want to play early (within the first hour of play) and only want to play 9 holes, you have the option to sign up to play the back 9 holes. If on the day of play, you need to cancel your tee time, please call the Burke Lake Starter (703-323-1641). Please try to be at the golf course 30 minutes before your scheduled start time.
Tee Boxes
Women hit drives from the red tees. Women 80 years and up have the option to move 20 paces in front of the red tees and hit from there. Men hit drives from the white tees. Men 80 years and up have the option of hitting from the red tees.
Pace of Play (Slow Play): Some Suggestions
See USGA Rules, Section 1. Etiquette – Safety, Consideration for other players and pace of play. If members follow these suggestions, it will make the game more enjoyable for everyone.
- Try to keep up with the players in front of you. If the hole in front of you is “open”, it may mean that your group needs to pick up the pace of play.
- Play ready golf, but only if everyone in your group agrees.
- In stroke play, on the green, the player who is putting may continue to putt out, provided that he or she does not interfere with another player’s line of play.
- A maximum number of seven strokes is to be taken for one hole. If a player has taken five shots without reaching the green, the ball should be placed on the edge of the green nearest to where the ball was picked up. Then putt out – two putts only.
- When playing on or near the putting green, players should place their bags or carts in a location to enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.
- Please do not record your scores while still on or around the green. Record scores on the next tee while waiting for your group to tee-off.
- Gimmie putts are optional only during non-tournament rounds. They are not allowed in any tournaments (i.e. Nassau, Captain’s Choice, or end of month tournaments). If you are putting for a birdie, you must putt the ball. Gimmies are not allowed for birdie putts. To determine a gimmie putt, place the putter clubhead inside the cup on the green and lay the putter flat on the putting surface beside the ball. If the ball is between the cup and the bottom of the grip, the putt is within gimmie distance. Remember you can choose to putt the ball instead of taking the gimmie. A gimmie still counts as a stroke.
- When allowing your golf cart to roll down the hill on its own, make sure you have good aim or the following result may occur. Note: this will definitely result in slow play.