Some tournaments (e.g. Poinsettia Cup and Club Championship) allow ties to be decided by play-off. However, ties in most tournaments will be decided by matching scorecards as provided in Section 9-5. of the USGA Handicap Manual and Appendix I Section C-10(c) of the USGA Rules of Golf as summarized below.

The tie is broken on the basis of the best score for the last nine holes (holes 10-18). If the tying players have the same score for the last nine, determine the winner on the basis of the last six, the last three, and finally the 18th hole. If this still results in a tie, the winner will be determined by a coin toss.

In individual stroke play when handicaps are used, one-half of the course handicaps will be deducted from the last nine, one-third from the last six, one-sixth from the last three, etc. Fractions of one-half stroke or more should count as a full stroke; any lesser fractions should be disregarded. In formats where strokes are allocated hole by hole (e.g. four-ball and Stableford competitions), handicap strokes will be applied as they were assigned for the competition.

ERMGC Tournament Policies

Participants in ERMGC tournaments must read the following information and are responsible for knowing the rules and regulations for participation in ERMGC events.

Conditions of Play

The Encinitas Ranch Men’s Golf Club (ERMGC) reserves the right to decline or withdraw any entry at any time. Any person whose entry is accepted shall be subject to the rules and conditions of play set forth by the ERMGC. The reason for rejection of entry may include, but is not limited to, unbecoming conduct. By entering an ERMGC-administered event, all participants agree that there are certain risks inherent in the game of golf and accept personal and sole liability for all such risks, including, but not limited to, any health-related risks.
Eligibility for ERMGC Events: All players must be members of the ERMGC. Players must also meet index and any other tournament requirements.
Players without an established handicap and zero posted scores (on GHIN system) can participate in the Championship Flight. Players without an established handicap and more than 2 rounds of golf will be assigned a “temporary” handicap by the ERMGC Handicap Chair to allow participation in tournaments.
It is the player’s responsibility to ensure that all eligibility requirements are met. ERMGC will attempt to notify players failing to meet any eligibility requirements prior to the close of entry. Nevertheless, any player failing to meet any one of the eligibility standards will not be allowed to participate in the tournament. Players with questions regarding their eligibility status should contact the ERMGC Tournament Char prior to the entry deadline date.

Online Event Registration

All tournament and event participants must register online at ERMGC.org on the Tournaments page. The tournaments page will have the schedule and deadline registration for all ERMGC tournaments for the given year.
When registering online for an ERMGC tournament participants will register using their GHIN number and their name. When registering for tournaments online, all payments must be made by credit card. Entry fees cover various costs such as tournament entry fees, meal costs and raffle prizes. The entry fees do not cover green fees for the event. Any costs not covered by the entry fee will be the responsibility of the player at the day of the tournament.
ERMGC reserves the right to refuse entries at any time.
At the time of registration players have the ability to submit “special requests” such as pairing partners and tee time preferences. Even though there is the ability to submit “special request” it does not mean that the requests will be honored. The tournament chair will try to honor the “special request” but it does not mean that all “special requests” will be honored.
Pairings and Tee times will be posted on ermgc.org on the tournaments tab on the Thursday prior to the tournament.

Alternates/Waiting List Policy

ERMGC tournaments will have alternates/waiting lists. You will be notified by the tournament chair if you are an alternate for a tournament.

Handicapping Net Events

In net events, the current index of the 1st of the month of that event shall be used during each phase of the competition.

Handicap Adjustments

The ERMGC reserves the right to adjust a player’s handicap prior to or during any net competition, based upon previous performances in ERMGC events. If a player shoots significantly better than their handicap index, that player’s course handicap may be subject to reduction in future ERMGC net events. If the ERMGC has to reduce the same player a second time, that player may be refused future entry to ERMGC events. When a player’s course handicap is reduced, the player will be notified in writing or by phone.

Rules of Golf

The USGA Rules of Golf; the ERMGC Hard Card (Conditions of Competition and Local Rules) and the Local Rules Addendum (distributed at each tournament) will govern play during all phases of the competition.

Official Time

The clock at the tee (1st) where a player begins their stipulated round is the official time of starting. Starters will page players in advance of their starting time. Players should report to the tee five to seven minutes prior to their starting time to receive information from the starter.

Electronic Measuring Devices

ERMGC adopts the local rule allowing the use of electronic distance-measuring devices (EMDs) during ERMGC events. A player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. However, if during a stipulated round a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect their play (e.g., gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, and the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used. Additionally, the distance between any objects, including golf balls, is considered to be a matter of public information and therefore not is advice. Such information may be shared without restriction. Players may also share distance-measuring devices and may, due to the revision of Decision 8-1/2, share any measured yardage with another player.

Carts

For ERMGC events golf carts are permitted in all phases of competition, subject to limitations imposed by the golf course. Handcarts are also allowed.

Posting Tournament Scores

All scores will be posted by the players after the completion of the round. The scores are to be posted on GHIN posting computer or online. Please refer to the events rules sheet to see if the score should be posted as a “T” scores.

ERMGC Local Rules & Hard Card

Conditions of Competition and Local Rules

Play is governed by the most current USGA Rules of Golf; the following local rules are subject to amendments by the SCGA rules committee, and the Local Rules Addendum distributed at each site. The complete text of the rules and Appendix I may be found in the current Rules of Golf.
Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a local rule or condition is loss of hole in match play and two strokes in stroke play.

Conditions of Competition

List of Conforming Golf Balls: Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
List of Conforming Driver Heads: Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
Time of Starting: Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
Pace of Play: The ERMGC Pace of Play policy can be found at ermgc.org.
Scorecards: A player is deemed to have returned their scorecard once they have left the “scoring area.” The “scoring area” is defined by ERMGC as the Encinitas Ranch Golf Course clubhouse.
Close of Competition: A competition is deemed to have closed when the result has been officially announced or, in stroke play qualifying followed by match play, when the player has teed off in their first match.

Local Rules

Distance-Measuring Devices: The use of distance-measuring devices is permitted in all SCGA/CGA competitions.
Embedded Ball through the Green: Local rule as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
Out of Bounds: A ball that crosses a public road defined as out of bounds and comes to rest beyond that road is out of bounds, even though it may lie on another part of the course (Decision 27/20).
Water and Lateral Water Hazard Stakes and Lines: When a water hazard or a lateral water hazard is defined on only one side, it is deemed to extend to infinity. When a water hazard or lateral water hazard is bounded by out of bounds, the hazard margin extends to and coincides with the out-of-bounds line.
Ground Under Repair: Defined by white lines. French drains are deemed to be ground under repair.
White-Lined Areas Tying into Artificially Surfaced Roads and Paths: Such areas have the same status as the roads and paths, that of obstructions.
Sod Seams: The local rule for seams of cut turf as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
Wood Chips and Mulch: Such ground coverings are loose impediments, unless otherwise provided for in the Local Rules Addendum distributed at the site.
Integral Parts of the Course: Cables, rods, wires or wrappings when closely attached to trees; liners in bunkers and artificial walls and pilings when located in hazards, unless otherwise provided for in the Local Rules Addendum.
Power Lines: If a ball strikes an elevated power line, the stroke is canceled and the player must play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was played, in accordance with Rule 20-5. See the Local Rules Addendum for locations of applicable power lines.
Edging Grooves: If a ball lies on an edging groove around a putting green, the player may, without penalty, lift the ball, clean it and place it out of the groove in the nearest position to where it lay, whether on or off the putting green, whichever is not nearer the hole.

ERMGC Policies

Dress Attire and Footwear: Players must adhere to the dress code and footwear requirements of the Encinitas Ranch Golf Course.
Code of Conduct: This policy applies to all ERMGC-administered competitions.
By submitting an entry for any ERMGC-administered competition, the player understands that their participation is at the sole discretion of the ERMGC. A player may be removed from any competition at the discretion of the ERMGC staff or the rules and competitions committee at any time before or during the competition. Incidents of unbecoming conduct or actions deemed to be detrimental to the image of the ERMGC or the spirit of the game are grounds for such removal and suspension from future ERMGC-administered competitions. These include, but are not limited to the following:
• Willful damage of the golf course or golf course property
• Club throwing or unnecessary club tossing
• Offensive or unbecoming language
• Public criticism of the golf course or verbal abuse of SCGA staff, officials, volunteers, host club staff or other players
• Potential endangerment of others
• Conduct deemed unbecoming

Withdrawal Policy

Prior to the Start of a Competition: To withdraw for any reason prior to the start of an ERMGC competition, a player must notify the ERMGC tournament chair at ermgctourneys@gmail.com or by phone. If the notice of withdrawal is submitted prior to the tee times being posted on ermgc.org (Thursday before the tournament), then the player is eligible for a refund of the tournament fee. If the withdrawal notice is submitted after the tee times being posted the player will not be eligible for a refund to the tournament fee. If a player does not show up to the tournament he will be penalized by not being allowed to participate in the next scheduled event.
During An ERMGC Competition: All players are expected to complete the competition they start. Acceptable reasons for withdrawal during a competition are physical injury, illness or an emergency. Poor play is not an acceptable reason for withdrawal. A player who withdraws without an acceptable reason or without notifying ERMGC personnel will be subject to suspension from future ERMGC competitions. If a player is aware of a possibility of withdrawal (e.g., injury), they should notify the ERMGC as soon as possible and before pairings are announced for the next day. All players who start a round must return a scorecard personally to the scoring area, even if they are officially withdrawing. Players who do not follow this policy will be subject to suspension from future ERMGC competitions. Players who withdraw also must sign and attest that the hole-by-hole scores they were keeping on their fellow-competitor’s scorecard are correct and return that card to the fellow competitor or another marker in the group.

Inclement Weather Policy

ERMGC players should be prepared to play through rainy conditions. The ERMGC will only suspend play if there is danger from lightning, if the course becomes unplayable or if there are extreme weather conditions (such as hail, severe rainstorm, etc.). The ERMGC does not issue refunds for rounds cancelled due to rain. Bottom line: if the course is open for play, the tournament will be held as scheduled.

Pace of Play Policy

The time par for Encinitas Ranch is 4 hours 20 minutes. To maintain your position on the course, play “ready golf” and be prepared to play when it is your turn. Play a provisional ball if your ball may be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds (rule 272).
Your group will be considered out of position if you are: 1) behind the pace required to finish in 4 hours 20 minutes, and 2) there is a gap between you and the group ahead.
A Player’s Assistant or an official designated by the ERMGC will provide a warning if you are out of position, and will notify the pro shop that your group has been asked to close the gap. One of the PGA professionals on duty will be sent out to monitor your pace of play. If your pace does not improve, the Professional may require your group to discontinue your play of a hole, or skip a hole, and move to the next tee.
In this situation, all players in the group must record the gross score that would result in a NET BOGEY on the hole not completed. Any group affected by this pace of play scoring adjustment must inform the official scorer of the circumstances on completion of the round.

The integrity of the handicap system is based on the accuracy of the information provided by the members. Not only is each member responsible for reporting scores for every round played under the rules of golf, each member must ensure that the score reported is accurate and timely.

Reviews of the scorecards from the monthly tournaments and the Wednesday sweeps have exposed numerous reporting errors. These include failure to post, failure to adjust, and simple addition errors. All of these errors affect the accuracy of each member's handicap and can provide members with unfair advantages or disadvantages.

In the past, we have either corrected gross errors or let other errors pass. In discussions, the board has decided to implement the following enforcement policy:

Any member who fails to post a round or posts a score that is more than 1 stroke from the proper score will be assessed a penalty round.

The handicap committee will review all scorecards and participant sheets from each Wednesday and monthly competition. Three days after the competition, the scores posted (on the local computer and on the Web) will be compared with the scores from the scorecards. If the score posted does not agree with the scorecard (within one stroke), a penalty round will be assessed. Note this will be enforced even if the score entered is lower than actually achieved.

The penalty round posted will be the equivalent of the lowest score posted from the player's current scoring record. This round will be marked with a "P" and will behave as if it were an actual score entered on the date the penalty is assessed.

Although addition errors seem to be the most common problem, failure to adjust seems to be a consistent problem. The adjustment (known as Equitable Stroke Control or ESC) limits the score a player may use for posting purposes on any hole. For players with a course handicap of 9 or less, the highest score allowed on any hole is double bogey. For players with a course handicap of 10 to 19, the highest score is 7, for Handicap 20-29, the highest score is 8. For handicap 30-39, the highest score is 9 and for handicaps of 40 or more, the highest allowed score is 10.

Please note: the "course handicap" is not the same as a player's "handicap index." It is the course handicap which determines the ESC adjustments to posted scores. Also, the ESC does not limit the score a player records for a competition. It only limits the score a player may use to post for handicap purposes.