nooQ Golf

Rules & Procedures

Competition Rules

Northumberland Ladies County Golf Association

(REVISED November 2025)

  1. All players entering County Competitions must be members of a club affiliated to NLCGA.
  2. Only players with a current WHS Handicap Index may enter a competition. All players may enter BUT in order to collect a trophy or prize, players must have 3 competition score cards in the last 12 months prior to the NLCGA Competition recorded in their last 20 scores on their WHS record. There is no handicap limit unless stated on the poster e.g. Championship maximum handicap index 19.9.
  3. All players must abide by the Rules of Golf and Handicapping.
  4. In pairs events all players have a responsibility towards fellow competitors and must continue to mark their playing partner’s card until 18 holes have been completed or until such time as both parties are in agreement to abandon play. As long as one pair wish to continue then their card must be marked or arrangements made to find another marker. For individual strokeplay events, the round must be completed unless there is a valid reason. (see Rules of Handicapping 3.2a). In these circumstances the score may be used for handicapping purposes if the criteria in Rules of Handicapping 3.2b are met. If it is determined the player did not complete the round for an invalid reason, the score is not acceptable for handicapping purposes and a penalty score may be added to the player’s record depending on circumstances. (see Rules of Handicapping 7.1b).
  5. All players agree to playing Ready Golf.
  6. Players must qualify from their home club for the Cecil Leitch Challenge Cup. For the Durnell Trophy all players in the team must be members of the same club.
  7. The draws for the County Championship, Spring and Autumn Meetings will be in handicap order. The draw for all other competitions will be open. Play will generally be in 3 balls.
  8. Buggies are permitted in County Competitions for those players holding a County Buggy Permit as set out in the NLCGA Buggy and Transportation Policy.
  9. Any player permitted to use a buggy MUST inform the County Competition Secretary when entering the competition and produce her Buggy Permit when registering on the day of the competition. She must make her own arrangements with the host club.
  10. Competition places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. A waitlist will be opened when a competition is considered fully subscribed.
  11. Entries to ALL competitions should be submitted and entry monies paid via Golf Genius . The player’s name, EG membership number and WHS Handicap Index should be entered. No refund of entry fee will be paid following closure of competition. Any special circumstance that needs to be considered regarding the draw must be emailed tocompetitions.nlcga@yahoo.comno later than the closing date of the competition.
  12. Players may win more than one trophy at a meeting but may only win one voucher; the voucher with the higher value will be presented.
  13. A trophy is held for one year. After the presentation of the trophy at the end of the competition all trophies to be handed to a member of the Executive to be engraved. The trophies will be returned to the winners when engraving is complete. Trophy winners are responsible for returning trophies (in their labelled red bags) to NLCGA , prior to the AGM where it will be presented again and returned in time for the competition the following year.
  14. In the case of a tie for all trophies and prizes the winner shall be decided on a card count back, 9, (18 if 36 hole) 6, 3, 1. If unresolved it shall be decided on the front 9 (18).
  15. Caddies are allowed in the County Championship and in the finals of the Cecil Leitch, and the TR and Norah Percy Finals. They are not allowed in any other competition or Shield Match. If requested by the player, caddies may give advice and may attend the green.
  16. Junior girls are eligible to play in all NLCGA competitions, subject to Rule 1 & 2. County officials shall assess the safeguarding measures required for the junior player and her playing partners in line with our current Children and Young person safeguarding Policy and procedures.
  17. The use of a Distance Measuring Device (DMD) is permitted in County competitions however, players are not permitted to use functions which breach Rule 4.3 and will be required to disable "slope or play-like distance", "wind speed or direction", "providing club recommendations" and "reading elevation changes" prior to participation in a County competition.
  18. All disputes to be referred to the Executive Committee whose decision shall be final.

Shield League, Evening League, TR Percy and Norah PercyCompetition Rules and Score Entry

Shield League Competition Rulescan be found in section 5 of the Bye-Laws.

Evening League Competition Rulescan be found in section 7 of the Bye-Laws.

TR and Norah Percy Competitions Rulescan be found in section 6 of the Bye-Laws.

Submitting Match Results

Match results should be entered on the NLCGA website directly after the match.

The online match report form can be found on the Competitions Menu > Inter Club Matches > Submit Match Report.

The home captain ONLY will submit the form online so therefore all scores will have to be agreed at the venue and both captains will sign home and away forms to acknowledge the scores are agreed.

The away team captain will then be responsible for checking the submitted results on the website within 48 hours of the match.

If there are any discrepancies the 2 captains must try to resolve this between them. The Vice Captain will only be involved if there is an issue that cannot be resolved.

Each Captain will have a paper form almost identical to the online form. The form will have an entry for the email address of both home and away team captains. There will also be a space for each team captain to sign the forms. Captains keep the paper forms until all team matches are completed.

Guidelines & Match Result forms

GUIDELINES ON SHIELD MATCH ARRANGEMENTS

1. These guidelines supplement the County Bye-Laws subsection 5 – Interclub Matches (Shield Matches)

2. A few days before a match the Home Captain should contact her opposite number on the visiting team to confirm arrangements. These include tee-off times, catering, dress code etc. It is usual for the home club to offer some sort of catering/refreshments following the games. How this is organised is totally up to the home club. The home Captain would be advised to let her opposing Captain know the catering plan and timings so that her opposing Captain is able to advise of any team member who is unable to stay, or of any dietary requirements.

When confirming arrangements both Captains should also notify their opposite number if any member of their team will be using a buggy. Any player using a buggy must be eligible to do so in accordance with the County Buggy Policy and provide the appropriate County Buggy permit. (Please refer to the Buggy Policy on the NLCGA website.)

3. If, for any reason beyond your control such as weather, work on the course, use of temporary greens, the full course as detailed on your scorecard is not available on the day, full details of any adjustments should be given to the Captain of the visiting team before commencement of play.

4. If a Club is unable to field a full team, the Captain should advise the opposing Captain of the number of players. This should be done at the earliest possible opportunity as a matter of courtesy to the opposing Club, and certainly before team lists are exchanged. The opposing team will be awarded a walk-over for each match where a player cannot be fielded. Such a walk-over must be at the bottom of the list, except where an emergency occurs at the time of teeing-off or later.

5. Should the visiting club have a non-playing Captain travelling with the team, the Home Captain should try to arrange for a member of the Home Club to play a few holes with her on the day. Not only is this courteous, but it can prove beneficial to have them acting as a buffer between the last team players and other activities on the course. It is advisable to also reserve at least one tee before the start of the first match.

6. County Bye-Law 5-27 states: ‘If a club selects a player under 18 years of age, the Captain of that team shall inform the opposing club three days beforehand that they are fielding an under 18 player. Either club may then decide if additional safeguarding measures are required for the junior player or her opponent, inform the opposing Captain of those measures and organise the necessary arrangements.’

The responsibilities of any such safeguarding person is to observe play and interaction between players at a distance which does not impede either player. The responsibilities do not include coaching or offering advice on club selection, playing conditions, distances or any other advice that may be construed to be coaching the player.

ALL TEAM CAPTAINS – RETAIN THIS INFORMATION SHEET FOR REFERENCE

GUIDELINES ON EVENING LEAGUE MATCH ARRANGEMENTS

1. These guidelines supplement the County Bye-Law subsection 7–Evening League Matches.

2. A few days before a match the Home Captain should contact her opposite number on the visiting team to confirm arrangements. These include tee-off times, dress code etc.When confirming arrangements both Captains should also notify their opposite number if any member of their team will be using a buggy. Any player using a buggy must be eligible to do so in accordance with the County Buggy Policy and provide the appropriate County Buggy permit.

(Please refer to the Buggy Policy on the NLCGA website)

3. A team shall consist of 5 players and each match will be played off handicap over 9 holes. These must be the 9 holes for which the Club has been given a Rating/Standard Scratch Score by England Golf. As part of the rating process each Club is supplied with a 9 Hole Handicap Conversion Chart. This chart should be used to produce a nine hole card with stroke indices 1-9. It should also be used to obtain a 9 hole handicap.

4. The handicap allowance will be the difference between the players’ 9 hole handicaps.

5. Any player with a current WHS Handicap Index is eligible to play in the Evening League. Priority should be given to working ladies or those ladies whose handicap index excludes from playing in other team matches.

6. At least 15 minutes before the match, the Captains shall simultaneously exchange lists of players together with evidence of their WHS Handicap Index. If this is not produced that individual match shall be conceded. Players must be paired strictly in order of handicap and this list must not subsequently be altered. Once this is done, it is permissible to change the order of teeing-off times for the pairings.

7. Each match will play nine holes on a “holes up basis”. The winner will be the player who is up at the end of the nine holes. All nine holes must be played. One point will be awarded for a win and half a point for a halved match. The score on the result sheet should be entered as the number of holes up. If there is a tie for first place in the Group after all matches have been played, the winner of the Group will be the team with the highest number of holes up over all matches.

8. The winners of each of the 4 groups will play in one of 2 semi-finals and the winners of those semi-finals will play to determine the overall winner. All 3 finals will be played on a neutral course selected by the Executive Committee. All matches will be played in match play format.

To be eligible to play in the final, each player must have played in at least one Evening League match

9. Start times of matches to be arranged by Captains/Team Managers. All matches to tee off within 45mins of the first start time.

10. If, for any reason beyond your control eg weather, work on the course, use of temporary greens, the full course as detailed on your scorecard is not available on the day, full details of any adjustments should be given to the Captain of the visiting team before commencement of play.

11. If a Club is unable to field a full team, the Captain should advise the opposing Captain of the number of players available. This should be done at the earliest possible opportunity as a matter of courtesy to the opposing Club, and certainly before team ists are exchanged. Available players should play in handicap order. The opposing team will be awarded a walk-over for each match where a player cannot be fielded. Such a walk-over must be at the bottom of the list, except where an emergency occurs at the time of teeing-off or later.

12. County Bye-Law 5-27 state: ‘If a club selects a player under 18 years of age, the Captain of that team shall inform the opposing club three days beforehand that they are fielding an under 18 player. Either club may then decide if additional safeguarding measures are required for the junior player or her opponent, inform the opposing Captain of those measures and organise the necessary arrangements.’

The responsibilities of any such safeguarding person is to observe play and interaction between players at a distance which does not impede either player. The responsibilities do not include coaching or offering advice on club selection, playing conditions, distances or any other advice that may be construed to be coaching the player.

13. If any matches are cancelled due to course closure, the County Vice Captain must be informed of the re-arranged date.

ALL TEAM CAPTAINS-RETAIN THIS INFORMATION SHEET FOR REFERENCE

GUIDELINES ON TR and NORAH PERCY MATCH ARRANGEMENTS

1. These guidelines supplement the County Bye-Law subsection 6–TR and Norah Percy Matches.

2. As early as possible following the submission of the Team Nominations form from clubs, the draw for the TR Percy and Norah Percy competitions will be completed. All participating clubs will then be sent details of their first match–club(home or away) and contact details. It is the responsibility of the home club to initiate the organisation of the match, giving the option of 3 dates. This must be completed before the Fixtures Meeting in October.

3. A few days before a match the Home Captain should contact her opposite number on the visiting team to confirm arrangements. These include tee-off times, dress code etc. It is usual for the home club to offer some sort of catering/refreshments following the games. How this is organised is totally up to the home club. The home Captain would be advised to let her opposing Captain know the catering plan and timings so that her opposing Captain is able to advise of any team member who is unable to stay, or of any dietary requirements. When confirming arrangements both Captains should also notify their opposite number if any member of their team will be using a buggy. Any player using a buggy must be eligible to do so in accordance with the County Buggy Policy and provide the appropriate County Buggy permit.

(Please refer to the Buggy Policy on the NLCGA website)

4. A team shall consist of 5 players. TR Percy teams will consist of players with a WHS HI of between 20.0 and 29.9. It is permissible to field a player with a higher HI of 29.9 but her playing handicap must be based on a HI of 29.9. Norah Percy teams will consist of players with a WHS HI of 30.0 or higher.

5. TR & Norah Percy matches are played in match play format, played off the player’s playing handicap on the day for that course being played.

6. At least 15 minutes before the match, the Captains shall simultaneously exchange lists of players together with evidence of their WHS Handicap Index. If this is not produced that individual match shall be conceded. Players must be paired strictly in order of handicap and this list must not subsequently be altered. Once this is done, it is permissible to change the order of teeing-off times for the pairings.

7. One point will be awarded for a win. Each individual match should be played until a result is attained unless it is clear that the overall match has been won or lost. Only in these circumstances is a halved match allowed.

8. The winning team goes forward to the next round. Once all the results are known, the match details for the next round are emailed by the County Vice Captains with a deadline date by which the matches are to be played. The Vice-Captain is advised the arranged date.

9. The final will be held on a neutral course.

10 If, for any reason beyond your control eg weather, work on the course, use of temporary greens, the full course as detailed on your scorecard is not available on the day, full details of any adjustments should be given to the Captain of the visiting team before commencement of play.

11. If a Club is unable to field a full team, the Captain should advise the opposing Captain of the number of players available. This should be done at the earliest possible opportunity as a matter of courtesy to the opposing Club, and certainly before team lists are exchanged. Available players should play in handicap order. The opposing team will be awarded a walk-over for each match where a player cannot be fielded. Such a walk-over must be at the bottom of the list, except where an emergency occurs at the time of teeing-off or later.

12. County Bye-Law 5-27 states: "If a club selects a player under 18 years of age, the Captain of that team shall inform the opposing club three days beforehand that they are fielding an under 18 player. Either club may then decide if additional safeguarding measures are required for the junior player or her opponent, inform the opposing Captain of those measures and organise the necessary arrangements."

The responsibilities of any such safeguarding person is to observe play and interaction between players at a distance which does not impede either player. The responsibilities do not include coaching or offering advice on club selection, playing conditions, distances or any other advice that may be construed to be coaching the player.

13. If any matches are cancelled due to course closure, the County Vice Captain must be informed of the re-arranged date.

ALL TEAM CAPTAINS – RETAIN THIS INFORMATION SHEET FOR REFERENCE