Match Play Reminders
Honors
 The player listed first on the score card has the honor on the first hole at the tournament tee markers. After
both players have started their match, the ball farthest from the hole is played first regardless of what part of
the course the balls are located on.

If a player plays when his opponent should have played, there is no penalty, but the opponent may immediately
require the player to cancel the stroke so made and, in correct order, play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot
from which the original ball was last played.

The player that wins the hole takes the honor at the next teeing ground. If a hole has been halved, the player
that had the honor on the previous teeing ground plays first.
Concessions
• A player may concede his opponent’s next stroke at any time, a hole at any time or the match at any time.
Scoring/Score Cards
 Play all 18 holes. For example, if the match is completed after 15 holes, play the remaining three holes as you
would in stroke play. As with all Club tournaments you do not post your score -the Club will post all match
play scores.

If you do not complete a hole or your stroke is conceded a stroke, you must record a stroke(s) for handicap
purposes – this is known as the “most likely score.” The “most likely score” is a judgment that each player must
make based on the player's own game. It consists of the number of strokes already taken plus, in the player's
best judgment, the number of strokes needed to complete the hole from that position more than half the
time. The player must evaluate each situation based on what the player can reasonably expect to score.

Complete the score card, including score totals and the match result. Matches are expressed in how many holes
a player is up with the number of holes remaining. For example, if you are 4 holes up with 3 holes remaining the match is over and the result is expressed as "4 & 3."

BOTH PLAYERS MUST SIGN THE SCORE CARD(S) – DROP SCORE CARD(S) in SAFE.
Match All Square
 If the match is all square after 18 holes - continue play starting at Hole #1 until one player wins a hole. Please let
the pro shop know you need to continue play after 18 holes before going back to Hole #1. Use an Empire Ranch
score card if you play more playoff holes than the official score card can accommodate.
Penalties
 Two-stroke penalties in stroke play are loss of hole penalties in match play.
Doubt as to Procedure; Claims and Disputes
 Review Rule 2-5-Doubt as to Procedure; Disputes and Claims. Unlike stroke play, Rule 3-3 (playing two balls
when in doubt as to the Rules) does not apply to match play.

If you cannot resolve a rules issue, call Craig at 916-216-2182. If he is not available, you can make a claim with
the Committee.

Claims must be “timely”: the player must notify opponent before start of next hole or, if last hole, before
leaving the putting green. Claims after leaving the last putting green will be accepted if based on unknown or
wrong information.