PLAYOFF PROCEDURES
The following describes the playoff procedures most frequently used by the Northern California
Golf Association. Whichever method is selected for a particular event must be published prior
to the competition. The starter reminds all contestants of the method selected.
A. Match Play:
2. Handicap competitions.
Four-Ball competitions.
Hole-by-hole playoff until one Hole-by-hole playoffs are also In Four-Ball competitions,
side wins a hole. The playoff
the preferred method in
handicaps have already been
shall start on the hole where
handicap competitions.
applied in the better ball
the match began.
However, in the qualifiers, it is score for the side and there is
In a handicap match, strokes
frequently impossible to get
no need to further consider
shall be allowed as in the
back on the golf course in
them in determining the
prescribed round. Currently,
order to conduct the playoff.
winner(s).
we use this method only
In these situations, the NCGA
during the NCGA Team Match decides ties by using the
C. Zone Competitions:
Competition.
USGA method of matching
These competitions are
scorecards, described in
unique to the NCGA, and ties
B. Stroke Play:
Appendix I, USGA Rules of
are decided by the same
1. Scratch Competitions.
Golf and on the following
method as the championship
Hole-by-hole playoffs in all
page.
itself. That is the two best
scratch competitions,
The winner shall be
balls of the four players
including qualifying play for
determined on the basis of
determined in a hole-by-hole
CGA and USGA events.
the best score for the last
playoff. Playoffs are only held
nine holes. If the tie still
when there is a tie for first or
EXAMPLE (1) Five players tie
exists, the winner shall be
second place, and individual
for the last two qualifying
determined on the basis of
handicap strokes are allowed
spots. Player A records a
the last six holes; the last
as they fall on the score card.
birdie on the first hole; he
three holes; and finally the
NOTE: If a woman is one of
qualifies. Players B, C and D
18th hole. If a tie still exists,
the competitors involved in
continue play. Player E
the tie shall be decided by lot. the playoff, her strokes are
records a bogey; he is
Because this is a handicap
applied to the women’s
eliminated.
competition, one-half, onehandicap stroke allocation.
third, one-sixth or oneEXAMPLE (2) If only one spot
eighteenth of the handicap
was available, Player A wins;
should be deducted.
the others are eliminated.
NOTE: The definition of the
last nine is always 10 thru 18
no matter which nine is
played first or if the format is
a shotgun.
Northern California Golf Association
Championships Manual
Page 1
Handicap Card-off Application Table for Individual Net Events
Course Handicap
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Northern California Golf Association
9-Holes
(1/2 CH)
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
8
8
9
9
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
15
15
16
16
17
17
18
18
19
19
20
6-Holes
(1/3 CH)
0
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
5
6
6
6
7
7
7
8
8
8
9
9
9
10
10
10
11
11
11
12
12
12
13
13
3-Holes
(1/6 CH)
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
7
Championships Manual
Last Hole
(1/18 CH)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Page 2