Rules, Format & FAQ

What is Gtour?

Gtour is a UK amateur golf tour for social and serious golfers alike brought to you by Golfscoretracker and Strokeindex Ltd.

 

Where will Gtour take part?

Please see the 2011 Race to Cyprus events page for a full list of events.

 

What is the qualifying competition format?

All Gtour qualifying rounds are Stableford comps played off 3/4 handicaps (please see details on handicaps below) Points are awarded based on your finishing position (please see details on order of merit below). After the final qualfying event in October 2011 the top 25 places (with 3 rounds completed) from the two Mens tiers and the top 1 from the two Womens tiers on the Race to Cyprus Order of Merit (52 players in total) will be invited to take part in the UK semi final at De Vere Belton Woods in November 2011.

 

What are the Handicap tiers

All of the qualifying events will be split into 2 categories and 2 tiers, based on full playing handicaps <15 (eagle) and 15+ (birdie). Prizes will be awarded to the top players in each of the mens tiers and the top placed female golfer*. Golfers who improve sufficiently during the season may find that at the end of the season they are not in the same category in which they began the tournament or vice versa.

Mens Eagle Tier 0-14 Hcp

Womens Eagle tier 0-14 Hcp

Mens Birdie Tier 15 - 28 Hcp

Womens Birdie Tier 15 - 36 Hcp

*Must be within 4 stapleford points of the overall winner

** If no female golfers take part within the Eagle tier then the top 2 places from the Womens Birdie Tier will qualify for the UK Semi Final.

 

What is the UK Semi Final format?

The UK semi Final at De Vere Belton Woods in November 2011 will be 2 stableford competitions played over 2 days and played off full handicaps. All players will start with zero points at the beginning of the competition and points will be awarded after each of the 2 rounds as per the Order of Merit system (please see below).This will be a mixed stableford competition and there will not be any handicap tiers in operation at the Uk semi Final.

We will be using the congu rules for mixed stableford as can be found here

The top 10 places after the 2 rounds will be invited to attend the Gtour grand final at Aphrodite Hills Resort Cyprus in January 2012.

 

What is the Gtour Grand Final format?

The format for the Gtour Grand Final is as per the format for the UK semi Final, please see above.

 

How do I enter / book?

Firstly you will need a Golfscoretracker account. These accounts are provided FREE and can be obtained through several of the UK,s online golf community portals. Once you have this account you will be able to log in and access the Gtour site and register for events. If you do not already have a golfscoretracker account one will be created during the sign up process.

 

I have friends and family that play golf, can they take part?

Yes of course just ask them to register for their own account making them eligible to take part.

 

Do I need an official club handicap?

No, you will not need an official club handicap. As long as you have entered three rounds into your Golfscoretracker account your handicap will be calculated for you.

 

Can I use my official club handicap?

Yes, assuming you can provide valid proof of your club handicap. Failure to provide a Hcp certificate on the day will mean that you will play off scratch (zero) on the day. Unfortunately adjustments cannot be made after the event so we urge you to rember to bring your certificate with you.

 

I have a Club hcp and a Golfscoretracker hcp, which one should I use?

Whichever is the lowest. It is the responsibility for all golfscoretracker members to keep their accounts up to date with all their rounds of golf and to maintain a true playing handicap (your golfscoretracker account can be updated at anytime to reflect your latest club handicap, we reserve the right to check any manual adjustments at any time and may require proof of your new club handicap as evidence). Should a players club handicap dip below the figure recorded on your golfscoretracker account it is the playesr responsibility to bring this to the attention of the Gtour staff before the round commences. Failure to do so, will if discovered result in the loss of order of merit points obtained during that round and a yellow card being issued to the player. Any further transgressions of the Gtour rules during the 2011 season will result in a red card and disqualification from the Race to Cyprus

 

How good do I need to be?

Gtour is aimed at amateur golfers and as such is available to any players that can demonstrate the ability to play within the maximum allowable handicap of 28 or 36 for ladies and are aware of the basic rules and etiquette when playing golf.

Due to the quality of the courses and for the enjoyment of others, Gtour is not a tournament for the beginner golfer or any player who does not understand the rules or correct golf manners when playing.

 

Are there any specific rules for speed of play?

Yes, in order to provide an enjoyable event for everybody we have to strictly manage the speed of play. We do not tolerate slow play!!

We will enforce this policy and penalize any group that is "out of position". The following is the guidelines for "out of position" and penalties:

1. Any group is considered "out of position" if one of the following occurs:

 

  •      Arrive at the 1st tee later than 10 mins before your alloted time for the 1st tee

  •      Exceed the allotted time to play

 

  •      Reach the teeing ground on a par 3 and the group in front has already tee'd off the following hole.

 

  •      Reach the teeing ground on a par 4 and the group in front has already vacated the green.

  •      Reach the teeing ground on a par 5 and the group in front is already on the green.


2. The group in question will be given a warning ONE TIME!


3. If the group has been warned and is still "out of position", each member of the group will receive a 2 stroke penalty.


4. Repeat offenders will be disqualified for the sake of all other players.

 

Tips for maintaining pace of play

1.Hit a provisional ball if the ball goes in an area that may be out of bounds or lost. Carry additional clubs when searching for a lost ball. 2.When going to your ball to hit your next shot, carry one more and one less club with you. 3.Play "Ready Golf". Ready Golf is defined by playing your shot before helping other players search for a possible lost ball. 4.The Gtour is a stapleford comp played of 3/4 handicaps, if on any hole you are unaible to score then please pick up your ball.

 

How many rounds do I need play?

You are invited to take part in as many or as few events as you please. The Race to Cyprus Order of merit award will be based on each players best three rounds over the year so anybody who takes part in three or more events will be eligible. It is not however compulsory to play three events if you just want to take part in one or two events over the year and enjoy the company and fellowship of other golfers you are more than welcome.

 

How does the order of merit work?

The points system for the 2010 Order of Merit will use a weighted system based on finishing position and attendess.

Places 1 - 10

((100 - (position x 5))  x (attendees + 20)

Places 11+

((60 - (position))  x (attendees + 20)

Places 60+

no points

 

Can I use a range finder device?

Yes we will allow Rangefinders and other Electronic Distance Measuring Devices such as SkyCaddie or mobile phone apps, as long as the phone is not used on the course for making or receiving calls and it does not cause slow play.  Note that such devices can only measure yardage (not wind speed or green slope gradient).


Do you play off Whites or Yellows?

Currently all events on the Gtour are played off the Yellow tees, this is for 2 reasons. Firstly the Gtour participants come from the entire handicap range and secondly beacuse the Gtour attracts a lot of players per event, all of which would like to get around 18 holes in a reasonable time.


Can I bring a Caddie?

Yes, as long as caddies respects all of the other items highlighted on this page and does not disrespect or distract  other golfers. Please contact us seperately if you would like refreshments inc for your caddie.


What is golfscoretracker?

Golfscoretracker host and manage online golf communities and essential golf services for customers worldwide, putting them in contact with other golfers. The golf services provided by Golfscoretracker includes; Online golf handicaps and score tracking, Golf group & society management for group organisers and much more.

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