Summer Swing League Rules

Purpose

The SSL was created with the purpose to maximize summer golf fun by both fostering camaraderie and encouraging friendly competition through group play. The league offers a flexible and fun summer golf format (with cash prizes) that accommodates players of any skill level, schedule constraints, and location while rewarding personal improvement, and importantly, participation.

League Overview

  • Duration: May 1 - August 31, 2025
  • Eligibility: Open to registered league members
  • Cost: Free to join (participants pay their own golf fees each round)
  • Format: Group play required; no solo rounds permitted

Rules

1. Group Play Requirement

Each round of golf (booked on your own) must include at least one other verified league member. Rounds with non-members do not count.

2. Membership Verification

Only participants registered prior to a round qualify for scoring and bonuses.

3. Scoring

The goal is to reward skill (via handicaps), encourage group play (with bonuses), and ensure fairness across 9-hole and 18-hole rounds, even for high scores.

  • Base Points:
    • 9 holes: 75 - (Gross Score - Handicap (9 hole))
    • 18 holes: (150 - (Gross Score - Handicap (18 hole))) / 2
  • Course Difficulty Adjustment: Easy (×0.95), Average (×1.0), Tough (×1.05)
  • Group Bonus: +1 point per verified league member present (including self)

4. Season Score

At the end of the season, each player's best 5 rounds of golf will be used to calculate their final score. If you play less than 5 rounds during the season, a multiplier is applied to your total.

  • 1 round = 20%
  • 2 rounds = 40%
  • 3 rounds = 60%
  • 4 rounds = 80%
  • 5+ rounds = 100%

Prizes

1st Place

$250

2nd Place

$150

3rd Place

$75

Going the Distance Award

$75 for the player with the most rounds played (tie breaker based on total season points)

Handicap Assignment

Your handicap is fixed at the start of the season so everyone plays on equal footing.

  • Priority – Golf App Users: provide the index shown in your preferred app (Golf Pad, 18Birdies, GHIN, The Grint, etc.). Example: "My Golf Pad handicap is 10."
  • No App: send an average 9 hole score from recent rounds. Handicap = Average Score − Par. Example: 48 avg – 36 par = 12 (×2 = 24 for 18 holes).
  • New Players: we'll estimate from a practice round or assign a temporary 25 – 35 until data is available.

Registration

Email Matthew McAlear (or text / DM) with "I'm in!" and your handicap info. You'll be added to the member list, get the live standings sheet and group chat details. Only verified members count toward bonuses.

Scoring Examples

9 hole Example

Player John Cena (HCP 8) shoots 44 (Average course) with 3 league members.

Net = 44 − 8 = 36
Base = 75 − 36 = 39
Bonus = 3
Total = 39  +  3  =  42  pts

18 hole Example

Player Jimmy Buffet (HCP 20) shoots 120 (Tough course ×1.05) with 5 members.

Net = 120 − 20 = 100
Base = (150 − 100)/2 = 25
Adj. = 25 × 1.05 = 26.25
Bonus = 5
Total = 31.25 pts

Season Score Examples

  • 5 + Rounds: Chun Li's best 5 = 42,45,40,43,41 → Total 211 ×100% = 211
  • 3 Rounds: Barry's best 3 = 57.5,50,52 → 159.5 ×60% = 95.7

Special Events

Group outings will be scheduled during the summer. Attendance earns bonus points—details will be announced in advance.

Financial Responsibility

The SSL does not cover any golf related expenses. Players pay their own green/cart fees each round. Playing budget friendly courses is encouraged!

Participation Benefits

Enjoy organized summer golf, connect with friends & family, and compete for cash prizes—all while setting your own tee times and course choices.