About Canongate Golf League

Welcome to the Canongate Golf League. The Canongate Golf League provides a newopportunity for Canongate members to conveniently compete against other Canongate members. At only $19 per season for an individual ($29 early bird registration) or $38 per season as a two person team ($58 early bird registration), the Canongate Golf League allows you to:

Play golf in a convenient format- you and your opponent compete in a match play format on 9 or 18 holes at the time and Canongate golf course of your choice
Maximize the value of your membership- play more rounds at more Canongate golf courses and meet other Canongate Members!
Fair Competition- The CGL will flight and bracket all participants based on USGA handicap and geographic location.  You must have a USGA handicap to play as all scores entered will be net scores.
Variety- play as an individual, as a team or both at any Canongate golf course!
Compete to win!- play well during regular season matches and qualify for the End of Season tournament where there will be great prizes

If at any time you have a question regarding any Canongate Golf League policy or rule, you may contact info@canongategolfleague.com
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The Canongate Golf League is a professionally managed golf league.  We not only create your schedule but we help you manage your schedule.  If you have any specific scheduling needs, feel free to contact our CGL Customer Support Center at info@canongategolfleague.com.  To provide you with the most pleasurable experience possible, it is of utmost importance that every member completes and enters the results of each scheduled match by his/her schedule due dates.  On-time completion of matches is critical to providing an enjoyable experience for all CGL members.  Online scoring entry is the foundation behind the excitement of the Player Profile, Statistics Leaderboard and Results Pages.  Completing your match on time and entering your match scores as soon as possible makes the CGL fun and competitive for all!  Players who consistently no show on matches or consistently do not complete matches without contacting the CGL Customer Support Center will be suspended from league play.

Registration

Upon registration for the Canongate Golf League, players (or teams) will be emailed a password. With a CGL login/password combination, members will be able to access their unique Player Profile Page. For the CGL team format, both players will receive the same login for their team’s Player Profile Page. The Player Profile Page will serve as the hub of the CGL experience and will include information such as: name, preferred golf course, picture, opponent contact information, upcoming schedule, current season results, links to enter scores, current and historical statistical results. The Canongate Golf League will flight and bracket all players within (1) week of a season’s start date. Once Canongate Golf League has flighted and bracketed the league each Player Profile Page will be automatically updated with their flight, bracket and schedule. 

View How It Works or FAQ page to see season dates.

Scheduling

Each Canongate Golf League season is (10) weeks long. Each member’s schedule will be located on their Player Profile Page along with start and end dates for each scheduled match. Members have two weeks in which to complete each of their (5) scheduled matches. However, if members want to play their matches ahead of schedule and their opponents agree to it, they are welcome to do so. To maintain privacy, only the member and his or her opponents will be able to view contact information. Members will be provided with their opponents email and primary phone number at a minimum and possibly a secondary phone number.  An effort must be made by both members to contact each other (5) days prior to the start date of each match. This way all matches can be scheduled in advance without worrying about tee time availability and an agreeable time for both members to play. 

To ensure tee time availability, members must schedule all matches at least (5) days in advance of their match at the agreed upon golf course. If there is a dispute about where to play the match, the designated home course player has the final say. The CGL asks its members to be flexible with course scheduling and mindful of their opponents’ needs and limitations.   

Lastly, members have the choice of playing a 9 or 18 hole match. If there is a dispute about the number of holes to play, players must play 9 holes.  This is to ensure that all CGL members are given the flexibility of time needed to complete all matches.  It is critical for all members to complete all matches to ensure a fair and accurate league.  It is unfair to all members if matches are not completed. 

Make-up week

Members are allowed a one week extension to complete each match. Because of the unpredictability of weather and unforeseen circumstances, members are given a one week grace period to complete each match.  However, this week is not designed for a player who has not made an effort to contact or get back to their opponent to play a match. All scores must be submitted by the end of the make-up week or else both players will be defaulted. If a default occurs, then neither player (team) receives any points and their Points per Hole average will be unaffected.

Handicap Rules and Posting Scores

To ensure all matches are fair and equal for all players, course handicaps will be used for each match. Prior to beginning your match, look up each player's handicap index in the GHIN system at your Canongate Golf Course of choice. Once each index is obtained, view the course chart located in the pro shop and calculate each player's course handicap based on the tees that the match will be played.  Using indexes to determine course handicaps will equalize a match between players who usually play from different tees.  Refer to the USGA for further explanation:  USGA Competing from Different Tees.  Please consult the local course pro if you have questions regarding the determination of each player's course handicap.  The player with the lowest USGA handicap will be used as the benchmark. From here subtract the lowest handicap from the other three member's handicap to determine how many shots will be awarded to the disadvantaged players. All shots must be distributed based on the toughest handicap holes.  Scores should be entered online using net score.   See chart below for an example.  See "How it Works" and select "team" to view an example for team competition.

Another measure that the Canongate Golf League has introduced to ensure fairness is mandatory GHIN score posting for all CGL matches.  All CGL league play will follow USGA handicapping rules which address the recording of scores for incomplete holes related to match play.    The USGA states maximum allowable scores that can be taken on each hole.  The following link also provides a table illustrating maximum scores by handicap.  USGA Handicapping Rules for Match Play

IIf it is found that a member has not entered a match result in the GHIN system, the following penalties will be enforced by the League:  

• 1st Offense- Receive a 2 stroke penalty during the next match played.  A bracket wide email will be sent out notifying members of the infraction.   
• 2nd Offense- If they commit a second offense, then they will be ineligible for the End of Season Tournament and the prize for Bracket Winner.  

CGL members should agree upon scores at the completion of a match.  To avoid accidentally violating the rule members should IMMEDIATELY enter the scores into the GHIN system at the pro shop where the match was played.  Regular season matches are not considered tournament scores.  The handicap rules does not apply to the scratch division since handicaps are not used for matches.

The USGA updates handicap indexes every two weeks in Georgia (monthly in Texas).  The Canongate Golf League office will conduct random audits to maintain the integrity of the league.   Whether we find a violation through an audit or we are notified, the CGL Team will notify all players within a bracket of an infraction.

Reporting Scores

It is the “home course” member’s responsibility to report scores net of strokes received online within the published time period. Late scoring entries will not be accepted.  Both players will receive 0 points if match results are not reported by the deadline date.  If this is a problem, make sure to contact the away player and have them enter the scores.  It is imperative that all matches and scores are entered by their deadline date to ensure the league is operating at maximum efficiency for all the members.  The Player Profile, Statistics Leaderboard and Flight Standings pages will not be nearly as exciting and entertaining if matches and scores are reported late! Thus, the CGL does not allow late scoring entries unless cleared by the league office first.
 
For any escalated scoring entry issues, please contact the CGL Customer Support Center at info@canongategolfleague.com.  

Can’t Contact Opponent

Both players need to make an effort to contact each other (5) days prior to the match’s start date.  If an opponent does not respond to a member’s attempts to contact, then the member can “forfeit” his or her opponent.  To enforce a forfeit, a member must attempt to contact an opponent at least 3 times at all phone numbers and email addresses provided. Members must give their opponents (7) days past the start date of the match to respond before enforcing a forfeiture.

For more details, see Forfeits.

Flights

The CGL will flight all members within 1 week of each season’s start date. A member’s flight will be determined by his or her sex and official USGA handicap.  Team flights will be based on the team’s cumulative handicap.  It is critical to the enjoyment of all members to be as truthful as possible when entering your USGA handicap when you register for the CGL, because it will be verified and the most current handicap will be used at the time of each CGL match. 

Brackets

The CGL will bracket all members within 1 week of each season’s start date. All brackets will consist of either 4 or 6 members. All members within each bracket will play each other once during the regular season unless it is a 4 person bracket. The brackets will be organized by a few factors. A member’s residential address will be the number 1 factor that drives which bracket he or she is placed in. This is to ensure that all matches can be played close to home and cuts back on commute time to and from the course.  When many members in one flight live near each other, the CGL will use the preferred course chosen to further determine a flight’s brackets.
 
Withdrawn Players

If for some reason a player has withdrawn from Canongate Golf League during the season, then the remainder of their matches will result in forfeits and all remaining players on their schedule will be rewarded 10 points. No score will be submitted, leaving their overall Points per Hole average and statistics unaffected.

Course Selection

All matches must be played on Canongate golf courses. Both players should be able to come to a mutually agreed upon Canongate golf course to play. However, if this is not possible, then the designated home course player has the final say. The CGL asks its members to be flexible with course scheduling and mindful of their opponents’ needs and limitations.
   
Scoring and Scoring Entry 

All CGL matches are match play. All rules and penalties will be in accordance with the USGA rules of golf.  If there is a question or discrepancy, the CGL asks its members to play two balls (Rule 3-3) and ask the course pro for a ruling at the completion of the round. The home player is responsible for keeping score during the round on the course scorecard.  The CGL advises each member to review each hole and sign the scorecard at the completion of a round to ensure the utmost accuracy. Once a scorecard is reviewed and signed, the home player must enter the score online before the scoring entry deadline. The CGL allows players to pick up during holes that they are conceding to ensure a reasonable pace of play.  If a hole is conceded then mark the scorecard with an ‘x’ for the player who concedes the hole.  An ‘x’ will be considered a 9 for scoring purposes. Total score does not affect a player’s standing and is meant for informational purposes only.  Enter scores online net of strokes received. See chart below for an example.

Incomplete Matches

The Canongate Golf League with its 2 weeks allotment per match, make-up week, and 9 hole option strives to provide every opportunity possible to ensure on-time completion of its members’ matches. On-time completion and on-time scoring entry of matches is critical to providing an enjoyable experience for all CGL members. With that said, the CGL understands that there are sometimes extenuating circumstances that are out of its members’ control. Please be mindful of the CGL policy regarding incomplete matches due to extenuating circumstances such as bad weather.
   
Incomplete Match Policy- If players have completed more than 9 holes but less than 18, players must take their 9 hole result and enter scores as a 9 hole match. If less than 9 holes are completed, players must reschedule their match or finish at a later time. 

Forfeits

There are a number of situations that can cause a forfeiture of a CGL match.  If a member is unable to contact an opponent after repeated attempts and after (7) days past the start date have elapsed without response, he or she may forfeit an opponent. See Can’t Contact Opponent for more details. 

By forfeiting your opponent you will receive 10 points and your forfeited opponent will receive 0. Neither member’s Points per Hole average or statistics will be effected by a forfeiture. 

Opponent Does Not Show Up

If an opponent arrives at a scheduled match more than (30) minutes late without contacting his or her opponent, See Forfeits for more details.

If the “no show” calls and wishes to make up the match, then it is up to member who has shown up discretion.  The match can be rescheduled and played if the player chooses not to forfeit their opponent.

Inclement Weather

Please review the Incomplete Match Policy for rules regarding inclement weather. The CGL reserves the right to extend due dates of any of the 5 matches during a season should weather greatly affect the entire league.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Golf is a gentleman’s/gentlewomen’s game and we expect all of our members to act accordingly. Please report all acts of such bad behavior i.e. verbal or physical abuse, cheating, etc… to the league office so we can take the appropriate action. If such things go unreported, we are unable to do anything. 

End of Season Tournament

The member that finishes at the top of their bracket by accumulating the most points will qualify for the End of Season tournament.  Members can also qualify for the End of Season tournament through quality play resulting in a high Points per Hole average. During the season, the CGL will announce the number of Points per Hole qualifiers for each flight.

The End of Season tournaments will be held at Canongate Golf Courses which will be determined during the season.  The tournament is a one day stroke play event that is held on the weekend after a season's completion.  Prizes for the top 3 finishers in each flight will be awarded.

Disputes and Protests

In the event of a dispute or protest, please contact the Canongate Golf League Customer Service Center by sending an email to info@canongategolfleague.com.  Describe your situation if full and we will reply back to you with a suggested solution.

Specific Rules for Team Format

All team format matches are net best ball between two teams consisting of two players each. All four players must play the match. No substitutions are allowed and a match cannot be played between one player of one team versus both players of the other team.  All scores should be entered into the electronic scorecard as the best net score for each team. If you change partners from season to season, you will receive a new team Player Profile Page for each combination of partners. 

Your Commitment to Canongate Golf League

All players are expected to uphold their commitment to Canongate Golf League and the other players in their bracket by completing all of their scheduled matches and entering their completed scores in a timely manner into the CGL website.  We treat our league play seriously and expect the same from our members. 

Unforeseen things happen such as injuries and job transfers happen and the Canongate Golf League understands such circumstances, and will deal with them accordingly. 
Thank you for your commitment to the Canongate Golf League!  We hope you enjoy your experience!  Feel free to provide feedback, advice, or comments to us by sending an email to info@canongategolfleague.com.