League Rules 2023

Teams and Players

Teams must comprise of players who have an active membership at that club. If a player suspends or resigns their membership, they are not eligible to compete. If a player is a member of 2 clubs that participate in the MSWL, they must nominate a team to play for and must only play for the nominated team whilst they hold 2 memberships in a single season. If a player leaves a club during a season and joins another club in the MWSL, they can play for their new club in the league in the same season. Players must have a current status of amateur, professionals are not permitted to compete in the league.

Team Composition and Order

Each team comprises of 7 players.  6 players forming the team where those points count towards the league and 1 reserve match where the point earned will go towards the reserve league.
The six players selected in the main team must play in playing handicap order.  
So a player off 1 for example must play ahead of a player off 2. 
It is permitted to play players of the same handicap in any order the captain wishes. In example, if two players were both off 3, one off 2.5 and one 3.4, they could play in any order as they both had a playing handicap of 3. 
The reserve match should not commence play until both sides are certain that they can field a full team on the night. The rules permit the reserve player to step in to any spot should a player be late or suddenly unavailable to make it (see next menu item for rulings on times). 
Once a reserve match commences (first tee shots played) they cannot be recalled to replace a non arriving competitor.

Match Start Times

Matches can commence from 4:30pm on the day of the match.
Every effort should be made to get to the match prior to 5:30pm.
In the event of a player arriving for the match after 5:45pm but before 6pm. The match can be played with the player arriving late starting the game from the 1st tee 2 down.
Any match where a player is not present by 6pm can be claimed by the opponent and the point for that match will be awarded accordingly. 

NOTE:  The reserve player can take the place of any late arriving player any time up to 6pm. If the reserve does not formally replace the player before 5:45 (hoping or waiting for them to arrive up to 6pm) then they too must start the match 2 down.

Re-Arranging matches

Team captains are all aware that every effort must be made to play all fixtures on the date arranged at the start of the season.
Teams who have key players unavailable or missing does not constitute a valid reason for a postponement and this is prohibited.
Rearrangements must be referred to the league secretary who would only allow such a request if there were mitigating circumstances. Such as the course being unavailable or unplayable on the night.
If a captain cannot field a full side they can field a team containing just 3 players. If a captain cannot field a full team they must let the opposing captain know as soon as possible.
If the minimum requirement of 3 players cannot be fielded then the match is forfeited and the 6 games will be a walkover victory to the opposing team and a match will be a 6v0 win.  The team unable to field a side will also recieve a penalty of -4 points.

League Setup for 2023

The divisions for 2023 will be 7 teams in division 1 and 5 teams in division 2. 
At the end of the season:

• 2 teams will be religated from division 1 to division 2
• 1 team will be promoted from division 2 to division 1

League Setup for 2024

If any existing team leaves for the 2024 season, then a meeting will be held with 1 representitive from each participating club to establish the setup going forward.
If 1 extra team joins for the 2024 season, then division 1 will have 6 teams and division 2 will have 7 teams.
If 2 extra teams join for the 2024 season, then 2 teams will be promoted from division 2 to division 1 and the new teams would join division 2.

Decisions, alterations and exceptions

Any disputes or requests will be reviewed by the league secretary. If a suitable agreement cannot be achieved with the parties involved, a committee will be formed comprising of 1 representative from each participating club to understand the situation and agree a majority decision.

Last revision 11/05/2023