League Rules 2025

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 6pm the game will be forfeited.

NOTE:  The reserve player can take the place of any late arriving player any time up to 6pm.

Teams should update the website with their team by 4pm on the day and every effort should be made to provide the team earlier on the match day. A team may change their order within the rules of handicap order up until all 6 matches have teed off.

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.
If a team needs to or would prefer to rearrange a match it is possible to request this with your opposition. The opposition is not obligated to accept the request. If both teams mutually agree to rearrange, the home team must offer a new date that is available at their club at their discression. 
Rearrangements must be referred to the league secretary. The course being unavailable or unplayable on the night due to bad weather is allowed.
Any rearranged matches must be played by a set deadline 10th August 2025.

If a captain cannot field a full side they can field a team containing 1 to 5 players. If a captain cannot field a full team they must let the opposing captain know as soon as possible.
Any games not fielded are then recorded as a walkover victory to the opposing team. If a team is unable to field any players then the opposing team will win 6 v 0 and get the 2 bonus points, the team unable to field a side will also recieve a penalty of -4 points.

League Setup for 2025

Division 1 and 2 both consist of 6 teams, 2 teams will be relegated from division 1 and 2 teams will be promoted to division 1 at the end of the season.

Ties

Teams being tied in the league works as follows: Fixture points plus game points, then fixture wins, then game wins

League Setup for 2026

If any existing team leaves before the 2025 season without any new teams joining, 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 2025 season, then division 1 will have 6 teams and division 2 will have 7 teams with 3 teams promoted and relegated at the end of the 2025 season.
If 2 extra teams join for the 2025 season, then 3 teams will be promoted from division 2 to division 1, 2 teams relegated 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 04/09/2024