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PowerPlay Golf Rules

STROKEPLAY (for Matchplay Rules, click here)

GENERAL
1. Except as specifically provided below, the Rules of Golf as laid down by R&A Rules Limited prevail in PowerPlay Golf Strokeplay at all times.

2. The stipulated round in PowerPlay Golf Strokeplay is 9 holes.

DEFINITIONS
3. Two holes are cut on each putting green, one with a white flag and one with a black flag. The ‘White Flag’ hole location is considered easy to play, and the ‘Black Flag’ hole location is considered difficult to play.

4. Taking a ‘PowerPlay’ means playing to the Black Flag.

TAKING A ‘POWERPLAY’
5. A player must take exactly three PowerPlays in the first eight holes, and their marker must mark their scorecard by circling the three holes on which they take a PowerPlay. A scorecard on which a player has not marked exactly three PowerPlays in the first eight holes is deemed to be in-valid, and the player will be disqualified from the event.

6. A player must play to the White Flag when not taking a PowerPlay.

7. Players must nominate their PowerPlays before the tee shot. A PowerPlay nominated after the tee shot is in-valid. Once nominated, and the tee shot taken, a PowerPlay cannot be withdrawn.

8. On the ninth hole, players can take a bonus ‘PowerPlay’, at greater risk (see Rule 12).

SCORING
9. Scoring in PowerPlay Golf Strokeplay is by the Stableford points system.

10. When taking a PowerPlay (ie: playing to the Black Flag), players score double points for a Net Birdie or better. Scoring is therefore as follows:

11. When not on a PowerPlay (ie: playing to the White Flag), players score according to the normal Stableford system.

12. If taking a bonus PowerPlay on the ninth hole, players score as per Rule 10, except that their score is deducted two points if they score a Net Bogey or worse. IE: players score -2 points rather than 1 point for a Net Bogey.

HANDICAPS
PowerPlay Golf is played off full handicap allowance.

COURTESY RULE
Golfers playing to the White Flag should putt out before golfers playing to the Black Flag.

STYMIE RULE
Around the green, if one flag obstructs the path of a golfer’s ball to the other (target) flag, the golfer may mark, lift and replace the ball at the nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole, that gives a clear path to the target flag.

USING SCORECARDS
Use your regular club scorecard for PowerPlay Golf TM. Mark your points where you normally would for a Stableford competition, and simply circle the hole number where you took a PowerPlay. NB: Remember - a scorecard on which a player has not marked exactly three PowerPlays in the first eight holes is deemed to be invalid, and the player will be disqualified from the event. (Click here for examples of PowerPlay scorecards)

Cards are exchanged, signed and returned by players and markers in the usual way.

TIES AND COUNT-BACKS
In PowerPlay Golf the winner is the player with the most points after 9 holes. In the event of a tie, there is a count-back.

1. The winner is the golfer who took a PowerPlay on the last. If both golfers either did, or did not, go for a PowerPlay on the last...
2. The winner is the golfer who scored the most points on the last hole;
3. If still tied, the winner is the golfer who scored the most PowerPlay points;
4. Then best points total on final 3 holes;
5. Then best points total on final 6 holes;
6. If still tied, coin toss

MATCHPLAY RULES

GENERAL
1. Except as specifically provided below, the Rules of Golf as laid down by R&A Rules Limited prevail in PowerPlay Golf Matchplay at all times.

2. The stipulated round in PowerPlay Golf Matchplay is 9 holes.

DEFINITIONS
3. Two holes are cut on each putting green, one with a white flag and one with a black flag. The ‘White Flag’ hole location is considered easy to play, and the ‘Black Flag’ hole location is considered difficult to play.

4. Taking a ‘PowerPlay’ means playing to the Black Flag.

POWERPLAY GOLF HEAD TO HEAD - ('SINGLES' or 'FOURSOMES' MATCHPLAY)
5. Scoring in PowerPlay Golf Head To Head is by normal singles matchplay rules.

6. The higher handicap player takes shots from the lower handicap player. We recommend full handicap difference, but three quarters can be played.

7. A player must take exactly three PowerPlays in their nine holes. A player can also opt to take a fourth and final PowerPlay on the ninth hole.

8. A player must play to the White Flag when not taking a PowerPlay.

9. Players must nominate their PowerPlays before the tee shot. A PowerPlay nominated after the tee shot is in-valid. Once nominated, and the tee shot taken, a PowerPlay cannot be withdrawn.

10. Holes are won and lost in the normal way. IE: a birdie beats a par, regardless of which flag the player is playing to.

11. If both players’ scores are the same on a given hole, the player taking a PowerPlay wins. IE: a score playing to the Black Flag “trumps” the same score playing to the White Flag.

12. In Foursomes, rules 5-11 apply to each pair. IE: a pair must take exactly three PowerPlays in their first eight holes, and has the option to go for a fourth and final PowerPlay on the 9th hole.

POWERPLAY GOLF PAIRS - ('FOURBALL' MATCHPLAY)
13. Pairs (fourball) rules are as per PowerPlay Golf Head to Head, except that all four players must take exactly three PowerPlays in their first eight holes, and all four players have an optional PowerPlay on the ninth and final hole.

IN THE EVENT OF A TIE
Optionally, halved matches can be settled in a single extra hole. The player / pair with the honour decides whether to go for a PowerPlay on the extra hole. Their opponent must play to the other flag. This extra hole cannot be halved: if net scores are the same, the Black Flag trumps the White Flag.