Match Format, Scoring, and Rules:

I.       What is a Match?

a.     A “match” will consist of two teams competing head-to-head for 4 holes.

b.     Matches will be in a “triples” alternate shot format, with a set order for each match. (see graphic)

c.      Scoring will be “Modern Match Play” meaning that each hole begins with the value of one point, and the team with the fewest shots on a hole wins the point(s). Ties are worth zero points and there are no carryovers.

II.      Conceded Holes & Shots:

a.     In the Hammer Challenge, players and teams are not permitted to concede a shot to the opposing team.

b.     Additionally, players and teams are permitted to concede a hole at any time, giving the opposing team a win on the hole.

• When a concession has been made, it must be announced by the player in a clear and concise manner to the opponent and referee, who must acknowledge the concession.

III.    Winning a Match in Regulation:

a.     The team that wins the most points after 4 holes will be declared the winner.

IV.   Overtime:

a.     If the match is tied after 4 holes, the teams will play a best-of-three, closest-to-the-pin competition. The team that started the match with the Honor will go first in Overtime. Teams may change their playing order during Overtime.

b.     Standard shot clock rules apply

c.      Unused Timeouts and hammers are not permitted to be used in overtime.

d.     Points won in overtime do not count towards the tournament standings.

e.     A predetermined Overtime hole will be set by the Competition Staff prior to the match.

f.       Each player will take one shot, head-to-head against a player from the opposing team.

g.     For a shot to be scored, the ball must be on the putting green when it comes to rest.

•  Players are not allowed to take another shot if their shot does not come to rest on the green.

h.     After each head-to-head matchup, the team with their ball closer to the pin will win that matchup.

i.        The team that wins the first round of overtime will go first in the second matchup, and so forth. A team will win Overtime, and therefore the match, once they hit two shots closer to the pin than the opposing team in overtime.

Match Progression:

I.       Teeing Off:

a.     The order in which players hit off the tee will be determined by the following:

• First hole of match: Both teams will choose a piece of paper. The team that chooses the paper with a “1” will tee off first and the team that chooses the paper with a “2” will tee off second.

b.     Team lineups will be set prior to the match and as stated above, each player will have designated holes they will tee off on for each session.

c.      Play order after the conclusion of a hole will follow the same play order as in the Rules of Golf:

• The team that won the previous hole will tee off first on the next hole.
• If a hole was tied, the order will continue to be the same as the hole prior.

II.      Match Progression:

a.     Player order after tee shots is determined by distance to hole whereas the player farthest from the hole will hit first.

b.     Teams will be live putting using simulator technology. All putts will have a “gimme” range of 4 feet on Trackman matches and 3 feet on Foresight matches.

III.    Marshall and PGATSS Host:

a.     PGATSS will have a Marshall in each bay who is responsible for promoting pace of play, including enforcing the shot clock. They also will assist with any rule violations and/or rule questions.

b.     The Marshall will be present in each bay and will be responsible for starting and stopping the shot clock.

c.      The host will have any final say for any Rules of Golf or PGATSS-rules violations.

IV.   Rule of Elasticity:

a.     The tournament host will maintain a floating “Rule of Elasticity” for any circumstance that is deemed a deviation from the norm. They reserve the right to make judgment calls based on their best ability in the given circumstances.

Match Day Overview:

I.       Hole and Lineup Selection:

a.     PGATSS will have a course and holes pre-determined prior to every match.

II.      Players and Matchup Selections for Match:

a.     The Hammer Challenge teams will consist of 3 players.

b.     Each team must submit a lineup prior to each match beginning.

c.      Teams are allowed to switch lineup order from match to match.

The Hammer Challenge Specific Rules and Penalties:

I.       Hammer:

a.     The “Hammer” is a game modifier that will change the hole value by adding one point to the value. For instance, each hole starts with a value of one point. When a Hammer is played and accepted, the value of the hole would now be two points. If another Hammer is played and accepted, the value of the hole would now be three points.

b.     At the start of the match, each team has two Hammers to use at their discretion. The maximum a hole can be worth is three points if both teams choose to throw a Hammer on the same hole.

II.      Hammer Mechanics:

a.     Teams or players can throw the Hammer, which will be an item provided by the PGATSS Competition Staff, and tell the Marshall, who must acknowledge the call. After the Hammer has been thrown, the Marshall then presents the opposing team with two options:

• Accept the Hammer – If the opposing team accepts, the hole value is increased by one point and the hole is continued to be played.
• Decline the Hammer – If the opposing team declines, the hole is immediately conceded, and the point(s) are awarded to the team that threw the Hammer.

III.    Hammer Timing:

a.     The Hammer can be thrown at any time prior to a player addressing the ball.

b.     Teams will have what is considered a reasonable amount of time to decide whether to accept or decline the Hammer.

c.      The Marshall has a final say if a hammer can be thrown.

IV.   Hammer Thrown Prior To Any Tee Shots:

a.     Hammer thrown prior to any tee shot hit on a hole will be treated the same as a regular Hammer, however the opposing team must accept.

V.     Score Keeping:

a.     The Marshall is responsible for all score-keeping activities, including shot counting, penalty assessment, and hole result. Players will not be responsible to track their own scores or submit a scorecard at the conclusion of a match.

VI.   Advice Rules:

a.     There is no “advice rule.” Players on the same team can give and receive advice at any time.

• Players are allowed to ask the Marshall for course or system clarification.
• The Marshall is not permitted to offer unsolicited advice.

b.     If a shot is hit by the wrong player (i.e. out of order), the shot will count. However, the team will be assessed with a one-shot penalty added to the final score at the end of the hole.

c.      Marshalls are not allowed to discuss Hammer strategy with any teams.

VII. Invalid Reading / Unregistered Shot:

a.     The Marshall and the PGATSS competition staff will have the ability to deem a shot during screenplay as an “invalid reading” on the shot at their discretion to maintain the integrity of the match and facilitate the competition. They will also have the authority to deem a “re-hit” without penalty.

b.     Scenarios where this may occur include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Shot not captured – If a ball is struck and the competition technology fails to capture it, then the Marshall and PGATSS Competition Staff will invoke a re-hit. The attempted shot is not counted towards the player’s total shots attempted.
• Interference – A clear and obvious disruption that impedes a player’s ability to start their swing or complete their shot and compromises the integrity of the competition as ruled by the Marshall; the player has a choice to accept the result of the shot or re-hit. If the player opts to re-hit, the attempted shot is not counted, and the ball is reset to its previous resting position.

VIII. Competition Technology Issues:

a.     If a piece of competition technology fails to operate as designed the match can be paused until the technology issue is resolved. If the issue cannot be resolved the match will continue with an alternative solution.

b.     The current hole will be restarted but the match score will be as it was before the technology failure.

IX.   Penalties:

a.     PGATSS will govern by the rules set forth in this document, as well as the traditional Rules of Golf played on the PGA TOUR and the USGA. Rules have been set in place to meet the “spirt of the competition” and remain applicable under the conditions of the indoor environment. PGATSS reserves the right to:

• Make changes to its holes, if by doing so will enhance the competition
• Add amendments and additions to rules, and such changes will be communicated to teams and players as they are made

b.     Examples of potential penalties from the traditional Rules of Golf include, but are not limited to, the following:

• One-shot penalty for hitting into penalty areas
• One-shot penalty for deliberately interfering with any moving ball (adaptation from the two-shot penalty in the traditional Rules of Golf

c.      USGA subsections that will be enforced in The Hammer Challenge include:

• Rule 4.1.a

·        In making a stroke, a player must use a club that conforms to the requirements in the Equipment Rules when:

o  It is new, or

o  Its playing characteristics have been changed in any way

·        The playing characteristics of a club are any part, feature, or property that affects how the club performs or aids in alignment, including but not limited to, weighting, lie, loft, alignment features and permissible external attachments

d.     Players that damage clubs mid match, as long as the clubs are not damaged in an act of aggression, will be entitled to replace them.

e.     Players are limited to 14 clubs but are allowed to be shared if on the same team.

f.       PGATSS will provide legal and conforming golf balls.

• Any golf ball that is played and is not a PGATSS golf ball may result in a one stroke penalty.

X.     Unsportsmanlike Conduct:

a.     Players that are considered to be acting in a way that is unbecoming will be subjected to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The player will first receive a warning from the referee. If they are given a second warning, then they will receive a one-shot penalty. If the act is considered “egregious” the Marshall will have the ability to issue a one-shot penalty with no warning. If an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty occurs between holes, then the penalty will be added to the next hole the team plays.

b.     If there are repeated unsportsmanlike conduct violations, The Marshall or PGATSS host reserves the right to disqualify a team with or without warning.

c.      If the team is disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct, the tournament entry fee will not be refunded.

XI.   Unsportsmanlike Conduct Penalties with Timeouts:

a.     If a timeout has been granted by the referee when a team no longer has any remaining, the team will receive a one-shot penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

b.     If a team is ruled to have deliberately called a timeout while the referee has their hand raised and a player has addressed the ball, The Marshall can call an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and give the team calling a timeout a one-shot penalty without warning.

Match Timing:

I.       Length of Match:

a.     A match will not have an official game clock that defines play in regulation. However, the total length of a match is estimated 30 minutes.

II.      Shot Clock:

 The “shot clock” refers to the timing device that displays the countdown of time in which each player must record a shot. The shot clock will be 45 seconds for every shot.

a.     Shot Clock Enforcement:

• The Marshall is be responsible for the management and enforcement of the shot clock.

b.     Starting the Shot Clock:

• The shot clock is started when the screen changes and a ball is ready to be hit.

c.      Stopping and Resetting the Shot Clock:

• The shot clock is be stopped and reset any time the following occurs:

·        A player has completed their turn

·        A player incurs a shot clock violation

·        A player incurs a penalty

·        A timeout is called

·        A Hammer is thrown

·        The Marshall determines the shot clock must be reset to accommodate a special circumstance

III. Timeouts:

a.     Each team will have one timeout per session that will last 30 seconds each. Timeouts may be called at any point by the team whose player is currently hitting. Timeouts may be called before an opposing player has addressed the ball. Players must wait until the entire 30 seconds has expired before they can hit their next shot.

IV. Timeout Mechanics:

a.     A member of the team will signal or verbally call a timeout to the Marshall, who will acknowledge the call. If a timeout is called by a team that has none remaining, then they will receive a one-shot penalty. If a player hits a shot after a timeout has been called, the shot will not count, and the referee will invoke a re-hit.

V. Injury Timeouts:

a.     If a player becomes injured during a match, the Marshall or the host can grant an injury timeout to provide care and treatment to the injured player.

b.     Injury timeouts will not be counted against a team’s official timeout count. However, if a player is suspected of taking advantage of an injury timeout as a competitive advantage, the situation will be reviewed by PGATSS Competition Staff for potential disciplinary action.

Player Eligibility & Injuries/Substitutes:

I.       Eligibility:

a.     As noted above, teams will consist of three players each. Exceptions are to be approved in advance by the PGATSS Competition Staff.

II.      Injuries:

a.     Teams must start their first match of the event with three players.

b.     If a starting player is unable to compete in a match due to injury, or other, teams are allowed to play with the two remaining players.

III.    Injury Substitutions:

• If an injured player feels that they can return to the match, they will be permitted to do so at the start of a new hole.
• If a team or player is suspected of taking advantage of an injury substitution for a competitive advantage, the situation will be reviewed by PGATSS Competition Staff for potential disciplinary action.

Tournament Format:

I.       Match Scoring:

a.     Matches will be determined by the number of points won at the conclusion of 4 holes

b.     In the event of a tie after 4 holes, matches will follow the overtime rules outlined above

c.      No partial wins will be awarded for overtime losses

II.      Standings & Tiebreakers:

a.     The team that wins the most matches at the conclusion of the tournament will be The Hammer Challenge Champion.

b.     In the event there are multiple teams tied in wins; the following will be used as the tiebreaking procedures:

• Total points won across all matches
• Closest to the Pin competition among all tied teams using Overtime Rules as outlined in this rule book.

·        If two teams are tied, the teams will play 1 round of overtime closest to the pin, standard overtime rules will apply (best of three)

·        If three or more teams are tied, the teams will play a closest to the pin tiebreaker in which the first team to win twice will win the Championship.

Prizes 

1. 1st place - $450 per team in Gift Cards to PGA Tour Superstore. 
2. 2nd Place - $150 per team in Gift Cards to PGA Tour Superstore.