RULES OF THE GAME
FORMAT -Modified Stroke Play, No Handicap Strokes. Gross format
-The number of competitors in a group is subject to change. The game can be played with between three and six competitors in a group.
-The Tournament Committee will determine the composition of the groups, as well as which teeing ground each competitor will play from. A competitor’s teeing ground may change from one day to the next.
-Each group winner in round one will advance to round two. Each group winner in round two will advance to the final round. Competitors that compete in the final round will be in one group, and the winner will be crowned the champion of the World Series of Golf.
-USGA rules apply unless otherwise stipulated.
COMPETITION
1) Order of Play
a) On the first tee, there will be a random draw to determine the set order of play for that round.
b) A designated competitor (the first competitor to hit on the first tee) will have the button for that hole. On the next hole that competitor moves to the bottom (last to hit), and all other competitors move up one spot. Each competitor always follows the competitor in front of him (unless he folds) except when he has the button. The competitor with the button will always play his shot first in each round of shots and the pre-designated order will be followed. A competitor will NOT hit his shot first based on being “away” but rather the designated order determined before play begins will determine who plays and in what order.
c) A competitor may not hit his next shot, even if he is furthest away, until each competitor has hit his shot in the order of the button. Competitors follow the pre-designated order of play designated by the button.
d) If a competitor hits his shot out of turn he is penalized one stroke and his ball will be played as it lies. His subsequent stroke will be a penalty stroke.
2) Antes
a) Every competitor is required to ante a pre-designated amount prior to beginning play on each hole. The ante will increase multiple times during the competition round.
b) Each competitor’s bank will be the same at the start of each day. The 1st hole ante on each day will be 1% of that amount.
c) If the round goes to extra holes, the ante on the 19th hole will be double the amount it was on the 18th hole, and will double each subsequent hole thereafter.
d) Should a competitor not have enough money to pay the entire ante on a given hole that competitor will be immediately eliminated and his remaining cash will be placed into the pot of the hole being played. For example, if a competitor does not have enough money to pay the ante on the 16th tee, he is eliminated from the competition and his remaining money will be put into the pot for the 16th hole.
3) Betting
a) The minimum bet and the betting increments will be equal to the ante amount on the first tee for that given day. (i.e. round one minimum bet is $100.00). No other betting increments will be allowed, except for all-in bets.
b) First Round of Betting: A competitor may place an additional wager after all of the first shots are played by each competitor and prior to hitting his second shot. The Competitor with the button sets the standard by placing a bet, checking, or folding. The next competitor shall have the opportunity to call, raise or fold on the bet. The other competitors must call, raise or fold. If a competitor folds he loses whatever he has wagered to that point, and he must immediately stop playing and wait to start playing at the next hole. This format continues until all remaining competitors finish the hole, or a winner is determined, whichever comes first.
c) Second Round of Betting: After all competitors have a chance to call, raise or fold the competitor with the button can fold or match any bets or raises, but no additional raises to the bet can be placed after the first round of betting. In the second round of betting, all competitors must match the current bet from the first round of betting to stay in the hole and hit his next shot. If everyone checks during the first round of betting, there will NOT be a second round of betting.
d) Winning a Hole: The outright winner of the hole receives the entire pot for that hole.
e) Multiple Competitors Tie on a Hole (Even Split): In the case of a tie, the pot is split evenly between the winners of the hole.
If there are any Rules or Competition situations not covered by the Terms, Format, and Competition, a decision shall be reached by the Tournament Committee whose decision shall be final. Otherwise the USGA Rules will apply.
All rules are subject to change, at any time, at the discretion of the Tournament Committee.