BMW GAP Team Matches Rules & Regulations
Section 1: RULES OF COMPETITION
The Team – Each team will consist of 12 players. Six players will play at the away course, and six players will play at the home course.
- Players must be male golfers who are active members of the GAP member club they represent, be in good standing at the club and listed on the GAP/GHIN handicap report with a valid course handicap for the competing club as of April 1 of the competition year. Additionally, “in good standing” means that the players membership category is open and available to anyone seeking membership at that club and membership dues have been paid in cash by that player.
- All players must have unquestionable Amateur status.
- Age/Eligibility Requirements – The GAP does not require any player, who fits into the handicap requirements of his team (see Section 3) to be of a certain age. However, a junior or collegiate player should consult his team coach and/or NCAA rules before competing. Competing in the BMW GAP Team Matches could affect his eligibility.
- New members of a club are eligible to participate provided they meet the requirements. GAP requires all players to have a handicap showing on the April 1 Eligible Players Roster. Clubs must add new members and a minimum of three qualifying scores prior to March 31 of the competition year. New members joining the club after March 31 of the competition year may be added no less than 2 days prior to the first scheduled match of the competition year and only with approval of the GAP. New members joining after the above deadline are ineligible.
- Players may only compete for one club. For players who are members of multiple GAP clubs, once they play a match in the competition season, they may only represent that same club for the balance of the season and are ineligible to play for any other club.
- The Eligible Player Roster lists all members from each club who are eligible for the BMW GAP Team Matches. This list is available in the GAP Locker of each Team Captain and Golf Professional. The GHIN number for each player is listed on the roster and must be recorded when entering match results using electronic or paper reporting.
- The Eligible Player Handicap Index as of April 1st will be the ONLY handicap index used for the BMW GAP Team Matches in placement of players on teams and eligibility.
Competition Format – Players compete in a singles match and a four-ball match concurrently. In a group with Players A and B representing the home club and Players C and D representing the away club, the singles matches will be A/C and B/D and the four-ball match will be AB v. CD.
Rules Governing Play – All play will be in accordance with the 2023 USGA Rules of Golf, unless granted an exception by the GAP Championship Committee.
All matches will be played at scratch with no handicap allowances.
- Where applicable, the Rules of Golf covering four-ball matches (Rule 23) will take precedence over the Rules of Golf for singles match play.
- Advice (Rules 10.2 and 24) – These matches are not considered “Team Competitions” and the provisions of Rule 24 of the Rules of Golf are not applicable. Accordingly, team captains are not permitted to provide advice to players during play of the matches. Additionally, see Clarification 23.7/1 regarding partners sharing advice after the four-ball match ends and the singles matches remain to be decided.
Section 2: CAPTAIN’S DUTIES
Team Captains – GAP strongly recommends each club to appoint a team captain. The captain can be the same individual for all teams at a club. All communication from GAP will be directed to both the team captain and club professional. If no captain is appointed, GAP communications will be directed to the club professional on record.
Tee Times – It is the responsibility of the Team Captain to arrange mutually agreeable tee times for the match with the opposing Team Captain. Tee times are to begin no later than 2pm and must be consecutive for each team. It is imperative that opposing team drive times be considered when arranging these times. GAP recommends 12 minute tee time intervals. Shotgun starts in lieu of tee times is permissible. However, when shotgun starts are utilized, the “front nine” and “back nine” holes will be different for each starting hole. See FAQ Q8 for examples.
Course Selection – For clubs with more than one golf course, home Team Captains must communicate which course will be utilized for the match. Selection may be dependent on various factors such as weather, course conditions, etc.
Dress Code – Each club has different rules on dress codes. Team Captain’s should inform the opposing Team Captain of their club’s specific requirements in advance.
Payment Methods – Cart charges and other fees may be required at each club. Team Captain’s should communicate acceptable payment methods in advance.
Transportation – Acceptable and/or required methods of course transportation and the respective fees should be communicated in advance.
Scoresheets – Team Captain’s are responsible for the proper and timely completion of the match scoresheet (electronic method preferred) and ensure the scoresheet has been posted to the GAP website (www.gapgolf.org). See also Section 10.
Lineup Presentation – The home Team Captain should provide the scoresheet with the lineup (or some similar presentation) to the away Team Captain upon arrival. Once presented, the home Team Captain may not alter their lineup.
Starting Times – All regular season matches shall be completed on the scheduled dates and shall be called by pre-arrangement of the Team Captains for no later than 2pm. If a team, or half team, is not available at 2pm, the team that is available at 2pm will earn a default (see Section 5). Tee times for each team must be in consecutive order.
Section 3: LINEUP CONSTRUCTION (PLACEMENT OF PLAYERS ON TEAM)
Clubs With One Team – The club may use any eligible member of its club for regular season or Playoff matches.
Clubs with More Than One Team – For each match, the club must play its 12 lowest course handicap players on the first team, the next 12 lowest on the second team, etc. A second team may not have a player with a lower course handicap than that of the highest course handicapped player on the first team. A third team may not have a player with a lower course handicapped player than that of the highest course handicapped player on the second team, etc. The Rules allow players with equal course handicaps to be treated interchangeably.
Determination of Course Handicap – The course handicap determination is based on the following two components:
Eligible Player Handicap Index – This is the player’s low handicap index for the prior 12 months as of April 1 of the competition year. For example, the eligible player handicap index for the 2026 competition year will be player’s lowest index during the period April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026.
Home Course Rating & Slope – As most courses have multiple course ratings/slopes based on varying distances, the course rating/slope utilized to determine a player’s course handicap will be rating/slope for the most commonly used set of tees at the club. For example, the ABC Club has five rated sets of tees (White, White/Blue, Blue, Blue/Black and Black). There were 25,000 rounds posted at ABC with the most played from the Blue tees. The Blue tee rating/slope will be used to compute a player’s course handicap for the competition year.
Handicap Adjustment – The Handicap Committee at each Member Club has the responsibility to make certain that each player has a handicap index reflecting potential ability. There are a number of reasons the Committee may choose to alter a handicap index. Any Member Club that chooses to alter a handicap index of a player who will participate in the BMW GAP Team Matches must submit this information in writing, with supporting documentation, for GAP approval. The deadline for submission is April 1 of the competition year. The player’s original handicap index or altered handicap index may be chosen for use in the BMW GAP Team Matches. Member Clubs that make alterations to the handicap index of players participating in the BMW GAP Team Matches and do not submit the information to GAP will be subject to penalties in the Matches, which may include suspension and/or disqualification. Additionally, alterations to posted scores in a player’s GHIN record or posting of scores deemed by GAP to be unauthorized may result in suspension and/or disqualification of the Member Club and may include all teams representing that Club.
Arrangement of Players within the Team – The arrangement of the players within the team is at the discretion of the Team Captain (see also Section 2).
Section 4: INELIGIBLE PLAYERS
Any player who:
– Participates that isn’t male.
– Does not have unquestionable Amateur status.
– Is not listed on the April 1 Eligible Player Roster for the competition year.
– Listed on the Eligible Player Roster but does not have a handicap (NH).
– Plays on a team where his handicap is lower than the highest handicapped player of the higher ranked team (see also Section 3b above).
– Plays as a member of two different member club teams (see also Section 1a(6) above).
– Plays as a member of one team but quits match in order to play for a different team.
– Plays on two different teams (i.e. plays for Team 1 and Team 2 because Team 2 was rained out and rescheduled).
Penalty for Use – Any team that uses an ineligible player will forfeit:
– All Nassau Points for the Singles Match (3).
– All Nassau Points for the Four-Ball Match (3).
Section 5: SCORING
Person Responsible – The Team Captain or Golf Professional is responsible for:
Filling out the match scoresheet completely and accurately and posting those scores to the GAP website (www.gapgolf.org).
Appointing an individual to enter results at home if the Team Captain plays away.
Posting results immediately upon completion of matches. If a scoring dispute arises, contact the GAP office immediately (see Section 10g).
Nassau Points – One point will be awarded to the winner of the front-nine match, one point to the winner of the back-nine match and one point to the winner of the 18 hole match. All ties will result in each person/team receiving one-half (½) point.
Defaults – Defaults produce the worst possible outcome for all clubs involved and should be avoided at all costs. Clubs and teams signed up for the BMW GAP Team Matches must be prepared to play their matches, regardless of weather conditions, drive times, and courses to be played. Defaults will impact all teams from the defaulting club in a significant manner. See FAQ Q5 for examples.
Defaulting Team – If an entire team defaults a match, the non-defaulting (winning) team will be awarded 34 points. For Clubs with More Than One Team, if the first team defaults in a given week of the Matches, the lowest 12 course handicapped players from the April 1 Eligible Player Roster (including those with the same course handicaps) are not eligible to play for any team. If a lower ranked team (i.e. Team 2 or 3) defaults in a given week, the next 12 lowest course handicapped players (including those with the same course handicap) are not eligible to compete for any other team.
Defaulting Half Team – If half of a team defaults (either home or away), the non-defaulting team will be awarded 17 points for the default and the points recorded in the portion of the match played will stand. Regardless of points earned, the non-defaulting team will receive credit for winning the match. For Clubs with More Than One Team, the next six lowest handicapped players from the April 1 Eligible Player Roster (including those with the same course handicaps) are not eligible to compete for any other team.
Defaulting Side (Pair) – If one side of players is disqualified for being late to the tee or is not available, those players forfeit 6 total singles match points. The four-ball match will not be scored.
Defaulting Player – If one side is represented by one player, then the missing player will forfeit 3 singles match points. The player representing that side will score points from his singles match as well as the four-ball match.
Player Arriving Late – If a player arrives late to the tee for his match but within 5 minutes of his assigned starting time, that player loses the first hole in his singles match and may begin representing his side in the four-ball match on the next hole. If a player arrives more than 5 minutes late to the tee for his match and there are no exceptional circumstances preventing his arrival, the player loses 3 points in his singles match but can represent his side in the four-ball match on the next hole to be played.
Illness, Injury or Emergency – If a player who started a match must withdraw before a match finishes, he shall lose any match that remains to be played or finished. For example, Player A defeats his opponent on the first nine holes withdraws during the second nine prior to that status of that result being determined. Player A will win 1 point and his opponent will be awarded two points by default.
Section 6: WINNERS
Definition – Any team that wins all three matches will be declared the winner of that Section.
Ties – In the event of a tie in the number of team wins, the winner shall be determined as follows:
Head-to-head winner.
Total number of points.
Total number of full match points won in both singles and four-ball matches. This does not include points awarded for front and back nines, only the total match result (i.e. in any week there are 12 total individual match points available and 6 four-ball match points available). Points awarded by default will be disregarded.
Any further tie breaker will be decided by the GAP Championship Committee.
Section 7: SCHEDULING + WEATHER
Regionalization of Play in Weeks 1-3 – With the exception of Division AA, all matches will be regional in nature. This regionalization is highlighted by a series of key goals and considerations, including but not limited to:
Striving to avoid clubs having to compete against the same club in consecutive years.
Keeping an equitable structure from moving within Divisions.
Reviewing each club’s potential travel distance with the division and working to ensure reasonable drive times for players.
Playoff Match (Division AA) – On the scheduled Saturday Playoff day at 12pm (or earlier if mutually agreed), the winners of all Sections in Division AA will play a match to determine the BMW GAP Team Matches Champion. If a team, or half team, is not available at 12pm, then the team(s) that is(are) available will earn the default. The match shall be played by having three players at home and three players away at each course of the competing teams. The round shall consist of 18 holes, singles match play. The group, consisting of four players, one from each team, shall play a singles match against each player in his group. The scoring shall be as in the regular matches (there is not four-ball match).
Challenge Matches (Divisions AA/A Only) – Challenge Matches will be played between the eight winners in Division A and the lowest 8 finishers in Division AA, all which will be ranked by record, then points. On the scheduled Saturday Challenge match day at 1pm (or earlier if mutually agreed), the top four winning teams (first place) in Division A will challenge the four last-place (fourth place) teams in Division AA. The next four winning teams (second place) in Division A will challenge the four higher ranked teams (third place) in Division AA to determine the teams that will compete in Division AA and A for the next season. Challenge matches will be played and scored the same as regular season matches. Ties for ranking teams will be decided by record, then by total accumulated points, then by total match points for the season, then by total match points for Week 3, Week 2, then Week 1. All points above are excluding points awarded by default.
Promotion/Relegation – There will be no challenge matches for Divisions B, C, D or E. Winners in Division B/D will replace the third and fourth place finishers in Division A/C. Winners in Division C will replace the last-place finishers in Division B. First and highest second place finishers in Division E will replace the last place finishers in Division D.
Clubs with Second or Lower Team Involved in Playoff/Challenge Match – If a club with a team in a lower ranked Division has a Playoff/Challenge Match, then the course handicaps of the players involved cannot be lower than that of the lowest Course Handicap player to participate on that team during the three-week regular season.
Miscellaneous – If a team drops out of the BMW GAP Team Matches prior to the release of the schedule, GAP will move the team(s) with the best prior regular season record and points that lost the Challenge Match up a division.
Rainout, Snowout, Catastrophe, and Closures
– Weather related issues can occur and clubs are encouraged to complete play on the scheduled dates. However, there are instances where it isn’t possible to play/complete matches as scheduled.
GAP Cancellation
In the event of a weather event adversely affecting a large majority of the matches on a given week, GAP reserves the right to cancel any week of the Matches. Notification will be provided to all golf professionals and Team Captains by 2pm on the day prior to the scheduled match. In the event of this occurring, the BMW GAP Team Matches will be limited to two weeks. In the event there are two GAP weather cancellations, the season will be cancelled. Any ties resulting from one week being cancelled will be resolved in the following order:
Head-to-head winner.
Total number of points.
Total number of full match points won in both singles and four-ball matches. This does not include points awarded for front and back nines, only the total match result (i.e. in any week there are 12 total individual match points available and 6 four-ball match points available). Points awarded by default will be disregarded.
Any further tie breaker will be decided by the GAP Championship Committee.
Any Playoff or Challenge Match Postponed due to a GAP cancellation must be played by 2pm on the following Sunday or an earlier, mutually agreed upon date. Notification will be given to all golf professionals and Team Captains by 2pm on the day prior. If a team, or half team, is not available at 2pm, then the team that is available at 2pm will earn the default. Complete rainouts of a match can lead to problems rescheduling and difficulty finding available players for clubs that have multiple teams, particularly if the other teams have played their match that week. Therefore it is suggested that if one club of the match is open for play, the entire match be played at that facility.
Localized Weather Event
Weeks 1-3 Matches – Postponement of any match due to a localized weather event is permissible only when a course is declared unplayable by the Golf/Green Chairman or Golf Course Superintendent of the Club involved. All such postponements must be reported to the GAP office no later than the following day. If a course is open for play, then the match must be played UNLESS the use of golf carts is prohibited and/or there are no available caddies. In this limited circumstance, if all players agree to play without a cart/caddie and the entire match is completed, the resulting match score will be accepted. In the event of a rainout, the makeup must be completed by the following Saturday (or earlier if mutually agreed) or the match will be scored as a draw with 27 points awarded to both teams. In the event the affected teams can’t agree on the makeup date, the team available at noon on Saturday following the rained-out match will be declared the winner and the match scored as a default. If the required makeup interferes with the Playoff of Challenge matches, the Playoff and/or Challenge matches may be postponed.
Playoff or Challenge Match – Any Playoff or Challenge Match postponed due to course closure shall be played at 2pm on the following Sunday (i.e. 8 days after the originally scheduled match) (or earlier if mutually agreed). If a team, or half team, is not available at 2pm, then the team that is available at 2pm will earn the default for scoring. Complete rainouts of a match can lead to problems rescheduling and difficulty finding available players for clubs that have multiple teams, particularly if the other teams have played their match that week. Therefore, it is suggested that if one club of the match is open for play, the entire match be played at that facility.
Play Has Begun and then Course is Closed – All matches are to be replayed and each team is free to alter its original team. Any new players must not have already competed for another team within the given team match week.
Course Closure due to Renovation or Regrassing
It is suggested that some rotation of holes be used to allow the matches to be played at the course undergoing the work (18 holes must be completed but not necessarily 18 individual holes). If this is not possible, then the entire match must be played at the away club or half the match at a neutral site and half the match away. The club under construction must request entirely away matches if that is the club’s only option. If the entire match can’t be played away, the club under construction will default the match (half team). If both clubs are closed due to renovation or regrassing, then the entire match may be played at a neutral site. If the match can’t be played at a neutral site, then the match will be scored as a draw (no points for either team).
Section 8: COURSE SETUP
Course setup can have a large role in the enjoyment and pace of play for the BMW GAP Team Matches. Please keep this in mind when preparing your course for the Matches. The following are recommended yardages by division for regular season Matches:
Division AA – 6,600-6,800 yards (or tips for shorter courses).
Division A – 6,400-6,600 yards (or tips for shorter courses).
Division B – 6,200-6,400 yards (or tips for shorter courses).
Divisions C/D/E – 6,200 yards or less.
Challenge Matches and Playoffs should be played from Division AA yardages.
Section 9: TERMS OF COMPETITION + LOCAL RULES
List of Conforming Golf Balls – Model Local Rule G-3 is in effect.
List of Conforming Driver Heads – Model Local Rule G-1 is in effect.
Alternative to Stroke & Distance for Ball Lost or Ball Out of Bounds – Model Local Rule E-5 is NOT in effect.
Pace of Play – In the BMW GAP Team Matches, the format is singles match and concurrent four-ball match play. The rules governing four-ball match play (Rule 23) take precedence of the rules of individual match play. If a player were to be warned and later penalized for slow play, then he and his partner would lose the hole for the four-ball match and he would also lose the hole for his individual match. If that same player were to be later disqualified, he would be disqualified from both his individual match and he and his partner would be disqualified from their four-ball match. In the disqualification situation, any points already scored in the Nassau would stand as scored. Please check with host club prior to beginning play for the individual club policy.
Transportation – Caddies and/or carts may be unavailable depending on the host club. Each home Team Captain will be responsible for coordinating caddie requests with visiting Captains and for arranging for those caddies to be available. Motorized equipment may be used, if desired. Financial responsibility for transportation and/or caddies lies with the player.
Practice – Rule 5.2a covers practice before the round in match play.
When Competition is Final – Each week’s competition will be deemed to have closed the Wednesday after each match at 4:30pm unless there were weather issues, in which case that week shall be deemed to have closed when the scores from that week have been announced. The Playoff and Challenge Matches are final the Tuesday after the matches at 4:30pm unless there were weather issues, in which case that week shall be deemed to have closed when the scores have been announced.
Cell/Smartphones – All players/caddies are advised that the use of cellular/smartphones for phone calls/emails/texts/messaging/social media on the course is permitted as long as it is done within the confines of Rule 1.2 and if the host facility allows those devices to be used. All players are expected to keep their phones in silent mode while on the course. If a player consistently disregards his partner or opponent to their detriment, then the Committee will take appropriate disciplinary action. Such action may, for example, include prohibiting play for a limited time or in certain number of competitions. There could be a penalty for unreasonable delay (Rule 5.6) or disqualification based on a player’s actions. Players are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct on the course.
Notice to Players – It is suggested that each Member Club supply the matches with a Notice to Players (NTP) that should cover such items as Defining Course Boundaries and Other Areas of the Course, Defining Special or Required Relief Procedures, Defining Abnormal Course Conditions and Integral Objects and Pace of Play Policy.
Additional Local Rules – Depending on course conditions/weather, clubs may wish to utilize certain Model Local Rules (MLR). Players should receive a printed copy (either on the Notice to Players or separately). Specifically:
Preferred Lies – MLR E-3. If this MLR is used, the notice must include the size of the relief area and what part of the golf course the rule applies (i.e. areas cut to fairway height only).
Aeration Holes – MLR E-4. In our region, aeration holes can be present from either a recent aeration or one during the late fall/winter. When using MLR E-4, please indicate what area of the course is involved (i.e. putting green or general area).
Section 10: MISCELLANEOUS
Practice Rounds – Practice Rounds are not provided for BMW GAP Team Matches (including Playoff/Challenge Matches).
Website Score Posting – Team Captains/Golf Professionals have received detailed information on website score posting. Team Captains MUST log onto the GAP website (www.gapgolf.org) and post their scores immediately upon conclusion of that day’s matches (including partial scores in the event of weather delays/cancellations).
Match Results – All results will be posted to the GAP website (www.gapgolf.org) and results are unofficial until 4:30pm the following Wednesday. Once declared official, results are final.
Nine-Hole Courses – When a nine-hole course is being utilized, please arrange for the BMW GAP Team Matches to have the right-of-way at the 10th hole.
Short Courses – Beginning in 2024, the USGA recognized short courses for purposes of the World Handicap System. Accordingly, clubs can utilize short courses for play during the BMW GAP Team Matches. Utilizing short courses is only permitted for clubs without regulation length courses.
Player’s Dinner – The BMW GAP Team Matches Division AA Champions will be invited to the Player’s Dinner.
Post Golf Meal – GAP recommends cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres after the competition.