Matchplay FAQ
MGPT Winter Match Play
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens after I book?
Once Match Play has been purchased for £49.99 your pairs participation is secured. Our Match Play team will then reach out to you via email with a link to login to the Match Play portal. This is where you submit your golfer information, find your opponents, their details and submit results.What is the format?
What is the format of Match Play?
Better Ball Pairs Matchplay - following CONGU WHS handicapping rules.
Please refer to our WHS Handicapping Guidance document for more information.
Me and my partner are registered at different clubs, is this ok?
Only 1 person per pair needs to be registered at a golf club so yes players can be registered at the same club. We will request the name of your home club from you when registration closes.
Is this a national competition or will we play locally?
All rounds will be drawn based on geographical proximity while avoiding matches between teams from the same club. On the odd occasion, if you're drawn away you may end up a bit further out as you progress through the rounds. We always do our best to keep people as local as possible.
Do we need a formal handicap?
To participate you need an official CONGU WHS handicap and for you and your partner to have played 3 x formal competition rounds in the 12 months preceding the event. A competition round is not a social round - it's a formal competition arranged and administered by a recognised body such as a golf club.
Is there a handicap limit?
There is no limit in our competition at present. When our competition is big enough. we will look to run flighted draws, where we draw people with similar handicaps in the same brackets. We are unlikely to get there in 2021 but this is part of our long term plan for MGPT matchplay.
What is the proof of handicap policy?
Current handicap certificate should be shown to the opponents before the match starts. If you can not provide proof of handicap before the start of your match you must email us proof within 48 hours of completing your match before we will allow progression to the next round.
Do I need to pay green fees when I’m the away team?
Many golf clubs offer courtesy and are happy to do this because their members will mutually benefit when playing away elsewhere, but some clubs will not permit this. If courtesy is not possible then we recommend the visitor fees being split four ways, but if not then the away team will need to pay a visitor fee to the club as per normal golf club policies.
Is each round 1 match or home and away?
Some are playing home and away just for fun but it’s a straight 1 match per round knockout competition. As long as you submit one winner and score we are relaxed if you want to play over 2 matches.
When will you send out prizes?
prizes will be issued on completion of the tournament.
How are matches arranged?
You will be drawn home or away for each round and both teams will be given contact information to arrange the match, although the onus is on the home team to make contact since the home team will be booking the tees. If the home team does not reach out or the deadline is not met, the away team will progress unless evidence of attempted contact is given.
We are playing off different tees - what do we do?
Please refer to CONGU guidance on mixed golf matchplay or the CONGU handbook- linked here.
MIXED GOLF GUIDANCE CONGU - http://www.congu.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/MIXED-GOLF-SSS-SI.pdf
CONGU HANDBOOK - https://www.congu.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2019-CONGU-Manual.pdf
How old do I have to compete?
The Tournament is open to male and female golfers aged 14 and over on the Commencement. Date who are members of a CONGU affiliated golf club in England, Scotland or Wales, or professionals. Under 18s must play with over 18s.
Can we play our matches away?
Yes, You can do this. If you are drawn at home just let your opponents know you want to play away. 99% of pairs are happy to take home advantage. We're yet to have a case where both pairs want to play away, should this ever happen the draw will stand.
Can I change partners during the tournament?
The Booker is expected to play with the same partner throughout the tournament, but substitutions are permitted with approval of The Organisers. For the avoidance of doubt, substitutions are permitted to cover any unforeseen injury or illness or other similar circumstances such as a work posting abroad which would otherwise prevent the booker from taking part in the Tournament. Evidence must be presented to the Organisers in writing by email to matchplay@golfpairs.com and consideration will be given to the request. If the substitution is to ensure that the match is played, permission is very unlikely to be refused.
I’m the home team - the away team is not responding - what do I do?
As the home team you must make first contact and offer dates. You can chase and then after 7 days without response, please forward the emails you sent as evidence to support@competitongolf.com copying the away team. The organisers' decision will be final.
I’m the away team - the home team has not contacted me - what do I do?
Please contact the home team copying support@competitiongolf.com. The organisers' decision will be final. In the event of no response from the home team, the away team prevails in any event.
What happens if our opponents cancel matches?
If either team has to cancel the match within 48 hours of the match being due to be played then the other team may claim the match if they choose, or agree to play at another date.
What if there are temporary greens in play?
Temporary greens, tees or preferred lies are not reasons for abandonment of matches if the home club decides they are required, unless both teams agree to switch venues.
Is there a limit on the number of temporary greens?
No there is no limit on the number of temporary greens permitted to allow the match to go ahead. However if a club is using temporary greens, we would expect both parties to agree to switch venues.
Can I use a golf buggy?
The use of buggies is permitted for medical reasons, and they are the full responsibility of the player/s who is hiring them. Medical certificates may be requested by opponents and should be provided on request. This is not centrally administered but is between the competitors.
What if a match ends all square after 18 holes?
Matches all square after 18 holes will be decided on a 'sudden death' play-off commencing at the first hole played and the appropriate shots will be given.
What if a match needs to be abandoned part of the way through?
If after mutual agreement a match has to be abandoned during the first 18 holes, due to lack of daylight or the course becoming unfit for play, then play shall resume from the point where the match was abandoned as stated in the Rules of Golf. If this is not possible, before the deadline then the players should decide who proceeds to the next round.
Who submits match scores?
It is the responsibility of the winners of each match to submit the match result to the organisers. Results must be entered online in the Match Play portal.
What if we fail to submit scores?
If a result is not submitted online by the deadline date, then the AWAY team will be deemed winners, unless there is evidence that the away team failed to adequately respond. Emails will NOT be considered you must complete the form.
Can golf professionals play in Match Play?
Yes absolutely. They must play from the lower of: scratch, lowest in field or their pre-pro handicap. So pro who was off 2 before turning pro with 1 handicap lowest in the field would play off scratch. Pro of 4+ before turning pro would play off 4+
What if we have to cancel a match for bad weather?
You should try to rearrange the match before the deadline. Please email us if you can not.
How many dates does the home team need to offer?
The home team should offer 6 or more dates over weekdays and weekends combined.
What if a course has a shortened number of holes due to bad weather?
The main thing is to get out and play so we would recommend either swapping venues, or playing the shortened course. The players should agree whether they play the shortened course as the match and accept the result, or whether to play 18 holes in total. For example a course which has 12 holes open. You should agree whether to hold your matchplay over the 12 open holes, or whether to play 1-12 and then 1-6 to make up 18 holes. This will depend on weather and tee availability amongst other factors - so the players must make the decision themselves. Either option is acceptable to us - the main thing is you are getting out and playing.
What if we are unable to arrange a match?
Please decide who wins between you on the basis of fairness. In general, if a home team offers over the requisite amount of dates, the away team should ensure that they are available for these dates if they are offered over a weekend. Sometimes things just won’t work - that’s life - but we would prefer it if you could agree amicably what happens. If a mutual agreement can not be made please send us an email.
My club does not permit visitors at weekends - what should I do?
The home team must offer at least 6 dates - with some weekday and weekend options. These weekend options should be played at the away club if the home club will not permit the matches. However please contact the clubs in question who may offer the opportunity just for the match.
I can't find what i'm looking for, what do I do?
You can email support on orders@golfpairs.com and we will come back to you as soon as we receive your email.
Can I have a coupon code?
If you managed to get this far down you definitely deserve it. You can use code MGPT15 for 15% discount on Match Play. Please note, On mobile, coupon codes are applied on the last page of the checkout or by clicking 'order summary' and then inputting the code 😎