The 2025 Walker Cup follows a modified Stableford scoring system. Each player's score is tallied after the round played and applied to their cumulative score as well as adjustments to their handicap (aka quota).

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SCORING

 

ROUNDS
 

Individual hole scores are converted into points, based on following : 

• Double Bogey or higher = 0 points

• Bogey = 1 point

• Par = 2 points

• Birdie = 4 points

• Eagle = 6 points

• Hole in One = 8 points

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Anyone with a hole in one automatically wins that week - even if they don't have the most awarded points.  They must also purchase at least one round at the specified watering hole.
 

KEEPING SCORE

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• Each foursome designates an official scorekeeper and backup scorekeeper - cart drivers.

• Players report and review scores after every hole.

• Scorecards of official scorekeeper and backup scorekeeper are compared after completing 9 holes, adjustments made so they match.

• Discrepancies are reviewed and discussed within foursome, with the head group scorekeeper having the final say.

• Official scorecard tallied and IMMEDIATELY given to a tournament director before leaving the course.

• Lost scorecards = lost rounds & points.
   

CUMULATIVE POINTS

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Everyone starts the season with zero (0) points. Your cumulative points are adjusted after each played round. 

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• For every point over/under your handicap, the amount is added/subtracted from your running, cumulative total points.​

• Example:​

  • Rob starts with a 7 handicap, he shoots a 12 point round. His cumulative would be adjusted (+5) points.

  • Conversely, if he shoots an 5 point round, his cumulative would adjust by (-2) points.

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BONUS POINTS FOR LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATION
 

• One (1) bonus point awarded after 10 rounds are completed and a player becomes 'bonafide'/qualified for the league championship. (2025 Rule Change)

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HANDICAP (Quota)

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New Players/Changing Tee Boxes

 

New players or any player changing tee boxes that they previously qualified on, must play three (3) rounds of Walker Cup events to establish a quota. An average of their three rounds will be used.

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• Example: John Doe joins Walker Cup and plays his three rounds and scores 10, 12, 14 points respectively. He’s now eligible for weekly rounds and his quota would be set at 12 for his fourth round and then adjusted accordingly from there.

• All three rounds count towards becoming ‘bonafide’.

• Players are still eligible for skins and CTPs

• Once established at 3 rounds, player must complete 2 additional rounds before switching tee boxes again (5 rounds total).    Standard new player / returning player rules apply

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Returning Players

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• For established players with 4+ rounds played in the prior season, your handicap is carried over from the prior year’s season final standings.

• Players with less than 4 rounds in prior year are not eligible to win the weekly Quota Game in first event back, quota adjusted using ending quota and starting score.   They are eligible to win their 2nd week back, and eligible for optional games both weeks. (2024 Rule Change)

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Weekly Quota/Handicap

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• The weekly quota shall be an average of the player's last three rounds played (including carry over from the prior year's rounds).   Quota is "rounded" to the nearest whole number, < .5 rounds down and > or = .5 rounds up.
  
  Example:
  Drew's last three rounds of the prior year, he shot 25, 12 & 20 points. The average of those three rounds is 19. That would be his starting quota in week one. 
  He shoots a 15 in week one. A -4 point round towards cumulative. His rounds used for quota computation for the next week are now 15, 25, & 12, dropping off the oldest score.   His new quota for the next round would be 17.
  The next round he shoots an 18. +1 towards cumulative. His quota rounds would now be 18, 15 & 25. Back to a 19 quota. And so on...
   

• Lowest allowed handicap is 6.  Any player under a 6 quota is adjusted up to 6.

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Standings will be tracked here.

Round scores will be tracked here.

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TEE BOXES

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The Walker Cup plays from 5 tee boxes (Super Senior, Forward, Regular, Back, and Way Back).    

• Super Senior Tees:  Option to play there if over 70 years old and regularly drive the ball less than 175 yards.  (Not eligible for CTP and Skins Game)

• Forward Tees:  For players who drive the ball 175 - 200 yards regularly.    (Senior Tee)

• Middle Tees:  For players who drive the ball 201 - 250 yards regularly.

• Back Tees:  For players who drive the ball 251 – 280 yards regularly.

• Way Back Tees: For players who drive the ball 281+ yards regularly.

 

Tees are ideally set (but not always) to around 300 yards difference by the tee committee for new courses.   May involve playing from multiple sets of tees.  Set tees from prior events are re-used.

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Handicap (Quota) is tied to tees.  A player may discuss moving to a different tee box based on health, age, or skill level via email with the competition committee before changing.  If a player is approved to change tees, they must play at least 5 rounds from that new tee, and then declare what tee box they are playing going forward (no multi tee handicaps). 

 

Competition committee can move a player up/back if it is clear that their driver length or skill level falls in a different category than other players at that tee level.

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WEEKLY TEE TIMES

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• Normal weekly pairings are set by the prior weeks points winner. (excludes finals, special events, team events)

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COSTS

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• $35 player's fee for all players (before 1st round)

• 100% of fees applied as credit towards prizes (engraved Johnnie Walker Blue bottle, hole in one flags, etc)Money paid & expenses will be tracked on public spreadsheet by commish or his appointee for transparency.

• Excess prize funds at end of year will be disbursed to the Walker Cup Champion / Finals weekend pool.

• $10 per round per player, pot goes to overall weekly points winner (over their handicap, not total points).  Doubles to $20 for major events.

  • 1st Tiebreaker:  Mulligans Used. 

  • 2nd Tiebreaker: Best score on hardest handicap holes, tie, move to score on next hardest handicap hole.​

• $10 Skins.  (Optional) You can win a skin on a hole even if a mulligan is used.

• $10 Closest to the Pin on "Major" events (Optional)

• Side bets and bucket bets encouraged.

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QUALIFYING ROUNDS

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Walker Cup rounds qualify if any of the following apply:

• Round organized by the commish (Paul) and declared a Walker Cup Round.​

• At least 10 qualifying rounds are required to compete for the Walker Cup 2025 Championship.  (2024 Rule Change)

• Up to 5 exception rounds may be granted by tournament coordinator(s) due to medical reasons - until that player has twelve or more rounds.  The exception round played counts towards total rounds played (up to 12) but weekly handicap is not affected.

• In the event of inclement weather...the following applies:
  Important:  Always show up to designated carpool location / or golf course unless instructed otherwise.   Rounds may be reserved by credit card – and if I get charged, I am passing the cost along to the no show.
  
  Round cancelled 3 hours or less prior to tee off  - each signed up player following the protocol will get credit for a round played.
  
  Concerned about weather or course conditions before round - If inclement weather is likely or course is in poor condition due to weather and it’s decided that a normal round will continue, a player can ‘opt out’ of Stableford format for the round and forego any effects on their quota. It must be declared at start of round and they must still pay $10 for the weekly fee. They are ineligible for the pot, but can still win skins if they pay to play for them.
  
  At Course, round in doubt / cart path only / course in bad shape – Will play some type of team challenge.  Every player participating will get credit for round played PLUS additional +1
  
  Round rained out - AFTER TEE OFF
  A rain out may be declared anytime there are golfers still on the course, or due to darkness. Rain out called by acting commish after discussing course conditions, upcoming weather radar, with playing group.   Disagreements will be decided by vote within acting commish’s playing group.  There is no weekly winner / posting of regular scores when rain out is declared.
  Everyone has not finished:  Everyone awarded round credit and +1.
  Mix of groups finished / not finished:  Everyone awarded round credit and +1.
  Leaving course before rain out declared:  Subject to review by commish.  

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MAJOR EVENTS (2024 Rule Change)

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• 4-5 major events will be held every year as deemed appropriate by the commish.   

• Players participating in the major event will be awarded double rounds played credits (2), and the weekly winner will be paid double ($20) the normal winner's fee.   

• Optional skins and closest to the pin's remain at $10 each.

• At least 15 committed players are required to classify the golf event as a major.   

• Less than 15 golfers, then normal round credit (1) and winner fees apply ($10).   

• Details of the event are updated as the week proceeds.  Normal rain out rules apply.

• “Majors” Counts as a single round towards calculating handicap (but 2 rounds played).

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YEAR END CHAMPIONSHIP

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• Multi Day event in December determines the overall winner.  Saturday / Sunday rounds at resorts such as Reunion, OCN, or Mission Inn.

• At least 10 qualifying rounds are required to compete for the Walker Cup Championship - at the tee marker they are playing from the finals weekend.

• Total cumulative points winner at the end of the championship weekend wins the trophy - an engraved Johnnie Walker Blue bottle.  Champion is also awarded any remaining prize fund balance after Year End party.

• Players compete in a two-day event with their last quota. Cumulative point total determines the Champion.

  • Quotas adjust after each day of the Championship. (2024 Rule Change)

  • Saturday round score changes quota for Sunday.

  • Sunday round score changes season-ending, final quota, that will carry into the following year.

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GAMEPLAY

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MULLIGANS

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• One mulligan, off the tee only, per nine holes. 

  • No carryovers from front to back nine.

• Mulligan / provisional mulligan must be called before 2nd tee shot.​

• If you use a mulligan, you must play that shot for the remainder of that hole even if its worse than your original shot.

• Provisional mulligan can be called if the first shot might be OB. ​
  Call your provisional before hitting.

  • IF OB, provisional ball must be played.​ Mulligan is used.

  • IF not OB, then the original shot must be played and player gets their mulligan back.

• Use them or lose them.  Non-transferable.

• Use of an extra mulligan results in a 2 stroke penalty on that hole.

• Use of mulligan is permitted on PAR 3s - but player is not eligible for CTP prizes on holes where mulligan is used.

• 0.25 points awarded for unused Mulligans. Used for weekly tie-breakers only.
   

BREAKFAST BALLS
 

• Only allowed when granted by commissioner prior to round - usually when there are range restrictions.

• One shot on the first 2 tees.

• MUST use the breakfast ball shot if used.

• Can use Breakfast Ball, then Mulligan on the same hole.

• If a Breakfast Ball is used illegally, then it is counted as a Mulligan.
   

THE ELBOW RULE
 

Our version of lift, clean and place.
 

• You may move the ball from any lie, no distance farther than a driver's length (~45 inches) from original lie. 

• ​You can replace a ball in a sand trap (per elbow rule), reposition any lie playing area, move ball out of a line with dead grass on the green.

• You can clean ball, clean hitting area of loose debris, rake sand before placing ball.

• You can NOT move the ball closer to the hole.

• You can NOT prop up the ball artificially (manipulating dirt, grass, divot, sand, leaves, etc.) after your tee shot.

• You can NOT remove ball from a water hazard / reposition ball in water.

• You can use the elbow rule to improve your lie if inside of a lateral hazard / not in water.

• Confirm with your playing partner if moving a ball more than an elbow due to roots, rocks, mud or standing water, etc.

• Life Sucks - sometimes you just have to take a drop.

• Violation of the elbow rule will result in ZERO points for that hole.

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THE MYSTERIOUS LOST BALL

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It happens.

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• Applies to fairways and rough only. 

• Free drop awarded by playing partner if unable to find your ball inbounds – and it should be found.  

• Spend no more than 3 minutes looking for a ball.

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NO GIMMES

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All putts must be holed out, unless a player has already attempted a bogy stroke.  PICK UP AFTER BOGEY.   No conceded putts are allowed.

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SPORTSMANSHIP AND ETIQUETTE

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• Side bets are encouraged. 

• Ragging on other players is OK, within reason.

• Making fun of yourself is OK.

• Spewing a few words is OK. 

• Drawing a symbol on a found golf ball is OK.

• Pick Up - double bogey shots and putts tend to slow down play

• Keep up with the group in front of you.

• Respect the course - you are responsible for any damage

• Respect your playing partners - be quiet during swings, putting, etc.

 

Have Fun - BUT activities that affect other golfers are frowned upon.   Play within our very forgiving rules - don't be called out for possible cheating or other activities that affect your playing group.   We all get confused on strokes sometimes, so review shots in your head / ask your playing partner to review strokes with you.

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• First complaint is a warning.

• Second complaint is a one week suspension.  (You will know you are suspended – won’t get invite email / be removed from players list)

• Third complaint is a one month suspension.

• Fourth complaint - review and possible permanent suspension.

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Failing to Show Up for Scheduled Round

Life happens, but missing a tee time because you overslept is not a legit excuse.  "Stealing" a spot from another golfer who could have played is just a crappy thing to do.  A "no-call / no-show" will incur: 

•  Loss of pre-paid round and game fees.

•  Payment of full or partial round fee, if no show charged by course PLUS forfeiture of future prepaid rounds during suspension.

• Payment of weekly winner prize ($10/$20)

• 1st No Show:  2 Event Suspension

• 2nd No Show:  4 Event Suspension.  

• 3rd No Show:  Expulsion for remainder of year.

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Rules Modified / Removed in March 2025
Historic Rules - No Longer Valid
 

OLD Weekly Quota/Handicap

• It adjusts after each played round based on your scoring from the previous round.

  • For every 2 points above quota, your handicap increases by 1 point. ​

  • For every 2 points below quota, your handicap decreases by 1 point (max loss of 4 points total loss per round).

• For example, Paul has a 10 handicap and shoots a 14 (+4), the next round, his handicap is 12. The next round he shoots a 16 (+4). His handicap would adjust to 14. Next round, he shoots a 10. His handicap decreases the following round to 12. And so on...

• Lowest allowed handicap is 6.

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Bona-Fide -  12 Rounds 

 

CTP Holes - A mulligan can be used on a CTP hole

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GIMMES

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A 'gimme' is any putt within the distance of the hole that is no greater than the length of a standard putter (not Kegger's or any of those extra-long putters).

 

Check with your playing group to get OK on gimme before picking up.  Anyone in the playing group can grant a gimme before that player asks for it.

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Failing to Show Up for Scheduled Round

Severity of penalty will be determined by league rules committee.
A "no-show" will possibly incur: 

•  Removal of early sign up list

•  Payment of $10 to weekly winner.

•  Payment of full or partial round fee, if charged. 

•  Suspension (multi week, remainder of year, or permanent)

•  Forfeiture of future prepaid rounds.

•  Points or Rounds adjusted.

•  Up to $75 in Fees / Penalties to prize fund to restore good standing.

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