SDGT PLAYER HANDBOOK

OVERVIEW

2025 Membership

  • EARLY BIRD SPECIAL - $300 (3/14 - 4/14)

  • $450 after 4/14

  • Membership fee goes towards an Unknown Golf (UG) membership (app), scoring software, Slack network, SDGT tee time booking service, handicap management, event payouts, regular season flight champions, championship day purse and website maintenance.

HANDICAP

  • Members who register with a verified handicap will be immediately placed into a flight. Verified handicap will be used as a baseline for Event 1.

    • After event 1, only SDGT tournament rounds will be used to determine your internal Unknown Golf handicap.

    • Members who register without a handicap will play at a 0 until 2 events are posted. A handicap will then begin to trend & you’ll be placed into a flight.

  • Handicaps for each event will be emailed via Unknown Golf (UG) the night prior to each event start date. Course handicap is calculated using the following formula:

    • Course Handicap = Handicap Index® x (Slope Rating™ / 113) + (Course Rating™ – par)

      • * Please note your handicap index and course handicap are two different things. Course handicap is defined as the number of handicap strokes a player receives, before handicap allowances, from a specific set of tees as determined by the Slope Rating and the difference between Course Rating and par.

  • A handicap adjustment may be issued by the SDGT committee at any time.

FLIGHTS

  • Handicap Flights: (estimated based on entries)

    • A flight - 0-5

    • B flight - 5.1-10

    • C flight - 10.1-14

    • D flight - 14.1-18

    • E flight - 18+

      • Establishing handicap flight - members who come in without a handicap will play at a 0 until 2 events are posted, a handicap will then begin to trend & you’ll be placed into a flight.

    • Once placed into a flight you will earn points toward season long standings and remain in the same flight for the duration of the regular season. A 2-point max cap will be applied to combat any potential sandbagging.

      • Ex. You came in as 8.5, your max cap is 10.5. You’ll remain in the B Flight even though your max handicap now reflects the C Flight.

RULES

  • The SDGT operates under house rules. We’re not affiliated with any governing body. Keep all matters in house.

  • Singles, flighted, net handicap, tournament rule, stroke play format. USGA Rules of Golf. Ball in hole.

  • In order to provide a better playing experience & to keep pace of play, the following may be utilized by D & E Flight members:

    • D & E Flight members have the option to use the 55+ senior tees.

    • D & E Flight members can utilize the local rule for stroke & distance found below:

  • Attestation

    • Regular events

      • Members must play with at least one other SDGT member for their round to be official.

    • Majors & playoffs

      • A new attester is needed, unless playing in a SDGT foursome.

        • New attester is defined as any SDGT member who has not attested to any of your scores for the year.

          • Ex. Tom attested to Rob’s score in event 1. Tom cannot attest to Rob’s score in event 3 (Masters). Tom & Rob can still play together, but another SDGT member has to attest to Rob’s score in event 3.

  • Playing & Submitting a Score

    • Official rounds are posted to the Unknown Golf app (UG+ membership features will begin on 5/12).

    • Members are allowed unofficial practice rounds - practice rounds cannot be used to attest for another member.

    • Members must declare to their playing partner/group before the 1st tee whether the round is practice or official. If not declared before the 1st tee the round is considered practice.

    • Once a member declares their round official, member’s scorecard must be submitted post round.

    • Only mark gross scores on your scorecard. Net score will automatically calculate after submitting.

      • Upon posting your score, upload a picture of the physical scorecard into the UG event chat.

        • Attester(s) names must be legibly written on the physical scorecard

    • Once a scorecard is submitted, scores are final.

    • Scores are due by 9pm on the final day of each event. No exceptions.

    • Unusual net scores are immediately flagged for committee review.

    • If a member is caught raking putts, blatantly cheating, sandbagging or forging a scorecard, they will be disqualified immediately.

    • Putt out EVERYTHING. No gimmes.

    • 2025 USGA Rules: www.usga.org

    • USGA Handicapping: www.usga.org

  • Schedule

  • Members must play each scheduled event & post their score within the 2 week timeframe to receive points.

    • Scores are due by 11:59pm on the final day (Friday) of each event. No exceptions.

      • Once the event closes, it goes under review for the weekend so the committee can review scores, scorecards & attesters. Event results will be made official on the UG app the following Monday and flight winners paid out.

  • No extensions or make-ups will be issued.

  • If play is suspended do to inclement weather you may resume play where you left off.

  • It is up to you to make arrangements to play the scheduled event. The SDGT Tee Sheet & Slack network are available to accommodate members who are looking to pair up or for a new attester.

  • SDGT Slack Network

    • Instantly communicate with other SDGT members & admin. Channels are broken down by flight, preferred time of play and are great for members looking to pair up or for a new attester.

      • Join the SDGT Slack network here

  • SDGT Tee Sheet

    • Pre-purchased tee times are available for every Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Events at courses which typically sellout, or have a course buyout restriction during the event window, will have additional pre-purchased weekday tee times available. Book tee times directly with us and we’ll take it from there. No need to confirm or call the course, just show up and check-in on the day you’re booked to play. Schedule your round weeks in advance. View & book tee times here.

      • Perfect for members looking to pair up or looking for a new attester.

      • SDGT tee sheet will close 5 days ahead of each event start date. Unused tee times will be released by the golf course to the public at this time.

      • Members can elect to choose a pre-purchased tee time on the SDGT tee sheet or book directly through the golf course if other times are available and fit your schedule better.

  • Tees

    • Tee box selection will vary at each event.

    • An event email including all designated tee boxes will be sent out on the night prior to each event start date.

    • Senior Tees

      • 55+ & 60+ - Senior tees will be listed in the event email.

        • D & E flight members have the OPTION to play from the 55+ tees (this will affect your course handicap so choose wisely).

    • Members are responsible for selecting the correct set of tees when posting a score. Posting wrong tees will result in a DQ for the event.

  • Regular Events (5)

    • Flight champions paid out after 9th event.

      • To qualify for flight champion, you must play a minimum of 6 events.

  • Majors (4)

    • A new attester is needed unless playing in a SDGT foursome.

      • New attester is defined as any SDGT member who has not attested to any of your scores for the year.

    • The SDGT Slack network and tee sheet are great ways to find members looking to pair up or find a new attester.

  • Playoffs - to qualify for the playoffs, you must play a minimum of 6 events.

    • A new attester is needed unless playing in a SDGT foursome.

      • New attester is defined as any SDGT member who has not attested to any of your scores for the year.

    • The SDGT tee sheet & Slack network are great ways to find members looking to pair up or a new attester.

    • Members who fail to play in 6 minimum events will be automatically cut after the 9th event. A % of each flight will then be cut after both playoff events. The remaining field will move on to championship day.

      • *% based on entries

  • CHAMPIONSHIP

    • 10/25 - qualified members must be in attendance.

POINTS

  • All members earn points (net score) per completion of each scheduled event.

  • Season long FedEx Cup style points system is used.

    • Points are distributed like prize money (Ex. - A T5 would be 5th & 6th place points combined and then divided).

  • Major & playoff points are worth 1.5x.

  • Championship points are worth 2x.

PAYOUTS

  • Payouts are issued via digital Visa gift cards.

    • Once an event closes it goes under review for the weekend so the SDGT committee can review scores, scorecards & attesters. Event results will be made official on the UG app the following Monday and flight winners paid out.

    • Gross & Net payouts per flight for each event.

    • Regular season flight champions are paid out after the 9th event.

    • Championship day purse for members who qualify and participate.

Per Flight - Gross/Net (# of positions based on entries)

  • Event Payout Pot % (based on 5 flights)

    • Regular Events (5) - 25%

    • Majors (4) - 25%

    • Regular Season Flight Champions - 10%

  • Playoffs (2) - 10%

  • Championship Day Purse - 30%

    *Payouts are issued via digital Visa gift cards

TRUE Linkswear Cup Champions - * Places based on entries

  • A Flight

    • 1st -

    • 2nd -

    • 3rd -

  • B Flight

    • 1st -

    • 2nd -

    • 3rd -

  • C Flight

    • 1st -

    • 2nd -

    • 3rd -

  • D Flight

    • 1st -

    • 2nd -

    • 3rd -

  • E Flight

    • 1st -

    • 2nd -

    • 3rd -

Event Payouts Per Flight

  • Regular season events (5)

    • Gross -

    • Net -

  • Majors (4)

    • Gross -

    • Net -

  • Flight Champions (5) -

  • Playoffs (2)

    • Gross -

    • Net -

  • Championship Day (5)

    • Gross -

    • Net -

  • No HDCP (2)

    • Gross - $50

    • Only the first 2 events will be paid out