League Rules
Purpose
The SSL was created to maximize summer golf fun by fostering camaraderie and friendly competition through group play. It offers a flexible, fun format with cash prizes that accommodates any skill level, schedule, and location — while rewarding personal improvement and participation.
Season
- Duration: April 15 – October 10, 2026
- Eligibility: Registered league members only
- Cost: Free (players pay their own green fees)
- Format: Group play required — no solo rounds
Rules
1. Group Play Requirement
Every round must include at least one other registered league member. Rounds with non-members do not count.
2. Handicap Tracking
Enter your current 18-hole handicap index each time you submit a round. Your profile handicap updates automatically, and your history is tracked throughout the season.
3. Scoring Formula
Points reward skill, group play, and course difficulty:
4. Course Difficulty
5. Group Bonus
+1 point per additional verified league member in your group (not counting yourself).
6. Commissioner Bonus
The commissioner may award additional bonus points to any round at their discretion — for example, for winning a special one-day tournament, a closest-to-the-pin contest, or any other event. These points are added directly to that round's total and are visible on the Scores page.
Season Score
Your season score is based on your top 5 rounds, multiplied by a participation factor, plus an improvement bonus:
Participation multiplier:
✨ Improvement Bonus (New for 2026)
Your handicap is tracked live throughout the season. Your first round locks in your starting handicap. For every stroke your handicap drops from that starting point, you earn +3 bonus points added directly to your season score.
Example: You start the season at handicap 18 and finish at 15 — that's 3 strokes improved = +9 bonus points on your season score. There is no penalty if your handicap goes up.
🏆 Tournament & Event Bonuses
Throughout the season the commissioner may organize special events — scrambles, invitationals, or other formats that don't produce a regular individual score. Top finishers in these events earn bonus points added directly to their SSL season score, bypassing the normal round formula.
Bonus amounts are set by the commissioner before each event and announced in advance. All awarded bonuses are listed on the Standings and Scores pages with the player's name, point value, and reason — fully transparent to everyone in the league.
Example — Dan's Birthday Tournament 2026 (July 3rd)
Two-man scramble at Carling Lake. SSL season points awarded to the top three teams:
Prizes
Prizes paid out after October 10, 2026.