Welcome to Sodbury Swingers Golf Society
⛳
Please ensure you have read and understood the Society Rules, Fair Play and Handicap Policy at the bottom of the page before entering any tournament
Who are we?
We’re Sodbury Swingers Golf Society — a group of mates brought together by competitive golf, good company and a healthy amount of piss-taking. We take the golf seriously enough to make it matter, but never so seriously that it stops being fun.
What are we doing?
We bring people together through competitive, inclusive and enjoyable golf — creating memorable events, genuine friendships and a society people are proud to be part of.
Why are we doing it?
To make golf competitive enough to matter, social enough to enjoy, and memorable enough to keep coming back.
Where are we based?
Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire — although our members come from further afield, and our events take us across the UK and occasionally overseas.
GOOD GOLF. GREAT COMPANY. | EST. 2026
Society Handicaps ⛳
Sodbury Swingers uses a Society Handicap Index for players who do not have a sufficiently active current WHS handicap.
The Society Handicap is not an official WHS Handicap Index and is used only for Sodbury Swingers competitions.
Which handicap do I use?
✅ 8+ WHS-recorded rounds in the previous 12 months → use your official WHS Handicap Index.
❌ Fewer than 8 WHS rounds in the previous 12 months → a Society Handicap Index is used.
❌ No valid/verifiable WHS handicap → a Society Handicap Index is used.
The 8-round requirement is a Sodbury Swingers rule and does not mean your official WHS handicap itself becomes invalid.
How is the Society Handicap calculated?
There is no Committee-assigned starting handicap. Your Society Handicap is calculated automatically from your qualifying Society scores, starting from your first qualifying 18-hole round.
Scores are converted into a Score Differential using the Course Rating and Slope Rating of the course and tee played.
As more rounds are recorded, more scores are used:
1 round: best 1, minus 2.0
2 rounds: best 1, minus 1.0
3–8 rounds: best 2, with the relevant early-round adjustment
9–11: best 3
12–14: best 4
15–16: best 5
17–18: best 6
19: best 7
20+: best 8 of your most recent 20
All qualifying Society rounds are included automatically — no cherry-picking scores. Scrambles, foursomes, incomplete rounds and team-only formats without a complete individual score do not normally qualify.
Exceptional Scores 🚨
If you suddenly start playing significantly better than your handicap suggests, the system reacts more quickly:
7.0–9.9 strokes better than your pre-round HI → additional −1.0
10.0+ strokes better → additional −2.0
Exceptional Score Reductions can accumulate and remain active while the triggering round remains within your most recent 20 Society scores.
Can my handicap keep increasing?
Once you have 20 qualifying Society rounds, your lowest Society HI from the previous 365 days becomes your Low HI.
From there:
Soft Cap: increases beyond Low HI +3.0 are reduced by 50%.
Hard Cap: your Society HI will normally not rise above Low HI +5.0.
The maximum Society Handicap Index is 28.0.
Committee Reviews
The automated system is the normal method of calculation, but the Committee can make an evidence-based adjustment where a handicap clearly does not represent a player's ability — for example because of rapid improvement, injury, illness, a long absence, incorrect scoring data or deliberate handicap manipulation.
Any manual adjustment should be recorded in the Handicap Tracker.
In simple terms 🏌️♂️
8+ WHS rounds in the last 12 months? → WHS.
Fewer than 8 / no WHS? → Society Handicap.
Only played one Society round? → you still get a calculated Society HI.
20+ rounds? → best 8 of your latest 20.
Maximum Society HI? → 28.0.
Suddenly shooting miles below your handicap? → the system can cut you faster. 👀
The aim is simple: fair handicaps, competitive golf and as little room for banditry as possible. 🦁⛳
SODBURY SWINGERS GOLF SOCIETY
SOCIETY RULES & FAIR PLAY
GOOD GOLF. GREAT COMPANY. | EST. 2026
Welcome to Sodbury Swingers Golf Society.
These rules set out the general standards, competition procedures and fair-play expectations for all Sodbury Swingers activity.
They apply to Society days, leagues, Stableford, matchplay, stroke play, team and pairs competitions, away days, tours, Order of Merit events, knockout competitions and other Society activity unless specific event rules state otherwise.
Until separate Society policy documents are formally published, this Squabbit page should be treated as the current player-facing reference for Society rules and procedures.
By joining the Society, entering a competition, attending an event or submitting a Society score, players agree to follow these rules and any applicable event-specific conditions.
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1. KEY PRINCIPLE
Society golf should be competitive, social and fair.
We take the golf seriously enough to make it matter, but not so seriously that it stops being enjoyable.
The objective of these rules is simple:
Good Golf. Great Company.
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2. SOCIETY & PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
Sodbury Swingers Golf Society is based around Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire, with events held at Chipping Sodbury Golf Club and selected venues elsewhere in the UK and occasionally abroad.
Unless an event states otherwise:
* Society competitions are open to amateur golfers.
* Players should normally be aged 18 or over unless the Society Committee approves otherwise.
* Players must be registered in Squabbit where Squabbit is being used for the event.
* Any required entry fee must be paid by the stated deadline.
* A competition handicap must be available or approved under the Society handicap rules.
* The normal maximum Handicap Index used for Society competitions is **28.0**.
* Event-specific eligibility, capacity, handicap or membership restrictions may apply.
Guests may be permitted at selected events at the discretion of the Committee.
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3. GOVERNING RULES & ORDER OF PRECEDENCE
Society golf is governed, where applicable, by:
1. The Rules of Golf approved by The R&A and USGA.
2. Authorised Local Rules of the host venue or competition Committee.
3. Published event-specific Terms of Competition.
4. These Society Rules and other current Sodbury Swingers policies.
5. Additional instructions issued by the Society Committee which are consistent with the above.
Players are responsible for checking the host venue's scorecard, noticeboard, starter instructions and temporary Local Rules.
This includes matters such as:
* Preferred lies
* Ground under repair
* Course boundaries
* Penalty areas
* Buggy restrictions
* Temporary greens
* Dress requirements
* Course-specific rules
An event may also activate a clearly identified Society-specific recreational rule.
Society-specific rules which do not comply with normal Rules of Golf or WHS requirements cannot be used for a round intended to qualify for WHS handicap purposes.
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4. EVENT INFORMATION
Before an event begins, the Society will normally publish enough information for players to understand what they are entering.
This may include:
* Date and venue
* Course and number of holes
* Tee times or playing window
* Entry and payment deadlines
* Competition format
* Teams or pairings
* Tee allocation
* Handicap Index limit
* Handicap cut-off
* Playing Handicap allowance
* Scoring method
* Scorecard requirements
* Local or Society-specific rules
* Prize structure
* Tie-break procedure
* Withdrawal arrangements
* Whether the round is WHS handicap-eligible
Players are responsible for checking Squabbit, WhatsApp and other official Society communications for updates.
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5. ENTRY FEES, PAYMENTS & WITHDRAWALS
Entry fees may vary according to the event, venue, format and prize fund.
Payment may be collected through Squabbit, bank transfer, cash or another method approved by the Committee.
Where Squabbit's payment-tracking function is being used, players should select "I've paid" once payment has been made.
A player who has not paid by the published deadline may:
* Lose their place
* Be prevented from starting
* Become ineligible for prizes
* Be prevented from entering further Society activity until an outstanding payment is resolved
Withdrawals & Refunds
A payment is not automatically refundable simply because a player later withdraws.
The default approach is:
* Where no external cost has been committed, the Committee will normally refund the relevant payment.
* Where the Society has already incurred a non-refundable venue or supplier cost, the refund may be reduced by that amount.
* Where an eligible replacement can take over the place and pays the required amount, the withdrawing player will normally receive the value successfully recovered.
* Supplier refunds received by the Society will normally be passed back to affected players, less any genuinely unrecoverable cost.
* Event-specific cancellation or refund terms may override these defaults where published in advance.
For trips, tours and overnight bookings, deposits may become non-refundable once the Society or supplier has made a financial commitment on the player's behalf.
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6. EVENT FORMATS
Society events may include:
* Singles Stableford
* Matchplay
* Stroke Play / Medal
* Four-Ball Better Ball
* Pairs Better Ball
* Aggregate Pairs
* Team Stableford
* 1-2-3 Best Ball / Irish Rumble
* Scrambles / Texas Scrambles
* Eclectic competitions
* Knockouts
* Order of Merit events
* Other published formats
The specific format, tees, handicap allowance, scoring method, tie-break and prize structure will be confirmed for each event.
Squabbit is a scoring tool — it is not a substitute for understanding the basic format you're playing.
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7. NO-PUTTS-GIVEN POLICY
Sodbury Swingers operates a **no-putts-given policy in competition golf** unless the Rules for the format specifically permit otherwise.
Stableford
Players must hole out while they can still score Stableford points.
Once a player can only score zero points, they may pick up and record a pick-up / no score as appropriate.
Stroke Play / Medal
Players must hole out.
Failure to hole out must be corrected in accordance with the Rules of Golf or the player will be disqualified from that stroke-play competition.
Matchplay
A player may concede:
* The opponent's next stroke
* A hole
* The match
Concessions must comply with the Rules of Golf.
Team Formats
The event conditions will confirm when a player may pick up or stop playing a hole.
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8. STABLEFORD
Unless stated otherwise, Society Stableford uses standard net Stableford scoring:
* 0 points — Net double bogey or worse / no score
* 1 point — Net bogey
* 2 points — Net par
* 3 points — Net birdie
* 4 points — Net eagle
* 5 points — Net albatross
Handicap strokes are applied using the player's Playing Handicap and the stroke indexes for the course and tee being used.
The highest points total wins unless the competition states otherwise.
Countback
Unless another tie-break is published, tied Stableford scores will normally be separated using:
Last 9 → Last 6 → Last 3 → 18th hole
If still tied, the Committee will use the published event method or another fair method appropriate to the competition.
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9. MATCHPLAY
In matchplay, a player or side competes directly against an opponent or opposing side on a hole-by-hole basis.
Handicap strokes are applied according to the event allowance.
The lower net score wins the hole.
Equal net scores halve the hole.
A match ends when one side leads by more holes than remain to be played.
For example:
4 up with 3 holes remaining = 4&3
A tied match is recorded as All Square / AS unless the event requires extra holes or another tie-break.
League Matchplay will normally award:
* 3 points — Win
* 1 point — Tie / All Square
* 0 points — Loss
unless the specific league rules state otherwise.
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10. TEAM & PAIRS COMPETITIONS
Team and pairs competitions may use one or more individual scores on each hole, aggregate scoring, Better Ball, Irish Rumble or another published method.
Each player remains responsible for the accuracy of their own gross score unless the event conditions state otherwise.
Squabbit may calculate the team result automatically, but players should still check the underlying gross scores.
Tie-breaks will follow the published event conditions or the normal Society countback method where appropriate.
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11. NEAREST THE PIN, LONGEST DRIVE & SPECIAL PRIZES
Society events may include additional challenges such as:
* Nearest the Pin
* Longest Drive
* Nearest the Pin in 2
* Straightest Drive
* Best Front 9
* Best Back 9
* Best Gross
* Best Nett
* Wooden Spoon
* Other Society challenges
Unless the event states otherwise:
Nearest the Pin: the ball must finish on the putting green.
Longest Drive: the ball must finish on the fairway.
Qualifying shots must be recorded using the marker, sheet or digital method specified for the event.
Any dispute regarding a prize hole will be decided by the Committee.
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12. SOCIETY-SPECIFIC RELIEF RULES
The following rules are not automatically active.
They may only be used where they have been expressly activated in the published Terms of Competition for that event.
They are Society recreational rules and **cannot be used in WHS handicap-eligible rounds**.
12.1 Lateral / Gallery Relief Rule
Where activated, this rule may apply when:
* A ball is lost in an arid or genuinely unplayable area that is not otherwise marked or staked; or
* A ball cannot be found in a playable area where the group is certain or virtually certain where it came to rest.
The player adds one penalty stroke.
For an arid or unplayable area, the player drops in the closest playable area to the point where the ball entered that area, treated in a similar manner to lateral relief.
For Society purposes, the closest playable area means a suitable mown area. This does not guarantee a preferred lie, stance or swing.
The crossing / reference point should be agreed with playing partners.
For a ball believed to be lost in a normal playable area, the ball is dropped at the closest appropriate playable area to where it is believed to have come to rest.
The ball must not be dropped nearer the hole.
This rule does not apply to:
* Out of bounds
* Marked penalty areas
* Other formally marked or staked areas
Normal Rules of Golf and Local Rules apply in those situations.
12.2 Divot Relief Rule
Where activated, a player may take free relief when their ball has come to rest in a divot in the general area.
It is the player's decision whether the ball is lying in a divot.
The ball must be dropped:
* Within one scorecard-length of its original position
* In the general area
* Not nearer the hole
Again, this rule cannot be used in a handicap-eligible round.
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13. HANDICAPS
The objective of the Society handicap system is fair competition — not to punish somebody for playing well.
Strong scoring by itself is not evidence of cheating.
The Society may use either:
* An official WHS Handicap Index, or
* An internal Sodbury Swingers Society Handicap Index
depending on the player's handicap record.
A Society Handicap Index is used only for Sodbury Swingers competitions. It is not an official WHS Handicap Index and does not change the player's WHS record.
The normal maximum Society Handicap Index is 28.0.
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14. WHICH HANDICAP IS USED?
At the relevant competition handicap cut-off:
Valid WHS + 8 or more WHS rounds in the previous 12 months
The player's official WHS Handicap Index will normally be used.
Valid WHS but fewer than 8 WHS rounds in the previous 12 months
The player may be moved onto a Society Handicap Index, or the Committee may approve use of the WHS Handicap where appropriate.
No valid or verifiable WHS Handicap
The player will normally use a Society Handicap Index.
The 8-round / 12-month requirement is a Sodbury Swingers eligibility rule. It does not mean that a player's official WHS Handicap Index has become invalid under WHS.
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15. SOCIETY HANDICAP INDEX
A Society Handicap is based on qualifying Society scores.
The Committee does not simply invent a temporary starting handicap.
A Society Handicap Index can be calculated from the player's first qualifying Society round.
Qualifying Scores
A score will normally qualify where it is:
* A complete individual 18-hole round
* Played as part of an official Sodbury Swingers event or competition
* Played from a course and tee with a Course Rating and Slope Rating
* Complete and verifiable enough to calculate a Score Differential
An individual score from a team competition may count where a complete individual 18-hole score exists independently of the team result.
The following normally do not qualify:
* Scrambles or team-only formats without a complete individual score
* Incomplete or unverifiable scores
* Casual rounds selectively submitted by a player
* 9-hole rounds unless the Society formally introduces a separate approved method
No cherry-picking: once a Society round qualifies, it forms part of the player's Society Handicap record automatically.
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16. SOCIETY HANDICAP CALCULATION
Each qualifying score is converted into a Score Differential:
Score Differential = (Adjusted Gross Score − Course Rating) × 113 ÷ Slope Rating
For the Society system, PCC is treated as zero.
The Society Handicap is then built as follows:
| Qualifying Rounds | Calculation |
| ---------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| 1 | Lowest 1, minus 2.0 |
| 2 | Lowest 1, minus 1.0 |
| 3 | Lowest 2 average, minus 2.0 |
| 4 | Lowest 2 average, minus 1.5 |
| 5 | Lowest 2 average, minus 1.0 |
| 6 | Lowest 2 average, minus 0.5 |
| 7–8 | Lowest 2 average |
| 9–11 | Lowest 3 average |
| 12–14 | Lowest 4 average |
| 15–16 | Lowest 5 average |
| 17–18 | Lowest 6 average |
| 19 | Lowest 7 |
| 20+ | Best 8 of the most recent 20 |
Score Differentials and the final Society Handicap Index are rounded to one decimal place.
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17. EXCEPTIONAL SCORES & HANDICAP CAPS
The Society Handicap system reacts more quickly where a player suddenly demonstrates materially better ability.
Exceptional Score Reduction
Where a new Score Differential is:
* Less than 7.0 strokes better than the pre-round Society HI: no additional reduction
* 7.0–9.9 strokes better: additional -1.0
* 10.0 or more strokes better: additional -2.0
No ESR applies to the first qualifying Society round because no pre-round Society Handicap exists.
Multiple ESRs may be active.
Low Society Handicap & Caps
Once a player has at least 20 qualifying Society rounds, the lowest Society Handicap Index recorded during the previous 365 days becomes their Low Society Handicap Index.
If an unrestricted handicap rises more than 3.0 strokes above the Low Society HI, increases above +3.0 are normally restricted by the Soft Cap.
The Society Handicap will normally not rise more than 5.0 strokes above the Low Society HI under the Hard Cap.
The Committee may make an evidence-based adjustment where genuine circumstances mean the calculated handicap clearly no longer represents the player's ability.
The maximum Society Handicap Index remains 28.0.
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18. PLAYING HANDICAPS & HANDICAP CUT-OFF
The applicable Handicap Index is taken at the event's published handicap cut-off.
A later change does not retrospectively alter the event unless the original data or calculation was wrong.
Course Handicap and Playing Handicap are then calculated using:
* The applicable Handicap Index
* Course Rating / Slope / tee information
* The handicap allowance published for the competition
Individual Stableford and stroke-play events commonly use 95%, but the event-specific allowance always applies.
A player must use the tee selected for the event.
Players should raise an obvious handicap, tee or stroke-allocation discrepancy as soon as reasonably possible.
Knowingly providing incorrect handicap information or deliberately exploiting an obvious error may be treated as a fair-play breach.
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19. HANDICAP MANIPULATION
Handicap manipulation is a serious breach.
This includes, where relevant:
* Deliberately failing to return or post a score that is required
* Entering false or deliberately inflated scores
* Knowingly playing from the wrong tee or handicap
* Deliberately attempting to increase a future Society Handicap
* Selectively withholding qualifying Society scores
* Colluding with another player to alter a score, result or handicap outcome
* Providing false handicap information
* Refusing without good reason to provide information reasonably required for verification
Committee action will be based on evidence, scoring history and the circumstances of the case.
Someone shooting the lights out once does not automatically make them a bandit — even if the group chat has already convicted them.
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20. ENTERING & CHECKING SCORES
Where Squabbit is being used, all gross scores must be entered accurately.
Where putts, penalties or other statistics are requested, they must also be entered honestly.
Players should:
* Check their score hole-by-hole before final submission
* Ensure the correct player, tee and gross score are recorded
* Raise scoring errors promptly
A paper scorecard should also be completed as the round's backup record unless the Committee states otherwise.
The Society's official competition record will normally be the Squabbit digital scorecard.
Using Squabbit does not remove any separate scorecard certification, WHS submission or host-club requirement applying to the round.
A submitted Society score may be corrected by the Committee where there is clear evidence of:
* A data-entry error
* A Rules ruling
* Incorrect handicap or tee information
* Another legitimate correction
Deliberately entering an incorrect score may result in disqualification, prize forfeiture and disciplinary action.
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21. WHEN A RESULT BECOMES FINAL
Unless an event states otherwise, a Society competition result becomes final when the Committee publishes the **confirmed final result** through Squabbit or another official Society channel.
Before that point, the Committee may resolve Rules issues, correct legitimate scoring errors and confirm eligibility.
A final result does not prevent later disciplinary action where deliberate cheating, false information or another serious breach is subsequently established.
Where such a breach materially affected a result or eligibility, a prize may also be forfeited retrospectively.
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22. LOCAL RULES, TEES & EQUIPMENT
Players must follow the Local Rules of the course being played.
Players must play from the tee allocated for the event.
Playing from a wrong tee will be handled under the applicable Rules of Golf and event conditions.
Distance-Measuring Devices
GPS devices, rangefinders and other distance-measuring devices are permitted in Society competitions unless prohibited by the host venue or event rules.
For Society recreational competitions, devices may also use:
* Elevation / slope
* Slope-adjusted distance
* "Plays like" calculations
However:
Slope, elevation and other prohibited calculation functions must not be used where the round is intended to be WHS handicap-eligible or is being played under an external competition that prohibits them.
The Society allowance does not override host-venue or external competition restrictions.
Other Equipment
Buggies, carts and trollies are permitted subject to venue restrictions.
Caddies are permitted unless specifically restricted by the Committee, host venue or event conditions.
Players remain responsible for using conforming equipment and following venue safety and dress requirements.
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23. PLAYERS WITH DISABILITIES
Rule 25 of the Rules of Golf applies where relevant and provides modifications for players with specific disabilities.
Reasonable adjustments will be considered where they are within the Society's control.
Players who require an adjustment are encouraged to tell the Committee in advance where this would help arrangements, but unnecessary barriers will not be imposed.
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24. PACE OF PLAY & COURSE CARE
Players are expected to keep pace with the group in front.
Players should:
* Use ready golf where appropriate and safe
* Be ready to play when it is their turn
* Keep pre-shot routines sensible
* Move promptly between shots
* Play a provisional ball where appropriate
* Observe the three-minute ball-search limit
* Pick up promptly in Stableford once zero points is unavoidable
* Repair pitch marks
* Replace or fill divots where required
* Rake bunkers
* Follow course-care instructions
A group which loses position may be asked to speed up by venue staff or the Committee.
Repeated unreasonable slow play may lead to warnings, any penalty available under the applicable competition rules, or disciplinary action where appropriate.
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25. PLAYER CONDUCT, BANTER & ALCOHOL
The Society is built around competitive golf, social golf, drinks and plenty of banter.
That does not mean anything goes.
Players must behave reasonably and respectfully towards:
* Other players
* Society organisers
* Course staff
* Club members
* Visitors
* Members of the public
Unacceptable conduct includes:
* Cheating or deliberate score manipulation
* Aggressive or threatening behaviour
* Discriminatory or abusive behaviour
* Harassment or bullying
* Deliberate course or property damage
* Dangerous behaviour
* Persistent refusal to follow the Rules or reasonable instructions
* Excessive drunkenness affecting safety, pace of play or other participants
* Driving or operating a vehicle while impaired
* Abusive or persistently targeted messages in Society channels
* Behaviour that materially brings the Society into disrepute
Banter is welcome.
Calling something "banter" does not make threatening, discriminatory, persistently targeted, humiliating or clearly unwanted behaviour acceptable.
If somebody has reasonably made clear that a boundary has been crossed, stop.
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26. LATE, MISSED OR WITHDRAWN ROUNDS
For leagues, knockouts and multi-round events, rounds or fixtures must be completed by the published deadline unless another arrangement is approved.
Players unable to complete a round should inform the Committee — and their opponent in matchplay — as early as possible.
Where there is a genuine reason and competition integrity is maintained, the Committee may allow:
* An extension
* Rearranged fixture
* Late submission
* Substitute where the format permits
* Withdrawal without additional competition penalty
Failure to complete a required round or communicate by the deadline may result in:
* Zero points
* Match forfeiture
* Removal from the event
* Prize ineligibility
* Another penalty published specifically for that competition
Where an event or league has its own published late-round penalty, that specific rule applies.
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27. PRIZES
Prize categories and values will be confirmed for each event.
A player must satisfy the applicable:
* Entry requirements
* Payment requirements
* Handicap requirements
* Scoring requirements
* Competition rules
to remain eligible.
Where necessary, the Committee may withhold, split, correct or reallocate a prize because of:
* A tie
* Withdrawal
* Disqualification
* Scoring correction
* Eligibility issue
* Another exceptional circumstance
Society prize money and event funds are held for Society purposes and are not private profit for Committee members.
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28. COMPLAINTS, DISCIPLINE & SANCTIONS
A genuine mistake is not treated in the same way as deliberate cheating.
An allegation is also not proof that a breach occurred.
Complaints should normally be raised directly with the Society Committee rather than argued publicly in WhatsApp or another Society channel.
The Committee may:
* Review Squabbit records
* Review handicap information
* Request relevant scorecards or evidence
* Speak to players or witnesses
* Obtain clarification from the host venue
* Take temporary action where necessary to protect safety or competition integrity
Possible Society outcomes include:
* Advice or informal resolution
* Verbal warning
* Written warning
* Correction of a Society record or result where permitted
* Loss of hole or match forfeiture where the competition rules provide for it
* Prize ineligibility or forfeiture
* Disqualification
* Society Handicap adjustment or suspension
* Removal from an event
* Suspension from future Society activity
* Permanent removal from the Society
* Referral to the host club or relevant handicap authority where appropriate
Any action should be proportionate to the seriousness, intent, evidence and impact of the breach.
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29. APPEALS
A player may appeal a significant:
* Disciplinary decision
* Handicap-integrity decision
* Prize-eligibility decision
by submitting an appeal to the Society Committee within 48 hours of being notified of the decision.
The appeal should explain the reason for the challenge and include any relevant evidence.
Where a Committee member is directly involved or otherwise conflicted, they should not determine the matter alone.
Where practicable, an independent Society member or another suitable person may assist with the review.
The appeal may confirm, vary or overturn the original decision.
The outcome of the appeal is final for internal Society purposes.
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30. GROUP CHAT & COMMUNICATION
Official Society communication may take place through:
* Squabbit
* Direct message
* Verbal announcements on event days
Players are responsible for keeping themselves reasonably up to date.
Questions, piss-taking and polite challenges are all part of Society golf.
The group chat is not a courtroom.
Formal accusations of cheating, handicap manipulation, harassment or other serious misconduct should be raised privately with the Committee so the matter can be considered properly.
Knowingly false or malicious allegations may themselves be treated as misconduct.
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31. PRIVACY & PERSONAL INFORMATION
The Society may hold information reasonably required to administer Society activity, including:
* Names
* Contact information
* Attendance and booking information
* Payment status
* Handicap information
* Scores and competition records
* Trip information
* Relevant complaint or disciplinary records
Information will be used only for legitimate Society administration and will not be sold.
Information may be shared with golf clubs, accommodation providers or other suppliers where reasonably necessary to administer an event or booking.
Sensitive complaint, disciplinary or handicap-integrity information should only be shared with people who genuinely need it.
Players may raise privacy questions or data-rights requests directly with the Society Committee.
The Society will handle personal information in accordance with applicable UK data-protection requirements.
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32. TOURS & SOCIETY TRIPS
Trips and overnight tours may have additional event-specific terms.
Players are responsible for:
* Paying deposits and instalments by the stated deadlines
* Checking what is included in the trip price
* Holding suitable travel documents where required
* Arranging appropriate personal travel insurance
* Complying with supplier and venue requirements
* Informing the Committee promptly if they need to withdraw
Once the Society or a supplier has made a non-refundable commitment on a player's behalf, that cost may remain payable even if the player later withdraws.
Finding a replacement may improve the refund position but does not guarantee a full refund where unrecoverable supplier costs remain.
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33. COMMITTEE AUTHORITY
The Society Committee administers:
* Competitions
* Handicaps
* Results
* Payments and prizes
* Rules questions
* Events and trips
* Complaints and discipline
* Society records
Routine decisions may be made as required to keep Society activity running.
Significant decisions should be handled fairly, consistently and without avoidable conflicts of interest.
Committee discretion exists to deal with genuinely unusual circumstances — not to rewrite the rules halfway through an event because somebody doesn't like the leaderboard.
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34. CHANGES TO EVENT TERMS
Before an event starts, the Committee may correct an obvious error or make a necessary change to the published event information.
Any material change should be communicated clearly to affected players.
Once an event has started, material changes should only be made in exceptional circumstances and should be applied as fairly and consistently as possible.
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35. AMENDMENTS
These Society Rules may be updated where required to reflect:
* New competition formats
* Changes to Society administration
* Updated Rules of Golf
* Handicap arrangements
* Experience from previous events
* Changes to applicable Society policies
Material updates will be communicated through Squabbit, WhatsApp or another appropriate Society channel.
The current version shown on Squabbit is the version players should follow unless the Committee has clearly communicated a newer rule or event-specific condition.
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36. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
By joining Sodbury Swingers Golf Society, entering a competition, attending an event, accepting a Society booking or submitting a Society score, players acknowledge that they are expected to comply with these rules and any applicable event-specific conditions.
Play fair. Enter the right score. Keep up with the group in front. Don't be a dick.
GOOD GOLF. GREAT COMPANY. | EST. 2026