All players play off scratch no Handicap allowance.

Where otherwise specified the rules of the R&A GS apply to all golfing matters.

Where possible a team should consist of either 12 or 14 playing members and the Captains will select their playing quota from those available at the event in each year. Teams can be increased in multiples of 2 providing both sides are equal i.e. up to 16 or even 18 a side.

Where possible the event is played with teams of 14 per side with seven pairs contesting the Foursomes and the Fourball better ball competitions and with 14 singles matches. This becomes similar to the Ryder cup where 28 points are at stake with the magical winning post by exceeding 14 points.

Each match will compete for a single point (a half point if tied) and the team winning the most points will be declared the winner of the event and will secure the Wyder Cup until the next event.

Where the competition involves 12 players per side the winning side will be required to accumulate twelve and a half points.

Where the competition involves 14 players per side the winning side will be required to accumulate fourteen and a half points.

In the event of a tied result (12 – 12 or 14 – 14 dependent upon format) the holders of the cup shall prevail and will retain the cup.

The event will be contested by 6 pairs in the Foursomes and Fourball Better ball and twelve singles matches in the event of one team only having twelve players available.

Any variation on this preferred quota must be agreed between the acting Captains and vice Captains from each side prior to the event.

Regardless of the number of players that a single team might take to a Wyder Cup event, each team member must contest a minimum of one match regardless of format.

Foursomes and Fourball Betterball (4BBB)
Matches are played in the purest form, without handicaps.

The Captains are free to pick their 6 or 7 pairs (depending on whether 12 or 14 player format) in any combination and will submit their pairings in the order in which they will play prior to the start of each round.

The team sheets will be submitted and the draw announced to both teams prior to each round.

The matches will be played over 18 (or 9 where stipulated) holes following normal match play protocol, with each winning pair contributing a point for a win, or a half a point where the match is tied. There is no play off.

The Team Captains Match
In order to reflect the spirit of the Wyder Cup, it is preferable to pair the Captains of each team against each other at some point during the event (to recognise the camaraderie and effort that each aspire to). This would be best accomplished by pairing the Captains in the first of the three rounds (normally the Foursomes). The format can be structured in such a manner that the opposing Captains are paired together with their respective partners in the first fourball.

The submission of the pairings for the opening round will continue as above with the recognition that each Captain will play in the first match with an undisclosed partner. The order that each Captain submits thereafter follows the outline suggested above.

Any variation from this will only be permitted after agreement between the acting Captains and vice Captains.

Foursomes Rules
Foursomes is played as pair against pair, with the players from each team playing alternate shot using the same ball for the duration of the match.

The drawn pairs will nominate which of the respective pair will tee off on the odd (and by default even) numbered holes. This order will be maintained throughout the match for the match in question. The order should be player 1 and player 2.

In the event that a provisional ball is required, the pairs other player will play the provisional. If the original ball is subsequently found to be playable, the second team member will play as if the provisional ball had not been required. If the provisional ball becomes the active ball, the non provisional ball striker becomes the next to hit.

The tee order is not affected by the player that holes the putt to complete the previous hole.

Infringement of the rules above results in the opposition team being able to claim the hole, provided that the infringement is identified prior to the commencement of the hole where the error occurred, otherwise the result of the hole is accepted and play continues.

Singles Matches
The final round will consist of 12 or 14 singles matches without handicap. In recognition of the potential variance in player ability, each team will be split into three groups in order to nullify mismatches and provide every player with a genuine opportunity. The division of each team should reflect, in order, an official club handicap (where appropriate), a recognised MAGS handicap (where appropriate), or an honest recognition or submission of an individuals capabilities.

Where the event consists of twelve man teams, each team will be divided into three divisions each consisting of four players. Each division will reflect the abilities of the team individuals with the lowest handicappers being placed in division 1, the next lowest in division 2 and the remaining players in division 3.

Where the event consists of fourteen man teams, each team will be divided into three divisions consisting of four players, five players and five players, following the structure above.

The singles matches order will ensure that each individual plays an opponent seeded in the same division.

The order of play is intended to retain the magic of scratch play competition between opponents who are not mismatched whilst spreading abilities of each teams’ players throughout the order of matches.

For a twelve a side format, seeded into three leagues of four, namely A, B and C, the draw will follow the format of :-

A v A
B v B
C v C
A v A
B v B
C v C
A v A
B v B
C v C
A v A
B v B
C v C

For a fourteen man format, seeded into three leagues of 4, 5 and 5, namely A, B and C, the draw will follow the format of:-

B v B
C v C
A v A
B v B
C v C
A v A
B v B
C v C
A v A
B v B
C v C
A v A
B v B
C v C

Each captain will submit the order of his team to fit the structure suggested above and play will follow in the divisional order outlined.

The seeding of the team will be agreed by the Captains and vice Captains prior to the event starting with the onus on the honesty that prevails in the game of golf.

In the event that the team size differs from 12 or 14 the format should be adapted accordingly, after agreement between the acting Captains and vice Captains, to reflect the above.

Each singles match will result in the winner scoring a point and a drawn match will see each player contribute half a point to his respective team.

Team Colours
The adopted colours of the teams are RED for the Rest Of the World and BLUE for Long Marston.

Whilst teams might try to coordinate a uniform for some or all of the event, every effort should be made for the teams to wear a top in their team colours for the singles matches. For the foursomes and 4bbb, team uniform is optional, but the team should try to avoid wearing the colours of the other team.

Arrangement of any uniform is at the discretion of the individual teams.

Eligibility
The MAGS now has a variety of annual tours, local events and of course the Wyder Cup that incorporate a wide member base. Whilst it is encouraged that each team will be drawn from, and representative of, the existing member base it is recognised that new players may be introduced into future events.

Any such introduction must be agreed by the acting Captains and vice Captains of both teams prior to the event.

As a guideline, the number of new players will not exceed two players per team in any one year. Any exceptions to this guideline will only be permitted after agreement between the acting Captains and vice Captains of the forthcoming event.

A new player can be defined as one who has not participated in a MAGS related tour or in the Wyder Cup itself. A MAGS related tour is one that contains MAGS members.

Where the event is contested as twelve aside, a minimum of ten players per team must have played in a previous Wyder Cup match. In the event of a fourteen aside competition, a minimum of twelve players per team must have played in a previous Wyder Cup match. Any variation from twelve or 14 strong teams should be scaled accordingly.

Whilst the event is defined as Long Marston versus the ROW, it is conceivable that players that each team might introduce or include will not fall into an appropriate category based upon geographical location. It should be accepted that the teams will be based upon the existing structure and that newcomers are free of such geographical restrictions.

The MAGS ethos
It is expected that all players respect the rules of golf, the venue at which we hold the event, the accommodation at which we might reside, the spirit in which the Wyder Cup was intended and the team members that one plays for and plays against.

What If …..
There will undoubtedly be scenarios that are not covered by the guidelines provided and it is accepted that the format and conditions of play may change and evolve over time.

Whilst this is expected and encouraged, in an attempt to improve the event where possible, it must be recognised that any such variation from the guidelines provided will only be permitted after agreement between the acting Captains and vice Captains.

Should any matter not be resolvable within these confines then it is suggested that it is put to a wider MAGS audience and agreement is drawn from the group engaged.

Any ideas, suggestions, comments, criticisms and recommendations related to the above are actively encouraged since this is what makes the event as enjoyable as it is and will contribute to its’ longevity and success.


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