The Palmer Cup Format

Match Play Guidelines and Terminology

• Match play is a game played by holes.
• Score is kept by the number of holes up (won) and the number of holes to play.
• (Example: U.S. 2-up, with six holes to play)
• When a team is up (winning) by more holes than there are holes remaining then the match is closed out and point is awarded.
• One point is awarded for each match won.
• If the match is tied or “halved” through 18 holes of play, each team receives one half point.
• A total of 30 points are awarded in Palmer Cup competition.
• If a match is currently tied while in competition, then it is considered “all square.”
• A match is considered “dormie” when one side is up by the exact number of holes, which remain.

Four Ball

• Five groups of two two-man teams.

“Four Ball” play is a match in which each member of the two-man teams plays his own ball.  Four balls are in play per hole with each of the four players recording a score on the hole.  The team whose player posts the best score on that hole wins the hole.  Should players from each team tie for the best score, that hole is halved.

Foursomes

• Five groups of two two-man teams

“Foursome” play is a match in which the golfers compete on a team against two other golfers and each side plays one ball.  The golfers play alternate shots (player A hits tee shot, player B hits second shot, etc.) until the hole is played out.  Team members alternate on the playing of tee shots, with one golfer hitting the tee shot on odd-numbered holes, and the other hitting tee shots from the even-numbered holes.  The team with the better score wins the hole.  Should the two teams tie for best score, the hole is halved.

Singles

Ten groups of two one-man teams.
“Singles” is a match in which one-player plays against another player.  A player wins the match when he is up by more than there are holes remaining to play.

Concession

A stroke hole or match can be conceded at any time prior to the conclusion of the hole or the match.  Concession of a stroke, hole or match may not be declined or withdrawn.

Pairings

Each team captain submits the order of play for this team to the appointed tournament official. The lists from each captain are matched, resulting in the pairings.

Example:             Captain #1 submits order of play for his team:
Match #1- Stewart/Watson
Match #2- Pavin/Love
Match #3- Janzen/Cook
Match #4- Gallagher/Wadkins
Match #5- Woods/Mickelson
Captain #2 submits his list the same way.  The two lists then are placed side by side and the matches are determined.
Singles matches are submitted in the same fashion.

Naming of Champion

THE PALMER CUP Champion is considered the team with the most points at conclusion of two days of play.  If the team total is tied at the completion of two days of competition the previous years’ winner will retain the cup.