Rules

Dawn Patrol Rules & Competition Handbook

Revision: 20260809

Index

  1. Introduction
  2. General Dawn Patrol Rules
  3. Acceptable Cards & Handicap Submissions (Key to Colour Indicators)
  4. Individual Games (Monday & Friday)
  5. Team Games (Wednesday)
  6. The Morning Draw Procedure
  7. Winter Rules & General Playing Conditions
  8. Winter Eclectic Competition
  9. Christmas Yellow Ball Competition
  10. Tie Resolution Procedures
  11. ‘Fairness Safeguard’ for the low handicappers

1) Introduction

This handbook consolidates the rules, procedures, and competition formats used within the Dawn Patrol group. The purpose of this document is to provide a clear and consistent reference for all members.

Unless otherwise stated, all play is conducted in accordance with the Rules of Golf and the local rules established by the main club.

2) General Dawn Patrol Rules

No Gimmies

There are no gimmies in Dawn Patrol competitions.

All players must hole out on every hole regardless of distance. This applies to all individual and stroke-play formats and ensures consistency, fairness, and integrity across all competitions.

Preferred Lies

Preferred lies (pick and place) will follow the main club rules and seasonal guidance.

Use of Spurk Mats

The use of Spurk mats (or equivalent winter mats) follows the main club rules.

Important:

  • If a player is submitting a card for handicap purposes, mats may not be used.
  • All acceptable scores must comply fully with club regulations.

Tees in Play

Yellow and white tees used in Dawn Patrol competitions will align with the main club’s summer and winter tee setup.

Handicap Tracking Reset Dates

Shots lost for winnings; and money tracking will reset twice annually:

  • 1 April
  • 1 October

These resets are independent of any handicap resets conducted by the main club.

3) Acceptable Cards & Handicap Submissions (Key to Colour Indicators)

Dynamic Handicap System

The Dawn Patrol handicap system is dynamically linked to each player’s WHS Handicap Index throughout the playing season.

Submission of Acceptable Playing Cards

Monday and Friday individual competitions are ideal opportunities to submit Acceptable Playing Cards.

We are placing greater emphasis on regular card submission for handicap purposes, whether through competitions or General Play cards.

Kingsdown Golf Club requires at least five qualifying cards in the past 12 months, but this should be seen only as the starting point. In line with WHS principles, golfers should aim to submit far more than this, ideally a card whenever practically possible, so handicaps remain accurate and up to date.

To help with this, the Dawn Patrol are reinstating the Friday General Play card submission for everyone. If you don’t usually play on Fridays, you may submit a General Play card on Monday and/or Wednesday instead, provided the Wednesday format allows.

If players choose not to submit cards regularly, they will not be able to take part in the roll‑up draw.

The Dawn Patrol handicap shown on the website or any printed sheet includes:

  • Light Yellow – Yellow Handicap
  • Dark Yellow – Yellow Handicap Capped
  • Light Blue – White Handicap
  • Darker Blue – White Handicap Capped
  • Pink – Handicap Changed
  • Dark Blue with White text – Handicap Zero or Positive

Shot Deductions for Winnings

Individual Games

Shot deductions remain:

  • Overall winner: -1 shot
  • Front 9 winner: -0.5 shot
  • Back 9 winner: -0.5 shot

Additional Money Threshold Reductions

For every £30 won in individual games, players lose an additional shot:

  • £30 = -1 shot
  • £60 = -2 shots
  • £90 = -3 shots
  • and so on

Deductions for Team game winnings are now included. (1st April 2026)

  1. Team events became subject to the same Dawn Patrol adjustments as individual games.
  2. Team event players:
    • Winning team: -1 shot each
    • Second-place team: -0.5 shot each
  3. Individual and team winnings are now cumulative and count toward the £30 / £60 / £90 thresholds.

Starting Cuts Following Resets

At handicap resets, additional starting reductions apply to the starting handicaps if the previous season winnings were as follows:

  • £90 or more -2 shots
  • £75 or more -1 shot

Important reminders:

  • No gimmies.
  • Players must avoid picking up prematurely.
  • Pick-up if you cant score on either card!!
  • All submissions must comply with England Golf and club regulations

Please note, players will effectively be managing:

  • Their Dawn Patrol handicap for the DP competition.
  • Their full WHS handicap for handicap submission purposes.

4) Individual Game Handicap Calculation

For individual games played on Mondays and Fridays:

  • Play is from the yellow tees.
  • Playing Handicap is calculated at 95% of the player’s Course Handicap.
  • Correct WHS rounding procedures apply.
  • Any Dawn Patrol shot deductions are then applied.
  • Maximum Playing Handicap is capped at 28.

Players may check 95% calculations using the IG Handicap Calculator.

5) Team Game Handicap Calculation

For Wednesday team games:

  • White tee handicaps remain at 100% of the Course Handicap.
  • Any Dawn Patrol shot deductions are then applied.
  • Maximum Playing Handicap is capped at 33.

Team Games (Wednesday)

Prize Distribution Update (February 2025)

When Wednesday participation reaches 20 players or more:

  • Both 1st and 2nd prizes will be awarded.
    Prize distribution:
  • Two-thirds of the pot to 1st place.
    One-third of the pot to 2nd place.

This update was introduced to reflect increased participation and larger prize funds.

Texas Scramble

3 balls – 5 drives each and 10% of the combined Playing handicap is deducted from your overall gross score.

4 balls – 4 drives each and 5% of combined Playing handicap is deducted from your overall gross score.

6) The Morning Draw Procedure

Standard Procedure

Members gather in the clubhouse from 06:50 for coffee and conversation.

Each player:

  • receives a numbered bingo ball;
  • places it in the draw device upon arrival.

Groups are drawn in sets of three players.

One member is responsible for recording the groups scores on a single group card.

Summer Draw Procedure Update (March 2025)

Due to increased attendance:

  • The first three groups are drawn at 07:30.
  • These groups prepare for a 07:40 tee-off.
  • The main draw then pauses until 07:40.
  • Later arrivals may still enter the main draw before it resumes.

Attendance Register

A register is maintained showing attendance on all Dawn Patrol playing days.

7) Winter Rules & General Playing Conditions

Winter Rules

Winter rules and preferred lies operate in accordance with the main club regulations.

8) Winter Eclectic Competition

Competition Overview

The Winter Eclectic Competition runs across a defined qualifying period.

2025 Competition Dates

8 October 2025 to 17 December 2025.

Entry Fee

£5 entry fee payable to Alex before the competition start date.

Key Changes Introduced for 2025

  1. Extended qualifying period.
  2. Cards may be submitted on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday Dawn Patrol rounds.
  3. Wednesday team formats take priority and may prevent eclectic submissions.
  4. Handicap allowance increased from 50% to 70%.

Number of Cards

Players may submit a maximum of 6 cards.

Declaration Requirement

Before play begins, players must declare on the first tee that the round is being submitted for the eclectic competition.

Scorecard Requirements

Cards must include:

  • Competition name (including round number, e.g. “3 of 6”)
  • Date played
  • Player’s full name
  • Marker’s signature
  • Player’s signature

Competition Format

  • Play is from the tees in use that day.
  • Gross scores only are recorded.
  • N/R may be recorded where appropriate.
  • Players do not need to complete a hole after an N/R.
  • All cards should be totalled with N/R recorded as nil.

Putting Requirement

Because the eclectic is a stroke-play competition:

  • no putts may be conceded;
  • all players must hole out.

Handicap Allowance

The Eclectic Handicap (EH):

  • uses the player’s Handicap Index at the competition start date;
  • is calculated using 70% of Course Handicap;
  • uses the tees in play at the time.

Correct WHS rounding procedures apply.

Historical 2024 Eclectic Notes

The 2024 Winter Eclectic competition:

  • ran from 23 October to 18 December 2024;
  • also required a maximum of 6 cards;
  • used yellow tees;
  • allowed alternate dates if weather affected scheduled Wednesdays.

At that time, the handicap percentage allowance was still under review.

9) Christmas Yellow Ball Competition

General Rules

Registration & Scoring

  • Teams and tee times are published on IG for information only.
  • Scores must not be entered on IG.
  • Teams must maintain a physical scorecard.
  • Signed cards should be submitted to Martin for result calculation.

Start Times

Play begins from:

  • 1st tee at 08:04
  • 10th tee at 08:12

Yellow Ball Format

  • The yellow ball is played according to the sequence shown on the scorecard.
  • The player using the yellow ball on a hole has their Stableford score doubled.

Team Scoring

For each hole:

  • the best 2 scores from 3 count;
  • this includes any doubled yellow ball score.

If the yellow ball player scores zero:

  • the other two players’ scores count;
  • the yellow ball player is not required to contribute.

Losing the Yellow Ball

If the yellow ball is lost:

  • it may not be replaced;
  • the competition reverts to standard best 2 from 3 scoring with no doubling.

Handicaps

  • Playing Handicap is 95% of Course Handicap.
  • Calculations are based on the yellow tees in use.
  • Maximum Playing Handicap is 28.

Additional Competitions

  • Nearest the pin in two on the 7th hole.
  • Nearest the pin in one on the 17th hole.

Completion of Round

All 18 holes must be completed, including holes using temporary greens.

10) Tie Resolution Procedures

The Dawn Patrol follows R&A Rules of Golf Committee Procedures Section 5A(6d) for deciding ties.

Tie-Break Procedure

Ties are resolved by comparing:

  1. Last 9 holes
  2. Last 6 holes
  3. Last 3 holes
  4. Then the last hole (18th hole).
  5. If not resolved you move to the 17th, then the 16th then the 15th and so on until a winner is found

11) ‘Fairness Safeguard’ for the low handicappers

Following recent discussion and review, the Committee has agreed to introduce a change to the way handicaps are managed within the Dawn Patrol competition. The purpose of this adjustment is to ensure the system remains fair, balanced and enjoyable for all players, while recognising the different impact handicap reductions can have across the full range of playing abilities.

The existing handicap system will remain in place, with one additional safeguard: A player’s Dawn Patrol Handicap (DPHC) cannot be reduced below 75% of their current Playing Handicap, rounded to the next whole number.

What remains unchanged

  • Your DPHC will continue to be calculated using 95% of your Playing Handicap, less any Dawn Patrol deductions, for individual competitions played from the yellow tees.
  • For team games played from the white tees, 100% of your Playing Handicap, less any Dawn Patrol deductions, will continue to be used.
  • Individual competition deductions will remain as follows:
    • Overall winner −1
    • Winners of the Front 9 and Back 9 −0.5
    • Don’t forget any player can only win one pot.
  • Team competition deductions will remain as follows:
    • Winning team: each member receives a −1 deduction
    • Second place, where there are 20 players or more: each member receives a −0.5 deduction.
  • Combined winnings deductions will remain as follows:
    • Winnings of £30 and over: −1
    • Winnings of £60 and over: −2
    • Winnings of £90 and over: −3, and so on.
    • Don’t forget winnings of £90 and over will start the next season with a -2 deduction and winnings of £75 to £89 a -1 deduction.

New rule effective 17th of August 2026

  • A player’s DPHC cannot be reduced below 75% of their current Playing Handicap, rounded to the next whole number. This has been introduced as a fairness safeguard.
  • The calculation will be refreshed whenever WHS handicaps are re-synced.
  • The change is expected to affect only a small percentage of players in the current data set, mainly those with lower handicaps.
  • It is designed to prevent extreme outcomes. For example, without this safeguard, Tom has moved to −1 from a Playing Handicap of 3, and Vaughan has move to −1 from a Playing Handicap of 2. Under the new rule, both would play off 2.

Importantly, this change has been tested against the actual results from April to August 2026 and is not an arbitrary adjustment. In most cases, players will see no change to their DPHC.

The Dawn Patrol Committee reserves the right to make a minor positive or negative adjustment to a member’s Dawn Patrol Handicap in exceptional circumstances. Examples may include players recovering from illness, players with fewer than five qualifying cards in the previous 12 months, players joining Dawn Patrol without a full 20-score WHS record, or players who are not regularly submitting competition or general play qualifying cards.

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