THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FORTY PLUS GOLF ASSOCIATION

Established for Competition, Camaraderie, and Controlled Denial

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PREAMBLE

We, the Members of the Forty Plus Golf Association, in order to form a more perfect foursome, establish fair play, ensure a reasonable pace, promote Sunday harmony, and secure the blessings of birdies to ourselves and our playing partners, do hereby ordain and establish this Constitution for the Forty Plus Golf Association.

ARTICLE I—GENERAL CONDUCT

Section 1. All local club rules shall be observed without selective interpretation.

Section 2. Cart restrictions shall be honored, especially those clearly stating “Cart Path Only.”

Section 3. All members shall repair ball marks, fill divots, and conduct themselves as golfers, not livestock.

Section 4. Proper attire shall be worn. If it resembles lawn maintenance apparel, reconsider.

Section 5. The Rules of Golf, as recognized by the USGA, shall govern play, except where amended herein for the preservation of sanity.

ARTICLE II—THE ONE CLUB LENGTH PROVISION

Section 1. A ball may be moved one club length, no closer to the hole.

Section 2. Such relief shall not be granted within hazards or upon the putting green.

Section 3. The condition of the lie may not be improved (rough shall not become fairway, nor shall swamp become Augusta).

Section 4. A player may elect to move the ball into the fairway with the addition of one penalty stroke.

ARTICLE III—OUT OF BOUNDS, LOST, OR UNPLAYABLE BALLS

Section 1. A player may drop one club length into the fairway near the point of entry or best estimate thereof.

Section 2. One penalty stroke shall be assessed.

Section 3. No limitation shall be imposed upon the number of clubs carried.

Section 4. A player may change ball brand at any time, especially after claiming dissatisfaction.

ARTICLE IV—PENALTY AREAS

Section 1. A ball within a penalty area may be played as it lies.

Section 2. Alternatively, a drop may be taken outside the penalty area, no closer to the hole, with one penalty stroke.

Section 3. Grounding of the club and removal of loose impediments shall be permitted.

Section 4. Wildlife shall not be held accountable for errant shots.

ARTICLE V—BUNKERS

Section 1. A player may move the ball one club length within the bunker, rake the area, and place the ball.

Section 2. Alternatively, a player may drop outside the bunker, keeping said bunker between the ball and the hole, with one penalty stroke.

ARTICLE VI—THE ROUGH

Section 1. Movement from high rough to lower rough within one club length is permitted.

Section 2. Movement from rough to fairway is expressly prohibited.

ARTICLE VII—WRONG BALL

Section 1. The correct ball shall be replayed.

Section 2. One penalty stroke shall be imposed.

ARTICLE VIII—WHIFFS AND TEE SHOTS

Section 1. A swing that fails to make contact shall not constitute a stroke.

Section 2. A stroke shall count only if the ball travels beyond the red tee markers.

ARTICLE IX—GIMMES

Section 1. There shall be no gimmes.

Section 2. All putts must be holed in their entirety.

ARTICLE X—SCORING

Section 1. The maximum score per hole shall be double bogey.

Section 2. Upon reaching said limit, the player shall pick up to preserve daylight and morale.

ARTICLE XI—SCORE VERIFICATION

Section 1. Scores shall be recorded at the subsequent tee.

Section 2. Scores must be verified before submission.

ARTICLE XII—INTEGRITY

Section 1. Violations shall be reviewed.

Section 2. Penalties may include a friendly warning, public roasting, or expulsion.

ARTICLE XIII—POLITICAL PEACE PROVISION

Section 1. Political discourse shall not interrupt the round.

Section 2. The only party recognized on Sunday shall be the Tee Party.

Section 3. The loser of the round shall purchase the first beverage at the 19th hole.

ARTICLE XIV—FOUNDING FATHERS OF THE FPGA

In recognition of those brave pioneers who first declared, “We should start our own league,” the Association hereby commemorates the Founding Fathers of the Forty Plus Golf Association.

These distinguished gentlemen:

• Believed handicaps should be generous • Agreed that double bogey is merciful • Declared gimmes unconstitutional • And swore that pace of play is next to godliness

Legend states the league was formed shortly after a missed three‑footer and an argument over a breakfast ball.

Their guiding principles were simple:

1. Play hard.

2. Laugh harder.

3. Never admit you saw that swing.

Though history may forget their opening tee shots, it shall forever remember their vision: A Sunday league built on fairness, friendship, and selective memory.

ARTICLE XV—PRIZE MONEY

Effective 9/1/25 - Any prize money envelope not collected within forty-five (45) days of the tournament date on which the prize was won shall be deemed forfeited.

All forfeited funds shall be returned to and retained by the Forty Plus Golf Association Fund (“FPGA Fund”) for the benefit of the League.

RATIFICATION

Ratified this 25th day of February, 2026.