FORTY PLUS GOLF ASSOCIATION (F.P.G.A.)

OFFICIAL LEAGUE RULES — SEASON TWO
Fall/Winter 2026–2027
Effective November 22, 2026 – April 30, 2027

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Welcome to Season Two of the Forty Plus Golf Association! All members are responsible for knowing and following the league rules. Our goal is to promote fair competition, good sportsmanship, and an enjoyable golf experience for everyone.

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1. ELIGIBILITY
• Open to amateur golfers aged 40 and older.
• Maximum playing handicap: 36.
• Membership application required before participation.

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2. PACE OF PLAY
• Keep pace with the group ahead.
• Ready golf is encouraged when safe and appropriate.

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3. SEASON STRUCTURE
• 12 scheduled events.
• Sunday mornings, generally every other week.
• Tee times assigned in advance.
• No shotgun starts unless the policy changes.
• Schedule and tee times are subject to change.

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4. FORMAT OF PLAY
• Individual stroke play.
• Maximum score: double bogey per hole.
• Season standings based on NET Stableford points.
• USGA Rules of Golf and local course rules apply, except where modified by FPGA league rules.

Course Etiquette: Follow cart restrictions, ground-under-repair instructions, cart-path signs, and dress codes. Repair ball marks and replace or fill divots.

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5. TEE-BOX WHIFFERS
If your tee shot does not travel beyond the most forward tee markers, you may re-tee and replay without penalty.

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6. ONE-CLUB-LENGTH RULE
• Move the ball up to one club length, no closer to the hole.
• No moving from rough to fairway or between different playing conditions.
• Does not apply in penalty areas or on the putting green.
• An optional move into the fairway is permitted with a one-stroke penalty.

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7. OUT OF BOUNDS AND LOST BALLS
• One penalty stroke applies.
• Drop within one club length of the nearest fairway point to the estimated location, no closer to the hole.
• Penalty-area relief incurs one penalty stroke.
• Returning to the tee and playing again also incurs one penalty stroke.

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8. PENALTY AREAS AND SAND TRAPS
• Follow applicable course rules for penalty areas.
• Consult the FPGA Committee if an unmarked area is disputed.
• In a bunker, the FPGA local rule permits moving the ball up to one club length within the same bunker, no closer to the hole.
• Sand may be raked before placing the ball.

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9. BALL IN THE ROUGH
• A ball may be moved from high rough to low rough within one club length, no closer to the hole.
• The ball cannot be moved from rough to fairway or from fairway to the green under this rule.

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10. WRONG BALL AND DOUBLE HITS
• Playing the wrong ball carries a one-stroke penalty under the FPGA rule. Return to the correct ball and replay as applicable.
• No penalty for accidentally striking the ball twice during a single stroke.

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11. 12-INCH GIMME PUTT RULE—UPDATED
EAGLE, BIRDIE, AND PAR PUTTS MUST BE HOLED—NO EXCEPTIONS!

• Bogey putts: A putt measuring 12 inches or less from the nearest edge of the hole may be conceded only after the group captain verifies the distance and makes the final decision.
• Putts for Bogey longer than 12 inches must be holed.

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12. MAXIMUM SCORE AND SCORE VERIFICATION
• Double bogey is the maximum score per hole.
• Pick up when a double bogey is inevitable.
• Move away from the green before totaling scores.
• Verify your score with the designated scorer before results are submitted.

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13. CHEATING AND SPORTSMANSHIP
• Cheating will not be tolerated.
• Reports will be investigated by the FPGA Committee.
• Consequences may include a warning or expulsion from the Association.
• Treat fellow golfers, course staff, and guests with respect.

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14. HANDICAPS
• Handicaps are calculated through the Fringe Golfers Program.
• GHIN membership is not required.
• The Committee may adjust handicaps for exceptional scoring, inaccurate scoring history, or other circumstances necessary to maintain fair competition.

Fringe Golfers: https://fringegolfers.com/welcome.action 

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15. NET STABLEFORD SCORING

• Albatross = 5 points
• Eagle = 4 points
• Birdie = 3 points
• Par = 2 points
• Bogey = 1 point
• Double Bogey = 0 points

CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT: DOUBLE POINTS!

All Stableford points earned during the championship event are doubled for season competition standings.

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16. SEASON STANDINGS AND DROPS

• 12 rounds played: Drop the two lowest-point rounds.
• 11 rounds played: Drop the lowest-point round.
• 10 rounds or fewer: No rounds are dropped.

The remaining counted NET Stableford points determine each player's season total.

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17. OPTIONAL SIDE GAMES

• Gross Skins
• Net Skins
• Closest to the Pin on two designated par-3 holes
• Hole-in-One Pot

Participation is optional, with separate entry fees. The Hole-in-One Pot accumulates until won and may be won on any hole, subject to applicable event rules.

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18. QUESTIONS, GRIEVANCES, AND COMMITTEE CONTACTS

The FPGA Committee has final authority over situations not specifically covered by these rules.

Members may contact any of the following Committee members:

Ben Smith—Text only: 904-591-5327
Alex Pacowta—Email Only: alexpacowta@gmail.com
Don Dennis—Text only: 904-614-9051
Steve Klinedinst—Text only: 937-516-6942
Tony Cincotta — Text only: 904-930-5105

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FORTY PLUS GOLF ASSOCIATION (F.P.G.A.)

Fair Competition • Sportsmanship • Fellowship

Website: www.FortyPlusGolf.com

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IMPORTANT RULES NOTE

Certain procedures in these rules are FPGA local modifications and may differ from the official USGA Rules of Golf. 

Thank you for being part of the Forty Plus Golf Association. Let's make Season Two competitive, enjoyable, and fair for everyone!

PLAY FAIR. PLAY READY. ENJOY THE GAME!