Super Senior Pennant

Updated 11 August 2026

2026 Southern Zone Draws

2026 Northern Zone Draws

Rules of Play of the Super Senior Pennant

16 June 2026 - red text indicates changes to the 2025 rules

Rule 1. Eligibility

Players – The competition is open to all amateur male golfers from the actual date of their 65th birthday, but to participate in the Final Series they must have played at least one Divisional match.

Players must:

• be in a Club membership category that allows him to participate in Club competitions and to represent his Club in Pennant competition under that Club’s current Constitution and/or By Laws; and
• hold a current GA Handicap; and
• be a financial member of the Club he is representing for the duration of the Pennant.

Any other form of membership must be referred to the NSWSSGA Committee for clarification, to avoid any penalty which may otherwise ensue from a breach of these conditions.

Player Registration – Players who were nominated to compete in the 2025 competition are already registered for 2026. The details of additional players are to be entered on a Team Nomination Form and forwarded to pennant@superseniorgolf.org

Any number of players can be nominated. Additional players may be added during Divisional rounds by forwarding their details on a TNF, as set out above.

If an unregistered player plays in a match and wins his match, a 2/1 win will be appointed to his opponent. If the unregistered player loses his match, the result will stand. If a team plays an unregistered player for a second time, that team will lose any points gained for that Game and the points will be awarded to the other team on the day.

Player eligibility for the Final series – a player must be over 65 years of age and have played in at least one Divisional match.

One Team only – A player may only play for one (1) team in a Pennant season.

Number of Teams – A Club may enter two teams in the competition, but they must play in separate Divisions. Players of the two teams are not interchangeable.

RULE 2. Notification of Team Order of Play

Notification of Team – On the day of each game, the Team Captain or Manager is to record his nominated team in playing order (1 to 8) on the Game Result Sheet (GRS) and submit it to the Host Club Official, no later than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled Tee time. The order of play should be made in a manner which reflects the Spirit of the Game.

Rule 3: Order of Play

Play is to be in Groups of four with the order of play from the tee being 8 and 7, 6 and 5, 4 and 3 followed by 2 and 1.

Divisional Play – An individual match is to cease when a player has won his match. Matches equal after 18 holes are to be halved, and half a point awarded to each team.

RULE 4. Non-Attendance at Games

Absent Player in Pennant Games/Use of Reserves – If after the submission of Teams by Captains/Managers, a nominated player fails to appear before his allocated starting time, or is unfit or otherwise unable to play, a Reserve player (if available) may be substituted, but must play in the same Team position of the player for whom he is substituting. The substituted player’s details must be highlighted on the Game Result Sheet.

If a Reserve player is not available and the originally nominated player does not arrive and be ready to play, within five minutes after his scheduled tee time, he shall be disqualified under Rule 5.3a of the Rules of Golf. The match in question shall be forfeited by the team with the absent player and a 2/1 loss will be recorded against the offending team for that match. A player must be present and ready to play on the day of the Game to claim a forfeit.

Exceptions to waive penalty of disqualification – Under Rule 5.3a / Exception 2 circumstances exist which warrant waiving the penalty of disqualification which are;

• Involvement in a major accident which involves multiple vehicles.
• First on scene of an accident to provide medical assistance or act as witness for Police.

In the above cases, if a player is delayed and contacts his Captain/Manager and the Host Club Official accepts his explanation, he must be at the course ready to play within five (5) minutes of the last game of his team having hit off, otherwise he will be disqualified.

Note: Getting lost, vehicle breakdown, or being involved in heavy traffic are not considered valid reasons for waiving the penalty of disqualification.

Player injured and/or unfit to continue Match – If during the course of a match, a player is injured and/or indisposed and cannot continue, his opponent will be declared the winner of the match. In the event of a dormie match where the injured and/or Unfit player is leading, the match will be declared halved.

For the recording of a match score, the following examples should apply.

• Players A is 3 up when forced to withdraw – Player B wins match 2/1
• Players A is square when forced to withdraw – Player B wins match 2/1
• Players A is 5 down when forced to withdraw – Player B wins match 5/4

Failure to provide a Team – Where a Club fails to provide a team during the Divisional games, their opponents will be awarded an eight (8) point win. All games are encouraged to be played out in the spirit of the Pennant even if they have no bearing on other teams in their Division to play in the Finals.

RULE 5. Discontinuance of Play

Temporary Stop on the Day – Where play is stopped due to darkness, inclement weather, lightning, or the like, players on resumption of play are to continue from the point where play stopped.

Stopped for the Day – In the event of play being discontinued for the day, the following shall apply:

• If ALL matches have proceeded past the 9th hole of play the result of the game will be declared based on the scores at the time of cessation.
• Where not ALL matches have passed the 9th hole of play then those matches which have passed the 9th hole of play shall be declared based on the scores at the time of cessation and the remaining matches shall be halved. All completed match results will stand.

RULE 6. Weather Conditions

Wet Conditions – In the case of rain-affected games where the course is deemed playable, but no ride-on carts are allowed, the games are to be played between the number of players in each opposing team who can walk the course without the use of a golf cart.

In this instance, should a team not be able to field eight players, then they will forfeit those games.\

Example 1 – If Team A can field 8 players and their opposition Team B only 6 players, Team B will forfeit 2 matches, with Team A gaining a 2/1-win result for those two matches as referenced in Rule 4.

Example 2 – If Team A fields 7 players and Team B 5 players, Team A will receive two forfeits, with the eighth match halved.

1. Both Team Captains and/or Team Managers are to contact the Pro Shop of the Host Club and/or the Committee Contact. If either of these two options are uncontactable then the Host Official must be contacted. As a last resort contact the Super Senior Captain.
2. If the course is deemed playable by the Host Club then both teams must turn up to play.\
3. If the course is deemed unplayable and the game can’t be reconvened then a 4 all draw will be allocated.
4. Where a divisional game is not played because of weather conditions, the game is to be rescheduled only if it has a bearing on the final series and is to be played within two weeks of the date of the original game, unless another date is authorized by the Committee. This may require more than one game to be played in a week.

RULE 7. Divisional Winners ~ Seedings ~ Finals Structure

Divisional Winners and Runners Up – Countback as follows.

A Game is between two teams and a Match is between two players.

The Countback is performed in the following descending order with games won worth 1 point and Games halved worth ½ point and where used, matches won 1 point and matches halved ½ point.

1. Total of games won and halved games.
2. Total of matches won and halved matches.
3. Total of matches won.
4. Total of matches won and halved matches when the two tied teams played each other.
5. Play off on a Neutral course.

Seeding of Divisional Winners and Runners Up – Each Divisional Winner/Runner Up is seeded to determine their position for the Final series. For the 2 – 4 team Division 6 teams, the winner of each will move through to the Final with the highest seeded of the 2 being classed as the Winner and the other the Runner Up. With each Division Winner/Runner Up, seeding will be calculated using the following formula:

Games Won and Halved ÷ Games Played x Matches Won and Halved ÷ Games Played

If there are two groups of 4 teams in a Division the winner of each will move through to the Finals Series with the highest seeded of the two teams being classed as a winner and the other team classed as a runner up. If there are one group of 4 teams in a Division the winner will move through to the Finals Series.

Structure of the Finals Series – The Finals Series will be broken into two zones – the Northern Zone will include the Central Coast, Newcastle and Lower North Coast Divisions, plus one Division from the Sydney Zone, so a total of five Divisions from which there will be ten Divisional Winners & Runners Up. The Southern Zone will include the remaining four Sydney Divisions plus the South Coast/Highlands Division, which also has a total of five Divisions from which there will be ten Divisional Winners and Runners Up. As close as possible the Two Zones will have the same number of teams present.

In both the Northern and Southern Zones, Divisional winners will be ranked 1 to 5 according to the seed they have achieved with the highest runner up securing the 6th place in the draw. These 6 teams will enter into Round 2 and will not play in Round 1. The remaining 4 teams, seeded 7 to 10 will play in Round 1 for the right to enter Round 2. (7 v 10 and 8 v 9).

In the event there are five Winners and four Runners Up in a Zone the five winners and two highest seeded Runners Up will enter into Round 2 and will not play in Round 1. The remaining two teams ranked 8 and 9 will play in Round 1 with the winner moving through to the Round 2.

Both the Northern and Southern Zones will continue their Final Series playoffs separately, until one Club in each Zone remains undefeated.

The Winners of each Zone will then playoff in the Grand Final to determine the Super Senior Champion Club for that year. The choice of a neutral golf club venue for the grand final will be made by the NSWSSGA (Inc) Committee reflecting the availability of the courses.

The Conditions of Entry to the Super Senior Pennant ensures that both Zone final winners are required to travel to a neutral golf club venue for the Grand Final.

RULE 8. Location of Finals ~ Drawn Matches ~ Cessation of Play in Finals

Location of Finals – Ideally Games are to be played on neutral courses, one that the two opposing teams have not played on during the Divisional rounds and Final series, however, the Committee has the right to vary this decision should circumstances arise that cause it to do so, and the travel distances to the neutral course be as equal as possible for each team.

In Rounds preceding the Semi-Finals, the full team of eight players participate in Match Play over eighteen (18) holes and if at the completion of all eight (8) matches the teams are tied four (4) all, then the following MacPherson Rule procedure will apply. In the event that teams are still tied after the utilization of the MacPherson Rule, the Team in each contest with the highest (best) seeding into the Finals Series, will be declared the winner.

McPherson Rule – Each Team’s result for each match will be added together and the team with the highest number of points will be declared the winner. For example, if Team A won their four matches 4/2, 2/1, 3/2 and a square (4+2+3+half = 9+half) and Team B won their matches 5/4, 2/1, 3/2 and a square (5+2+3+half = 10+half), then Team B would be declared the winner.

Semi-Finals and Final Games and Grand Final Games – Matches will be played over eighteen (18) holes. Matches that are all square after 18 holes will continue in sudden death until a result is achieved. If the teams are tied four (4) all at the completion of all eight (8) matches, the result of the game shall be decided by the MacPherson Rule, as outlined above. For the purposes of the MacPherson Rule, the result of a match proceeding past the 18th hole, regardless of which hole it finishes on, will be deemed a 1up win to the victor. In the event that teams are still tied after the utilization of the MacPherson Rule, the Team in each contest with the highest (best) seeding into the Finals Series, will be declared the winner.

Cessation of Play – In all Finals Games, matches are to cease when a Team has been declared the Winner of the Game being played. All unfinished Finals matches will be deemed as halved.

RULE 9. Host Club Responsibilities

Slow Play – Note: Rules of Golf, effective 1st January 2023, Rule 5.6a and 5.6b applies to Match Play and individuals will be penalised in accordance with this Rule. Rule 1.2a of the Rules of Golf state that players must play at a prompt pace. After completion of each hole, all matches MUST move immediately to the next teeing ground and prepare to play. Practice on the green or surrounds after finishing a hole is discouraged.

Pace of Play Penalties – A match will be considered out of position if at any point in the round it is more than one hole behind the group in front. Any time a match is being monitored and timed they will be notified of such timing by a Representative, Referee or Host Club Official. An out of position match may be put On the clock.

The timing of a competitor’s stroke will be when he has had reasonable opportunity to reach his ball, it is his turn to play, and he could play without interference.

“On the clock” means a group is out of position and has a time limit (40 seconds) to play each shot, with penalties for exceeding that time. Penalties:

• 1st bad time: A warning
• 2nd bad time: 1 stroke penalty
• 3rd bad time: Loss of hole

The following is a guide for the Host Club to apply should they deem it necessary.

Par 3 = 13 minutes
Par 4 = 15 minutes
Par 5 = 17 minutes

Advice - Rules 10.2 and 24.4 of the Rules of Golf apply. Under Rule 24.4a the Super Senior Committee allows each team to name a person who may give advice to team members while they are playing on the course. The appointed person is to be nominated as the Team Manager, or his appointee, on the Game Result Sheet of the day, prior to the commencement of the Game.

Results Notification – Host clubs are to ensure that the results of all games are entered into Golf Genius. Once this is completed, Games Result Sheets are to be emailed to pennant@superseniorgolf.org.

Copies from mobile phones will not be accepted.

RULE 10. Alcohol Consumption

The consumption of alcohol by players and/or caddies on the course during a stipulated round is not permitted.

Penalty: Disqualification of Player.

Rule 11. Mobile telephones

Notwithstanding any Local Club rule, a mobile phone can be used for distance reading to the hole. In the interest of fair play, a mobile phone may be utilized to summon an official for the purpose of a ruling or to resolve a dispute. If a player or his caddie’s mobile phone is activated during a match, the player incurs a penalty of loss of hole at which the breach occurs. If it occurs between holes, then the penalty applies to the next hole. Exception: Medical Emergencies.

Rule 12. Match Play Rules

The R & A Notes on Rules of Golf for Match Play effective 1st January 2023, shall apply to the NSWSSGA Pennant.

These Rules of Play may be altered at any time during the Pennant if the need arises.

1. Entrance Fee

There will be an entrance fee of $125, payable by the 23rd of March, to cover administrative expenses.

2. Green Fees

The competition is conducted along the lines of Pennant play with no green fees on the day.

3. Type of Play

The competition is singles scratch match play over 18 holes.

4. Team Size ~ Scoring

Size – Teams comprise a minimum of 8 players.

Scoring – Each Player scores one (1) point for each win and a half (1/2) point for a halved match.

Winner – In Divisional Rounds the team with highest point score is the Game winner. If both teams have the same points score after all matches have been decided then the result is a draw.

5. Divisions

A Division, where possible, will comprise 7 teams, played on neutral courses where possible, with each team playing 6 games. For a 6 team Division, each team will play 5 games, and more than one course may be used to limit the tee times required at each club. For a 4 team Division, play will be home and away. Travel distances will be considered when determining the composition of Divisions. Where possible, the composition of Divisions will be reviewed annually to provide a variation in courses played.

6. Caddies

Caddies are acceptable and under the Rules of Golf are the only person that may give advice to their player. See Rule 9 in the Rules of Play for the latest advice.

7. Ride on Transport

Vehicles – Any form of Ride-on transport is allowable, subject to individual Club’s policy.

Private Vehicles – Players wishing to use their own transport must obtain the Host Club’s approval and comply with any Host Club insurance requirements.

Cart Hire – Clubs are requested to charge for cart hire at member rates. Should this not be the case then clubs are asked to advise of such at the time of submitting their Entry Form.

8. General

Course Availability for Final Series – Teams that agree for their course to be used as a neutral course in the case of a 6 team Division will not be asked to provide their course for a game in the Finals. Otherwise, all other teams’ courses are to be made available for a game in the Finals.

The choice of a neutral golf club venue for the Grand Final will be made by the Committee reflecting the availability of the courses.

Halfway Refreshments – In keeping with the friendly yet competitive spirit that exists within the Pennant, the provision of refreshments is encouraged, however, it is a decision that is entirely at the discretion of each club.

Dress Rules – All players and caddies should be aware of, and must abide by, the dress regulations of the Host Club on the course, within the Clubhouse and Pro Shop precinct.

9. Golf Genius

With the recent introduction of Golf Genius event management software to our portfolio, games results and player nominations will be administered by team captains. The vast majority of our member clubs would be familiar with Golf Genius from their experience in the NSW Master Pennant competition.

With this being our first exposure to the system, every assistance will be provided to team captains as we move forward.

Conditions of Entry