APL Golf League FAQ

In a nutshell, the APL Golf League is a team-based golf league, which plays weekly 9-hole matches between two teams, with two players from each team forming a foursome. The league is divided into multiple flights, with each flight containing from 6 to 11 teams. Each team must contain at least two golfers but can have as many golfers as desired. Each flight plays its matches at its home course and competes, within its flight, throughout the season. At the end of the regular season, flight winners compete with other flight winners, in a round-robin tournament, to determine the overall league champion. (back to the top)

How can I see current league information and league play results?

The APL Golf League website is hosted at:

http://www.aplgolfleague.com/cgi-bin/golf_cgi/aplgolf.pl

Who is eligible to play in the APL Golf League?

All employees of JHU/APL are eligible to be “Full Members” of the Golf League. JHU/APL retirees, resident subcontractor employees, and Credit Union employees are eligible to be “Associate Members” of the League. The family and friends of Full Members are eligible to be an “Other Member” of the League. A Full Member must sponsor an Associate and/or Other Member. (back to the top)

How can I join the league?

The league forms flights in March of each year. The league will determine which courses will have flights, and will open registration to anyone interested. If you have enough golfers to form your own team, you can sign up as a team at the course you prefer. If you are a lone golfer looking for a team, you can email the league officers and they will try to pair you up with a team looking for more golfers. Lone golfers can seek to join the league at any time throughout the season (you never know when circumstances will force teams to look for help as the season progresses), but once the league is formed at the beginning of the season, no new teams will be added. (back to the top)

In order to qualify as a substitute, one of the following conditions must be met: 1) scores are available from at least 2 league nine-hole matches from the current year or preceding two years, 2) scores are available from at least 1 league stroke play tournament from the current year or preceding two years, 3) a current USGA handicap index. (back to the top)

How much does it cost to join the league?

League dues are subject to change, but in 2010, league dues were $40. After that, you simply pay greens fees for each match that you play.

Additionally, you can join as a Tournament Only Golfer (TOG). This costs $35, and gives you the member rate for all APL Golf League tournaments.

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How can I send payments to the APL Golf League?

To pay money to the league (for dues, tournaments, or other, you can do the following:

1. Pay by check made out to “APL Golf League”

a. Send your check to the League Treasurer

2. Pay thru PayPal

a. Pay to 'aplgolfleague@gmail.com'.

b. Select 'Sending to a friend'.

i. this option avoids fees to the payee

ii. the league will not pay fees charged

c. Please add a note to show what your payment is for.

d. Email the league treasurer to let them know a payment is coming.

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How many golfers should I have on my team?

Each team is scheduled to play one match per week throughout the 19-week season. If you have two golfers who can and will play every week, then these two are enough to form a team. If, however, you may have other obligations (work, family, etc.) that might keep you from playing every week, you may need to get additional golfers to ensure you will be able to field a team for each match.

In the case where you do not have enough golfers to play a match, you can get a substitute golfer to fill-in. Eligible substitute golfers include any league member not in the same flight. The league also maintains a sub list of golfers not playing in any flight, but who have an APL league handicap and have made themselves available to substitute in specific flights. (back to the top)

Where does the league play matches?

The league plays its matches at various courses throughout the area. In 2010, the league had flights at Timbers at Troy GC (Columbia), Northwest Park (Wheaton), Diamond Ridge GC (Windsor Mill), and Links at Challedon GC (Mt. Airy). See where the league is playing this year. The league generally forms flights at the same courses from season to season, but when necessary, we can change or add new courses. (back to the top)

How do I choose which flight I should play in?

Flights are setup at multiple courses throughout the area. Also, different flights play on different schedules. Some flights play matches on the same day every week (i.e. every Tuesday) and generally have a block of time reserved at the course on that day. Other flights play matches on any day agreed upon by the competing teams (and teams must coordinate with each other and make a tee-time at their course on a weekly basis).

Therefore, golfers can chose a flight based on proximity to home, how much they like the course, whether they want to play on a particular day of the week, where their teammates want to play, etc. Everyone must choose for themselves. (back to the top)

Can I play in more than 1 flight?

Yes, you can play on as many flights as you want, and you only pay dues once. No matter how many flights you play in, each golfer in the league has a single handicap index computed from the four best scores in the last seven matches played. This is independent of which flight the match was played for. (back to the top)

How are league matches scored?

League matches are scored on an 11-point system. This system awards 1 point for the team winning each hole and 2 points for the overall winner. Holes are won by having a combined team net score less then the combined net score of their opponents. Ties are worth ½ point to each team. The overall winner is determined by comparing the combined net score for the round. Low team wins 2 points. Ties are worth 1 point to each team. (back to the top)

How are league handicap indexes computed?

The APL League handicapping system is primarily based on the USGA handicapping system, although league handicaps are based solely on league matches. Any weekend rounds or tournament scores are not factored into your league handicap index.

Your handicap index is based on the best 4 rounds of your last 7 league matches. Handicap indexes change once per week (Sunday at midnight), and any matches played during the week will not cause your handicap index to change until the following Sunday at midnight. Therefore, if your handicap index is 12.3 on a given Monday morning, and you play multiple matches during the week (either in the same flight or in multiple flights), you will use the 12.3 index for each match, regardless of how you play in those matches. (back to the top)

How do I compute a course handicap from a handicap index?

Handicap indexes are a “course independent” measure of a golfers playing ability. When competing in a league match at a specific course, you must compute a course handicap based on your handicap index using the course rating and the course slope from the particular tee-boxes you will be playing from. The APL handicap system is explained in more detail at the following URL: (back to the top)

http://www.aplgolfleague.com/APL_Golf/handicap.html

To understand golf handicaps in general, please visit the USGA website at:

http://www.usga.org/Handicapping.aspx?id=7792

Why is there an adjustment to my handicap if I am playing in a match from the senior tees or the forward tees?

In general, it is because you are basically competing on a different course than those playing from the middle tees. The course you are playing may be harder or easier than the course being played from the middle tees. This adjustment is done to account for this difference. The USGA website has a good brochure which explains this adjustment: (back to the top)

http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/understanding_handicap/section_3-5_Brochure.pdf

How can I establish a league handicap?

To establish a league handicap, you must turn in two 9-hole scorecards, or one 18-hole scorecard, to the league handicapper. These scores are used to establish an initial handicap index. Depending on availability, it may take a few days before you handicap is computed and entered on the league website, so please get your scorecards turned in as soon as you can. (back to the top)

Does the league run tournaments? Who is eligible?

Generally, the APL league runs monthly golf tournament from May through October. Tournament courses and formats are decided each season by the tournament committee. Tournament courses range from Virginia to Maryland to Pennsylvania, with some old favorites and some new courses included each season. Tournament formats can include individual stroke play, team best-ball, team scramble, and Ryder Cup format. Unless specifically noted, all APLRInc members and their friends are eligible to play in our league tournaments. (back to the top)

Who runs the APL Golf League?

The league is run by volunteers from within the league. The officers include a president, vice president, treasurer, and handicapper. Officers for the next season are elected at the end of each season. Everyone in the league is eligible to run for an officer position.

Each season, there are committees formed for planning, rules, publicity, prizes, and banquet. Everyone in the league is invited and encouraged to participate on these committees. (back to the top)