Competition Rules & Terms.

Who can compete.

• All players must be amateur golfers and members of an affiliated golf club holding an official, active WHS handicap.
• Players using society handicaps, iGolf handicaps or OpenPlay / Open Play handicaps are not eligible to compete.
• Players must be residents of Scotland, England or Wales and must be members of a golf club located within Scotland, England or Wales.
• Players must be male and aged 18 years or over on the date of the event.
• Players must have completed at least six handicap-counting competition rounds during the previous 12 months.

One competition.
Three stages.

• The US Masters Singles is a single multi-stage competition: UK Qualifying Events, the UK National Final and the USA Championship Stage.
• Qualifying events are played as Individual Stableford competitions and are intended to be official handicap-counting opens.
• Each qualifier records two classifications from the same round: Scratch Stableford and Handicap Stableford.
• The leading eligible player in each classification earns a place in the US Masters Singles UK National Final.
• Players may enter as many qualifying events as they wish, subject to availability and continued eligibility.
• The UK National Final is scheduled for Fairmont St Andrews on 27 August 2027.
• The UK National Final is not the conclusion of the competition. Its Scratch and Handicap Champions qualify for the subsequent USA Championship Stage in April 2028.
• There is no separate entry fee for either UK Champion to compete in the USA Championship Stage.

Two classifications.
One competition.

• The Scratch classification is decided using gross Stableford points without handicap strokes. There is no handicap-index restriction for this classification.
• The Handicap classification is decided using net Stableford points. The maximum playing handicap for this classification is 18.
• No player will receive more than one stroke per hole.
• Players whose handicap is higher than 18 may still enter; however, their playing handicap will be reduced to 18 for competition purposes.
• For R&A Amateur Status purposes, the use of handicap scores for qualification and prizes means the event as a whole is treated as a handicap competition. Accordingly, no prize money will be awarded.
• Golf In Scotland reserves the right to adjust a player's handicap for tournament purposes where it considers this necessary to protect the fairness and integrity of the competition.
• Golf In Scotland reserves the right to alter the competition format where it considers this necessary.

Played under the Rules of Golf.

• Every stage will be played in accordance with the Rules of Golf as approved by The R&A, together with the local rules of the relevant venue.
• Players must comply with any event instructions issued by Golf In Scotland or the host venue.
• In the event of a tie, the result will be decided by Countback. Unless otherwise stated for an event, countback will be applied over the inward half, then the last 6 holes, last 3 holes and finally the last hole.

The competition continues
in America.

The leading eligible Scratch and Handicap players at Fairmont will be recognised as the UK Scratch Champion and UK Handicap Champion. Each will qualify to compete in the corresponding classification at the USA Championship Stage in April 2028.

• The USA stage will comprise two separate 18-hole competitive rounds, producing a 36-hole aggregate result.
• The UK qualifiers will compete alongside a field of other qualified or invited eligible amateur golfers.
• The USA Scratch classification will be decided by aggregate gross Stableford points; the USA Handicap classification will be decided by aggregate net Stableford points.
• The competition is not complete until the second USA round has concluded and the USA-stage results have been declared.
• Courses, tees, handicap allowances, tie procedures and other stage-specific conditions will be confirmed in the USA Championship Terms supplied before travel.
• Golf In Scotland will retain the USA-stage entry list, starting information, scorecards or verified scores and published results as part of the competition record.

Provided for the
subsequent stage.

To enable the two UK Champions to compete in America, Golf In Scotland will arrange and directly provide the following:

• Return economy flights between an airport selected by the organiser and the USA.
• Five nights' accommodation selected and booked by the organiser.
• Entry and green fees for the two competitive USA Championship rounds.
• Any other travel component expressly confirmed in the final official itinerary.

Direct provision only

• These arrangements are provided as actual expenses necessary to compete in a subsequent stage of the same competition.
• All bookings will be made or authorised directly by Golf In Scotland. A player may not make alternative arrangements and seek reimbursement.
• The arrangements are non-transferable and non-exchangeable and may not be sold, auctioned, gifted or redirected to another person.
• There is no cash alternative, travel credit or substitute benefit.
• Unless confirmed otherwise in writing, passports, ESTA or visa costs, travel insurance, checked baggage, meals, personal transport, upgrades and incidental expenditure remain the player's responsibility.
• If a qualifier cannot travel or compete, their place and associated arrangements may be forfeited and Golf In Scotland may invite an eligible replacement in accordance with the competition conditions.

The Masters ticket
is a separate prize.

Each UK qualifier who travels to the USA stage will also receive admission for one tournament day at the US Masters. This ticket is treated separately from the expenses required to play in the USA Championship Stage.

• The Masters ticket is a non-cash prize. Together with any other non-expense prizes accepted in the competition, its value must remain within the applicable limit under Rule 3 of the Rules of Amateur Status — currently £700 per player, or any lower limit set by the relevant national governing body.
• For Amateur Status purposes, a non-cash prize is valued at the price at which it is generally available from a retail source when accepted, rather than merely the organiser's purchase cost.
• Qualifier, National Final and USA-stage prizes will be structured and limited so that no player is asked to accept a prohibited prize or prize money.
• The Masters ticket and all other prize elements are non-transferable, non-exchangeable and carry no cash alternative.
• The right to qualify for the USA stage and receive the associated Masters ticket may be secured only once by any individual.
• If a governing body determines that any proposed item is not an eligible competition expense or would cause the prize limit to be exceeded, Golf In Scotland may amend or remove that item to preserve Amateur Status compliance.

Competition administration.

• Golf In Scotland reserves the right to reject any entry.
• Golf In Scotland's decision in all competition disputes shall be final.
• Golf In Scotland reserves the right to amend these rules where reasonably necessary for proper administration, player safety, venue requirements or compliance with the Rules of Golf, Rules of Handicapping or Rules of Amateur Status.

If you need to cancel.

Please contact Golf In Scotland as soon as possible if you need to cancel an entry so the organiser has the best opportunity to reallocate the space.