East Kent League Rules for 2026 season

  1. The League will be played from 1st January to the Jamboree.

  2. Each Club to pay an annual subscription of £65.00 plus £135 for Jamboree 

  3. The League is played on a home and away basis each season.

  4. The home Club is to arrange and pay for before or after match meals.

  5. Division Rules

    • Premier League: 3 scratch matches & 2 handicap limit 6. 

    • Division 1: 2 scratch matches & 3 handicap limit 8. 

    • Division 2: 2 scratch matches & 3 handicap limit 10. 

    • Division 3: 1 scratch matches & 4 handicap limit 10. 

    • FEKL: 1 scratch matches & 4 handicap limit 10. 

  6. Format is 4-ball betterball.

  7. Three points for a win and 1 point for a half.

  8. The host Club provides their team sheet of pairings and their order of play to the visiting Captain via the Team Sheets supplied on the website.

  9. Handicap matches will use Course Handicap full difference from the lowest handicap.

    In Four-Ball match play, Lowest Handicap will play off zero (0) strokes, next lowest would receive 90% of the difference in Course Handicap from lowest and so on.

  10. Ladies may play but must play off the same tees as the Men.

  11. Only 3 juniors may play per team, juniors cannot play together and be present before or after for the meal.

  12. Matches can only be rearranged after the 1st April if in a major final, ie County Foursomes or Guildford Trophy.

  13. Each Club to host the Jamboree on a rotation basis, future list available on website.

  14. Promotion/Relegation  

    • Premier League: 2 down to Division 1

    • Division 1: 2 Up to Premier & 2 down to Division 1

    • Division 2: 2 Up to Division 1 & 2 down to Division 3

    • Division 3: 2 Up to Division 2 & No Relegation

    • FEKL: No Promotion or Relegation

  15. If a team is 1 player short, then a single player must play in the final match.  If a team is 2 players short then the first 4 matches will be played and the final match conceded. If a team turns up with less than 8 players then all matches are forfeited.

  16. Any Club not turning up for a fixture will be disqualified from the league and all points gained or lost will be scrapped, the club will be suspended for the next season and can only be voted back in a year later at the A.G.M.  

  17. If any League fixture is called off due to course closure then the points will be shared (7 points each). If before the 1st April, the game may be rescheduled.

  18. All players must adhere to general golf dress rules. Collar and tie may be required at some clubs – captains to advise visitors if applicable.

  19. The match results must be notified by the Home Captain to Simon Hooper via the captains WhatsApp groups by 9.00pm on the Saturday that a match is played. 

  20. Failure to submit the result will result in the home team being deducted 2 points.

  21. Players may only represent 1 Club in the East Kent League during a season and must be a full member. 

  22. Professional Golfers are not permitted to play in the EKL.

  23. Buggies are permitted if required due to medical requirements. Please inform the opposing captain with plenty of notice.

  24. Non‑Playing Members & Captains on the Course

    • Any league member who is present on the course during an active match, whether they are a Captain, team representative, or simply not playing that day must not offer any advice to players regarding club selection, shot choices, or course strategy. Their role on the course is strictly observational and social and must not influence the outcome of play in any way.

    • League Etiquette and Respect: We are a gentlemen’s league, and all participants are expected to conduct themselves accordingly. Complaints about a non‑playing member’s presence or behaviour will only be considered if there is a serious breach of this rule or of general etiquette.

    • Failure to Follow This Rule: If a non‑playing member is found to be offering advice or interfering with play, they may be asked not to return to the course during active matches for the remainder of the season. This allows us to maintain fairness, uphold the spirit of the game, and ensure that the league continues to operate in a respectful and sportsmanlike manner.

  25. In the event of a draw at the end of the season, the results from their matches against each other will be used to determine the outcome.  If this fails to determine a winner, it would then be the team that has won most matches during the season.