Format/Rules

Format

The Danza Cup is made up of eight guys broken into two teams of four—the Red Team and the Blue Team. The four guys of each team are ranked in order of skill-level from A to D to allow for fair matches and even teams. The entirety of the tournament is Match Play format. There are four rounds played over two days. The rounds consist of Best Ball, Scramble, Alternate Shot, and Individual Play, in that order. The matchups for event are listed below:

Best Ball:

A/B’s vs. each other

C/D’s vs. each other

Scramble:

A/C’s vs. each other

B/D’s vs. each other

Alt-Shot:

A/D’s vs. each other

B/C’s vs. each other

Individual:

A vs. A

B vs. B

C vs. C

D vs. D

A total of ten events, where one point is assigned for a victory and a half-point assigned for a tie. A winning score must be at least 5.5 or greater. In the event that the tournament ends in a 5-5 tie, a sudden death playoff must be played to decide the winner. See playoff rules page for details of playoff formatting.

Rules

I. Scramble rules apply for ball positioning (clubs length laterally) in all matches, including the Individual round. However, you can never change the lie of your ball (i.e. rough to fairway), advance the ball forward, or move it backward. If you are directly up against a tree or under a bush, OB, etc. you will be required to take a drop, but if you have a free swing but a tree is in your path, then you may move your ball. Fluffing your ball is allowed and encouraged.

II. All drops must be taken on the line the ball traveled out of bounds back to the tee box.

III. In the event of poorly kept sand traps due to weather conditions, players will make a group decision at the beginning of the round on whether bunkers will be played or if you can pull your ball out to the rough behind the trap.

IV. There are no breakfast balls.

V. We are in fact playing the honors system and not just ready golf (unless outstanding circumstances, where we must increase rate of play). Both players on a team must tee off before the other team can go.

VI. If you cannot find your ball you must take a drop, even if your tee shot is dead center down the middle of the fairway, or even ten feet in front in you and it disappears. (Most ruthless rule of them all, no doubt)

VII. If there is any judgment call on a gray area, for instance: am I forced to take a drop since this tree is right here vs. am I far enough away from it that I can move it a clubs length, consult the other team and come to an agreement. We’re all gentlemen here.

VIII. There are no gimme putts, only opposing team can concede putts, holes, etc.

IX. "Alligator Rule." If your ball lands near a pond/swamp that is infested with alligators, you may have free relief. We all love the Danza, but there's no reason to die for it.