The matches take place over 3 'days' of action, which of course will extend over several weeks of real time. The singles matches will preferably not start until the pairs are almost complete, but if a good opportunity arises to play then go ahead. Each team is made up of 12 players, 2 of which are wild cards selected by the team captain and the other 10 made up of the top finishers on the money list, regardless of swing type. Each player will be selected for 2 pairs games and 1 singles match.

Skill Level

All Ryder Cup matches are played at your final tour season end level of play. So if you won an event on the tour this year you will play at Elite level in the Ryder Cup and the remaining players will compete at Championship level. Looking at the ability of those now playing at Elite, they without exception can easily compete with the Championship level players.

Day One & Two - FourSomes

Pairs games will use the 'Alternate Shot (Ryder Cup)' style matchplay MOP, and because players alternate hitting shots (though you both get an opening tee shot on the 1st hole), these games usually progress quite quickly, normally completed inside of 2 hours. As usual, one team wins when the holes they are "Up" is greater than the number of holes remaining, with that team winning a full point. A maximum of 18 holes are played and NO sudden death is played if the match ends in a tie; in this case, both teams receive a half-point.

Day Three Singles

The final round of singles (twelve in total) are somewhat 'seeded' to ensure relatively even games. Mode of play, scoring and rules are as per the normal 2 player matchplay rules within Links.

Course

The Course to be used is Shinnecock Hills by Robert Miller . You can download the course from Links Corner by following this link

Conditions & Pin Positions & Deadlines

These are the conditions and pin positions for each of the three 'Days' of Ryder Cup play.

• Day 1 FourSomes: Breezy, Moderate, Fast with Random pins
• Day 2 FourSomes: Windy, Moderate, Slow with Random pins
• Day 3 Singles: Breezy, Moderate, Medium with Random pins

While it's very difficult to stick to hard deadlines when people are trying to organise games across the world you MUST keep in touch with your captain about your availability and scheduling and whether you're having problems with your partner and/or opponents. Replacements may be required as a last resort. You should let me know as soon as you have a confirmed date for a match so that I can post it on this site and at least we know that it's "on the go" and organised. Otherwise, your Captain will be pestering you all constantly to find out how you're getting on.

MOPs

Please use the BLT Ryder Cup MOPS - download them here

Scoring

One player from each team needs to make sure they report the final score by reporting to their own captain, so that both captains are informed for every single match. The captains will email me for the site to be updated. I do ask that you don't post your results on the Forum for the simple reason that it's more fun to read the updates at the site as they come in. I know it will be hard to contain your excitement about winning, but I am sure you'll agree that reading the website for match by match updates is much better than having it on the forum beforehand. You'll be asked to vote on the MVP for both your team and your opponents team at the end of it all, so do keep an eye on the action as it proceeds

Reports

While you only need to report to your captain the players involved in the match and the score (e.g World Team wins 3 & 2, Players X & Y beat A & B), it will be a lot more fun if one or more of you take the time to make a few notes either during or after the match that can be then included as a match report with your score. You needn't be distracted from playing, or go into huge length, but try to be a little creative. How did you feel before the match? How did you expect things to go, what were the main highlights of the round, who hit the crucial shot at the killer moment, who made a mess in just the wrong spot - how much fun was the match, how much fun were your opponents, what was your overall impression of the game. Something to make it all a bit more human and add that extra bit of flavour. Believe me, this is one of the great things about this event, reading the reports of the players involved.

Mulligans

Mulligans shall not be used at all, except for the special circumstances that a network disconnection or computer crash causes a break in the game. In that case, the team whose shot got lost should try to get as close as possible (within reason) to the original shot, with the opposing team agreeing before play continues.

Gimmies

Gimmies can and should be used to speed up play. They can be set to any distance allowed that is agreed upon by all players involved in a match. Where a difference of opinion exists, the distance used shall be the shortest distance involved. E.g. If three players want 4 ft. gimmies, but the fourth player only wants 2 ft. gimmies, then 2 ft. is the distance used. If any player involved in the game does not want to use gimmies, then they shall not be used. It is advisable, especially in matches of four players, that gimmies are used and are set to at least 2 feet. 4 feet gimmies are recommended to speed up play and avoid MOP related trauma!

Drops

Links 2003 is somewhat improved in this regard, so players are free to drop anywhere allowed within the dotted yellow rectangle that Links gives to you.

Schedules

The match schedules will be posted on the site ('Matches' in the menu at the top), along with dates where possible. It is your responsibility, and yours alone, to email your partner and your opponents to quickly arrange potential dates and times for your match(es). The sooner you do that, the better for everyone as you can see potential problems early and try to find solutions. Keep your captain informed at all times and keep in constant touch with him so that he knows the situations of each and every match scheduled. Let him know the date of any arranged matches, and please do try to keep to your arrangements, giving plenty of notice if possible of any potential cancellations.

The Forum

It's really up to you guys to make this exciting and fun. Sure, you can just arrange and play your matches, report your scores and then all go home, but it is a lot more fun if you take the time to jot some notes about your matches, but as well as that, if you get stuck into the forum and post, post, post. If you want to talk a little smack before the matches, go ahead, you want to say how excited you are about the games, please, post away. If you want to congratulate a partner or opponent for a great game (but not until the result is posted on the site!), then go for it. If you had a lot of fun in a particular game, let's hear about it. Are you really looking forward to your next match, or someone else's match - post away. It's all down to you to make it happen, and keep things buzzing. I'm not around in the week but will keep my dibs in the forum and post when I can. This truly is a great competition, so make the most of it - it's another year before you'll have the chance for the next one!