Season Rules 2026/27

A1. School eligibility

Players must be enrolled in full-time education at the school they represent and studying a nationally recognised course, such as GCSEs, A levels or an equivalent qualification.

Students studying from home are eligible provided they are enrolled with an online school and meet these requirements. Independent home education without enrolment at a school does not qualify.

A2. Playing in both age categories

Players eligible for U15 competitions may represent their school in both U15 and U18 competitions during the same season. This applies to both strokeplay and foursomes.

A3. Age-category eligibility

U15 strokeplay and foursomes competitions are open to students in Year 10 or below in England and Wales, or the equivalent school year in Scotland and elsewhere, regardless of age.

U18 strokeplay and foursomes competitions are open to any student who meets the eligibility requirements in Rule A1.

B1. Event formats and rankings

U15 strokeplay events may be played over 18 or 36 holes. U18 strokeplay events may be played over 18, 36 or 54 holes.

All events are submitted to the World Junior Golf Rankings. Events played over 54 holes are also submitted to the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

B2. School teams and counting scores

School teams consist of four players, with the best three scores counting towards the team total in each round.

Where entry numbers require it, the organisers may reduce team sizes to three players, in which case all three scores count in each round.

To qualify for the team competition and team Order of Merit points, a team must have at least three eligible players start and complete each round, returning three valid scores per round.

B3. Course Rating adjustments

Where players compete for the same individual or team prize using different Course Ratings, scores will be adjusted to account for the difference in course difficulty.

For each round, the lowest applicable Course Rating will be the reference. Players competing from a higher Course Rating will have one stroke deducted from their gross score for each full stroke of difference. Any remaining decimal fraction will be disregarded:

• A difference below 1.0: no adjustment.
• A difference from 1.0 to 1.9: one stroke deducted.
• A difference from 2.0 to 2.9: two strokes deducted.
• The same principle applies to larger differences.

The official Course Rating applicable to each player’s tees and gender will be used, even where boys and girls play from the same tees.

Adjusted scores will be used to determine the relevant individual and team results, including selection of the three counting team scores. Players must record their actual gross scores on their scorecards.

The organisers will publish the tees, Course Ratings and any adjustments before play begins.

B4. Individual ties and countback

Ties in the individual boys’ and girls’ competitions will be decided by countback, with the lowest score winning at each stage.

For 36- and 54-hole events, first compare the players’ total scores for the final 18-hole round. If still tied, compare their scores over holes 10–18, then holes 13–18, then holes 16–18 of that round.

For 18-hole events, begin by comparing scores over holes 10–18, then holes 13–18, then holes 16–18.

If players remain tied, compare their individual hole scores in that round, starting at hole 18 and working backwards to hole 1. The first hole on which their scores differ will determine the placing.

For multi-round events, if the tie remains, repeat the same process for each earlier round, starting with the most recent: the full 18-hole score, then holes 10–18, holes 13–18, holes 16–18, and finally individual holes from hole 18 backwards to hole 1.

If players remain tied after all available rounds have been compared, the placing will be shared.

Countback uses the course’s numbered holes, regardless of the order in which players played them.

B5. Team ties and countback

Ties in the team competition will be decided according to the team size set by the Committee.

Events with four-player teams

First, compare each team’s fourth (non-counting) score in the final round. The lowest score wins. A team returning only three valid scores in the final round loses the countback to a tied team returning four valid scores.

If the fourth scores are tied, or none of the remaining tied teams has a valid fourth score, compare the teams’ lowest individual scores in the final round.

Events reduced to three-player teams by the Committee

Begin by comparing the teams’ lowest individual scores in the final round.

Further countback

If the lowest individual scores are tied, compare the second-lowest scores, followed by the third-lowest scores.

If the tie remains, apply the individual countback procedure in Rule B4 to each team’s lowest-scoring player in the final round. If this does not separate the teams, repeat for the second-lowest-scoring player, then the third-lowest-scoring player.

If countback cannot separate the teams, the placing will be shared.

All comparisons will use scores adjusted under Rule B3, where applicable.

B6. National Strokeplay Finals

The U15 and U18 strokeplay seasons will each conclude with their own National Strokeplay Finals.

The National Strokeplay Finals will carry enhanced Order of Merit weighting to reflect their championship status. The weighting will be determined using the SSGT Event Power methodology and confirmed before the respective Finals.

B7. National Finals qualification

School teams and individual players will qualify for their respective U15 or U18 National Strokeplay Finals through the relevant team or individual Order of Merit standings, calculated from their best three eligible event points totals before the published qualification deadline.

The organisers will publish the qualification deadline and the number of team and individual qualifying places before the Finals. The number of places available will depend on the host venue’s capacity.

B8. Final season standings

Following completion of the National Strokeplay Finals for the relevant age category, each player’s and school team’s final Order of Merit total will be calculated by adding their best four eligible event points totals from the season, including the enhanced Finals points where these are among their best four results.

The final Order of Merit standings will determine the individual and team National Champions. U15 and U18 standings will be calculated separately.

B9. Ties for the season championship

If two or more players or school teams are tied for first place in the final Order of Merit standings, the player or team with the highest placing at the respective National Strokeplay Finals will be declared the National Champion.

If they are also tied at the National Strokeplay Finals, the individual countback procedure in Rule B4 or the team countback procedure in Rule B5, as applicable, will determine the winner.

If countback cannot separate them, they will be declared joint National Champions.

B10. Caddies, advice and communication

Caddies

Caddies are not permitted. Players must not allow anyone to carry, transport or handle their clubs, or otherwise act as their caddie during a round.

The penalty for a breach is two strokes for each hole during which the player is helped by a caddie. If the breach occurs or continues between two holes, the penalty applies to the next hole.

Playing advice

During a round, players must not ask for playing advice from anyone or give playing advice to another competitor playing on the course.

No person—including a Team Captain, staff member, coach, golf professional, parent, school teammate or spectator—is authorised to give players playing advice. This applies equally to the individual and school team competitions.

Playing advice includes recommendations about club selection, how to play a stroke or tactics during a hole or round. Advice must not be sought in person or through a telephone, messaging service or other electronic means.

A breach of the advice rules carries a penalty of two strokes, applied in accordance with Rule 10.2a.

Players are not automatically penalised for unsolicited advice. If someone continues to give unauthorised advice, players must try to stop it; failure to do so incurs the applicable penalty.

Permitted communication

Ordinary conversation, general encouragement, publicly available factual information—such as distances and the location of hazards—clarification of the Rules of Golf and communication necessary for safety or welfare are permitted, provided they do not include playing advice or unreasonably delay play.

Spectators and team members who have finished their rounds must remain a reasonable distance from players and avoid interfering with or distracting them.

C1. Separate standings

SSGT maintains separate U15 and U18 Order of Merit standings for individuals and school teams. Results count towards the age category in which the player or team competed.

C2. How points are awarded

Order of Merit points reflect both the event’s Event Power and the player’s or team’s finishing position.

Event Power takes account of field strength, field size and tournament format. Finishing positions determine the proportion of the available points awarded, with higher placings receiving more points.

C3. Counting results

A player’s or school team’s Order of Merit total is calculated from their highest-scoring eligible event results:

• Up to and including 3 November 2026: the best two results count.
• From 4 November 2026 until the start of the National Strokeplay Finals for the relevant age category: the best three results count.
• Following completion of the respective National Strokeplay Finals: the best four results count, including the Finals result where it is among the best four.

Where fewer eligible results are available, all available results count. All eligible results remain visible in event history, including those that do not contribute to the current points total.

C4. National Finals qualification

School teams and individual players qualify for their respective U15 or U18 National Strokeplay Finals through the relevant team or individual Order of Merit standings, using their best three eligible event points totals before the published qualification deadline.

The organisers will publish the qualification deadline and the number of team and individual qualifying places before the Finals. The number of places available will depend on the host venue’s capacity.

C5. National Finals weighting

The National Strokeplay Finals represent the culmination of the SSGT season and carry enhanced Order of Merit weighting to reflect their championship status.

The weighting will be determined using the SSGT Event Power methodology and confirmed before the respective Finals.

C6. Smaller individual fields

Competitions with smaller individual fields remain eligible for Order of Merit points, provided they meet the applicable competition requirements.

Event Power accounts for the number and standard of eligible starters, ensuring that smaller fields are assessed consistently without automatically excluding their participants.

Where there is only one eligible finisher, that player receives the points applicable to first place, based on the event’s Event Power. No separate automatic single-player penalty applies.

C7. School team eligibility

School teams consist of four players, with the best three scores counting towards the team total in each round.

Where entry numbers require it, the Committee may reduce team sizes to three players, in which case all three scores count in each round.

To qualify for the team competition and team Order of Merit points, a team must have at least three eligible players start and complete each round, returning three valid scores per round.

C8. Season champions

Following completion of the National Strokeplay Finals for the relevant age category, each player’s and school team’s final Order of Merit total will be calculated by adding their best four eligible event points totals from the season. Enhanced Finals points will count where they are among those best four results.

The final standings will determine the individual and team National Champions, with U15 and U18 standings calculated separately.

If players or school teams are tied for first place, the highest placing at the respective National Strokeplay Finals will determine the National Champion.

If they are also tied at the Finals, the individual countback procedure in Rule B4 or the team countback procedure in Rule B5 will apply. If countback cannot separate them, they will be declared joint National Champions.

D1. Eligibility

All players must meet General Rule A1.

U15 competitions are open to students in Year 10 or below in England and Wales, or the equivalent school year in Scotland and elsewhere, regardless of age.

U18 competitions are open to any student who meets General Rule A1.

Players eligible for U15 competitions may represent their school in both U15 and U18 foursomes competitions during the same season.

D2. Season schedule

Regional round-robin matches must be completed during the autumn term. Regional finals must be completed during the spring term.

The National Finals for both age categories will take place towards the end of the summer term.

Schools should contact their opponents promptly following publication of the draw and arrange fixtures early to meet these deadlines.

D3. Venues

The home school will select the venue.

If the away school would need to travel more than 50 miles to the proposed venue, it may request an alternative venue. In that case, the home school must select a venue that, as far as reasonably practicable, balances travelling time between the two schools.

D4. Teams and match format

Each school team consists of three foursomes pairs (six players). Each pair plays one scratch foursomes match against the corresponding pair from the opposing school.

Each pair’s match is worth one point and must produce a winner. If a match is all square after 18 holes, play continues hole by hole until one pair wins a hole.

There are no halved pair matches or drawn fixtures. The school winning the most pair matches wins the fixture. Each fixture therefore finishes either 3–0 or 2–1.

D5. Rules and disputes

All matches must be played under the Rules of Golf issued by The R&A and USGA, together with the SWIFTS competition rules and applicable Local Rules.

Players should seek to resolve any rules issue promptly, consulting the staff members in charge of the school teams where necessary.

If agreement cannot be reached, a player must notify their opponents that a ruling will be sought before either side makes a stroke to start the next hole. If the issue arises during or after the final hole, the request must be made before the match result becomes final.

Where an immediate ruling is unavailable, players must continue without unreasonable delay and refer the matter to the SWIFTS Tournament Committee. Ruling requests and decisions remain subject to Rule 20.1b.

D6. SWIFTS competition variation — provisional balls from the tee

To assist pace of play, when a provisional ball is played following a tee shot, it must be played by the same player who played the original tee shot.

If the provisional ball becomes the ball in play, that player’s partner must play the next stroke, with partners alternating strokes thereafter. The usual stroke-and-distance penalty applies.

If the original ball remains the ball in play, the provisional ball is abandoned and the partner plays the next stroke at the original ball.

This is a SWIFTS competition variation from Rule 22.3 of the Rules of Golf. It applies only to provisional balls played from the tee; in all other situations, the normal foursomes order of play applies.

D7. Order of pairs

Schools must field their pairs in their presumed order of strength, with the strongest pair playing first, followed by the second-strongest and then the third-strongest pair.

Pairings should reflect the school’s assessment of each pair’s combined playing strength and do not have to follow individual Handicap Index order. The lowest-handicap players are therefore not required to play in the first pair.

Schools are expected to select and order their pairs fairly and in the spirit of the competition.

D8. Tees and differences in par

Where girls are included in either school’s team, the boys must play from the set of tees whose men’s Course Rating most closely matches the women’s Course Rating of the tees used by the girls.

The schools must agree the tees before play begins.

Matches are played scratch, with no additional strokes awarded for differences in par or any remaining difference in Course Rating. Each hole is decided by the number of strokes taken, including penalty strokes.

For example, if a hole is a par 4 for the boys and a par 5 for the girls, and both pairs take five strokes, the hole is halved. No additional stroke is awarded.

D9. Incomplete teams and forfeited fixtures

If a school can field only two pairs, it must notify the opposing school before the fixture. It will forfeit the third pair’s match, with the opposing school awarded one point and a recorded result of 10&8.

If a school can field fewer than two pairs, it must forfeit the whole fixture and notify the opposing school beforehand. The opposing school will be awarded a 3–0 win, with each of the three pair matches recorded as 10&8.

The home school must submit the results through the SWIFTS website. Any forfeited pair match or full fixture must also be reported to the SWIFTS Committee by email, explaining the circumstances.

Where three or more schools finish tied in a region containing forfeited results, the Tournament Committee may adjust or exclude those results from the net holes up/down tie-break calculation to prevent an unfair advantage or disadvantage.

D10. Advice and communication during matches

Players may ask for and receive playing advice only from their foursomes partner.

No other person—including a Team Captain, staff member, coach, golf professional, parent or another team member—may give playing advice.

Playing advice includes recommendations about club selection, how to play a stroke or tactics during a hole or match.

Ordinary conversation, general encouragement, publicly available factual information, clarification of the Rules of Golf and communication necessary for safety or welfare are permitted, provided they do not include playing advice or unreasonably delay play.

A breach of the advice rules carries the general penalty of loss of hole, applied in accordance with Rules 10.2a and 24.4.

Players are not automatically penalised for unsolicited advice. If someone continues to give unauthorised advice, players must try to stop it; failure to do so incurs the applicable penalty.

D11. Caddies and spectators

Caddies are not permitted.

Spectators and team members who have finished their matches must remain a reasonable distance from players, avoid distracting them and allow play to proceed without interference or delay. They must not carry or manage players’ clubs or otherwise act as caddies.

They must comply with Rule D10 on advice and communication. General encouragement and ordinary conversation are permitted, but playing advice may be given only by the player’s foursomes partner.

These restrictions do not prevent necessary assistance or communication concerning safety or welfare.

D12. Regional groups and finals

In larger regions, schools may be divided into two round-robin groups. The winner of each group will progress to a regional final.

Regional finals must be played at a neutral venue agreed by both schools.

Each pair’s match is worth one point, with three points awarded in each fixture.

The school with the most points in each group will progress to the regional final or, where no regional final is required, directly to the National Finals.

If two schools are tied on points, the result of their head-to-head fixture will determine which school progresses.

If three or more schools are tied on points, their net holes up/down across all fixtures in that group will determine which school progresses, subject to the treatment of forfeited results under Rule D9.

D13. Submitting results

The home school must submit the result through the SWIFTS website after each fixture, recording the winner and full result of all three pair matches—for example, 3&2, 1 up or a win at the 19th hole.

Results should not be submitted by email. However, any forfeited pair match or whole fixture must also be reported to the SWIFTS Committee by email, explaining the circumstances.

D14. National Finals

The National Finals for both age categories will take place towards the end of the summer term.

By competing in the regional stage, schools commit to attending the National Finals and paying the applicable entry fee if they qualify.

If a school knows it cannot attend the National Finals, it must notify the SWIFTS Committee before completing its regional fixtures. This allows the Committee to determine the appropriate progression arrangements before the regional winner is confirmed.

U18 qualification

The U18 National Finals field comprises 14 regional winners, together with the winner and runner-up of the previous season’s U18 National Finals.

U15 qualification

The eight regional winners qualify for the U15 National Finals.