Golf Clubs � Ryder Cup � Rules Explained

Millions of people enjoy watching the Ryder Cup, but is everyone aware of the rules, the format and the terminology of this famous golf game? Read below for a detailed guide.

The Ryder Cup is a biennial event which is held alternately in golf clubs in the United States and in Europe . Since the cup began in 1927, each country has only held the event eighteen times and therefore only eighteen golf courses have been used as sites for the cup, and no course or golf club has ever held matches twice.

The Ryder cup has become famous for being the only golf team event that contains a history. Sports enthusiasts love the Ryder Cup because of the pride which each team displays for their own country. What also makes the cup unique is that there is no prize money, the only prize which the winner will receive is the magnificent Trophy, bought in 1927 by the founder of the tournament, Samuel Ryder.

The game of golf for the Ryder Cup is governed by the 2004 Rules of Golf which is issued by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. The game can also be embellished where applicable by Local Rules within the host country. Match play can include the following:

Ryder Cup: Foursomes � Two golfers compete on a team against two other golfers and each side plays one ball. The golfers play alternate shots with one golfer hitting their golf club from odd numbered holes whilst the other hits their golf club from even numbered holes until all the holes have been played

Ryder Cup: Fourball � This is a match in which each member of the two-man teams play their own ball. Four balls are in play per hole with each of the four players recording a score on the hole. The team whose player's golf club produces the best score on that hole wins the hole. Should players from each team tie for the best score, the hole is halved.

Ryder Cup: Singles � This is a match in which one player competes against another player. A player wins the match when he is up by more holes than there are holes remaining to play.

The order of play during the first two days of the Ryder Cup competition is determined through mutual agreement of both teams' captains. Each captain will submit a list which will determine their team's pairings. There are a total of 28 matches.

Match play is a game that is decided hole by hole instead of cumulatively over 18 holes. Below is a brief list of the basic guidelines used in match play:

• A hole is won in the Ryder Cup by the team who manages to get their ball into the hole using the least amount of strokes from their golf club.
• A score is determined by keeping a record of the number of holes won against the number of holes to play.
• When a team is winning by more holes than there are holes remaining, then the match is discontinued and one point is awarded for that particular match.
• If each team has an equal score after eighteen holes have been played, both teams receive one half of a point. A total of 28 points are awarded in a Ryder Cup competition.

There are a total of 28 matches in the Ryder Cup and one point is awarded for each match won. The side with the most points at the conclusion of the Ryder Cup Matches wins the Ryder Cup. If, at the end of the Ryder Cup Matches, the teams both have 14 points, the team who last won the Ryder Cup retain The Cup

A division of Confidence Sporting Goods, inc., the famous manufacturer from Palm Springs , California , we have been making quality sporting goods for 35 years. We sell a huge range of sports equipment, including golf clubs. Because we sell directly to you, you can expect to save up to 70% on normal retail prices when buying from us.

To order, phone 1-800-603-0004.