The Cut Line

What You Need To KNow

Policies and Procedures

Twlv Stix (pronounced ‘Twelve Sticks’)

  • 🏌️‍♂️ Who Can Join the Twlv Stix Golf Tour?

    The Twlv Stix Golf Tour is open to amateurs with a verified Golf Canada handicap factor of 0-18.

    • Requirements:

      • You must be a member of Golf Canada with a verifiable index.

      • If using another app, transfer your scores to the Golf Canada app with committee approval.

      • All 18-hole scores must be entered annually.

  • 🎟️ How to Register for Events

    • Tour Card Holders: You’re guaranteed a spot at every event.

    • Guests: Registration opens after cardholder priority.

    Important Rules:

    • Registration closes based on course deadlines.

    • No verbal, email, or social media registrations.

    • How to Register: Sign up through the Player Portal.

  • 💳 Payment Options

    We accept credit card payments securely through our website

  • ❌ Cancellation and Refund Policy

    • Refund deadlines will vary by tournament and are provided when registration opens.

    • Late Withdrawal:

      • If you withdraw or no-show after the deadline, your fees will be forfeited.

    No exceptions for late withdrawals or no-shows.

  • ⚖️ Golf Rules and Pace of Play

    • We play by a variation of Standard Rules of Golf, with the local rules / Twlv Stix rules.

      • Lost Ball within white stakes are 1 stroke lateral.

      • On the Fairway we do not play out of divots.

      • Slow Play: Groups falling behind may skip a hole and take a double bogey.

    Important:

    • Rules Are Policed: Players caught breaking rules after 1 warning will be removed with no refund.

      For all other Rules please visit the Handbook.

  • 🌧️ Rain or Shine – We Play On

    • Tournaments are a go, even in the rain.

    • If bad weather causes delays:

      • Rain Checks: Are not guaranteed at courses.

      • Refunds due to weather are not guaranteed

      • Speak with Ryan or Head Pro regarding delays or procedures

        Don’t leave unless notified – or you’ll be marked as DNF (Did Not Finish.)

  • 💰 Tournament Prizing Breakdown

    • Prize Contributions:

      • $15 per player per event goes into the prize pool.

    • Net Prizes: 50% of the pot (distributed 60% for 1st, 30% for 2nd, 10% for 3rd).

    • Gross Prizes: 50% of the pot (60% for 1st, 30% for 2nd, 10% for 3rd).

    Guests: Eligible for Gross prizes only – no cash Net prizes.

    Tournament Winners receive limited edition Twlv Stix Golf Apparel.

    For Complete Season Prizes, please refer to the Handbook.

  • Our updated Members Handbook, Click Here.

  • Several Rules of Amateur Status apply only to golfers of “skill or reputation”.

    A golfer is considered to have skill or reputation is they are successful at the provincial level or compete at the national level, but it is a matter for Golf Canada to decide whether a particular golfer has skill or reputation.

    If you are a golfer of “skill or reputation” and are concerned about losing your Amateur Status by playing in a Twlv Stix Event then we ask you to sign our waiver form, found here.

    All money contributed is considered as gambling with in the club. You can opt out of any tournament if you wish to by letting the organizer know. You can find here, Rules of Amateur Status. Please make sure to read.

  • By registering for an event, the player agrees to abide by all the terms and conditions of both the Code of Conduct and the 2025 Twlv Stix Golf Tour Policies & Procedures, as follows:

    Membership dues are non-refundable at time of processing and expire on December 31, 2025.

    I willingly grant the TWLV STIX Golf Tour and its representatives permission to use my photos in any promotional material, including brochures, posters, literature and advertisements. They may even post these on social media or release them through press outlets.

    I agree to consent to release any information concerning performance and status of membership to the news, media, social media, other golf associations and organizations interested in the game of golf.

    As a competitor in Twlv Stix Golf Tour events, I agree to abide by the pace of play policies put in place, and understand that failure to comply may result in loss of playing privileges.

Twlv Stix Tour Handicap System 🏆

Welcome to the Twlv Stix Handicap System, designed to create fair, competitive, and transparent play throughout the season.

Our system ensures that each golfer’s handicap is an accurate reflection of their ability, balancing consistency with dynamic adjustments to prevent manipulation.

This guide explains:

  • How we determine your event handicap

  • Tour Championship handicap adjustments

  • Eligibility requirements

  • Safeguards against sandbagging and manipulation

1. How We Calculate Your Event Handicap

For all regular season events, your handicap is determined by the lowest of these two values:

  • H1 (Golf Canada Handicap): Your official handicap, updated automatically when you submit scores to Golf Canada.

  • H2 (Tournament Handicap): The average of your tournament differentials, but only calculated after you have played 3 events.

Handicap Rules for the First 3 Events

  • Before a player completes 3 events, H1 is used.

  • If a player fails to enter 2 scores in 30 days into Golf Canada before playing their first 3 events, they will compete using 75% of their H1 until an H2 is determined.

Handicap Rules After 3 Events

  • After playing 3 events, H2 is determined and will be used moving forward.

  • For all remaining events, the player's Final Handicap is:
    Final Handicap = Lowest of H1 or H2

This system rewards consistent players while preventing inflated handicaps from affecting tournament outcomes.

2. Tour Championship Handicap (H3) – The 90% Rule

For the Tour Championship, we apply an 90% weighting to the lowest handicap (H1 or H2). This creates a competitive final event while still reflecting a player's ability.

Formula:
H3 = (Lower of H1 or H2) × 90%

This ensures that:

  • Handicaps remain competitive and prevent manipulation.

3. Eligibility Requirements

To Use H1 (Golf Canada Handicap):

  • You must submit at least 2 scores every 30 days to Golf Canada. (Tour Events do not count)

  • If you fail to meet this requirement, your handicap will default to H2 once it is determined.

  • If you do not enter Golf Canada scores before your first 3 events, your handicap will be 75% of H1 until H2 is established.

To Qualify for the Tour Championship:

  • You must have played in at least 4 tournaments throughout the season.

  • Your Tour Championship Handicap (H3) is calculated using the 85% weighted system.

4. Safeguards Against Manipulation

Exceptional Score Adjustment (First 3 Events Only, Based on H1)

To prevent sandbagging, if a player scores 6+ strokes below their H1 during one of their first 3 events, an immediate adjustment is applied for the next tournament.

Formula:
Adjusted H1 = H1 - (Difference ÷ 2)

  • This adjustment only applies to the next event.

  • H2 is not affected by this safeguard, as it is only calculated after 3 events.

  • After 3 events, H2 updates dynamically based on all tournament rounds, and no further adjustments are made.

5. Examples of How It Works

Example 1: Regular Event Handicap Calculation

Player A:

  • Before 3 Events: Uses H1 (or 75% of H1 if Golf Canada scores are not updated).

  • After 3 Events:

    • H1 = 14

    • H2 = 12

    • Final Handicap for the Event: 12 (lowest value is used)

Example 2: Tour Championship Handicap Calculation

Scenario 1: H2 is Lower

  • H1 = 14

  • H2 = 12

  • Final Tour Championship Handicap (H3):
    H3 = 12 × 0.9 = 10.8 → Final Handicap = 11

Scenario 2: H1 is Lower

  • H1 = 10

  • H2 = 13

  • Final Tour Championship Handicap (H3):
    H3 = 10 × 0.90 = 9 → Final Handicap = 9

Example 3: Exceptional Score Adjustment (First 3 Events Only, Based on H1)

  • Player’s H1 = 16

  • Event 2 Score: Differential = 8

  • Since H1 is used in the first 3 events, the difference is:
    16 - 8 = 8 strokes

  • Adjusted H1 for Event 3:
    H1 = 16 - (8 ÷ 2) = 16 - 4 = 12

After the third event, H2 is calculated dynamically, and no further adjustments apply.

6. Key Takeaways

  • For the first 3 events, H1 is used (or 75% of H1 if no Golf Canada scores are updated).

  • After 3 events, H2 is determined and used for all future events.

  • For the Tour Championship, H3 is 90% of the lower handicap (H1 or H2).

  • Players must submit 2 Golf Canada scores every 30 days to use H1.

  • Exceptional scores in the first 3 events trigger an adjustment for the next round.

  • After 3 events, H2 updates dynamically based on all tournament rounds.

Ready to tee off with Twlv Stix?

With our handicap system, every shot matters. Play fair, play strong, and join us for an unforgettable season of competition!

📩 Got questions? Contact us or speak to the committee at your next event.