Updated: April 10, 2026
USGA Rules apply except as listed below.

1. Membership

• All golfers must be at least 21 years of age.
• At least one team member must be a current or retired faculty/staff employee of GVSU.
• Our "three R's of golf"... recreation, relaxation, and a round of fun!

2. Starting Times (4:30 p.m.- 5:40 p.m.)

• Foursomes are scheduled to tee off at ten-minute intervals. Please arrive at the course in time to report at the first tee 10 minutes prior to your scheduled tee time. If players are late, other foursomes will be started until they arrive. There is no official starter. Everyone is responsible for getting started on time!
• All teams are expected to play at their appointed time with their scheduled opponents. If you must be late or need an alternate starting time, please make arrangements with your opponents.
• Opposing teams may play each other prior to league only if absolutely necessary, but the round must be played on the scheduled date. Notify the league secretary in advance, then complete the round and submit scores.

3. Play Conditions

• Winter Rules: League winter rules are in effect at all times. A player may improve the lie of the ball anywhere on the course, except in hazards and sand traps, by rolling the ball over with the club head. Hazards are marked by red or yellow stakes. A free drop is allowed from areas marked with white paint.
• Inclement Weather: League play will be suspended or canceled only when The Meadows does not allow carts on the course due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions. Should such conditions be present on league day, a decision whether to play or cancel will be made by 3:00 p.m. Call The Meadows Pro Shop at (616) 331-1000 for league play confirmation.
• Substitutes: In the event a team member must be absent from league play, securing a substitute golfer is highly encouraged. A sub of choice or one selected from our FSGL Website would be acceptable. As far in advance as possible, please notify the league secretary and your league partner of your absence, and provide the sub’s name and handicap if available.

4. Etiquette

• Out of courtesy and for maximum enjoyment of all players, please keep a timely pace of play. The goal for completing a round is 2-hrs. All golfers are encouraged to use carts to help keep pace of play. An empty hole in front of your foursome indicates you are seriously behind and should speed up play! Other foursomes behind you should be waived to play-through if your foursome is not keeping proper pace. 
• The maximum time allowed to look for lost golf balls is two minutes! Opponents are responsible for timing the search, but not responsible to help look for a lost ball. Walkers should split up to look for your own golf ball.
• Play "ready-golf." Be prepared to take your shot. Particularly around the greens, prepare to putt while others are putting. Hole out (finish putting) when convenient.
• Park golf carts and place golf bags on the side of the green toward the next tee. How To Efficiently Cart Golf!
• DO NOT record scores while on the green; wait until you reach the next tee.

5. Tee Boxes and Handicaps

• Red Tees: Women and optional for any player 80+ years of age; Gold Tees: Optional for any player 60+ years of age; White Tees: Men 60 years of age and younger; Blue Tees: Optional for anyone; Black Tees: GO FOR IT!!! Once tee box has been selected, you must use this tee box for remainder of the season.
• Handicaps will be calculated and posted on the website following each week's round of play. Our league utilizes the Golf Genius (GG) management and scoring app with USGA supported protocols.

6. Scoring (FSGL version of Stroke Play)

• On a weekly basis the league secretary will email all leaguers with team pairings and weblinks to the GGID score cards. One golfer in each foursome must be responsible for posting and submitting both teams scores via a smart phone. Teams scoring data, league standings, handicaps, etc. will be updated weekly and emailed to leaguers, as well as posted to the website.
• Your score for each hole consists of the number of strokes taken to hit onto the green plus the number of putts.
• Maximum Score: The maximum score on a hole is double-par (par 3's-6, par 4's-8, par 5's-10). Pick up your ball if you reach the maximum; you need not finish the hole. Record a double-par for that hole and proceed to the next tee.
• "Gimme Putts" A "gimme putt" must be granted to your opponent if the ball is within two feet of the cup. The ball may be picked up, and it must be counted as one putt.
• Mulligans: Each player will be allowed one mulligan per round for an errant shot of their choice (does not include a putt). A mulligan may be declared and must be re-hit immediately. A provisional mulligan may be declared if the player believes the ball is potentially lost. If the original ball is found however, the player must continue play with the original ball, and the mulligan may be used later in the round. Once a player leaves the original point of shot, and the ball is later determined lost, the player may not return to "re-hit" using a mulligan.
• Should there be an uneven number of league teams, the unpaired team’s scores will be matched against a blind team that is randomly selected by the league secretary. 

7. Format and Points

• Hole #1: Men’s par is 5, Women’s par is 4. To equalize the point distribution when paired and both par the whole, the combined total points earned will be adjusted appropriately.
• No-show golfers who fail to obtain subs will lose all points available to them, and their team will lose points for total. The only points the team can win are those earned by the team partner who plays. The unopposed golfer will earn points based on playing against the score of an attending player randomly selected by the league secretary.
• Team rankings will be determined by the highest point totals over the season. 1st-half and 2nd-half winners will be determined by the teams having earned the most points at the end of June and the end of August matches. Those two teams will play each other for the league championship title. 

8. Season Finale

• As specified in the season's league schedule, league champions and next season's league president and vice president will be determined in a playoff. The teams having the highest and lowest point totals from the season's first and second halves will compete for the respective titles. In the event a playoff cannot be held, the teams having the highest and lowest point totals for the season will be awarded the championship and officers titles respectively.
• In addition to the champions and league awards, other prizes will be awarded at the season finale banquet.