Golf Leagues FAQ

General

Do I need to have a certain skill level to join a league?

Our leagues are open to players of all skill levels! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced golfer, you're welcome to join. Each league will be scored using handicaps (see below) so everyone is competitive each week.

I can’t make it to league night. Can I send a sub?

Yes, you may send a substitute to play on your behalf. The sub can use your allocated league time at no charge; however, their score will not count toward your league-end stats, and they will not be eligible for prizes. If a substitute wishes to compete for weekly prizes, they can pay the weekly league drop-in rate.

Handicaps

What is a handicap?

A handicap in golf is a numerical measure of a golfer's potential ability, designed to level the playing field between players of different skill levels. The lower the handicap, the better the golfer is considered to be. Handicaps allow golfers of all abilities to compete fairly by adjusting scores based on their skill. For example, when two golfers with different handicaps play each other, the weaker player (with the higher handicap) deducts strokes from their score to balance the competition. In short, a handicap makes the game more enjoyable and competitive for everyone.

What if I don’t have a handicap?

New players or those without an established handicap (from the USGA or previous league play) need to complete at least four 9-hole rounds (or two 18-hole rounds) on our simulators at The Golf Garage. Play will be on the front and back-9 of TPC Scottsdale and The Legend at Giants Ridge courses to establish a handicap. If a handicap is not set before the first league match, the player will start with a zero handicap.

To establish a handicap, inform The Golf Garage team when you come in for your rounds. These rounds can be completed in one or more visits. It typically takes about two hours for a solo golfer to complete both 18-hole rounds. Once a round is completed, notify the staff, and we’ll record your scores to establish your handicap.

Do I have to have a handicap?

If a player does not have a handicap and chooses not to establish one before the league starts (see above), they will begin with a zero handicap. The first four weeks of league play will be used to establish their handicap, which will then be applied for the rest of the league season and any future leagues at The Golf Garage.

How are handicaps calculated?

We follow a process similar to the USGA Handicap Formula:

• Multiply the number of rounds by 0.5 and round up to determine the number of lowest rounds used for the average.

• If the result is positive, multiply the average by 0.96; if negative, multiply by 1.04.

• Round the final result to the nearest whole number to determine the handicap.

Example: If a player has recorded four 9-hole rounds, their lowest three rounds will be averaged. If that average is positive, it’s multiplied by 0.96 and rounded to the nearest whole number (e.g., 7.3 becomes 7, while 7.5 becomes 8). This will be the player’s handicap.

Playing with a Group

Can I join with friends or as a group? How does that work?

Yes! You can play with friends or as part of a group. Just let us know who you’d like to play with, and we’ll assign your group to the same bay each week. To request specific groupings, email us at info@thegolfgaragemn.com with the names of the players in your group after registering.

For stroke-play leagues, each player should register individually. Groups of two or four can share a bay, and groups of three will be accommodated based on availability (each bay holds up to four people).

For the scramble league, one registration covers both golfers (two). Two teams (four golfers) can request to play in the same bay each week.

In the Flex Scramble League, one registration covers both golfers on a two-person team. If two teams want to play together, they can book consecutive tee times and play as a group. You can also book a standard 4-hour tee time online and choose “pay at facility,” allowing our staff to apply the 2-hour weekly block from each team when you check in. Since the Flex League offers flexible play times, groups can choose to play together on some weeks and not others as schedules allow.

Cost and Fees

How much do leagues cost and what’s included?

Seasonal leagues cost $350 per person for all leagues, except the Senior League, which costs $300.
This fee includes 10 weeks of league play, simulator time, and league entry fees for prizes and payouts. The cost averages $35 per week (or $30 for the Senior League).

The Late-Winter/Spring 2025 week-to-week Men’s 18-Hole league costs $30 per person.

Does the cost for the Wednesday 9-HoleScramble and Flex Scramble leagues cover both golfers?

Yes. The cost is $700 per team, which covers both golfers (two). This averages to $35 per golfer, per week, for the 10-week 2-person scramble leagues.

Schedule

What are the waves? Do I always play at the same time each week?

For all seasonal leagues except the Flex Scramble League, golfers register for a specific wave (time slot) of their choice and will play at the same time each week. You can select the wave that best fits your schedule during registration.

How does the flex-scramble league work?

In the Flex Scramble League, teams have the flexibility to play the weekly course any day within a given week. Each week runs from Sunday to Saturday, and teams can choose different times each week based on their schedules. For example:

• Week 1: Play anytime between Sunday, January 5, and Saturday, January 11

• Week 2: Play between Sunday, January 12, and Saturday, January 18

The person who registers their scramble group will be assigned a membership with allocated simulator hours, which can be used to schedule their group play each week. Play can be scheduled up to four weeks in advance.

How long is the league season?

The winter 2025 leagues are 10 weeks long. League play starts the week of January 5th and runs through the week of March 9th, with play occurring on the same day each week based on your league. The Flex Scramble League players have until Saturday, March 15th to complete their final round.