The Showdown is an amateur tournament that starts locally in UK and ends with a Final in the Belfry, where winners will compete for tickets to The Masters 2026.

The Showdown starts with a maximum of 16 teams per group. Each team is placed in a group that takes place with a geographical starting point from the selected "home club" as a priority to minimise travel time. While our aim is to keep distances as short as possible, we acknowledge that longer travel may be necessary in certain parts of the UK.

The Showdown is played in 2 man teams (men's teams, women's teams or mixed teams) and is played all as the same class. Open for amateur with official handicap (max 24, higher HCP will be reduced to 24). Both players must be at least 18 years old before the competition.

Each team has the right to use two reserve players. You may only use the same players. These reserves can complement the team if needed throughout the competition. Please note that a reserve may not play in another participating team that is still in the competition. Reserve players must always be registered in our web app under the team. If you have left the competition, you can enter as a reverse in another team. A reserve needs to be registered before the match starts. If a reserve is not registered in the system and the team plays with a reserve, the team may be disqualified.

The draw will take place on the 9th of May 2025. Only paying team to particpate in the draw.

From the first round to the final, time frames have been set for each round to be completed within. Round 1 - 9th of May to 1st of June. Round 2 2nd of June to 29th of June. Round 3, 30th of June to the 20th of July. Round 4, the 21st of July to the 10th of August. The final - 27th and 28th of August. Through our web app, all players get the necessary information aboud their next opponents. This allows both teams to coordinate a date to settle the date of the match. Whether you are a home or away team, both teams are responsible for contacting eachother and finding a match date. If the two teams can not agree on a suitable time or a date, the team captain from the home team must contact the tournament support team. If both teams agree on the time and the date of the next match, this can only be changed if both teams agree. If the opponent does not agree on a new time, and the match is not played, the team ready to play at the original time wins by default. Do not forget that you can use a reserve player, if someone on the team can not play on a certain date.

The team that is drawn as the home team chooses which golf course to play on. The home team for round one will be randomised, the home team for round 2, 3 and 4 will be decided by whichever team finishes the prior game first. This means that you as a home team can choose your home course, but can also agree with your opponents to meet on another golf course. The team captains of each team are responsible for keeping scores for all players. The home team is responsible for registering the round on our web app. The away team will be responsible for recording the round on a physical scorecard. When the match is over, the away team must approve the scorecard and the result will be sent to the tournament support team. All green fees or other fees / costs are paid by each team.

All knockout rounds are played as matchplay betterball. The two players in the team with the best scores on each hole are measured against eachother. The best score wins the hole for the team. If the best score is the same for both teams, the hole is split.

Sudden Death Playoff - In the event of a tie at the conclusion of a 18 holes, the match must be decided by a sudden death playoff. Both teams continue to play additional holes starting from the 1st or 10th hole until one team wins a hole. The first team to win a hole wins the match. Countback - If a sudden death playoff is unavailable due to constraints such as limited daylight, weather conditions, course closure, or the golf club's restrictions, the next rule is to use Countback.

1. Back Nine Countback: Compare the scores of both teams on the back nine holes (holes 10-18). The team with the lower score wins the match. 2. Last Six Holes Countback: If the teams are still tied after comparing the back nine, compare the scores on the last six holes (holes 13-18). 3. Last Three Holes Countback: If the teams remain tied, compare the scores on the last three holes (holes 16-18). 4. 18th Hole: If there is still a tie, compare the scores on the 18th hole alone. 5. Coin toss. If there is still a tie, we will use a coin toss. Further Tie Resolution: In the rare case where a tie persists after the 18th hole comparison, we will continue to compare scores hole-by-hole starting from the 17th hole backwards until a winner is determined.

Winning teams in each round advance to the next round. A loss results in the team being eliminated from the tournament. To qualify for the final at The Belfry, the team needs to win all 4 knockout rounds.

For all 60 teams that qualify for the final, an incredible golfing experience awaits at The Belfry, where teams will experience playing the Brabazon in professional tournament conditions with grand stands still up, rough super high and greens lightining fast. Accommodation and food will be included, as well as a 2-day Betterball stableford competition to crown the top three teams with third place receiving an all inclusive golf holiday, second place receiving a prize which has yet to be revealed, and first place to receive flights, accommodation, 1 round of golf and Sunday tickets to The Masters in 2026.

Each player must ensure that he plays to his official HCP. You must provide evidence of your official WHS index and provide proof of ID. The Showdown support team can, at any given time, disqualify a team with immediate effect without any further notice. Some reasons could be, but are not limited to: 1) Breach of any code of conduct. 2) Using a handicap that has been established for the purpose of providing an unfair advantage or using the round being played to establish such a handicap. 3) Deliberately not playing in accordance with the rules and potentially gaining a significant advantage by doing so, despite incurring a penalty for a breach of the relevant rule. 4) Deliberately playing away from the hole to assist the player's partner.

If for any reason one or more situations arise that cause you to submit a protest, this must be done in writing via email to [email protected]. The protest must be received no later than the day after the game. Protests received later than this will not be processed.

In The Showdown, everyone is allowed to use what is available in the market to mark different distance meters, as well as golf cart and caddy during all rounds of the competition.

All general competition rules regarding Best ball / Match Games go under the R&A & USGA Rules of Golf. Uncertainty regarding the regulations - contact the competition management at [email protected]. During the basic game, all participants are responsible for the rules regarding match play.

Each team must pay their Team Participation fee before the start of the competition, which is a prerequisite for participation. Any reserve players do not have to pay a participation fee. During the knockout rounds, all green fees or other fees/costs are paid by each team.

If the Stroke Index on a hole is different on the official course scorecard compared to the web app, please use the web app as the standard. This will keep the entire tournament as consistent as possible.