Spark Golf FAQs
- What is Spark Golf?
- Spark Golf are 9-hole, social golf leagues organized to be casual and fun, with a touch of friendly competition. The Spark app runs Spark Golf. Players use it to meet league players, register for league rounds, keep score on the course and track handicaps/stats.
- Where is it played?
- Spark partners with public golf courses in almost every city across the U.S. and Canada to host Spark Golf. If you can’t find a Spark course near you, please email help@spark.golf with recommendations.
- When is it played?
- League rounds are played weekly on specific weekday evenings. Depending on your city’s sunset times, leagues start in March-Mayl and end in August-November. Spark players are able to play in as many or as few league rounds as they like, there is no requirement to play every week. League rounds must be played at their designated league time.
- Who plays Spark Golf?
- Everyone! Our leagues are co-ed and open to all ages and skill levels. Spark is for golfers who value fun, community and light-hearted competition. We have good players, we have bad players. We have players looking to meet new friends, we have players looking to hang with old friends. Come out and enjoy a relaxed and fun atmosphere created for everyone.
- What is the format?
Spark is a recreational golf league focused on having fun. Part of the fun is friendly competition. We aim to keep the competition fair and enjoyable for everyone, no matter their skill level.
Each round has two games happening for all players - a team game and an individual game. In the team game, 2-person teams play a net best ball format. Each player plays their own ball into the hole. This is NOT a scramble. After each ball is holed, the team enters each player’s gross (actual) score into the Spark app which calculates the net score for each player based on current handicaps. The team score used for the hole is the better of the 2 net scores. The individual game is the net score for each player on their own ball.
The max score for each player on every hole is displayed in the Spark app. If this is reached prior to the ball being holed, the player should pick up to increase pace of play.
Skins will also be available each round. A skin is awarded to an individual who has the lowest non-tied, net score on a hole during the round.
- Is there is a year-long competition?
Yes, there are year-long competitions for each league as well as each city. At the end of the year for each league, a 2-person team and an individual will receive a league champ medal. At the end of the year for each market, a 2-person team and an individual will receive a market champ medal.
Also, new for 2023, in addition to the year-long competition in each league, we have competitions for each season. Depending on the schedule for the league, there can be up to 3 seasons. The team and individual winners of each season receive $9 in Spark credit.
- How does a team or individual win their league or city?
Both the team and individual standings for a specific league will reflect the cumulative points from your best 10 rounds played in that specific league only. If you play more than 10 rounds, the Spark app will start dropping your bad rounds to form your best 10. The team and individual standings for a specific market will reflect the cumulative points from your best 10 rounds played across any league in that specific market only.
- How many points do you earn in each round?
- Each team or individual who plays in a round will receive points towards their season points total. Points will be earned based on how you place/finish in each round with 1st place receiving the most points. The number of points a team receives depends on how many teams are registered for the round. The exact breakdown of how many points you receive in a round depends on how many teams are playing in that round and what place your team finishes. Here is the breakdown:
- Are any rounds worth double points?
- No. In previous years, we have awarded teams with double points for rounds in the second half of the year, but starting in 2023, due to the addition of seasons, all rounds are worth the same amount of points.
- Are there prizes awarded?
Spark provides prizing for skins at the end of each round. Spark funds the skins pot with a $1 per player that plays in the round, up to $9 per round. The pot is then divided by the number of skins won in the round and paid to the winning players in Spark credit which can be applied at checkout towards future Spark rounds.
At the end of each league season, Spark season champs will win $9 in Spark credit.
At the end of each league’s year, Spark league champs will win a Spark league champ medal to show off to their friends and family.
At the end of each market’s year, Spark market champs will win a Spark market champ.
- How do I join?
- Joining the league is free! Find the league that works best for you and click "Join for free" to sign up. League rounds are available for purchase each week or you can save money by prepaying for Spark credit at a discount.
- Can I join multiple leagues?
- Yes, absolutely. The Spark app makes it easy to see all Spark rounds scheduled for play each week. Play in more leagues to increase your chance at becoming a market champ!
- Do I need a partner to join?
- We encourage you to join with a partner, but it's not required. If you register for a round as a single, you will have the choice to play as a single or be partnered up with another single, if there is one available. Once you are partnered up with another single, you have the option to continue as teammates for the rest of the season or choose to be partnered up with a different player in the next round.
- Do I need a handicap?
- No. When you join, we'll calculate how many Spark strokes you receive in each round. The number of strokes you receive in each round will fluctuate based on your league scores.
- How are Spark strokes calculated?
The number of Spark strokes a player receives is based on what the player selects for their good 9-hole score. Spark then assigns a specific number of Spark strokes based on this table:
Shoots around 36 for 9 holes 0 Spark strokes Shoots around 39 for 9 holes 3 Spark strokes Shoots around 42 for 9 holes 6 Spark strokes Shoots around 45 for 9 holes 9 Spark strokes Shoots 48+ for 9-holes 12 Spark strokes A "stroke" provides a player an advantage on a specific hole by reducing their actual or "gross" score to calculate their "net" score on that hole.
Example - If a player makes a gross 5 on a hole where they are receiving a stroke, their net score is 4.
Each player’s Spark strokes will be applied to their 9-hole round starting with the lowest handicap hole on the course’s scorecard.
Example - If a player is receiving 3 Spark strokes, they will get a stroke on the 3 lowest handicap holes of the nine.
The max number of Spark strokes for a round is 18. Players are awarded strokes on holes based on the lowest handicap holes. For example, a 12-stroke player receives 2 strokes on the 3 lowest handicap holes and 1 stroke on the remaining 6 holes.
The number of Spark strokes a player gets will be recalculated after each round. The number of strokes they receive fluctuates based on league scores. Spark calculates this by taking the average number of strokes over par from the best 2 rounds of the player’s last 5 rounds. When a player only has one round played, their Spark strokes will be the average of the score over par in that round plus their good 9-hole score. Once a player has played 2 or more rounds, their good 9-hole score has no impact on their Spark strokes.
- How do I pay?
- League rounds are available for purchase each week or you can save money by prepaying for Spark credit at a discount. Spark credit can be purchased in the Spark app or at https://spark.golf. All payments must be made through Spark Golf and cannot be made at the golf course.
- How do I register for a round?
- You can register for any future round in any season up until the round's stated registration deadline, which may vary per league. Players can also unregister without penalty during this period. Each round has a limited number of players. Once the round fills up to the max number of players, additional players can register to join the waitlist. If you are on the waitlist, you will be automatically added to the round if a spot opens up. If a spot does not open up, you will receive Spark credit back which can be applied at checkout towards future Spark rounds.
- If it’s after the registration deadline, and I can’t make the round, what options do I have?
- If a registered player is unable to play in a round, and it’s after the registration deadline, they are able to invite a sub to play for them. This can be done by editing the players for the round in the Spark app. The sub can pay the Spark player on the side.
- How do you keep score?
You must use the Spark app to keep score in Spark Golf. The scoring feature will appear in the Spark Golf app one hour prior to the start of the round. Each player plays their own ball into the hole. This is NOT a scramble. After each ball is holed, the team enters each player’s actual (gross) score into the Spark app which calculates the net score for each player based on current handicaps. The team score for the hole is the better of the 2 scores of the players on the team.
Net double bogey is the max score for each hole. If this is reached prior to the ball being holed, the player should pick up to increase pace of play.
- What if my score doesn't save or I'm unable to input?
- If this happens you can send you hole by hole or a picture of your scorecard to help@spark.golf. We'll look into the issue with you and input your scores for you.
- Are gimmies allowed?
Yes! As part of Spark Rules, if your ball is less than 3 feet (the typical length of a putter) away from the hole, pick it up, it's good! Make sure to count the gimmie as a stroke when you input your score into the Spark app.
- What happens if I lose a ball or hit one out of bounds?
Under the tradition rules of golf, you have to go back to where you last hit from, hit again, and add a penalty stroke. Yikes! That doesn't sound like fun, so per Spark Rules, you can just drop a ball near where it was lost or went out of bounds, add a penalty stroke, and play on.
- Do I have to hit my ball out of a divot?
No, per Spark Rules, you are allowed to give yourself a better lie any time you are in the fairway.
- What tees do you play from?
It depends on the length of the course, but most leagues use the tees that are around 6,000 yards for 18 holes. Seniors 60 years or older can play one tee up from the assigned tees if they choose. Women can play two tees up from the assigned tees if they choose.
- What happens when weather is threatening?
- The golf course staff makes the final decision if a round will be cancelled. If/when this happens, Spark will immediately notify you via email & text. The round is still being played unless you are notified otherwise by Spark.
- Can I play at a different time if I can't make the schedule time?
- No, your scores will not count unless you play at your Spark assigned tee time or hole assignment. Playing outside of assigned times is not allowed and will result in removal of scores and points for the specific round.
- Who should I contact if I have more questions?
- Please email us at help@spark.golf.
New for 2023 - Seasons! Learn More