Rules & Regulations
*PLEASE NOTE: NEW USGA RULE BOOKS WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE AT NO CHARGE.
All Tampa Junior tour play is governed by the 2019* USGA Rules of Golf and its Decisions and, where applicable, by the following Local Rules, Conditions, and Definitions, subject to changes or amendments by The Tampa Junior Tour Committee. Appendix I refers to the Appendix of Local Rules and Conditions of the Competition in the 2019* Rules of Golf Book.
Golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.
If a player is unsure about a ruling or how to proceed when a rules question arises, the player should consult with a tour official as soon as possible, refer to the 2019 USGA Rules of Golf and its Decisions, or play two balls under Rule 3-3.
1. Time of Starting/Late to Tee: If a player arrives at his tee, ready to play, within five minutes of his starting time, the penalty for failure to start on time is two strokes at the first hole. If a player arrives at the tee more than five minutes after his starting time he will be disqualified.
PLEASE SHOW UP TO THE TEE BOX 10 MIN BEFORE YOUR TEE TIME TO AVOID ALL PENALTIES
2. Double Par Rule: A player shall take no more than double-par on a hole. Once double-par has been reached, a player must pick up their ball and wait for the other players in the group to complete the hole.
Exception: This rule does not apply for 18-hole players, where there is no stroke limit.
3. Distance Measuring Device: Players are only permitted to use optical devices (rangefinders) that measure distance based on a through-the-scope calculation by the player. GPS (global positioning system) devices with pre-programmed distances, and devices (including cell phones) capable of gauging or measuring other conditions, are not permitted. First Offense: 2 stroke penalties Second Offense: Disqualified
4. Caddie Policy: Caddies are permitted for the 7-9 and 10-12 age groupings. All age groups 13 and older are not permitted to have caddies. Caddies will be required to sign a caddie policy on the day of the tournament.
5. Withdrawal Policy:
- Justified Withdrawal: The junior is obviously ill, injured, or a family tragedy has occurred.
- Unjustified Withdrawal: Once a junior receives to unjustified withdrawals, he/she will not be eligible for postseason honors.
6. Tie Breaking Procedure: The Tampa Junior Tour will break any ties by using the score from the #1 handicap hole on the golf course. If the result is still tied we will move on to the #2 handicap hole and so on.
8. Pace of Play: Each player must play without undue delay, which is defined as taking no more than 40 seconds to play a shot. Those players who are first to play from a given area (tee, fairway, green, etc.) will have 10 extra seconds to play their shot.
A group will be deemed to be out of position on the golf course when they are over time par. Time par is determined by each hole taking an average of 15 minutes to complete a hole and/or by staying up with the group in front. When it is determined that a group is out of position on the golf course the group will be warned and asked to speed up play. If the group continues to fall behind each member of the group will be timed. If a player takes more than the allotted time, he or she may be subject to a penalty. First offense: warning; Second offense: two stroke penalty; Subsequent offenses: Disqualification
The 40-second rule is in place to assure playing without “undue delay” and to prevent slow play.
9. Out of Bounds: Where white stakes or fence posts are used, the nearest inside points at ground level define out of bounds. When out of bounds is defined by a white line on the ground, the line itself is out of bounds. A ball coming to rest on or crossing any public road is considered out of bounds, even if it comes to rest on another part of the golf course.
10. Penalty Areas: Defined by RED lines and designated by RED stakes. In the absence of lines, the stakes both identify and define the hazard. These used to be referred to as Lateral Hazards and the rules procedure is the same.
11. Ball Drops: A “DROP ZONE” is an area enclosed by a white line having the words “BALL DROP” printed inside it or on a sign adjacent to the line. A “ball drop” is not ground under repair. The line itself is in the “DROP ZONE.”
12. Ground Under Repair: Enclosed white lined areas define ground under repair. The white lines are considered in ground under repair. Other areas of ground under repair, even though not so marked include:
- French drains (trenches filled with stones or like)
- Fire ant beds and mounds
13. Flower Beds Identified by Blue Stakes: To be treated as Ground Under Repair. Relief is mandatory.
14. Sod Seams for Lie of Ball Only: To be treated as an embedded ball through the green. All seams in a given area are deemed to be the same seam.
15. Lifting an Embedded Ball: The “Embedded Ball Rule” as written in rule 16.3, is in effect when the ball is anywhere in the “General Area.” Remember that during relief, you are entitled to lift and clean the ball before taking your relief, but that altering or ”fixing” the resulting hole or turf in any way (esp. by stepping on it) is a penalty in itself of two strokes.
16. Signals for Suspension and Resumption of Play: If play is suspended by verbal direction by the Tour Director, Tour staff or any host course staff person, the player must immediately discontinue play, mark his/her ball position, and look for shelter. All practice areas are closed during suspension for a dangerous situation until the Tour Director has declared them open for use. Penalty for breach of this rule is disqualification. It is the player’s responsibility to be ready when play resumes that will be signaled by two short siren blasts repeated or verbal direction. All players failing to start play on time after a delay will be disqualified. A player may not join a group during play of the hole; but must join them on the next tee. A player may discontinue play and seek shelter SOLELY AT HIS OR HER DISCRETION if he believes there is dangerous weather (lightning, tornado, hurricane, etc.) regardless of whether any tournament suspension has been given. The player must report to the Tour Director as soon as practical. Bad weather (rain, wind, etc.) is not itself a good reason for discontinuing play.
The Tampa Junior Tour Committee makes all decisions regarding weather delays and/or cancellations on site the day of the event. The intention is to play the event on its scheduled day, and everything possible will be done in order to do so.
17. Electronic Devices: Cell phones, headphones, pagers and the like may not be used during play. First Offense: warning; Second Offense: disqualification. Cell phones may only be used to alert rangers or seek rules advice from rules officials and/or Tour Director during play.
18. Spectator Policy: Spectators may rent a golf cart at the discretion of the golf course but must remain on the cart path at all times. All spectators walking must remain a minimum of 30 yards from the players at all times. Spectators may not give players advice during the round. Spectators may not use any electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, etc.) on the course. First Offense: warning; Second Offense: Immediate removal of the spectator from the golf course.
19. Code of Conduct (Caddie or Player): Violations of the code of conduct include: abusive language, club throwing, cheating, disrespect of volunteers or officials, abuse to the golf course or the facilities, littering, or any other conduct unbecoming of a player. First Offense: 2 stroke penalty; Second Offense: Disqualification Repeated violation will lead to rejection of future entries.
20. Dress Code: Players must adhere to the following dress code: Only acceptable golf attire is permitted. Players are prohibited from wearing shoes with metal spikes, gym or basketball shorts, short shorts, swimwear, denim of any kind, t-shirts, or tank tops. Players not appropriately attired will not be permitted to participate.
21. Cancellation/Refund Policy: Players must notify the Tampa Junior Tour Committee in order to cancel from an event.
-If Player cancels before the close of registration than a FULL refund will be issued or the Player may transfer registration to a future event during that season
-If a Player cancels after the close of registration no refund will be issued but the Player may transfer registration to any future event during that season
-If a player does not show without notification, no refund will be issued
-Once an event begins, withdrawal for any reason other than illness, injury or family emergency may result in suspension of playing in future events. One of our Core Values is PERSEVERANCE! Never Give Up!
*Exceptions may be considered by the Tampa Junior Tour Committee for extenuating circumstances*
22. Result of the Competition: When all the scorecards have been signed, attested, collected and approved by the TEAM Tampa Junior Tour Committee, the result of the competition is deemed to have been officially announced.
The Tampa Junior Tour Committee reserves the right to modify the Rules & Regulations prior to the start of any event.