2018 Optimist International

Junior Golf Championships

Rules Procedures and Reminders

THE FOLLOWING RULES REMINDERS MAY ASSIST YOU DURING THE COMPETITION

(These are only summary reminders and do not modify the Rules themselves)

 

PLAYER'S RESPONSIBILITIES:

The player shall start at the time laid down by the Committee. (Rule 6-3)

  • All players are to be at their designated tee ten minutes prior to their starting time.  If the player arrives at his/her starting point ready to play within five minutes after his/her starting time, in the absence of circumstances which warrant waiving the penalty of disqualification as provided in Rule 33-7, the penalty for failure to start on time is two strokes. If the player is more than five minutes late, he/she shall be disqualified.
  • The responsibility for playing the proper ball rests with the player. (Rule 6-5)
  • Each player should put an identification mark on his/her ball.
  • The Competitor is responsible for the correctness of the score recorded for each hole on the card. (Rule 6-6)
  • The player shall play without undue delay in accordance with any pace of play guidelines laid down by the committee. Between completion of a hole and playing from the next teeing ground, the player shall not unduly delay play. (Rule 6-7)
  • If a group is out of position it will be subject to be timed. A player will be allowed 40 seconds to complete his/her stroke. The following are penalties for breach of rule: 
    • Out Of Position – Not Keeping Up With The Group In Front of You.
    • First Offense – Verbal Warning
    • Second Offense – One Stroke Penalty
    • Third Offense – Two Stroke Penalty
    • For Subsequent Offense – Disqualification
  • Note: Timing will discontinue when the group has regained its position. Time previously recorded that may have exceeded the limit, however, will be held over for further occurrence.
  • Pace of Play appeal – A player has the right to appeal a pace of play penalty given to him/her, but must appeal directly to the Rules Committee before signing and returning his/her scorecard.

 

OUT OF BOUNDS: 

  • In addition to the Out of Bounds defined by White Stakes (plastic PVC posts and wooden stakes), Fence Posts, Walls, Roads and Tunnels,
  • Ground beyond the water in lateral water hazards adjacent to private property and/or tied to white stakes is Out of Bounds.

 

RELIEF SITUATIONS:

  • Relief from a Lateral Water Hazard. All water hazards at PGA National are marked as Lateral Water Hazards.  Your relief options are as follows under penalty of one stroke: (Rule 26)
  • Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played.
  • Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped.
  • Drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard.
  • Drop a ball within 2 club lengths on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole.

 

RELIEF FROM CASUAL WATER:

  • Casual Water is any temporary accumulation of water on the course which is visible before or after the player takes his/her stance, and is not in a water hazard. (Rule 25) Interference by casual water occurs when a ball lies in or touches any casual water or when such a condition interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his/her intended swing. Relief may be taken as follows:
  • Determine the point on the course nearest to where the ball lies which is not nearer the hole, avoids interference by the condition, and is not in a hazard.
  • The ball shall be lifted and dropped without penalty within one club length of the determined point and not nearer the hole.

 

RELIEF FROM GROUND UNDER REPAIR: 

  • Ground under repair is any portion of the course so marked by the order of the Committee. White lines define ground under repair. A ball is in ground under repair when it lies in or any part of it touches the ground under repair. Relief may be taken as follows:
  • Determine the point on the course nearest to where the ball lies which is not nearer the hole, avoids interference by the condition and is not in a hazard.
  • The ball shall be lifted and dropped without penalty within one club length of the determined point and not nearer the hole.

 

DOUBT AS TO PROCEDURE:

  • In stroke play, if a competitor is doubtful of his/her rights or the correct procedure during the play of a hole, he/she may, without penalty, complete the hole with two balls. (Rule 3-3)
  • After the doubtful situation has arisen and before taking further action, the competitor should announce to his marker or a fellow competitor that he intends to play two balls and which ball he wishes to count if the Rules permit. Before returning his scorecard, the competitor MUST report the facts of the situation to the Committee. If they fail to do so, he/she is DISQUALIFIED.

 

CONDUCT:

  • Players can be disqualified for actions on and off the golf course. In addition, each room is subject to an on the spot inspection at any time.
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct, including abusive language and club throwing on the golf course will result in the following penalties:
    • First offense – warning
    • Second offense – two shot penalty
    • Third offense – disqualification
    • Some penalties may be issued at the full discretion of the Rules Committee.

 

DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES:

  • Players may obtain distance information by using a device that measures DISTANCE ONLY. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. elevation changes, wind speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3.

 

OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL WITHDRAWAL POLICY:

  • This policy will allow for withdrawals for medical reasons or for emergencies. The medical reason must be verified and approved by medical personnel to receive a WD. If the medical personnel deem a player is healthy enough to continue and the player refuses, the player will be disqualified. The entire group involved will be held at the point of stoppage and other groups will play through. A Rules Official will restart the group. All play must comply with all current Tournament Rules and Policies. The player must notify and receive approval from Medical personnel or Rules Official or Tournament Committee Member prior to leaving the course.  The decision of the Rules Committee is final. If a family emergency, on or off site occurs, the Rules Committee may allow a player to withdraw. The reason or reasons must be verified by the Rules Committee. All printed and published results at the end of the Tournament will reflect a withdrawn status.

 

OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL DISQUALIFICATION POLICY:

  • Disqualification will occur if during a competitive round of the Tournament a player refuses to continue play after a medical personnel releases the player to continue play. Failure to report for your tee time, leaving the course without the notification and approval of a Rules Official or another already published reason will also be automatic disqualification. All printed and published results at the end of the Tournament will reflect a disqualified status.
  • If a player is disqualified prior to the final round during the tournament, the player may play as a marker at the discretion of the Tournament Director based on size of field and other circumstances.