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The Player Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines for FootGolfers to follow throughout the FGAW tournament season and into the future.

This Player Code of Conduct is an official guideline for all FGAW players to follow. Please bear in mind that when a player enters the property of a sanctioned FGAW tournament they will be held to the following standards on and off the course. Our mission is to grow the game and build a strong institution grounded in integrity and ethical conduct. The staff of the FGAW sanctioned golf courses and the FGAW itself strive to make each tournament a memorable and enjoyable experience for every player. As our sport grows so does the attention we receive. With our goals in mind, this organisation can only run at a top level if we all participate in its success.

PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT: The FGAW values its reputation, the reputation of its host courses, and the reputation of FootGolf as a sport. We expect all players to display the appropriate effort, attitude, and sportsmanship, on and off the course while participating in FGAW sanctioned events. We require ethical behaviour before, during and following each and every tournament.

ATTIRE: Proper attire must be worn at all times during competition as detailed below. The first violation will result in a verbal warning and the second violation will result in disqualification from the current event. Repeat offenders may be disqualified from future events. Proper attire for the FGAW events is as follows:

Collared shirts are required;
Ladies may wear sleeveless shirts so long as the shirts have a collar;
“Hoodie” style tops will only be permitted where they bear the logo of a FootGolf club or association. Zipped hoodies may be worn but must be zipped up at all times. Players may wear hooded coats or jackets during adverse weather conditions;
Shorts should have belt loops. No jeans, football shorts, or swimwear shorts will be permitted. A player may wear gym-style shorts for Category C events if absolutely necessary, but all players are encouraged to wear tailored shorts if at all possible;
Skirts, skorts (shorts that look like a skirt) and proper kilts are allowed. Belt loops are optional for these particular items of clothing;
Ladies may wear full length or three-quarter length trousers;
If a hat is worn, it must be worn forward-facing;
Knee-length football-style socks must be worn, and must be pulled up at all times;
There shall be no logos of any professional or amateur sports or teams permitted on any attire, other than FootGolf clubs or associations;
Company logos (including kitwear providers such as Nike and Adidas) and sponsorship logos are permitted;
No football boots with studs may be worn. Only flat-soled shoes, or astroturf trainers or indoor trainers may be worn.

ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, DRUGS: Use of alcohol, tobacco (outside of designated areas), or drugs, before or during any tournament will not be tolerated (save for moderate consumption of alcohol during any break between rounds, only permitted in the clubhouse or away from the course) and will be considered a violation of the FGAW’s Player Code of Conduct. This violation will result in automatic disqualification and/or suspension from future events.

TOBACCO/ VAPE USE: Use of tobacco and/or vaping products are allowed in designated areas only and are strictly forbidden on any FootGolf course, in practice areas, pre-tournament announcement areas, check-in areas, and at awards ceremonies. The first offence will result in a verbal warning, the second offence in a 2-stroke penalty, and the third in disqualification. These warnings apply to the entire season and not just per tournament.

DOPING AND DRUG USE: There is a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for drug use. If a player is suspected of using drugs (performance enhancing or otherwise), the FGAW committee may require the player in question to take a drug test, at the players expense. The player will have 72 hours in which to submit the results of the test to the FGAW committee. The failure to do so will result in the player(s) removal from all FGAW tournaments for one full calendar year from the date the offence occurred.

ALCOHOL USE- POST FGAW EVENT: If the FGAW sanctioned course sells alcohol and you have “finished” with your FootGolf round, you may purchase and consume moderate amounts of alcohol. If you have started consuming alcohol and you have a play-off match, you will NOT be allowed to compete in the play-off, as this will put you in direct violation of the Player Code of Conduct. If a player uses alcohol after the tournament and carries out any anti-social behaviour, or behaviour which may otherwise adversely impact the image of the FGAW or the sport while still at the FGAW sanctioned event or course, they will be subject to disqualification from that tournament and their points and position will be forfeited for that tournament. Depending on the severity of the offence the player may forfeit their eligibility for a position on the Wales team and be removed from the tournament year.

ETIQUETTE/ON-COURSE BEHAVIOR: Serious breaches of etiquette can result in disqualification and/or suspension from future events. Violations include, but are not limited to:

Deliberate slow play;
Failure to adhere to the dress code and local rules of the course;
Failure to demonstrate fair play both on and off the course;
Failure to follow established FootGolf etiquette respecting the course, such as repairing foot marks and raking bunkers;
Loud, abusive, obscene or vulgar language;
Public urination;
Alcohol, cigarette (including e-cigarettes) or drug use (performance enhancing or otherwise)
Physical abuse, threat of physical abuse, verbal abuse, slander or libel of: other players, spectators, sponsors, host golf course staff or members, FGAW staff or volunteers;
Disrespect towards volunteers, course officials, industry professionals, staff and other competitors;
Throwing of any items or displays of poor sportsmanship;
Mistreatment and/or vandalism of any FGAW sanctioned golf course;
Cheating.

ETIQUETTE/OFF-COURSE BEHAVIOR: Breaches of off-course etiquette can result in disqualification and/or suspension from future events. Violations include, but are not limited to:

Social media post(s) or comments slandering any FGAW sanctioned course, the FGAW, its sponsors or volunteers, or promoting non-FGAW events to the detriment of the FGAW;
Social media post(s) or comments which may reflect badly on the FGAW and/or the growth of FootGolf;
Vandalism or mistreatment of any hotel or FGAW sanctioned host facility after any event;
Any form of discrimination, harassment or intimidation;
Foul or abusive language;
Smoking or the use of e-cigarettes within the clubhouse;
Drug use (performance enhancing or otherwise);
Failure to be considerate towards others when using your mobile phone in the clubhouse.

Whilst fully acknowledging that adult “banter” contributes to creating a healthy atmosphere among members, these rules are designed to safeguard others who find such banter offensive or intimidating. This Code of Conduct is not intended to create a bureaucratic, regulatory environment, but rather to promote and enhance the values of the FGAW and to promote inclusivity.

CHEATING: Players are expected to abide by the FGAW rules of fair and honest competition. Players are expected to hold others in their group or team to the same standards. The rules of fair and honest competition are as follows:

Be honest about your score and the score of the other players;
Make sure you confirm each player’s score at the conclusion of each hole. If there is any disagreement, retrace the player’s shots prior to beginning the next hole.

SPIRIT OF THE GAME AND SERIOUS MISCONDUCT:

The Committee may disqualify a player for serious misconduct for acting contrary to the spirit of the game. In determining whether disqualification is appropriate the FGAW will consider whether the player's actions were intentional and whether the act was significant enough to warrant disqualification without first giving a warning and/or applying other penalties;
Any FootGolf player, before, during, or after the competition of an FGAW sanctioned event, whether competing or not, who violates any rules, ethics, or the Code of Conduct of the FGAW, or displays conduct in a manner likely, in the opinion of the Committee, to adversely impact the reputation of the FGAW, will be subject to disciplinary action by the Committee and may be required to appear before the Committee via video call for further determination.

REPORTING MISCONDUCT: If any player observes, in good faith, any violation or potential violation of this Player Code of Conduct, please report it to the Tournament Director. All reports of misconduct will be confidential, to the extent legally practicable.

NON-RETALIATION: The FGAW does not tolerate any form of retaliation against individuals who report violations of this Player Code of Conduct.

Following a Committee hearing, the final decision will be made and announced to the player by the Committee. There is no appeal procedure.