Emerald Coast Junior Golf Tour

 

Age groups will be determined as of the day of the event. Players may elect to play up an age group. 

5. Tee Times: All players are personally responsible for knowing their tee times. Players and Caddies need to be at the starter 10 minutes before their allotted tee time to go over the rules of competition for their division, any local rules and to allow the first player in the group to be ready to tee off on time. If players arrive at the tee, ready to play, a two-stroke penalty will be assessed if they do not tee off on time. If the players arrive at the tee, ready to play, after their group has left the first tee, they will receive a score of triple bogey on that hole and any other holes missed. Players may not join a group during play on a hole, but may join them on the next tee. Please read the full Tee Time policy.

6. Maximum Score: In our one-day events, no player shall take no more than a double par on any hole, unless specific event rules deem otherwise. All 18-hole divisions in 2-day events will need to play out to be eligible for National Junior Scoreboard consideration.

7. Distance Measuring Devices: Distance measuring devices are allowed in all Emerald Coast Junior Tour events, assuming the device 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 (gradient, wind-speed, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 4.3, for which the penalty is the General Penalty for the first breach and for the second breach, the penalty is Disqualification.

8. Caddie Policy: For our one day events, participants in all age groups may have a caddie. Caddies are recommended for players in the 9-hole Premier 11 and under age division. The caddie must be at least 15 years of age and preferably has some understanding of the rules and etiquette of the game of golf. Caddies should only give short verbal assistance and then step away until the shot is played, stay completely off the tee boxes and greens and allow players to read their own putts. Caddies should not give swing instruction. Please review the full Caddie Policy. Caddies are not photographers and may not take pictures or videos! Caddies are not allowed for 18-hole divisions in 2-day events. Caddies are not allowed in the Optimist Qualifier.

9. Pace of Play: Your assigned pace of play will be listed on your scorecard and averages 13-15 minutes per hole. Play your ball before helping others find theirs!  You are out of position on a par 3 when you come to the tee box and the green is open and on a par 4 or par 5 when you reach the tee and the players in the group in front of you are already putting. If a group is out of position, our staff will check to see if they are on pace relative to the time of hole completion on their scorecard. If groups are out of position AND not on pace, they are subject to warnings and penalties. 

1^st offense-warning; 2^nd offense-1 shot penalty for each golfer in the group; 3^rd offense-2 shot penalty for each golfer in the group

10. Ground Under Repair (GUR): Enclosed white line areas define ground under repair. Other areas considered GUR include fire ant beds and mounds and any staked trees or shrubs.

11. Embedded Ball: The “Embedded Ball “ Rule is in effect through the green. You may lift, clean and drop your ball, within one club length, no closer to the hole to the place it embedded. If it rolls closer to the hole, or lands back in the original embedded hole the player may re-drop.

12. Disqualification: No player may be disqualified for any violations of the Rules of Golf in our one-day events. Instead the player will be assessed a double-par on a hole for an infraction that would otherwise have lead to disqualification. A player and/or his caddie may be disqualified for code of conduct violations.

13. Electronic Devices: Cell phones, video recorders, DVD camera's, headphones, pagers and other electronic devices may not be used during play and should be switched off. First offense: warning, second offense and further offense: general penalty. Cell phones may only be used to alert rules officials or emergency personnel.

14. Tobacco and Alcohol: Tobacco and alcohol use by caddies is not permitted. First offense: warning, second offense: 2 strokes, third offense: code of conduct player disqualification.

15. Spectator Policy: Spectators may rent carts and follow groups, but may not give advice to players. Only caddies may give players advice. Spectators should not talk to players and stay in the rough or tree line (stay off Fairways and do not stand behind greens when players are hitting to the green), so as not to affect or disturb any competitors. It is recommended to stay 30-40 feet away from the players at all times, unless supplying players with food or drinks no more than every 4-5 holes. Under no circumstances may spectators assist competitors with rules questions, or get involved with players in discussing any issues on the course. Officials may assess penalties. Spectator and spectator carts must stay off the fairways and stay on cart paths, in the tree line, or rough.

16. Code of Conduct: Violations of the Code of Conduct include, but are not limited to: abusive language, club throwing, cheating, disrespect of volunteers or officials, abuse of the golf course or the facilities, littering or any other conduct unbecoming a player. First offense: warning, second offense: disqualification. Repeated violations may lead to rejection of tour playing privileges.

17. Dress Code: Players and caddies must wear acceptable golf attire. Not permitted are short shorts, swimwear, denim, T-shirts, or tank tops. Players or caddies who do not adhere to these codes will not be permitted on the course. Spectators should also wear acceptable golf attire, that excludes t-shirts, short shorts, denim, cargo shorts etc. If in doubt, please consult the dress code of the host club on their website. 

18. Scorecards: Immediately after completion of play, players and markers must go directly to the scorer’s tent to verify and attest, sign and turn in scorecards to the scorekeeper. All score or rules uncertainties must be resolved before signing and turning in scorecards. Once scorecards have been turned in, the score is final.

19. Result of the competition: When all scorecards have been collected and approved by the Scorekeeper, the result of the competition will be officially announced.

 

20. Scoring: Scoring will take place at a dedicated scoring area that will only allow access to the competitors in a group by group fashion. No parents, caddies or other players will be allowed access. Every attempt will be made to enter scores directly into a computer to avoid scoring errors. Once a player leaves the scoring area, scores are final. 

 

21. Ties and Shortened Rounds: In the event of ties the following tie-breaker rules will be in force:

First place ties will be broken by a sudden death playoff. If darkness becomes a factor the Tournament Director may elect to conduct a chip off , or putt-off.

All other ties will be determined by matching the best last nine holes of the course (holes 10-18), if still tied use the last six holes (13-18), if still tied use the last three holes (16-18) score, if still tied count back from the last hole, i.e. #18 for 18-hole events, or #9 for 9-hole events (#18 if the back nine is played)

 

22. Developmental Rules:

These rules apply to our 9-hole divisions.

After one attempt to hit out of a bunker, if the golfer is unsuccessful, they may drop a ball outside the bunker at the nearest point of relief with no penalty.

After one attempt to hit over a penalty area, a player may use the drop zone on the other side of the penalty area. The drop zones are marked 'DZ' or 'Drop'.

Out of Bounds/Lost Ball: Play the ball as if it entered a penalty area (red stakes). If the ball is dropped, the player occurs a one stroke penalty. Play is never allowed from a residential area (i.e. backyard).