Our Policies

JGA.golf Tournament Local Rules
JGA.golf Tournament Local Rules Pace of Play Withdraw/Refund Policy Push Cart/Cart Policy Open Division Criteria Age Criteria Spectators Code of Conduct Players Code of Conduct USGA Rules Hub↗
JGA.golf Tournament Local Rules Pace of Play Withdraw/Refund Policy Push Cart/Cart Policy Open Division Criteria Age Criteria Spectators Code of Conduct Players Code of Conduct USGA Rules Hub↗

JGA.golf Tournament Local Rules

All tournaments will be played under the USGA Rules of Golf. The JGA.golf Hard Card and Local Rules listed below are also in effect.

STOPPING AND RESUMING PLAY: Model Local Rule J-1

Signals:

  • One long note: immediate suspension for a dangerous situation
  • Three consecutive notes: suspension for all other reasons (darkness, fog, etc.)
  • Two short notes: resume play

When play has been suspended for a dangerous situation, all practice facilities are closed until reopened by staff.

PACE OF PLAY: See the JGA.golf Pace of Play policy.

CODE OF CONDUCT: See JGA.golf Code of Conduct policy.

PRACTICE: Model Local Rule I-1.2

  • On an official tournament round day, a player may not practice on the competition course before or between rounds.
    • Penalty for first breach of this local rule: general penalty
    • Penalty for second breach of this local rule: disqualification

CADDIES: Model Local Rule H-1.1

  • Rule 10.3a is modified: A player must not have a caddie during the round.
    • Penalty for breach of this local rule: general penalty for each hole the player is helped by a caddie. If the breach occurs or continues between the play of two holes, it applies to the next hole

USE OF MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION: Model Local Rule G-6

  • During a round, a player must not ride on any form of motorized transportation except as authorized or approved by the Committee.
  • Exception: a player may ride in designated shuttles and may accept transportation from a Rules Official.
    • Penalty for breach of this local rule: The player gets the general penalty for each hole during which there is a breach of this Local Rule. If the breach occurs between the play of two holes, it applies to the next hole.

OUT OF BOUNDS:

  • Out of bounds is defined by the line between the course-side points at ground level of white stakes and fence posts. When defined by a white line, the line itself is out of bounds
  • A ball is out of bounds when it is beyond any wall defining the boundary of the course.

PENALTY AREAS:

  • Defined by red or yellow stakes/lines
  • A penalty area defined on only one side extends to infinity. When a penalty area is connected to the out-of-bounds edge, the penalty area extends to and coincides with out of bounds

GROUND UNDER REPAIR:

  • Defined by white lines
  • French drains, areas of unusual damage, including areas where spectators or other traffic has combined with wet conditions to affect materially the ground surface— but only when so declared by an authorized member of the Committee, and animal burrows are also ground under repair

WHITE-LINED AREAS TYING INTO ARTIFICIALLY SURFACED ROADS AND PATHS:

  • White-lined areas of ground under repair and the artificially surfaced roads, paths or other identified obstructions that they are connected to are a single abnormal course condition when taking relief under Rule 16.1

RELIEF FROM SEAMS OF CUT TURF:

  • Relief for the lie of the ball only, not for stance or swing.
  • Sod seams are ground under repair in the General Area and all seams in a given area are deemed to be the same seam.

REPLACEMENT OF CLUB THAT IS BROKEN OR SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED: Model Local Rule G-9

EQUIPMENT:

  • CONFORMING GOLF BALLS, Model Local Rule G-3: Any ball used in making a stroke must be on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls issued by the USGA. This list is regularly updated and is found at www.USGA.org
    • Penalty For Making a Stroke with a Ball Not on Current List in Breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification
  • CONFORMING DRIVER HEADS, Model Local Rule G-1: Any driver the player uses to make a stroke must have a clubhead, identified by model and loft, which is on the current List of Conforming Driver Heads issued by the USGA. This list is regularly updated and is found at www.USGA.org.
    • Penalty for Making a Stroke with a Club in Breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification
  • GROOVE AND PUNCH MARK SPECIFICATIONS, Model Local Rule G-2: In making a stroke, the player must use clubs that conform to the groove and punch mark specifications in the Equipment Rules that took effect on 1 January 2010.
    • Penalty For Making a Stroke with Club in Breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification

CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES:

  • Cell phones may only be used to obtain rules information from the Committee, in emergency situations, or to seek medical help. Tablets, headphones, cameras, and other electronic devices may not be used during play.

INTEGRAL OBJECTS:

  • Include cables, rods, wires and wrappings when closely attached to trees, and artificial walls and pilings when located in penalty areas and bunkers.

WOOD CHIPS AND MULCH: Are loose impediments.

TIES:

  • Whenever possible, first place ties will be broken with a sudden death playoff. The staff at the time will decide which hole to use.
  • If a sudden death playoff is not possible (i.e. weather conditions, not enough daylight, etc), then we will proceed with a scorecard playoff. Using the final round of the competition, we will break the tie in this order:
    1. Last nine holes total
    2. Last six holes total
    3. Last three holes total
    4. Last hole score
  • If by then the tie has not been broken, we will continue backwards from the last hole until a winner is determined
  • Ties for all other awards will not be broken

RESULTS OF COMPETITION:

  • When the trophy has been presented to the winner or, in the absence of an awards ceremony, when all scores have been approved by the Committee, the result of the competition is deemed to have been officially announced.

Pace of Play

We will be implementing the "Automatic 2-Stroke Penalty" during our tournaments.

Any group who is unable to finish within 17 minutes of the group in front or is more than 17 minutes behind the pace of play set for the first group will be issued a 2-stroke penalty at the scoring table.

Definition of “In Position”: A group is considered in position if it is within 15 minutes of the group ahead or at or ahead of the designated time par.


Definition of “Out of Position”: A group is out of position when it is more than 15 minutes behind the group ahead and over the designated time par.

All players are responsible for following JGA.golf’s Pace of Play guidelines

  • Each group is “on the clock” once they hit their tee shot on the first hole
  • If a group is behind pace and a player believes they are not the cause of the delay, it is the responsibility of that player to notify a pace of play official and request individual timing at the time the delay is happening. If no player in the group notifies an official, it will be assumed that the group was not aware of the slow play, and the entire group will be considered responsible for the pace of play outcome. Players must notify an official during the round.

During the round:

  • Play ready golf everywhere.
  • The first player to hole out should go toward the next tee and be the first to tee off. The second player to finish should replace the flagstick.
  • Each player must play without undue delay, which is defined as taking no more than 40 seconds to play a shot
  • Park your golf bag between the green and the next teeing ground, never in front of the green
  • When spotters or spectators are available to search for a lost ball, players should continue playing and hold the group’s position on the golf course
  • Walk with a purpose between shots

Withdraw/Refund Policy

Withdrawals are submitted online through the same place you have registered. You will need to first log into the JGA Player Registration. Withdrawals are not accepted via email or phone.

Event fees are refundable, as follows:

  • Tournament withdraws for any reason 10 or more days prior to the first day of the event: $20 cancellation fee charged, the rest will be refunded
  • Tournament withdraws between 5-9 days before the first day of the event: $100 cancellation fee charged, the rest will be refunded
  • Anytime within 4 days from the first day of the tournament: No refund will be given

No refund for no shows.

Membership

After a membership has been submitted, the membership dues are non-refundable. If a membership is submitted mistakenly, the member can email michelle@jucchougolf.com within 24 hours to request a cancellation of the membership. The membership must not have been used for a cancellation to be possible. A $10 processing fee will be deducted.

Push Cart/Cart Policy

As mentioned in the JGA.golf Tournament Local Rules “USE OF MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION”, players must not ride on any form of motorized transportation except as authorized or approved by the Committee.

Push carts:

Players are allowed to have electric push carts, as long as they do not ride on it. If a player is seen riding on an electric push cart, they will be given a 2-stroke penalty.

Spectators who need a cart must be pre-approved by JGA.golf. Email michelle@jucchougolf.com with:

  1. First and Last Name
  2. Player’s First and Last Name
  3. Proof of Eligibility (one of the following listed below)
    1. Department of Motor Vehicles Disabled Person Placard Identification Card
    2. Disability insurance award letter
    3. V.A. Letter confirming a disability of 50% or greater
    4. Doctor's Note

The subject line should be “JGA Spectator Cart Request”

Spectators are responsible for the cart fee. JGA.golf reserves the right to make final determination of eligibility for spectator cart use. Approved spectator carts are not transferable, it is for the sole use of the approved spectator only

Open Division Criteria

Open Divisions are for any juniors who want to take it to the next level. Ages 15-19 are able to register for this division without restrictions

Juniors 14 and under who would like to play in this division will need approval from the tournament committee before registration. To request for an approval, email michelle@jucchougolf.com with:

  1. Junior’s First and Last Name
  2. Results from last few tournaments played
    3. OR
  3. Proof of Handicap Index below 9.4

The subject line should be “JGA Open Division Request”

Age Criteria

JGA.golf tournaments are open to juniors ages 9–19 who are currently high school students or younger. To be eligible, players must still be in high school (or younger) from the start of the tournament through its completion.

Those who have graduated high school are not eligible to participate

Spectators Code of Conduct

We want everyone to have an enjoyable time when they are at our tournaments. Spectators are welcomed, unless the host course does not allow it.

JGA.golf will not tolerate violations of safety guidelines. If a policy is knowingly violated, JGA.golf may ask the spectator to leave the course without warning, and/or the spectator may not be permitted to attend other JGA.golf tournaments.

Spectators are expected to:

  • Contribute to be encouraging and behave in a positive manner
  • Refrain from unsportsmanlike conduct, including abusive language and any abuse of golf course property

Spectators CAN:

  • Help carry medicine, drinks, food, umbrellas, etc for the players
  • Help search for lost balls
  • Walk on the rough or cart paths at least 25 yards away from the group. (Please be aware of the groups in front and/or behind)

Spectators CAN NOT:

  • Rent carts. Spectator carts are only allowed to those pre-approved by the tournament committee. (See Carts Policy for more information)
  • Give any advice to the players. Avoid verbal and non-verbal communication, which may be construed by others (competitors, parents and tournament staff) as advice or coaching. (See “CADDIES” under JGA.golf Tournament Local Rules for more information)
  • Make noise that will distract the players
  • Walk on the fairways, bunkers, and greens
  • Give rulings. Please seek a rules official for any ruling issues or questions

Players Code of Conduct

We want everyone to have an enjoyable time when they are at our tournaments.

JGA.golf will not tolerate violations of safety guidelines. If a policy is knowingly violated, JGA.golf may penalize and/or disqualify.

Players are expected to:

  • Be respectful towards themselves, fellow players, spectators, officials, volunteers and staff while on-site at JGA.golf tournaments
  • Follow the Rules of Golf as recognized at all JGA.golf events
  • Refrain from unsportsmanlike conduct, including abusive language, cheating, club throwing, and any abuse of golf course property
  • Abide by the rules of the facilities that host JGA.golf events, including their dress code
  • Not use or associate with drugs, alcohol, smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco at any JGA.golf events

Cheating:

Cheating will not be tolerated at any of the JGA.golf events. The tournaments will be governed by the USGA Rules of Golf. JGA.golf’s Hard Card and Local Rules are also in effect.

Players are responsible for:

  1. Confirming each other's score after every hole
  2. Marking the correct score in the correct location on the scorecard
  3. Checking and signing for the scores at the scoring area

Any violation of the USGA Rules of Golf, local rules in play, or evidence of cheating will result in the following

  • 1st Offense: Disqualification of the event
  • 2nd Offense: Expulsion from the JGA.golf tournaments for a year

Dress Code

Players are expected to wear proper golf clothing at all times when participating in our tournaments. Everyone is responsible for reviewing and following the host golf course's dress code policies.

Do not wear:

  • Denim
  • Tank tops
  • T-shirts
  • Gym shorts/pants
  • Swimwear

Violations & Penalties

JGA.golf will determine whether a player has violated this Code of Conduct and what penalty or penalties are appropriate. Penalties may be be assessed alone or combined based on the severity and frequency of the violation(s):

  • One-stroke penalty for each violation
  • Immediate disqualification from the tournament at which the violation occurs
  • Disqualification from future event(s)
  • Suspension of JGA.golf membership
  • Revocation of JGA.golf membership

Depending on the type and severity of the violation, one or more of the above penalties may be assessed on the spot, or at a later time. In case, upon a violation leading to the use of either of the latter two options, the relevant player and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) will receive a written letter to explain JGA.golf's final decision

Be aware that additional rules and guidelines may be communicated by JGA.golf staff or other tournament correspondence.