Savannah Junior Golf Association Rules

Tournament
Series
Additional Rules

EXCUSED
ABSENCE:
All players who notify
SJGA prior to 7 am
the day of the
scheduled event will
be excused and will
not incur a penalty.
Notifications must
be sent by email to
john@savannahjrgolf
.org.

NO SHOWS (DNS)
AND NO CARDS
(NC):
DNS refers to those
players who fail to
appear for their
assigned starting
time without notifying
the SJGA. NC refers
to those players who
fail to return their
score cards without
reasonable cause to
the scoring
committee. In the
event of either
offense, 50 points
will be deducted
from the player’s
point total and the
player will receive a
verbal warning. On
the second offense,
the player will have
another 50 points
deducted and will
have to sit out their
next scheduled
event. On the third
offense, the player
will be withdrawn
from the program.

STARTING TIMES:
Rule 6-3a of the
2012 rules of golf
states: “The player
shall start at the time
laid down by the
committee.” The
penalty for breach of
this rule is
disqualification.
However, it is a
condition of the
competition that, if
the player arrives at
his starting point,
ready to play, within
five minutes after his
starting time, in the
absence of
circumstances
which warrant
waiving the penalty
of disqualification as
provided in rule 33-7,
the penalty is two
strokes on the first
hole in stroke play.

Association Rules
CADDIES AND CARTS: Caddies and motorized carts are prohibited. Players
may use pull carts, unless prohibited by the course they are scheduled to play.

CELL PHONES AND PAGERS: All cell phones and pagers must be turned off
during play. Players will be given a verbal warning on the first offense. The
second warning will result in a two stroke penalty. A third warning will result in
disqualification.

CODE OF CONDUCT: Players are expected to conduct themselves as ladies
and gentlemen by a show of sportsmanship, fair competition, and an attitude of
courtesy and respect for fellow players. Abusive language, club throwing,
disrespect towards volunteers and supervisors, smoking, chewing tobacco,
drugs, alcohol, vandalism or any other conduct unbecoming a SJGA member
will not be tolerated. Damaging the golf course, failure to replace divots, repair
ball marks and rake bunkers, and littering will be considered inappropriate
behavior and will not be tolerated as well. Violations to the Code of Conduct are
subject to the following: A two shot penalty, disqualification, or suspension for a
period of time deemed by the tournament committee (SJGA Executive Director
and Division Supervisors). All violations will be reviewed by the tournament
committee.

COMPETITION: All play will be governed by the 2012 USGA rules of golf and its
decisions, and where applicable, by local rules, conditions and definitions,
subject to changes or amendments by the SJGA tournament committee.

DRESS CODE: Proper attire is required at all SJGA events. The dress code
prohibits short shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, denim shorts and jeans, cut-offs and
gym shorts. All shirts must be tucked in, collared shirts must be worn with the
exception of non-collared shirts specifically designed for golf. Non-metal spikes
are mandatory at all SJGA events. If a player is not properly dressed, he/she will
not be allowed on the golf course.

DRIVING RANGE: Some golf clubs are closed on our play days, so a driving
range may not be available.

EQUIPMENT: Equipment is not provided by the SJGA, each junior is
responsible for their own clubs and bag.

INCLEMENT WEATHER: The SJGA plays rain or shine unless otherwise
notified by the host golf club. We will not know if we have to cancel an event until
we arrive at the course and talk with the host golf professional. During an event,
if you see lightning or an air horn sounds, leave the golf course at once and
head for shelter.

MEMBERSHIP: Any junior meeting the age and ability requirements for the
specified division.

PACE OF PLAY: Slow play is the most abused and least tolerated rules
infraction. Slow play has and will continue to be penalized. Move quickly
between shots and be ready to play when it is your turn. The first group is
allowed 14 minutes to play each hole and is out of position if in excess of that
time. A group that is out of position will be warned and if the delay continues,
each player will be timed and given 40 seconds to play a shot. Timing of the
player will begin when it is his/her turn to play. If the player exceeds the time
limit, he/she will be given a warning. Rule 6-7 will go into effect for a repeated
offense.

PICK-UP TIMES: Please discuss with your supervisor what time your child
should be picked-up from the golf course. Many of the courses are closed on
our play days so the supervisor has to wait on parents who are not on time. This
places an unnecessary burden on the supervisor. We understand that
emergencies occur occasionally.

PLAYER REVIEW: Players performance will be reviewed regularly to make sure
they meet the guidelines for the division in which they are playing. Inability to
meet minimum playing guidelines could dictate a change to another level.

RANGE FINDERS: Range Finders are allowed at SJGA events.

REFRESHMENTS: Refreshments may not always be available. Players are
advised to plan ahead and bring a snack and a water bottle.

REFUND POLICY: Prior to June 1, 2012, $50.00 will be refunded. After June 1st
there will be no refunds.

REGISTRATION: All players in Girls, Novice and Intermediate Boys divisions
must sign-in within 15 minutes of their show-up time. All players in the
Tournament Series must be ready to play and on the tee box 10 minutes prior to
their designated tee time. (See Starting Times in Additional Rules for the
Tournament Series)

SCORING: To avoid being disqualified, become familiar with rule 6-6 (a&b) of
the 2012 USGA rules of golf.

SPECTATORS: Spectators will be allowed at all events. See SPECTATOR
CODE OF CONDUCT below.

TIES: In any ties for points, positions will be added together and the points will
be split evenly. All ties for spots where awards are involved will be broken with
Appendix 1 of the 2011 rules of golf.

ALL PLAYERS WHO COMPLETE THEIR ROUND WILL RECEIVE 25 POINTS.

Spectator Code of Conduct
For the purpose of this policy, a spectator is considered to be anyone who is at the golf course that is not a
participant or a SJGA staff member or volunteer.

The Savannah Junior Golf Association firmly believes in upholding the traditions golf teaches, including,
most importantly, the values of sportsmanship, integrity and honesty. We expect our players, parents and
other spectators to act with courtesy and common sense at all of our events. We feel very strongly about
enforcing our player Code of Conduct and this Spectator Code of Conduct policy.

All parents have the right to watch their child participate in SJGA play dates and tournaments. However, in
order to maintain this right, there are certain guidelines that must be followed.   We expect all spectators to
follow this policy, understanding that any breach will result in removal from the golf course and possibly
being banned from future events. As a spectator at the golf course you are just that – a spectator. You are
not an active participant in the day’s events.

•        Spectators are encouraged to walk one shot ahead of the group they are watching in order to spot for
golf balls. This also eliminates the temptation of talking to a junior golfer during his or her round.
•        Where provided, spectators MUST stay on the cart path. The only exceptions to this are:

1.        to help search for a golf ball
2.        if view of the green is obstructed from the cart path

In each of these circumstances, spectators must return to the cart path as soon as the ball is located or the
group has putted out, respectively.
•        Encouragement such as “good shot’ and “nice putt” is allowed. Anything that could be construed as
advice is not allowed. If you are unsure, don’t say it.
•        USGA Definition of “advice”: Advice is any counsel or suggestion that could influence a player in
determining his/her play, the choice of a club or the method of making a stroke.
•        DO NOT walk beside your child and talk. SJGA staff will assume you are giving advice and an
automatic 2 stroke penalty will be applied to your child’s score for that hole, regardless of what you were
talking about. If you need to give him/her a drink, towel, an umbrella, food, or any other item either do so
and walk away, or leave it beside the cart path or teeing ground for them to pick up.
•        Spectators may carry cell phones as long as they are on silent or vibrate. If you have to make a call
please make sure you are as far away from any group of golfers as you can get. Some golf courses do not
allow the use of cell phones on their property. In these cases we defer to the club’s policy.
•        If you have an issue with another spectator, please inform an SJGA staff member. DO NOT attempt to
solve the issue on your own.
•        Yelling at or discouraging any junior golfer, including your own child, will not be tolerated at any of our
events. Should you violate this portion of the policy, you will be immediately escorted to the club house
where you can wait for your child.
•        Spectators should not give rulings on the golf course. Locate an SJGA staff member where possible
or have the junior proceed under Rule 3-3 and play two balls. Incorrect rulings given by parents will not be
remedied in the scoring area, as players are responsible for know the Rules.

All spectators are required to check-in with the Staff at EVERY event to sign a spectator contract before
proceeding onto the course. This contract represents your receipt and understanding of our Spectator
Code of Conduct and also gives our Staff the authority to remove any spectator who is not abiding by the
policy (no warnings will be issued).