Guthrie’s Scratch Tour Rules

1.0 11/9/17

 

Play is governed by the USGA Rules of Golf and Decisions on The Rules of Golf and, where applicable, by the following Local Rules, Conditions and Definitions, subject to changes or amendments by the Rules Committee prior to each round.

All “local rules” remain in effect and take precedence over these rules. That includes rules printed on “local” scorecards, or by additional local rules sheets issued at each event. If weather is an issue, nine(9) may be deemed a Stipulated round.

CONDUCT: Unbecoming conduct is, but not limited to, vulgarity, throwing equipment in anger, destruction of golf course property and verbal or physical abuse to any person. Persons displaying conduct deemed by Scratch Tour officials to be detrimental to the game of golf or the Scratch Tour will be subject to revocation of membership privileges.

DRESS CODE: All players must adhere to the individual dress codes of the courses where tournaments are played.  

SCORING:  One player out of each group will be required to keep score through the Golf Genius APP.  This APP can be downloaded in the iTunes Store or the Google Play Store.  There will be official scorecards for each player as well.  All scorecards must be signed after completion of play.  Scores posted on the Golf Genius APP are not official and will be changed to match official signed scorecards.

ENTRY FEES/DEADLINES: The deadline for entry into a Scratch Tour event is 12:00pm on Thursday for a Saturday event and 12:00pm on Friday for a Sunday Event!

WITHDRAWALS, NO-SHOWS: You can withdrawal from an event prior to the above deadlines without incurring any fees. All cancellations made within two days will still be charged the full event fee. If you do not show for the event you will be put on probation by the Tournament Committee and reinstated at the Committee’s discretion, whose decision is final.

TIME OF STARTING/LATE TO TEE: Players must report to the starting tee 10 minutes prior to their starting time, or be subject to a two-stroke penalty. The starter or tournament official on the tee has the official time. This allows tournament officials to dispense scorecards, update rules situations, etc. Players who are late to the tee box repeatedly will be subject to disqualification and suspension of playing privileges. Remember, it is the player’s responsibility to be at the tee at the appointed time, even if there has been a delay and tee times are running behind.

If a player is late to the tee, and all members of his group have hit their tee balls, the late player is automatically disqualified.

PACE OF PLAY: *Four(4) hour rounds are expected.  Players not adhering to this WILL NOT receive invites for future rounds, NO QUESTIONS ASKED OR WARNINGS! The Pace of Play was the biggest concern trying to secure tournaments at our partner golf courses, please take it upon yourself to make sure your group plays in four hours or less!.

WALKING: The entry fee includes greens fees and cart fees for the two tournament rounds. Players have the option of walking and carrying their bags, or employing caddies. Walkers must be able to stay up with their group and ensure that pace of play is not interrupted. There are no cart fee refunds for walkers.

CADDIES: Players may designate one person as a caddie. The caddie may ride in the same golf cart with his player, but must pay an additional cart fee in the pro shop. The designated caddie must remain with the player at all times. He or she may not go forward, ahead of the group, to search for lost balls, or act as a forecaddie. The player is responsible for the actions of his caddie. Any violations of tour rules by the caddie will subject the player to penalties, which could include disqualification.

SPECTATORS: Players may have friends and family follow their play, but those persons must not interfere with the pace of play, nor are they to give advice to the player during the course of play. If a player designates one of the spectators as a caddie, that person must then adhere to the caddie guidelines. Spectators may use golf carts by paying additional cart fees. Spectators must stay with their group. Like the caddie guidelines, players are responsible for ensuring their spectators don't distract other players in the tournament. Spectators violating these rules will be asked to leave the course and could subject the player to disqualification.

PLAY TWO: For of pace of play, whenever there is doubt about a rule or situation, play a second ball and record both scores. Do not hold up the field waiting for a ruling. The rules committee will make the decision following play.

GOLF BALLS: Players are not required to play the same kind if golf ball for the entire round (i.e., the one-ball rule is out), but you cannot change balls during the play of a hole.

RANGEFINDERS AND GPS: The Scratch Tour has adopted a local rule permitting the use of personal distance measuring devices as well as the on-cart GPS systems when they are available. In an effort to speed up play, players are allowed to share information from personal rangefinders, as well as information from the on-cart GPS systems when in use.

IMBEDDED BALL: As a local rule, the Scratch Tour allows relief from an embedded ball through the green, which means fairway and rough. There is no relief from this situation in hazards.

STAKED TREES: If lie of ball, stance and/or area of intended swing is interfered with by the stake attached to a tree, the stake and/or rope/wire is treated as an immovable obstruction. However, relief without penalty from the tree itself is not permitted.

BALL DROPS: Ball drop areas for all par threes on all courses will be the nearest defined tee box(marked with tee markers) closest to the green… i.e. ladies or senior tees.

TIES: Sudden-death playoffs will decide ties for first place. All others will retain ties for points and prizes.