Policies and Procedures
As a Member of The Minor League Golf Tour I understand:

Golf, for the most part, is played without supervision of an umpire or referee.  It is each players responsibility to abide by and enforce the rules to protect the integrity of the game and of the competition.

The tour requests and encourages its players to seek safe shelter in Lightning conditions. 
Each individual has the right to determine the conditions are dangerous and suspend play. 

The Tour is not responsible for items stolen, lost or damaged at any practice facility or host golf courses.

Appeals:   Any appeal of a penalty must be referred to the Tour Director immediately upon completion of the player in question's round.  The Tour Director's decision shall be final.

Attire:  Slacks or Bermuda length shorts are permitted.  No denim is permitted.  All shirts must have a collar and remain tucked in at all times.  The Tour is a soft spikes only tour, no metal spikes are permitted.  Players shall present a neat appearance in both clothing and personal grooming.  The Tour Director or Host Professional shall interpret this regulation.

Bad Checks:  All costs for returned checks will be charged to the player.

Cell Phones:  Must be turned off during play

Credit Cards:  Credit Cards may only be used as payment via The Minor League Golf Tour website www.MinorLeagueGOLF.com.  When payment is made at the Tournament Site we are only able to accept cash or checks.

Host Club:  Players will be expected to treat the staff at each host club with respect.

Pairings:  Pairings will be based on the Official Money List and the discretion of the Tour Director.

Player Conduct Policy:  The Minor League Golf Tour will maintain a strict no tolerance policy on any behavior unbecoming a professional for all tour members, including amateurs.  This includes but is not limited to vulgar language, club throwing and damage to the golf course or golf course property.  Failure to comply with these rules will result in the forfeiture of all tour membership rights.  Conduct unbecoming a golf professional will not be tolerated and will be dealt with as the tour sees fit given the circumstances.

Practice:  Range balls are included in the entry fee for use prior to the round.

Practice Rounds:  Practice rounds will be available at all tournament sites on a case by case basis.   Players are responsible for practice rounds including reserving tee times and any fees that may apply.

Official Tournament:  The goal of The Minor League Golf Tour is to complete scheduled events.
The tournament committee and players will make their best effort to complete each round and tournament as scheduled.  If the entire field completes at least 50% of the scheduled event (9 holes of an 18 hole event, 18 holes of a 36 hole event) it will be considered an Official Tournament.  The total number of holes counted will be equal to the number that the final group completes.

After exhausting all feasible options, the tournament committee may suspend or cancel a round (Rule 33-2d) in the event unplayable conditions occur.  In the event a tournament cannot be completed due to weather the purse portion of the entry fee will be refunded/distributed evenly to all the players in the field.  Refunds of course costs will be decided on a case by case basis by the host club.

Refund Policy:  If a player leaves due to reasons other than performance, causing the field to be reduced, the purse will also be reduced.  Refunds of course costs will be decided on a case by case basis by the host club. 

Playoffs and Ties:  The only ties which will be broken by a playoff are those to decide first place when possible.  All other ties will remain as ties and the purse for those positions will be divided equally.  A sudden death playoff will immediately follow play on a hole or holes chosen by the Tournament Committee.

Prize Money Distribution:  If a player chooses to have his check sent to an address in lieu of picking it up, there will be a sign up sheet available following play. The check shall be mailed from the Tour office to listed address. No check will be distributed without a W-9 on file.  Foreign players must complete a W-8 BEN.

Prize Money Payout:  Checks for prizes will be paid on site within 1 hour of completion of play.  Skins and "2nd day money" will be paid immediately after the purse is distributed.

Starting Times:  Starting times will be posted on The Minor League Golf Tour website www.MinorLeagueGOLF.com  and available at 561.319.8460 the evening before the round after 7pm. 

Official Time:  The responsibility of being ready to play at the appointed time lies solely with the individual player.

Late to the Tee:
Rule 6-3 Provides:  "The player shall start at the time laid down by the Committee."  The Tour incorporates the Note under 6-3 that allows the player to be up to 5 minutes late with a 2 stroke penalty.  After 5 minutes, he shall be disqualified. A player must be present and ready to play (present on the teeing ground with a club and ball) when the 1st player of the group is instructed to play.  The order of play is not relevant.

Suspension of Play Due To Dangerous Situation:  The Minor League Golf Tour requests and encourages its players to seek safe shelter in Lightning conditions.  Each individual has the right to determine the conditions are dangerous and suspend play.  If the host course has ordered a suspension of play and you are in the process of playing a hole, you shall discontinue play and seek safe shelter immediately.  Play shall not thereafter be resumed until the course has ordered a resumption of play and the players determine the conditions are acceptable for play.  All practice areas shall be closed during suspension for a dangerous situation until the host course has declared them open for use.

Player Responsibility:
It is the players responsibility to make sure their contact information is current and they understand the rules of play and policies and procedures of the Minor League Golf Tour.  The Minor League Golf Tour reserves the right to evaluate and modify policies, procedures, rules of play, player requirements and tournament scheduling.  The Minor League Golf Tour and the memberships best interest will be considered before modifications of any kind will be made.  Players will be notified of changes.  The most current version of each is available on The Minor League Golf Tour website www.MinorLeageGOLF.com.

Rules of Play
Golf, for the most part, is played without supervision of an umpire or referee.  It is each players responsibility to abide by and enforce the rules to protect the integrity of the game and of the competition.

United States Golf Association (USGA) Rules Govern All Play:  All play is governed by the 2008-2009 USGA Rules of Golf and its decisions AND where applicable, by local rules.  Range Finders and GPS devices are allowed for the 2008 season.

Rules Interpretation:  If there is any question of how to proceed during tournament play, please invoke rule 3-3 and play two balls.     
The One Ball Rule Is In Effect:  During a stipulated round, the balls a player uses must be of the name brand and type as detailed by a single entry on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls.

The Committee:  The committee is comprised of the Tournament Director and the designated host professional where applicable.

Amateur Policy:  All amateurs participating in a Minor League Golf Tour event must have a USGA handicap of 6 or less or a letter from a PGA Professional verifying their ability.

Water Hazard Boundaries:  In the absence of stakes or painted lines the change in cut of grass will be used as the hazard line.  If this is not apparent, the waters edge will be used

Out of Bounds Boundaries:  In the absence of stakes or painted lines the change in cut of grass will be used as the boundary line.

Player Conduct Policy:  The Minor League Golf Tour will maintain a strict no tolerance policy on any behavior unbecoming a professional for all tour members, including amateurs.  This includes but is not limited to vulgar language, club throwing and damage to the golf course or golf course property.  Failure to comply with these rules will result in the forfeiture of all tour membership rights.  Conduct unbecoming a golf professional will not be tolerated and will be dealt with as the tour sees fit given the circumstances.

The Pace of Play / Slow Play:  Rule 6-7 states, in part:  "The player shall play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines which may be laid down by the Committee."  The following pace of play guidelines and slow play penalties have been adopted.

Pace of Play:   The Minor League Golf Tour is a developmental tour for those looking to gain competitive experience.
Pace of play is an issue at all levels of competition and needs to be enforced to maintain good relationships with our host courses and to prepare players for what they will most certainly experience in higher levels of competition.
Rule 6-7 states, in part: "The player shall play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines which may be laid down by the Committee."   The following pace of play guidelines have been adopted:

Definition of "Out of Position":  A group will be considered out of position if at any time during the round there is an open hole in front of them and they are exceeding the allotted time based upon the pace of play chart.

Monitoring Groups:  It is the responsibility of each player to be aware of his groups position on the golf course.

Timing:  Timing will only occur when a group is out of position and has failed to keep pace with the pace of play chart or a specific player is blatantly slow.  Timing of a player's stroke will begin when it is his turn to play and he can play without interference or distraction.  Any time spent determining yardages will count as time taken for the next stroke.  

On the putting green, timing will begin after a player has been allowed a reasonable amount of time to mark, lift, clean and replace his ball, repair his ball mark and other ball marks on his line of putt and remove loose impediments on his line of putt.

A player will have 40 seconds to play a stroke when being timed.  An extra 10 seconds will be allowed for the first player to play:

- a stroke on a par-3 hole
- a second stroke on a par-4 or par-5 hole
- a third stroke on a par-5 hole
- on or around the putting green

1st  Offense, 1 timing exceeding the allotted time to play a stroke = notification of a bad timing 
2nd Offense, a total of 2 timings exceeding the allotted time to play a stroke = 1 stroke penalty
3rd Offense, a total of 3 timings exceeding the allotted time to play a stroke = disqualification

Any player in a group being timed, who exceeds the applicable time to play a stroke, will be informed as soon as practical.

In the administration of these pace of play guidelines, a member of the Rules Committee shall not tolerate abuse, oral or otherwise, by a player.  Such abuse may constitute conduct unbecoming a professional.

APPEALS:  Any appeal of a penalty must be referred to the on-site Tournament Director immediately upon completion of the player in question’s round.  The Tournament Director’s decision shall be final.  If the player in question does not appeal immediately upon conclusion of his round all penalties shall stand.

Frequently Asked Questions
 
Am I eligible to play?
If you are a professional or a skilled amateur with a USGA handicap of 6.0 or less

How do I register?
Pay online, Email or Call 561-598-9630 and give us your name, phone number, status (amateur or professional) and tell us what event(s) you would like to register for.  At the bottom of the Event Info screen is a registered player list that is updated at least once every 24 hours.

How do I pay?
If you want to use a credit card, you need to pay online at least one day prior to the event.  Otherwise you can pay by check or with cash when you check in on the day of the event.

How do I get my tee time?

Tee times are available after 7pm the day before the event.  Click on the Tee Times link on the menu bar or on the Event Info screen or call 561-598-9630.

Do I have to join the tour to play in an event?
Yes. Because each player has their own situation we offer memberships in varying lengths.  Memberships are available to eligible golfers for $60 per quarter, or $175 per year.  For Visiting or Occasional players we provide an Entry Option that includes a Single Event Membership Fee.  For particular special events the Single Event Membership option is not available.  In those cases the Single Event Membership Fee includes a 3 Month Membership.

What does the Entry Fee include?
The Entry Fee includes everything: Cart and Greens Fees, Range Balls, Tournament Administration and Purse Contribution.

Can I wear shorts?  YES 

Do we take carts?  YES

How much does it cost to play in an event?
1-Day Events run between $130-$190*
2, 3 or 4 Day Majors - Check the Events Schedule for entry fees of multiple day tournaments

* Entry fees vary depending on the venue and time of year.  Course costs are composed of cart fees, greens fees, range balls and tax.  Course costs can be more than twice the summer rate from November through April.  Entry fees will be adjusted accordingly to guarantee our 50% of the field earns a check payout.

How much of the Entry Fee goes towards the purse?
As much as possible.  The Minor League Golf Tour has a formula to determine how much to charge for each event based upon the cost to run the event and our Guaranteed First Place and 50% of the Field Payouts. 
Somewhere between 1/2 and 2/3 of the Entry Fee goes into the purse for the 1-Day Events. 
For Majors the Entry Fee is higher, which allows for somewhere between 2/3 and 3/4 of the Entry Fee to go into the Purse.

How much can I make?
First place is usually between 3x and 5x the entry fee, last place in the top quarter of the field earns at least their entry fee, and last place money is equal to 1/3 of your entry fee.  Here is our Guaranteed First Place and 50% of the Field Payouts in more detail.
1st Place with 20 Players = Entry Fee x 3   -   1st Place with 30 Players = Entry Fee x 4   -   1st Place with 40 Players = Entry Fee x 5
The top quarter of the field (0-25%) ALWAYS earn a check for at least 100% of their entry fee, with last place in the top quarter equal to the entry fee.  Additionally, the majority of the remaining purse is distributed to these players by performance. 
The next quarter of the field (25-50%) ALWAYS earn a check for at least 1/3 of their entry fee plus a portion of the remaining purse is distributed to these players by performance.
 

Can I play a practice round?
Practice rounds will be available at all tournament sites on a case by case basis.  Players are responsible for practice rounds including reserving tee times and any fees that may apply.

How long are the courses?
The purpose of The Minor League Golf Tour is to help golfers learn to compete at the highest levels, therefore we play from the back tees whenever reasonable.  Our host courses range in yardage from 6500-7350 yards.  Ladies will play no less than 94% of the yardage and will compete in the same event.

Does everyone play the same tees?
All men play from the same tees, including seniors, juniors and amateurs.  Ladies will play no less than 94% of the yardage and will compete in the same event.

Is the one ball rule in effect?
YES

What is the one ball rule?
During a stipulated round, the balls a player plays must be of the same brand and type as detailed by a single entry on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls.  Note: If a ball of a different brand and/or type is dropped or placed, it may be lifted, without penalty, and the player must then proceed by dropping or placing a proper ball (Rule 20-6).

Can we use distance measuring devices?
We have decided to implement the United States Golf Associations decision 14-3/0.5 which permits the use of distance measuring devices as a local rule for the 2008 season.  We feel that the implementation of this local rule gives a player on The Minor League Golf Tour access to the same type of information a PGA Tour player gets from his caddie during a tournament round. 

You may use Range Finders, Cart GPS Systems when available, Sky Caddie and any other distance measuring device.

Please review the website for more detailed Minor League Golf Tour Information, including the most recent versions of the tour rules and tour policies and procedures.

Tour Membership

To play on the Minor League Golf Tour you need to be a Tour Member. The start date of your membership is the date of the 1st event you play in.

Current tour members membership expiration date is available on your bio screen on the Minor League Golf Tour Website. If your membership date has expired or is “Due“, you need to renew you membership before you play in your next event. You may do so onsite or online.

Because each player has their own situation we offer memberships in varying lengths.  Memberships are available to eligible golfers for $60 per quarter, or $175 per year.  For Visiting or Occasional players we provide an Entry Option that includes a Single Event Membership Fee.  For particular special events the Single Event Membership option is not available.  In those cases the Single Event Membership Fee includes a 3 Month Membership.

Member Requirements
To play on The Minor League Golf Tour you must be a professional golfer or a skilled amateur with a USGA Handicap of 6.0 or less. 

Tournament Registration
Please register for the events you plan on playing in as soon as possible. When players see a good number of others registered--more tend to sign up.  In season we will have limited tee times available due to the influx of tourists and snowbirds.

From November through April you will need to register for events at least 3 days in advance as we have to guarantee our host courses an exact number of players.