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 2023 USGA Rules of Golf. Local rules on the host courses scorecard DO NOT APPLY to the event.
Range Finders and GPS devices are allowed as long as the slope feature is not used.
Rules Interpretation: If there is any question of how to proceed
during tournament play, please invoke rule 20.1c 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 Director of Tournament Operations,
the Tournament Administrator, the Tour Owner and the designated host professional where applicable.
Scoring Area: The scoring area is defined as the golf course property.
Amateur Policy: All amateurs participating in a
Minor League Golf Tour event must have a USGA handicap no higher than 6.0 or a letter from a
PGA Professional verifying their ability.
Penalty Area Boundaries: In the absence of stakes or painted
lines the change in cut of grass will be used as the edge of the hazard. 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. Exterior surface roads define out of bounds. Land on the opposite side of a penalty area (non-golf course property side) is out of bounds unless otherwise noted on the conditions of competition.
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.
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 5.6b states a round of golf is meant to be played at a prompt pace. 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:
Group Type | Round | Nine | 3 holes | Par 3 | Par 4 | Par 5 | + |
Threesome | 3hrs 57min | 1hr 57min | Every 39 minutes | 11 min | 13 min | 15 min | + 3 Min at the Turn |
Foursome | 4hrs 15min | 2hrs 6min | Every 42 minutes | 12 min | 14 min | 16 min | + 3 Min at the Turn |
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 Administrator immediately upon completion of the player in
questions round. The Tournament Administrators decision shall be final.
If the player in question does not appeal immediately upon conclusion of
his round all penalties shall stand.