Overview
The policies detailed below are in effect unless otherwise specified on the tournament information page for a particular tournament. It is important to review the tournament information page for all events in which you plan to participate in before registering.
Caddies
Caddies are permitted in the Beginner Division and Intermediate 9-Hole Divisions only. There are no restrictions as to who may serve as a caddie. Caddies must adhere to the Rules of Golf and the player is responsible for the caddie’s actions during the round.
Requirements for Caddies:
- Must conform to all GSGA Junior Tour policies, including Code of Conduct/Dress Code and Pace of Play
- Must walk alongside the player throughout the round and NOT ride on any form of motorized transportation.
- There must be only one caddie per player at any one time. All spectators, who are not caddies, must always remain on or near the cart path.
- Actions NOT allowed by caddie:
- Dropping or placing a ball in a relief area. The player must always drop the ball.
- Deciding to take relief under a Rule. The caddie may advise the player to do so, but the player must decide how to proceed.
- Placing an object on or off the putting green to show the line of play
- Deliberately standing on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the player’s ball when the player begins taking a stance for the stroke and until the stroke is made. See Rule 10.2b.
Best Practices for Caddies:
- Should work to have fun and keep the player having fun while allowing the player to learn and play his/her own game
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Should refrain from over-coaching the player for whom they are caddying. Examples of over-coaching include, but are not limited to:
- Physically positioning the player or club in preparation for a stroke
- Simulating the technique of the golf swing with the player before or after a stroke
- Having lengthy discussions with the player regarding club selection, method of play, etc. Any advice given by a caddie must not unreasonably delay pace of play.
- Should aid GSGA staff and help the group expedite play at all times, including searching for golf balls when potentially lost or out of bounds. See Rule 7 for ball search and Rule 18.2 for ball lost or out of bounds.
- May assist the player with his/her scoring and marking responsibilities
- Actions allowed by a caddie:
- Carrying, transporting and handling the player’s clubs and other equipment (including using a push cart)
- Giving information and advice to the player
- Smoothing bunkers and taking other actions to care for the course
- Removing or attending the flagstick
- Removing loose impediments and movable obstructions
Note: The player and his/her caddie are responsible for knowing the Rules. During a round if the caddie’s action breaches a Rule or would breach a Rule if the action was taken by the player, the player gets the penalty under that Rule. Information and Resources for the 2023 Rules Change can be found at the GSGA Junior Tour Rules Corner.
Carts
Golf Carts
Motorized carts are prohibited in all divisions. During a round, a player or caddie must not ride on any form of motorized transportation except as authorized or later approved by the Committee. Penalty for breach of this condition is two strokes for each hole during which any breach occurred. Tournament-approved shuttles may exist at certain venues, and players are always authorized to ride on a motorized cart when playing under stroke and distance.
Push Carts
Players must walk and carry their own bags, or they may use a push cart (with bags attached) where permitted by the host facility. These carts must be in good condition (such that no damage is caused to the course) and be kept away from the surface of all tees and putting greens. Any player in violation of the rules for push carts may lose the privilege of using one.
Code of Conduct
Review the GSGA Junior Tour Code of Conduct.
Competition
The Rules of Golf as approved by the USGA and The R&A govern play. In addition, see the Local Rules and Terms of the Competition for GSGA Junior Tour events. Complete text of the Rules may be found in the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf, effective January 2023. A competition is final when the award has been presented to the winner, or, in the absence of an awards ceremony, when all scores have been approved by the Committee.
Communication
Most correspondence from the GSGA Junior Tour office is sent to members via email. If you have spam blocker software on any of the email addresses you provided during membership registration, be sure to add the following addresses to your list of trusted senders:
Should the primary email address listed in your player’s club account change or become inactive, please log in to update your contact information. You may also call the office at (770) 850-9040 to process this important change.
Correct Division Policy
During annual membership registration, prospective members must make a good-faith effort to select a division which best represents their age and overall ability. The selected division pertains to the Summer Series and Fall Invitational only. Once accepted as a member, the junior is expected to remain in the selected division for the current year except in the following scenarios:
1. The GSGA Junior Tour office requires a division change.
Recorded tournament scores are reviewed regularly by the GSGA staff throughout the year. Any player who returns scores above or below the guidelines provided on the Divisions page will be subject to further review by the staff. This initial review will consider a player’s entire current-year portfolio of scores and overall event scoring average. If warranted, the player will be required to change to a division more representative of his/her skill level. If a change is not warranted at the time of review, the player will continue to be reviewed for the remainder of the current year and a division change will be made when/if necessary.
2. The player requests a division change.
If a player feels he/she is not competing in the correct division, the player may request a transfer to another division by contacting the GSGA Junior Tour office. This request will only be granted if the player’s entire current-year portfolio of scores and overall event scoring average are representative of the desired division.
When a player requests to or is required to change divisions, it may affect event availability/selection and the player’s status within the GSGA Junior Tour Rankings, which is addressed in the Rankings FAQs.
Please contact the GSGA Junior Tour office if you have questions about choosing the appropriate division.
Dress Code
Review the GSGA Junior Tour Code of Conduct.
Eligibility
Participation in GSGA Junior Tour events is reserved for amateur golfers. In addition, the following eligibility requirements apply:
• The minimum age requirement is 5 years old
• The maximum age eligible is 18 years old, however juniors who have reached their 19th birthday and/or graduated from high school in the current year are eligible to compete through the Summer Series
Gender Policy
Review the GSGA Gender Policy.
Inclement Weather
Golf tournaments may be conducted in various weather conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain. Inclement weather, such as lightning or frost, may impact the planned schedule for an event, however.
The decision to modify an event’s schedule, including canceling the event, is made by the GSGA staff in conjunction with the host golf course staff. Any changes to the planned schedule will be communicated to the field via email and text messages (if subscribed) as soon as they become available. All efforts are made to complete the total number of holes allotted for the event, but the GSGA staff reserves the right to shorten the number of holes in a competition because of inclement weather (i.e. 9 holes for 18-Hole Divisions and 5 holes for 9-Hole Divisions). An event that is shortened because of inclement weather is considered complete only when all players in a specific division have completed the number of shortened holes required.
If an event is canceled due to inclement weather (some or all players in an age group are unable to complete the shortened number of holes), the GSGA and host facility will try to reschedule the event. If the event is rescheduled, all players will be automatically transferred to the new event date. If a player is unable to attend the new event date, the player MUST contact the GSGA office before the new cancellation deadline and request to transfer their registration to a new event or receive a full refund to their method of payment. If a rescheduling is not possible, players will receive a full refund to their method of payment.
If a cancelled event occurs at the conclusion of a season, all event minimums (in order to qualify for invitation-only championships and postseason honors) may be waived for individual players on a case-by-case basis.
Maximum Score - 10 Strokes
A maximum score of 10 strokes is in effect for Beginner Divisions ONLY. The maximum number of strokes a player may record on a single hole is 10.
After playing their sixth shot, the player must lift the ball and place it, without penalty, at the front of the putting green if the ball is not already at rest on the putting green (e.g., a player’s sixth shot on a hole comes to rest in a bunker behind the green); he/she must lift the ball and place it, without penalty, on the nearest edge of the putting green; the next stroke played will be the player’s seventh. If a player reaches the putting green prior to the sixth shot, he/she may continue putting until 10 strokes has been reached. Once 10 strokes has been reached, the player must lift the ball, discontinue play of the hole, and continue to the next teeing area.
Note: This procedure is a GSGA Junior Tour Local Rule for the specified divisions only and does not reflect the proper application of the Rules of Golf.
Maximum Score - Triple Bogey
A maximum score of triple bogey is in effect for Intermediate Divisions ONLY. The maximum number of strokes a player may record on a single hole is triple bogey. Once triple bogey has been reached, the player must lift the ball, discontinue play of the hole, and continue to the next teeing area.
For multi-day events, a maximum score of triple bogey will NOT be in effect for any hole-by-hole playoff conducted to decide first place in any Intermediate Division.
Membership Registration
Membership registration must be completed by the parent/legal guardian of the player unless the player is 18 years of age or older at the time of registration. Membership fees ($175 for Premium Membership, $125 for Regular Membership, $75 for Beginner Division Membership, $75 for Fall Membership) will NOT be refunded after a request for membership is submitted and approved by the GSGA staff.
No Shows (NS) & No Cards (NC)
No Show (NS) status is given to those players who fail to appear for their assigned tee time without notifying the GSGA Junior Tour office prior to their assigned tee time. No Card (NC) status is given to those players who fail to return their scorecards or speak to the GSGA staff before leaving the golf course during an event. In the event of either offense, a player will be notified in writing within 24 hours that they were recorded as a NS or NC at a recent event. If either offense occurs a second time, the player will be removed, without refund, from his/her remaining events and will be ineligible to participate in tournaments or events for the remainder of the current season.
For Premier Player Series events only, if a player accumulates any combination of two (2) NS, NC or withdrawals, the player may be prohibited from playing in the next three (3) scheduled Premier Player Series events during the current and/or following calendar year.
Pace of Play
Review the GSGA Junior Tour Pace of Play Policy.
Pace of Play Guidelines:
- Players should take responsibility to ensure every member in the group follows the GSGA Junior Tour Pace of Play Policy.
- Players will be monitored for Pace of Play for the entire round.
- Players should play “ready golf” throughout the entire round.
- When spectators or Rules officials are present to search for a lost ball, players should continue playing and hold the group’s position on the golf course.
- Players should walk with a purpose between shots.
Rules Education
Rules seminars covering the Rules of Golf and the 2023 Rules of Golf changes will be conducted virtually throughout the year. Please view the GSGA Junior Tour Rules Corner for details. While the seminars are optional, it is highly recommended for new members AND returning members to attend at least one seminar before starting their competition season.
Scoring
Under the Rules of Golf, it is the player’s responsibility to certify his/her hole scores and ensure both the marker and player have signed the scorecard before returning it to the Committee. At each GSGA Junior Tour event, a scoring area will be provided following play and a GSGA Junior Tour staff member will assist with the scoring process. To avoid the possibility of being disqualified, remain in the scoring area until your card has been checked and the scorer dismisses you.
Scoring/Rules Disputes
During GSGA Junior Tour events, it is the responsibility of the players to be aware of and play by the Rules of Golf, any Local Rules and Terms of the Competition in place. During a round, it is also the responsibility of each player to be aware of what transpires within his/her grouping as it pertains to the Rules including, but not limited to, strokes taken on each hole by all other players within the grouping and any penalties incurred within the group. Any Rules questions that arise should be asked of the GSGA staff during the round or in the scoring area, and any scoring disputes should be discussed before leaving the scoring area. Once the competition has closed in single-day competitions, Rules or scoring disputes communicated to the GSGA Junior Tour office, including those by spectators, WILL NOT be accepted.
Schedule Changes & Withdrawals (WD)
Players may withdraw from a GSGA Junior Tour event at any time prior to their tee time in the respective event. However, to receive a partial refund you must WD from the event (either online or by contacting the office) before the tournament cancellation deadline. For WDs that meet the above criteria, you will be refunded your entry fee less a $10 processing fee. Please see the Registration policy or the specific tournament information page for details on the cancellation/registration deadline.
If you need to withdraw from an event after the deadline stated above, you MUST do so by contacting the office. If we receive notification of your WD after the cancellation deadline, your entry fee will NOT be refunded. Failure to notify our office of a WD before your tee time will result in the warning (first offense) or penalty (second offense) specified in the No Show/No Card policy listed above.
For Premier Player Series events only, if a player accumulates any combination of two (2) WD, No Show or No Card, the player may be prohibited from playing in the next three (3) scheduled Premier Player Series events during the current and/or following calendar year.
Spectators
Spectators attending GSGA Junior Tour events should review the Spectator Guidelines.
Spectator Carts
While not guaranteed at every event, spectator carts may be rented based on availability. The rental fee is determined by each individual host facility. Please note that requests for spectator carts may be limited or denied in some circumstances (poor weather conditions, lack of available carts at host facility, etc.) and use of a cart is subject to final approval by the host facility. All spectator carts MUST remain on the cart path. When helping a junior search for a golf ball, please park the cart on the path and proceed to search on foot. Spectators not abiding by this policy will have their spectator cart privileges removed with no refund.
Starting Times
Tee times will be published to the tournament information page the day following the cancellation deadline and also emailed to each player in the field. Tee times can be viewed online either by logging into your player’s club account and viewing the tournaments you are scheduled to play or by visiting the tournament information page. Please see Rule 5.3a for penalties related to not starting at your assigned tee time.
Ties
In multi-day competitions ONLY, ties for first place will be decided by a hole-by-hole playoff. If a playoff is not feasible (due to inclement weather or darkness), co-champions will be awarded. For single-day competitions no ties will be broken.
All ties for points will be awarded at the value of position finish except when hole-by-hole playoffs are conducted for awarded positions.
Tournament Registration
Tournament registration must be completed by the parent/legal guardian of the player unless the player is 18 years of age or older at the time of registration. Tournament registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once the maximum field has been met, players will be added to a waitlist. Each event’s registration and cancellation deadline is the same date and the deadline is at 11:59 p.m. EST. All dates are published to the specific event information page. Please see the diagram below for deadline overview:
Spring/Fall Series
- Registration/Cancellation Deadline: Wednesday prior to event date
- Tee Times Published: Thursday prior to event date
Summer Series
- Registration/Cancellation Deadline: Thursday prior to event date
- Tee Times Published: Friday prior to event date
Premier Player Series
- Registration/Cancellation Deadline: Varies, see event info page
- Tee Times Published: Varies, see event info page
Skills Challenge
- Registration/Cancellation Deadline: Three days before event date
- Tee Times Published: N/A
All players MUST check in at their assigned starting tee at each event at least 15 minutes before the player’s designated starting time.
Waiting List (WL)
Waiting Lists (WL) for each division at each event are maintained to offer the greatest number of playing opportunities to as many juniors as possible. If you select an event that is full during tournament registration, you will be placed on the WL for that event. Prior to the event’s registration deadline, if a spot becomes available because another player cancels or withdraws, the spot will be filled by the first player on the WL regardless of division. If the opening occurs after the registration deadline (when pairings have been released), the spot will be filled by the first player on the WL within the division where the opening became available. Priority on all waiting lists is determined by the date and time at which a player is added to the WL.
Your presence on a waiting list communicates to our office that you would like to participate in that event, even if you are already scheduled to play another tournament on the same day. If you are the first player on a WL for an event and a spot becomes available, you will automatically be added to the tournament field. You will receive an emailed notice of acceptance if this occurs before the registration deadline. Should a spot become available after the registration deadline (when pairings have been released), the office will contact you by phone before adding you to the field.
Once added to the field, you must follow the directions outlined in schedule changes and withdrawals if you are no longer able to play. Please note that normal cancellation fees do apply. If you are no longer interested in participating in an event for which you appear on the WL but have not been added to the field, you must remove yourself from the WL to avoid paying a cancellation fee if added. You may log in to your player’s club account or call the office to remove yourself from a WL. Please monitor your schedule carefully.