Rules and Regulations

Play is governed by the 2010-11 USGA Rules of Golf and its Decisions and, where applicable, by the following Local Rules, Conditions, and Definitions, subject to changes or amendments by the U.S. Kids Golf Rules Committee. Appendix I refers to the Appendix of Local Rules and Conditions of the Competition in the 2010-11 Rules of Golf Book.

Time of Starting/Late to Tee: If a player arrives at his tee, ready to play, within five minutes of his starting time, the penalty for failure to start on time is two strokes at the first hole. If a player arrives at the tee more than five minutes after his starting time he will receive a 10 on that hole and any future holes missed. Players may not join a group during play of a hole; they must join them on the next tee.

Ten Shot Rule (Excluding Teen World): A player shall take no more than 10 stokes on a hole. Once a 10 is reached, a player must pick up their ball and wait for the other players in the group to complete the hole.

Distance Measuring Device: Devices that measure distance only are permitted. Devices capable of performing other functions are prohibited. Penalty: score of 10 on any hole used.

Pace of Play: Each player must play without undue delay, which is defined as taking no more than 45 seconds to play a shot. Those players who are first to play from a given area (tee, fairway, green, etc.) will have 10 extra seconds to play their shot. Caddies are asked to please refrain from over-coaching the player. It is the caddie’s duty to help the player hit each shot within a reasonable period of time.

When it is determined that a group is behind time par or out of position on the golf course the group will be warned and asked to speed up play. If the group continues to fall behind each member of the group may be timed. If a player takes more than the allotted time, he or she may be subject to a penalty. First offense: warning; Second offense: one stroke penalty; Subsequent offenses: score of 10 on that hole. The 45-second rule is in place to assure playing without “undue delay” and to prevent over coaching and slow play. Also, the pace of play card system may be implemented for all players.

Out of Bounds: Where white stakes or fence posts are used, the nearest inside points at ground level define out of bounds. When out of bounds is defined by a white line on the ground, the line itself is out of bounds. A ball coming to rest on or crossing any public road is considered out of bounds, even if it comes to rest on another part of the golf course.

Water Hazards: Defined by yellow lines and designated by yellow stakes. In the absence of lines, the stakes both identify and define the hazard.

Lateral Water Hazards: Defined by red lines and designated by red stakes. In the absence of lines, the stakes both identify and define the hazard.

Ball Drops: A “dropping zone” is an area enclosed by a white line having the words “dropping zone” printed inside it. A “dropping zone” is not ground under repair. The line itself is in the “dropping zone”.

Ground Under Repair: Enclosed white lined areas define ground under repair. The white lines are considered in ground under repair. Other areas of ground under repair, even though not so marked include: French drains (trenches filled with stones or like), fire ant beds and mounds.

Flower Beds Identified by Blue Stakes: To be treated as Ground Under Repair. Relief is mandatory.

Sod Seams for Lie of Ball Only: To be treated as ground under repair through the green. All seams in a given area are deemed to be the same seam. See Appendix I, Page 109.

Embedded Ball: The “Embedded Ball Rule” as written in Appendix I, page 107, is in effect “through the green.”

Disqualification Policy: No player will be disqualified for any violations of the Rules of Golf. Instead, a maximum score of 10 on any hole where the infraction would normally lead to disqualification. In situations where the round or hole has been completed, the score of 10 will apply to the last hole played or to the hole where the infraction occurred. Exceptions: A player or his caddie may be disqualified for code of conduct violations or unauthorized use of electronic devices.

Electronic Devices: Cell phones, headphones, pagers, and the like may not be used during play. First offense: 2 stroke penalty; Second offense: disqualification..

Tobacco & Alcohol: Tobacco and alcohol use by players or caddies is not permitted during the event. First offense: Warning; Second offense: Disqualification

Code of Conduct: Violations include: abusive language, club throwing, cheating, disrespect of volunteers or officials, abuse to the golf course or the facilities, littering, or any other conduct unbecoming of a player. U.S. Kids Golf reserves the right to dismiss any player, caddie or spectator at any time for any reason during the event. Repeated violations may lead to rejection of future entries.

Dress Code: Only acceptable golf attire is permitted. Players are prohibited from wearing shoes with metal spikes, short shorts, swimwear, denim of any kind, t-shirts, or tank tops. Players or caddies not appropriately attired will not be permitted to participate.

Result of the Competition: When all the scores have been posted on the official scoreboard and approved by U.S. Kids Golf, the result of the competition is deemed to have been officially announced.

Final Round: The final round for all events will consist of two stipulated rounds. Nine-hole competitors will play one 5-hole and one 4-hole stipulated round and 18-hole competitors will play two 9-hole stipulated rounds. If a flight has split tees and the final round is reduced, the flight will be split into A and B flights. Only the A flight players will be eligible to win the championship.

Pull Carts: Pull carts are allowed for use unless prohibited by the golf course.

Cart Policy: It is the discretion of the host facility whether golf carts will be allowed during any USKG event. Carts must be operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Passengers must be seated inside the cart at all times. In no case will carts be allowed off of the carts paths. First offense: warning; Second offense: PCA Yellow Card or removal from the golf course.

Caddie Policy: Players eight years old and younger must be accompanied by someone thirteen years of age or older to serve as their caddie. All players are encouraged to have caddies, and each caddie starts with GREEN CARD status. Caddies are encouraged to take the complimentary (Double-Goal Coach or a Second-Goal Parent) online course offered by the Positive Coaching Alliance in order to help improve their player’s performance.  www.positivecoach.org

Sometimes well intentioned caddies may disrupt others during play. If this happens, a WRITTEN COMPLAINT should be filed with the Tournament Director at the end of the round by the affected player or their caddie. Others who might file such a complaint include rules officials, tournament staff or volunteers.

Once a WRITTEN COMPLAINT has been filed, a YELLOW CARD warning will be given to the caddie. If a second WRITTEN COMPLAINT is filed against the same caddie by a different person, then the caddie will receive a RED CARD and be immediately suspended from the event or Local Tour. Caddies may only be reissued GREEN CARD status if approved by the Tournament Director after a personal interview is completed.

Caddie Use of Carts: Players must walk during play of each hole. Nine hole players may rent a cart for use during play.  The caddie may use the cart to shuttle the player between holes.  The caddie may leave the bag on the cart or carry it on the course with the player when needed. Eighteen hole players may not use carts for play, nor have their caddie use a cart unless predetermined by the Tournament Committee. No carts will be permitted for caddies at the World, Teen World or European Championship. Two strokes per hole at which any breach occurred; maximum penalty per round: Four strokes.

Spectator Policy: If spectator carts are permitted, the above Cart Policy must be followed. Cell phones, headphones, pagers, and the like may not be used during play. All walking spectators should stay on or near the cart path at all times. Spectators are not allowed on the greens or in the fairway. Please stay behind the group being followed and do not go ahead to spot shots in advance of play. First offense: warning, Second offense: removal from the golf course.

How to Decide Ties: Ties for 1st place will be broken with a sudden death playoff. If weather or darkness prevents a sudden death playoff, the winner will be decided by a scorecard playoff.

Ties for all other awards will be determined by the best score on the final round. If the tie is not broken, the winner will be determined on the basis of the last nine holes, last six holes, last three holes and finally the last hole. If the players are still tied, continue backwards from the last hole until a winner is determined. If the competition has a multiple tee start for eighteen hole players, it is recommended that the “last nine holes, last six holes, etc.” is considered to be holes 10-18, 13-18, etc.

Ties for Local Tour Player of the Year will be determined by the best finish in the Tour Championship. If all tied players do not attend the Tour Championship, the winner will be determined based on scoring average.

Signals for Suspension and Resumption of Play: If play is suspended by one long siren or horn blast or verbal direction by a Rules Committee member, the player must immediately discontinue play and look for shelter. All practice areas are closed until the Committee has declared them open for use. Penalty for breach of this rule is a 10 on the first hole when play resumes. It is the player’s responsibility to be ready when play resumes that will be signaled by two short siren blasts repeated or verbal direction. All players failing to start play on time after a delay will be assessed a score of 10 on that and any subsequent holes on which their group has already begun play. A player may not join a group during play of the hole; but must join them on the next tee. A player may discontinue play and seek shelter if he believes there is dangerous weather (lightning, tornado, hurricane, etc.) regardless of whether any tournament suspension siren has been heard. The player must report to the committee as soon as practical. Bad weather (rain, wind, temperature extremes etc.) is not itself a good reason for discontinuing play.

The U.S. Kids Golf Rules Committee makes all decisions regarding weather delays and/or cancellations on site the day of the event. The intention is to play the event on its scheduled day, and everything possible will be done in order to do so. All eighteen hole rounds will be separated into two nine hole stipulated rounds if necessary.

Safety Announcement: Participation during tournament play can be dangerous. A player may discontinue play if he believes there are dangerous weather conditions (lightning, tornado, hurricane, etc.) or other good reason such as illness. Seek shelter or medical help when these conditions arise. 

Please be aware of others near you at all times on the course and practice area. It is possible that you may get struck by a club or ball hit by someone else. When riding in a golf cart, please read and follow the manufacturer’s safety notices at all times. Riding in a cart or being struck with a club or ball can cause serious injury or death.

When attending event related functions such as opening ceremonies, awards presentations, pool parties, etc., please use extreme caution and be mindful of how your or your children’s actions may affect others in close proximity. While necessary precautions are taken to insure everyone’s safety, it is critical that we all work together to provide a safe and fun environment for all in attendance.

You may use a cell phone to call for medical help at any time during the event.

U.S. Kids Golf reserves the right to change the Rules & Regulations prior to or during any event.