Caddie Policy
All players eight years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult thirteen years or older to serve as their caddie. All players are encouraged to have caddies
If a caddie becomes disruptive to the point of receiving a formal complaint from an official, volunteer, competitor or caddie, he will be given a warning (yellow card) and must pass the
Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) Second Goal Parent online course before playing additional USKG events. If a second formal complaint is received before the caddie has passed the PCA course, the caddie will be suspended from that event until Second Goal Parent certification is obtained and an interview with a USKG Tournament Director is completed.
Important USGA Caddie Related Rules
1. Rule 14-2b states that in “making a stroke,” a player shall not allow his caddie to position himself on or close to an extension of the line of play or the line of putt behind the ball. A caddie may position himself in this manner before the player commits to beginning his swing but must move away once the player is set to begin his swing. Failure to do so will result in a two-stroke penalty.
2. Rule 8-2b states that when a player's ball is on the putting green, the player or his caddie may before, but not during, the stroke, point out a line for putting, but in doing so the putting green shall not be touched. No mark shall be placed anywhere to indicate a line for putting. Violation of this rule will result in a two-stroke penalty.
3. Rule 17-3 states that the player's ball shall not strike the flagstick or attendant when the flagstick is attended or the flagstick is in the hole, unattended, or when the ball has been played from the putting green. Should this occur, the player is assessed a two-stroke penalty, and the ball is played as it lies.
4. Rule 8-1 states that a Caddie is one who carries or handles a player's clubs during play and otherwise assists him in accordance with the rules. A player may only have one caddie at any given time. A caddie may be replaced or eliminated at any time by the player. No other person may offer advice or help to a player other than his caddie.
Always remember that a rules violation by the caddie is the same as if the player violated the rule. A caddie must be aware of the rules and assist his player in accordance with the rules. Rules officials are in place throughout the course to help players when needed.
Cart Policy
The cart policy is designed to help with the pace of play and improve the enjoyment of both the player and spectator. Carts may be used for play at the Local Tour events under the following guidelines only:
Caddie use of carts: Green tee, Blue tee and Yellow tee players only
All Green, Blue and Yellow tee players may rent a cart for use during play. The caddie may use the cart to shuttle their player between holes. After reaching the tee, the player cannot ride and must walk the entire hole. The caddie may leave the bag on the cart or carry it on the course with the player when needed. In no case, will carts be allowed off the path. First offense – warning. Second offense – 2 stroke penalty. Subsequent offenses – score of ten on that hole.
Pull carts are allowed unless prohibited by the host golf course.
Note: Carts are provided on a first come/first serve basis. Each course may or may not have enough carts for all Green, Blue and Yellow tee players. All Green, Blue and Yellow tee players who compete on an "executive length" course must walk for the event. The cart policy has been put into effect to help those who play on a long course and have substantial walks between greens and tees.
Caddie use of carts: Red, White & Black tee players
Red, White & Black tee players may not use carts for play nor have their caddie use a cart. Pull carts, however, are allowed unless prohibited by the host golf course.
Spectator cart policy
Spectators of all players – (Green, Blue, Yellow, Red, White & Black tee players) may rent carts for use while watching play. Spectators in carts must stay on the path at all times and remain behind the players being watched. Please do not go forward to spot tee shots in advance of play.
Note: It is at the discretion of the host golf course as to whether spectator carts will be allowed.
Playoff Policy
Ties for 1st place will be broken with a sudden death playoff.
· If weather or darkness prevents completing a sudden death playoff, the winner will be decided by a scorecard playoff.
Ties for 2nd - 5th will be broken by the following:
· All ties for eighteen hole players will be determined on the basis of the best score on the last nine holes. If the tying players have the same score for the last nine, determine the winner on the basis of the last six holes, last three holes and finally the 18th hole.
· All ties for nine hole players will be determined on the basis of the best score on the last six holes, last three holes and finally the 9th hole.
· If the players are still tied using the above method, 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.
· For a multiple day event a tie for 2nd and 3rd and 3rd and 4th will be broken by the best score on the last day. If a tie still occurs, follow the scorecard system above for the last day.
If an event is shortened due to inclement weather, scorecard playoffs will be determined by:
· 5 or 6 holes completed– last three, last hole
· 7 or 8 holes completed – last six, last three, last hole
· 9 or more holes completed – last 9, last six, last three, last hole
If the players are still tied using the above methods, continue backwards from the last hole until a winner is determined
