Local Tour Events

Q: When are tee times released?
A: Tee times are posted two days before the event. Please contact your Local Tour Director if you would like to know the tee time plan prior to tee times being posted.

Q: How early should we arrive at the golf course for the event?
A: You should give yourself at least an hour to check in with your tournament director and warm-up. Please arrive at your starting tee 10 minutes before your tee time.

Q: Can our family and friends come watch? Can they ride a cart?
A: We allow spectators at all U.S. Kids Golf events. Depending on availability, they may rent a golf cart from the host facility.

Q: Can I register to play 9 instead of 18?
A: All players ages 11+ play 18 holes. If they are in an 18-hole age division, they cannot elect to just play 9 holes.

Q: Why is my player in a different age group than their current age?
A: Each Local Tour Season has a uniform Tournament Age Date. Whatever your player’s age is on that date is what age group they will compete in for the duration of that season.

Q: Do I have to pay the Local Tour season fee for every local tour event?
A: No. The Local Tour season fee is only paid once per season per player.

Q: I am on the waitlist for an event. How do I find out when I get in?
A: If a player withdraws in your age group and space is made available, you will receive an email invitation to register. Upon receiving the email, you can either accept or decline the invitation.

Q: What tee/yardage will my child play from?
A: Age Groups and Yardages

Caddie Q’s

Q: Does my player need to have a caddie? Who can caddie for my player?
A: Players 8 and under must have a caddie who is at least 15 years old. Players over 8 aren't required to have a caddie, but if they choose to have one, the caddie must be 15 or older. We allow caddies for all age groups and encourage family members to caddie for their players.

Q: Do the players and caddies have to walk, or can they ride in a cart?
A: Players must walk during play of each hole. Caddies for 9-hole players may rent a cart for use during play to help shuttle players between holes. After reaching the tee, players must walk until completion of the hole. The caddie may leave the bag on the cart or carry it on the course when needed. Caddies for 18-hole players may not use carts unless approved by the Tournament Director.

Q: Can my player switch caddies during a round?
A: They can! But only in between holes. Never during the play of a hole.

Priority Status & AJGA Stars

Q: How do I earn AJGA Performance Stars through U.S. Kids Golf Local Tours and multi-day events?
A: We award players ages 12-18 with 4 AJGA PBE Stars if they obtain the four highest Priority Status Levels (Levels 12-14, Lifetime). Priority Status can be earned on Local Tours by adding up the two lowest scores out of four events on the same Local Tour, during the same season. The amount of AJGA Stars a player can receive from a multi-day event varies based on the event, so please refer to the AJGA PBE Page for more information.

Q: Can I earn Priority Status from playing events on multiple Local Tours?
A: Yes you can! Just keep in mind that Priority Status is earned by playing four events on the same Local Tour, in the same season. No exceptions. As long as these conditions are met, you can earn different Priority Statuses from different Local Tours.

Refunds

Q: How far ahead do I need to WD/cancel to receive a refund for Local Tour Events?
A: Refund Policy

Q: What happens if my player gets sick or injured and cannot play?
A: Email or call us and we will withdraw your player from the field. You can send us a doctor's note and we will issue you the medical withdrawal e-Credit minus the $15 processing fee. Medical documentation must be sent to receive the e-Credit. No exceptions.

Play is governed by the USGA Rules of Golf and its Interpretations and, where applicable, by the Local Rules and Conditions listed in the applicable U.S. Kids Golf Rules & Regulations, subject to changes or amendments by the U.S. Kids Golf Rules Committee.

The event-specific Rules & Regulations for each level of U.S. Kids Golf competition are listed below:

Please review the updated Refund Policy below. All deadlines are in the Eastern Time Zone.

eCredits

eCredit will allow families to withdraw and receive credit directly in their tournament's account. eCredit will automatically be applied to any future U.S. Kids Golf Tournament registrations

Please note that all eCredit is valid for one year from date of issue and once issued may not be redeemed as a cash, credit card, bank transfer, or check refund.

Local Tours and Parent/Child Events

The membership fee for the Local Tour is nonrefundable. For those who register for a Local Tour and choose not to play in any events in that Local Tour Season, an eCredit will be issued to that family by email request.

Withdraw request submitted 22 or more days prior to the event:

• 90% of the tournament fee will be refunded to your credit card OR
• 100% eCredit to your player’s account
• Player will be removed from the event.

Withdraw request submitted 5-21 days prior to the event

• 75% of the tournament fee will be refunded to your credit card OR
• 85% eCredit to your player's account
• Player will be removed from the event.

Withdraw request submitted LESS THAN 5 DAYS prior to the event

• No refund available
• Player will be marked as withdraw (WD)

Multi-Day Events

Withdraw request submitted 45 or more days prior to the event:

• 90% of the tournament fee will be refunded to your credit card OR
• 100% eCredit to your player’s account
• Player will be removed from the event

Withdraw request submitted 22-44 days prior to the event

• 75% of the tournament fee will be refunded to your credit card OR
• 85% eCredit to your player’s account
• Player will be removed from the event

Withdraw request submitted 8-21 days prior to the event

• 50% of the tournament fee will be refunded to your credit card OR
• 60% e-Credit to your player's account
• Player will be removed from the event.

Withdraw request submitted LESS THAN 8 DAYS prior to the event

• No refund available
• Player will be marked as a withdraw (WD)

Championship No Show Policy

Players who are no longer able to attend an event must email us and notify the committee. Those players who fail to notify U.S. Kids Golf are documented as No Shows. A No Show leaves a hole in the field and prevents other players from entering the event off the waiting list. A first offense No Show will receive a warning and is documented. A second No Show during the calendar year will result in a loss of all Priority Status.

Medical/Emergency Policy

Medical/Emergency request submitted 5 or more days prior to the event

• Full eCredit will be issued
• Player will be removed from the event

Medical/Emergency request submitted less than 5 days prior to the event

• eCredit minus a $15 processing fee will be issued
• Player will be marked as a withdraw (WD)

In order for a refund to be issued, documentation such as a doctor's note of medical or family emergency must be emailed (tournaments@uskidsgolf.com) to the Tournament department no later than one week after the first round of the tournament.

All Medical/Emergency withdrawal requests must include the following information:

• Email Subject: Medical Withdrawal
• Order Number
• Participants Name
• Local Tour (if applicable)
• Event Location
• Event Date
• Reason for Withdraw

Event cancelled, postponed, or rescheduled

All efforts will be made to complete tournament rounds. If a tournament or tournament rounds must be cancelled and 9-hole players have completed five holes, and 18-hole players have completed nine holes, the round/tournament will be deemed sufficient and no refunds will be given. For multi-day events, events are considered completed after one round has been played. Play will not extend past the date of the Final Round.

If an event is cancelled and will not be rescheduled:

• Customers will receive a full refund or a full eCredit

If an event is postponed and rescheduled:

• Registration fees will automatically be transferred to the rescheduled date
• If you are unable to attend the new event date, please follow the withdraw steps on the Tournaments Account page.
• Customers will receive a full refund or a full eCredit
• Withdraw requests must be submitted 5 or more days prior to the new event date to receive a refund.

Failure to follow cancellation procedure

Once an event begins, a withdraw for any reason other than illness, injury or family emergency may result in the suspension of playing in any Regional, International, or World Championship for the period of one year.

Failure to Obtain Travel Documents

Regional Championships, World Championship, Teen World Championship, and European Championship

If a player is unable to obtain a visa or passport for international travel and the Tournament Players Association is notified by 11:59 p.m. ET seven days prior to the event, the player will receive an eCredit valued at the tournament cost minus a $50 processing fee.

If the Tournament Players Association is notified less than seven days before the event, the player will receive an eCredit valued at the tournament cost minus a $100 processing fee. The eCredit may be used for any future U.S. Kids Golf tournament.

If the Tournament Players Association is not notified prior to the start of the tournament, no refund or eCredit will be issued.

In order for an eCredit to be issued, documentation of the visa or passport denial must be faxed/emailed to the Tournament department no later than one week after the first round of the tournament.

The U.S. Kids Golf Pace of Play Policy has been implemented to help players complete their round in a timely manner and make the game more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Time Par

Each Player can find the time par located on the bottom of their official scorecard. U.S. Kids Golf calculates the exact time your group is expected to finish each hole. Time is recorded when the group's final ball goes into the hole. Scorecards feature a blank entry block under holes 4, 9, 13, and 18 for players to self-record the time they finish checkpoint holes.

Number of minutes designated for each hole (18-holers):

• Par 3s – 14 minutes
• Par 4s – 15 minutes
• Par 5s – 16 minutes

Number of minutes designated for each hole (9-holers):

• Par 3s – 15 minutes
• Par 4s – 16 minutes
• Par 5s – 17 minutes

All golf carts must be operated according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Riding anywhere other than the seat of the cart is strictly prohibited. U.S. Kids Golf is strongly opposed to pulling clubs alongside or behind carts as it could cause severe injury or death. Anyone choosing to utilize a pull or push cart and drag it alongside or behind a cart or shuttle cart will do so at his or her own risk. The host facilities, U.S. Kids Golf, LLC and U.S. Kids Golf Foundation, its officers, Directors, volunteers and employees/contractors are not liable for any event/activity or consequence whatsoever in any way arising out of or relating to participation in a U.S. Kids Golf, LLC or U.S. Kids Golf Foundation event.

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

• All ties for 18-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 9-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 18-hole players, it is recommended that the “last nine holes, last six holes, etc.” is considered to be holes 10-18, 13-18, etc

Note: If two or more players tie for 2nd or below, all points for the spots in question will be added together and then distributed by average to the players equally.

If an event is shortened due to inclement weather, scorecard playoffs will be determined by:

• 5 holes completed – last three, last hole
• 9 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.

Ties for Local Tour Champion will be determined based on the best finish in the Tour Championship. If the tied players also tie in the Tour Championship for any place other than 1st, the winner will be determined by scoring average. If none of the tied players attend the Tour Championship, the winner will be determined based on scoring average.

State Invitationals, Regional, Worlds, Cups, and European Championships

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 using the score on the final round of competition. Ties for Cup team spots are based on selection round score.

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 18-hole players, it is recommended that the "last nine holes, last six holes, etc." is considered to be holes 10-18, 13-18, etc. If the players are still tied using the above methods, continue backwards from the last hole until a winner is determined.

Ties for all other awards will not be broken.

Only acceptable golf attire is permitted. Players AND caddies are prohibited from wearing shoes with metal spikes, short shorts, swimwear, denim of any kind, t-shirts, or tank tops. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. Players and caddies not appropriately attired will not be permitted to participate.

Required dress at the golf course:

• Hats/visors must be worn with brim forward
• Shirts must be tucked in at all times
• Girls’ fitted shirts do not have to be tucked in, but should be an appropriate length

Prohibited dress at the golf course:

• Tank tops, T-shirts
• Denim
• Short shorts, skorts or skirts that are too short
• Cut-off shorts
• Gym shorts or pants

Proper attire is required at all times at the host facility. This includes practice rounds, Family Nights and Awards Ceremonies. Questionable attire will be reviewed by the Tournament Committee. Should a host golf course or resort have a stricter dress code, its policy will take precedence. Players and caddies in violation will not be allowed to tee off.

If a player has been invited to any U.S. Kids Golf multi-day event and has a sibling wishing to play, the sibling may request a Sibling Exemption. A sibling may request an exemption for any U.S. Kids Golf multi-day event, but must meet requirements listed below to be considered.

Please note: submitting a Sibling Exemption is simply a request, and a spot in the field is not guaranteed. If there are no spots available in your age group, players may face a waitlist. If placed on a waitlist, the sibling must follow the waitlist protocol. A granted sibling request does not give a player waitlist priority.

In order for a sibling to be considered for an invitation, the sibling must:

• Be registering for the same multi-day tournament as his or her sibling
• Have active Priority Status (Level 4 or Higher), extending through the first round of the event

If the sibling meets these requirements, a request must be submitted for a Sibling Exemption by emailing our tournament staff at tournaments@uskidsgolf.com. The email should include the following:

• Invited/registered player’s name
• Name/names of sibling wishing to play
• Sibling’s birthdate
• Tournament you are requesting
• Sibling’s priority status

Siblings who do not meet the above requirements may apply for consideration by emailing tournaments@uskidsgolf.com.

World Championships Sibling Exemptions

Players who request a Sibling Exemption for the World Teen Championship or the World Championship, meet the above requirements, will be placed on a waiting list. On June 20th, U.S. Kids Golf will begin accepting siblings on a space-available basis, in the order received. Meeting the Sibling Exemption requirements DOES NOT guarantee entry into the event, as field size is limited.

Players must have active Priority Status (Level 5 or Higher), extending through the first round of the event to be considered as a Sibling Exemption for the World Championships.

U.S. Kids Golf reserves the right to change the sibling policy at any time.