CADDIES & CARTS:

Caddies are permitted in the Beginner Division and 9-Hole Club Division ONLY.  There are no restrictions as to who may serve as a caddie. Caddies may carry clubs, provide advice about playing shots, and assist with club selection. Caddies may serve more than one player, but each player is limited to only one caddie. Caddies should assist with the oversight of scoring and help to improve pace of play during the round. On-course swing instruction by caddies should be kept to a minimum.

Motorized carts are prohibited in ALL Divisions. Penalty for breach of these conditions is two strokes for each hole at which any breach occurred with a maximum penalty per round of four strokes. Players may walk and carry their own bags or they may use a non-motorized pull cart where permitted. Pull carts MUST be provided by the players using them (no rentals permitted). These carts must be in good condition and they must stay away from the surface of all greens. Any player in violation of the rules for pull carts will lose the privilege of using one. Tournament-approved shuttles may exist at certain sites.

CODE OF CONDUCT:

All members are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct at all functions. Violations of the Code of Conduct include: abusive language, club throwing, cheating, disrespect of volunteers or officials, abuse of the golf course (divots not replaced, bunkers not raked, ball marks not repaired, and the like), discarded trash not placed in proper receptacles, vandalism, smoking or chewing tobacco products, use of drugs or alcohol, not adhering to the dress code, leaving the course during a competitive round without the permission of an AJG official, or any other conduct not becoming of an AJG member. Violations of the Code of Conduct are subject to the following: a two-stroke penalty, disqualification, or suspension for a period of time as deemed by the Tournament Committee. All violations will be reviewed by the AJG Tournament Committee.

COMPETITION:

All play is governed by the 2008-09 USGA Rules of Golf and its Decisions and, where applicable, by Local Rules, Conditions, and Definitions, subject to changes or amendments by the AJG Tournament Committee (2008-09 Rules of Play Card).

DRESS CODE:

Proper attire is required at all AJG tournaments, events and/or functions. Required Dress: (1) hats/visors must be worn properly with the brim facing forward, (2) boys MUST remove a hat/visor when indoors, (3) collared shirts must be worn and tucked in at all times, (4) girls may wear shirts without collars, if the shirt is part of a coordinated outfit and if it has sleeves, (5) girls short length must be at or beyond the extended fingertips with arms hanging at sides.  Prohibited Dress: (1) shoes with metal or traditionally designed spikes (penalty for wearing spikes is disqualification), (2) tank tops, T-shirts, short shorts, denim of any kind, (3) earrings on boys and body piercings, (4) headphones, cell phones and pagers. Any violation of this rule results in either disqualification or the junior not being allowed to participate until he/she has met the above regulations. 

DRIVING RANGE:

Events are normally held on days when most club facilities are closed. Driving ranges are only occasionally available to players and sometimes at a fee. Do not attempt to utilize a closed driving range. Doing so will be considered a breach of Code of Conduct.

INCLEMENT WEATHER:

The decision to cancel an event is made by the Tournament Director in conjunction with the golf professional and/or the superintendent of the golf course. You may call the office or the golf course to check on the status of an event, but please know that an event can be cancelled at any time of the day. All efforts are made to complete the number of holes required for a stipulated round (9 holes for the 18-Hole Divisions and 5 holes for the 9-Hole Division). An event that is shortened because of inclement weather is considered "complete" only when all players in a specific age group have satisfied the minimum requirements for a stipulated round detailed above.

If an event is canceled due to inclement weather (some or all players in an age group are unable to complete a stipulated round), that specific event WILL NOT be made up. Refunds or credits WILL NOT be given for any tournaments or events that are shortened/canceled because of inclement weather. EXCEPTION: If a Summer Series event is cancelled because of inclement weather, your registration may be transferred to another similarly-priced Summer Series event (subject to availability). No credits or refunds will be given to players who are unable to transfer a cancelled registration to another event. You must contact the AJG office to process this request.

If a canceled event occurs at the conclusion of the season (e.g. it is the last event of the Summer Series), the requirement of a minimum of five events (in order to qualify for season-ending championships) will be waived for individual players, on a case-by-case basis. Because Player of the Year points are based on an average of points earned, no “make-up” points will be issued for a player who does not participate in the minimum of five events. Please note, however, that the divisor of five (events played) will not be reduced for players in these circumstances.

NO SHOWS (DNS) & NO CARDS (NC):

DNS refers to those players who fail to appear for their assigned tee time without notifying the AJG office. NC refers to those players who fail to return their score cards to the AJG Tournament Committee before leaving the golf course. In the event of either offense, a player will lose half of the points he/she earned in his/her most successful event (at the conclusion of the Summer Series). If either offense occurs a second time, the remaining points will be deducted from the players most successful event and the player will be removed, without notice or refund, from his/her remaining events.

PLAYER'S RESPONSIBILITIES:

Rule 6 in the 2008-09 USGA Rules of Golf Book does not cover those responsibilities that are common sense. Remember, you're playing golf when the heat index is often very high. Be sure to have enough liquid (water, etc.) in your bag to last for at least nine holes at which time you're able to refill. Water coolers on the golf courses are constantly checked and refilled, but you may be passing by when they are either empty or gone.

POINTS:

Player of the Year (POY) points are awarded to juniors based on their finish in each event of the Summer Series. Players finishing in first through nineteenth place within each respective age group will receive points as follows:

REGISTRATION/CHECK-IN:

Player's must check-in at the registration table 30-40 minutes before his/her designated tee time.

RULES EDUCATION POLICY:

The Atlanta Junior Golf Association firmly believes that knowledge of the Rules of Golf is important for anyone who wishes to play and enjoy the game; most especially junior golfers who wish to compete at any level.

All Atlanta Junior Golf members are required to complete and pass an online Rules Quiz before selecting any tournaments. Online resources are provided to help guide juniors through the quiz. This test is designed to establish introductory knowledge of the Rules and basics of etiquette for juniors and can be completed before or after attending the Orientation or Rules Seminar (for those required to attend - see below).

First year members are required to attend an Orientation Session during their first year of participation with Atlanta Junior Golf which will briefly outline organizational policies and procedures, as well as some etiquette and basic Rules information. Parents are encouraged, but not required, to attend this informative 60 minute session.

Second year members are required to attend one Rules Seminar during their second year of participation with Atlanta Junior Golf which will provide more in-depth coverage of  the Rules of Golf. This seminar lasts approximately 90 minutes.

A junior golfer who fails to attend a mandatory Orientation Session or Rules Seminar will be prohibited from participating in Summer Series events, without refund of his/her membership fee.  

Junior golfers who have attended BOTH an Orientation Session (during year one) and a Rules Seminar (during year two) are only required to take an online Rules of Golf Quiz before they are allowed to register for golf tournaments. Third-year members (and beyond) are not required to physically attend any seminar, but are welcome to do so if they desire. While attendance at additional Rules Seminars is not mandatory, it is certainly encouraged, as the Rules of Golf are complex and change frequently.

SCHEDULE CHANGES & WITHDRAWLS (WD):

You may WD from an Atlanta Junior Golf event at any time prior to your tee time in the respective event. However, to receive a partial refund you must WD from the event (either online or by contacting our office) by 12:00 noon the day before the event. For WDs that meet the above criteria, you will be refunded your entry fee less a $10 administrative charge and will have the opportunity to reschedule another event (subject to availability) using the online registration system.

If you need to WD from an event after the deadline stated above, you MUST contact the AJG office (by phone or email) to inform our staff that you will not be participating in the tournament. If we receive notification of your WD after 12:00 noon the day before an event, your entry fee will NOT be refunded. You may, however, register for another event and pay the associated entry fee using the online registration system, if you choose to do so. Failure to notify our office of a WD before your tee time will result in a deduction of points as specified in the DNS/NC policy listed above.

SCORING:

Rule 6-6 (a & b) of the 2008-09 USGA Rules of Golf provides: "After each hole the marker should check the score with the competitor and record it. On completion of the round the marker must sign the card and hand it to the competitor. If more than one marker records the scores, each must sign for the part for which he is responsible. After completion of the round, the competitor should check his score for each hole and settle any doubtful points with the Committee. He must ensure that the marker has signed the card, countersign the card himself and return it" to the scorer's table. To avoid the possibility of being disqualified, remain in the scoring area until your card has been checked and the scorer dismisses you.

SPECTATOR CARTS:

Spectator carts are permitted for permanently disabled spectators only. Proof of a permanent handicap decal must be provided and be approved by the Executive Director at least 48 hours prior to the event for which the cart is being requested. Recent surgery, broken limbs, or old age does NOT constitute permanent disability. The designated cart must be for the decal holder ONLY. No passengers are permitted unless the specified decal holder is unable to drive the cart themselves. This must also be pre-approved by the Executive Director. Click here to download the request form then print, complete and fax it to the office along with proof of permanent disability (car decal, etc.)

SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT:

For the purpose of this policy, a spectator is considered to be anyone who is at the golf course and who is not a caddy for a player in the Beginner or 9-Hole Club Divisions.

The Atlanta Junior Golf Association firmly believes in upholding the traditions golf teaches such as the values of sportsmanship, integrity and honesty. We expect our players and our parents to act with courtesy and common sense at all of our events and feel very strongly about enforcing our player Code of Conduct and this Spectator Code of Conduct policy.

Please remember it is a privilege to watch your child participate in Atlanta Junior Golf tournaments. In order to keep this privilege, we expect all spectators to follow this policy, understanding that any breach will result in removal from the golf course and possibly being banned from future events. As a spectator at the golf course you are just that – a spectator. You are not an active participant in the day’s events.

Spectators are asked to walk one shot ahead of the group they are watching in order to spot for golf balls. This also eliminates the temptation of talking to your child during his or her round.

Where provided, spectators must stay on the cart path. The only two exceptions to this are:

   1. To help search for a golf ball
   2. If view of the green is obstructed from cart path 

(In these circumstances, spectators must return to the cart path as soon as the ball is located or the group has putted out respectively)

Encouragement such as “Good shot” and “Nice putt” is allowed. Anything that could possibly be construed as advice is not allowed. If you are unsure, don’t say it.

Do NOT walk beside your child and talk. The Atlanta Junior Golf Staff will assume you are giving advice and an automatic 2 stroke penalty will be applied to your child’s score for that hole, regardless of what you were talking about. If you need to give him or her a drink, a towel, an umbrella, food, or any other item, either do so and walk away, or leave it beside the cart path/teeing ground for them to pick up.

USGA Definition of “advice”: Advice is any counsel or suggestion that could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of a club or the method of making a stroke.

Spectators may carry cell phones so long as they are on silent or vibrate. If you need to make a call please make sure you are as far away from any group of golfers as you can get. Some golf courses do not allow the use of cell phones on their property. In these cases we defer to the club’s policy.

If you have an issue with another spectator, please inform an AJGA staff member. Do not attempt to solve the issue on your own.

Yelling at or discouraging any Atlanta Junior Golf member, including your own child, will not be tolerated. You will be escorted to the club house where you can wait for your child.

Spectators should not give rulings on the golf course. Locate an AJGA staff member where possible or have the junior proceed under Rule 3-3 and play two balls. Incorrect rulings given by parents will not be upheld at the scoring area.

SPECTATOR POLICIES:

Spectators must adhere to the Dress Code (see above) to be permitted on the golf course. NO DENIM ATTIRE PERMITTED!  When courses prohibit spectators, play may be viewed only from the 1st and 10th tees and the 9th and 18th greens (spectators are not allowed on the golf course at any time during play). At courses where spectating is permitted, spectators are required to follow the Spectator Code of Conduct policy that is available at each site.

All spectators are required to check-in with the Staff at EVERY event to sign a spectator contract before proceeding onto the course. This contract represents your receipt and understanding of our Spectator Code of Conduct and also gives our Staff the authority to remove any spectator who is not abiding by the policy (no warnings will be issued). 

Spectators may use cell phones at courses where permitted, but MUST NOT interrupt play or distract players. Phones must be in silent mode and used away from play at all times. For more information, please review our Spectator Code of Conduct. This policy is subject to change at any time.

STAND-BY STATUS:

For an event that is full, the top five players on the waiting list for each division are deemed to be on "Stand-By Status."  Players will be contacted via email shortly after 12:00 noon the day preceding an event with notification that they are on Stand-By Status.

After being placed on Stand-By Status you have the OPTION to arrive at the course at least one-half hour prior to the first tee time for your age group to wait for an open spot. Always be sure to check-in with the Tournament Staff upon arrival. Those players on Stand-By Status who decide to go to the course to stand-by will fill open spots on a first-come, first-served basis (the status on the waiting list is irrelevant once having arrived on-site).

There is NO guarantee that any Stand-By Status player will play. If there are no open spots available, stand-by players MUST leave the site immediately after the last tee time for their age group. Players who have not been contacted via email and notified of their Stand-By Status by the office may NOT go to the golf course and will not be allowed to play if they do so.

STARTING TIMES:

Tee times are available online by logging into your Players Club account and viewing the tournaments you are scheduled to play. Tee times are typically available ten days before your event. You will receive an email from our office detailing your tee time as soon as it is available.

Rule 6-3a of the 2008-09 USGA Rules of Golf provides: "The player must start at the time laid down by the Committee." The penalty for breach of Rule 6-3a is disqualification. However, it is a condition of the competition that, if players arrive at their starting point, ready to play, within five minutes after their starting time, in the absence of circumstances which warrant waiving the penalty of disqualification as provided in Rule 33-7, the penalty for failure to start on time is two strokes at the first hole in stroke play or loss of hole in match play instead of disqualification.

TIES:

Where applicable, ties for awarded positions will be decided by a hole-by-hole playoff and/or by a match of cards (see 2008-09 USGA Rules of Golf pg. 111-112). In the event a winner cannot be decided, a sudden-death putt-off will be held immediately following the conclusion of play to resolve any ties for awarded positions.

All ties for awarded positions at Summer Series events are resolved by a match of cards. All ties for points will be averaged except when hole-by-hole playoffs are conducted for awarded positions.

WAITING LIST:

WL for each age group 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 selection, you will be placed on the WL for that specific event. When a spot in the event becomes available (because another player cancels or withdraws), that spot is then filled by the player whose name appears first on the WL. Priority on all WL is determined by the date and time at which a player is added to the WL (the first player on the list is the first to fill an open spot).

If you are the first player on a WL for any event and a spot becomes available, you will be automatically added to the tournament. You will be contacted by our office via email if this occurs before 12:00 noon the day preceding the event. Should a spot become available after 12:00 noon the day before an event, we will contact you by phone before adding you to the field.

Once added to the field, you must follow the directions above (Schedule Changes) 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 once added. You may log-in to your Players Club account or call the office to remove yourself from a WL (watch your schedule carefully).