NWGG Player's Club - Tournament Rules

Check-In: Players will be expected to check-in at the tournament sign-up table no less than 30 minutes prior to their tee time. Please leave additional time to warm up.

Tee Box: Unless otherwise noted in the rules of the individual tournament, Men will play all events from the white tee box. Women will play all events from the red tee box.

NEW PACE OF PLAY RULES:

These Guidelines will be in effect at all NWGolfGuys Players Club Tournaments and Championships. Compliance with pace is the player’s responsibility. If you feel a fellow-competitor or opponent is unduly delaying your group, it is your responsibility to notify the Committee as soon as practicable.

45 Second Shot Clock: Each player will have 45 seconds from the time it is their shot to make their shot. Pre-planning your club selection should make this easy. Groups that fall behind may have 10 seconds removed from their shot clock until they are back in position. Players are responsible for keeping time on their shots, although random checks may be made throughout the round. Exceptions to the 45 second shot clock include:

i. The first player to attempt their shot on a Par 3, their second shot on a Par 4, or their third shot on a Par 5 may get an additonal 15 seconds to attempt their shot.
ii. When attempting to reach the green in two on a Par 5, you may wait until the green is clear. Once the green is clear, each player will have 45 seconds to attempt their shot. Players not attempting to reach the green should play their ball, even if they are ahead of the player waiting.
iii. If the preceding group is within reach, you may wait until they clear your zone before attempting your shot. Once the landing area is clear, each player has 45 seconds to attempt their shot.

NOTE: Players who are continually asked to improve their shot time may be penalized.

Checkpoint Holes: Checkpoint holes will be located at the group’s 9th and 18th holes. A hole is deemed to be completed when the flagstick has been replaced into the hole after all players in a group have completed play of the hole.

Maximum Time: The maximum time is defined by the time listed on your scorecard and relates to the official time. The maximum time includes time spent searching for lost balls, rulings and poor play. Each group is expected to play efficient golf in order to “bank time” throughout the round. The maximum time may be adjusted by the Committee.

Out Of Position:
Lead Group – the lead group is out of position if they complete any checkpoint hole over the maximum time.
Following Group – A following group is out of position if they complete any checkpoint hole over the maximum time and are 15 minutes or more behind the group in front (≤14:59 = In Position; ≥15:00 = Out of Position).

Penalties:
If a group completes a checkpoint hole and is out of position, the following penalties may be applied to the hole where the breach occurred. Penalties may be applied without warning.
The penalty statement above applies with the following exception – a 2nd missed checkpoint is only one additional penalty stroke, for a total of two penalty strokes.
a. A Green Card will be presented if a group completes a checkpoint hole and is in position.
b. A Red Card will be presented if a group completes a checkpoint hole and is out of position.
c. If a group is presented a Red Card at the first checkpoint hole and is presented a Green Card at the second checkpoint hole, the group will not be required to file an appeal and the penalty stroke will automaticallybe rescinded.

Appeal Process:
1) Appeals will only be handled in the scoring area at the completion of the stipulated round. Discussion of missed checkpoints during the round will only cause further delay of the group.

2) Once you have arrived at the scoring area you may submit a written appeal to the Committee before you have exited the scoring area. If you leave the scoring area for any reason you may no longer submit an appeal.

3) A review will be successful if there is evidence that the player or group was:
i. delayed by the Committee,
ii. delayed because of a circumstance beyond control of the player or group; or
iii. delayed because of another player in the group.

Note: Nothing in this policy excludes a player from being assessed the general penalty under Rule 6-7.

Flights: Flight position will be determined the day of the event and will be split down the middle of the field. In the event of a split of a single handicap at the median, we will move the smaller half to the other flight. For example, if the median handicap is 16, and there are three 16's in the Jacobsen Flight, and one in the Couples flight, we will move the single 16 into the Jacobsen Flight. In the event that there are even numbers of the median handicap in each Flight, all players will be moved to the Couples Flight. A third flight will be added to any event with 90 or more players.

Women's Flights: Any event with 10-20 Women players will feature a Women's Gross Flight. Women will then compete in the overall Net flight corresponding to their handicap. Tournaments featuring 20+ women players will fetaure a seperate Net/Gross flight for women.

Pace of Play: Pace of Play is extrememly important. Please keep up with the group ahead of you at all times. We understand that in a tournament play can slow. However, we ask that you be considerate of the groups behind you when doing things such as looking for a lost ball or lining up a putt. If you fall significantly behind, please begin playing ready golf. In addition, you can speed up play by moving to the next tee box after putting out, without waiting for the rest of your foursome. If you continue to play slow, you may be asked by the course to let the group behind you play through.

Putting: There are no gimmes in tournament play. Players are expected to putt out at all times. However, please make note of the pace of play. Although every stroke is important, we ask that players do not spend excessive time lining up short putts.

In the event of incliment weather, we have enacted the following policies. In the event of heavy rain, traditional putting rules will apply. However if standing rain interferes with your line, you may move the ball to a spot of equal distance away from the cup to avoid the obstruction. In the event of hail on the greens, a two putt maximum rule will be enacted until the hail has melted.

Scoring: All USGA rules should be used for scoring. Players should complete every hole. ESC scoring will be applied after the tournament. Players are expected to complete every hole, with the exception of team play (rule below). Players who have incomplete holes on their scorecard will be disqualified. Your tournament scores will be posted by NWGolfGuys Staff.

Team Play Handicap: In a Team Event, handicap bullets are distributed throughout your 18 Holes, and should be taken as they fall. For example, if you are a 20 Handicap, you would receive one stroke on every hole, with two additional stroke the the #1 and #2 Handicapped Holes. The better of the two players score minus their handicaps is your team score.

Team Play Exception: For the sake of Pace of Play in team scoring events, players may pick up their ball when they hit their maximum ESC score if their teammate has already holed out with a better score. If a player picks up his/her ball prior to their teammate holing out, the teammates final score will apply whether they exceed the other players maximum ESC score or not.

Cancellation Policy: Please note that all tournaments are booked months in advance, and golf courses require advanced notice of how many golfers we will have at the event to block out the appropriate tee times. NWGolfGuys Player's Club is responsible for the final number as indicated to the golf course in advance. We understand that unforeseen complications can prevent you from attending an event. Therefore, the following policy will be enacted for all tournament cancellations.

7 Days Notice - Full refund will be given.
Less than 7 Days Notice - Refund will be applied as a credit towards a future tournament.
Less than 48 Hours Notice - No refund will be given.

Weather Policy: If the course is open, we are playing. Therefore no refunds will be given due to inclement weather unless the course has ceased play. Rain checks may be requested from the course, although are not guaranteed. In the event that the course is not open for play, refunds will be given, and the tournament will not be rescheduled.

Payment Policy: All tournament fees should be paid prior to the event. A $5 fee will be assessed to any player paying the day of the event at the golf course. To pay by cash or check, please contact the Tournament Director at the email address above.