Tournament Policies
RULES OF PLAY
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Play is governed by the Rules of Golf and its Interpretations and, where applicable, by the following Local Rules and Conditions, subject to changes or amendments by the Junior Invitational Series Rules Committee.
Disqualification Modification: The Junior Invitational Series Disqualification Policy (DQP) is that in the case a player incurs a breach of the Rules of Golf that would result in disqualification, the player will receive the maximum score of 10 on any hole where the breach occurs. In situations where the round or hole has been completed, the Rules Committee will determine where to apply the score of 10 penalty.
Maximum Strokes: A player shall take no more than 10 strokes 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. The maximum score of 10 includes any penalties a player may incur on a hole.
Time of Starting/Late to Tee: A player must start at his or her starting time, Rule 5.3a. If a player arrives at the tee more than five minutes after his or her starting time, a DQP penalty applies to that hole and all other holes missed. Players may not join a group during play of a hole; they must join them on the next tee.
Practice Between Holes: Practice between holes is NOT authorized in stroke play competitions. Reference Rule 5.5b (Committee Procedures). Penalty: Two strokes per hole at which any breach occurred. Penalty is applied to the next hole played following the unauthorized practice.
Pace of Play: Each player must play without undue delay, which is defined as taking no more than 40 seconds to play a shot. 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 without unreasonable delay, Rule 5.6.
Distance Measuring Device: A player may obtain distance information by use of a distance-measuring device. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance measuring device to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his/her play (e.g., slope, elevation change, wind speed, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 4.3. First breach: Two-stroke penalty; Each subsequent breach: DQP Penalty.
Green Reading Materials: Green reading materials are permitted if they were produced in or after the year 2022 or conform to USGA specifications. Use of non-conforming materials will result in a penalty.
Cell Phones & Electronic Devices: Cell phones may only be used by a player or caddie to 1) access tournament information, 2) obtain yardages via GPS apps or wind direction utilizing the phone’s compass 3) contact the rules hotline, 4) in emergency situations, or 5) entering scores in Golf Genius, when live scoring is available. Cell phones may not be used for any other purposes.
Unsigned Scorecards: In the event a player returns their scorecard without player or marker certification, the penalty will be two strokes.
Junior Invitational Series Committee reserves the right to change the Rules & Regulations prior to or during any event.
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THE COURSE
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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. Any additional methods to designate OB will be listed on a Local Rules sheet.
Penalty Areas: Penalty Areas are either red or yellow. Penalty Areas are defined by red/ yellow lines or designated by red/yellow stakes. Stakes are movable obstructions. In the absence of lines, stakes define the Penalty Area. If a body of water is not marked, the edge of the Penalty Area is where the ground begins to slope down to the water’s edge.
Dropping Zone: A dropping zone is an optional relief area enclosed by a white line having the words “drop zone” or “DZ” printed inside it. A dropping zone is not ground under repair. The line itself is in the dropping zone. A ball that is dropped within the dropping zone must remain within the dropping zone to be in play. Ground Under Repair: Enclosed, white-lined areas define ground under repair. The white lines are considered as 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 caused by burrowing animals.
Sod Seams: Relief for Lie of Ball Only: Sod seams are ground under repair in the General Area and all seams in a given area are deemed to be the same seam. However, relief is available for lie of ball only and not for stance or swing.
No Play Zones: The committee may designate areas such as flower beds as No Play Zones. Relief from these areas is mandatory. Penalty for playing from a No Play Zone is the General Stroke Play penalty of 2 strokes.
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TOURNAMENT ROUNDS
Stipulated Rounds: When necessary to shorten an event, the round for all players will consist of two stipulated rounds. 9-hole competitors’ rounds will consist of one 5-hole and one 4-hole stipulated round and 18-hole competitors’ rounds will consist of two 9-hole stipulated rounds.
Result of the Competition: When all the scores have been posted on the official scoreboard and approved by Junior Invitational Series, the result of the competition is deemed to have been officially announced.
How to Decide Ties: Ties for 1st place will be broken with a sudden death playoff. If a sudden death playoff is unable to start within 30 minutes of the final group being scored, or if a playoff is prevented by weather or darkness, the winner will be decided by a scorecard playoff using the score in the final round of competition. If the tie is not broken, the winner is 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. For 18-hole players, the last nine holes, last six holes, etc. is considered holes 10-18, 13-18, etc. Ties for all other awards will not be broken.
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CODE OF CONDUCT
Players, caddies, and spectators are expected to display proper etiquette and behavior at all Junior Invitational Series events. Junior Invitational Series aims to provide a positive experience for everyone involved and reserves the right to dismiss any player, caddie or spectator at any time for any reason during the event. Code of Conduct violations include, but are not limited to: 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 or caddie. Penalty for such violations may include any of the following: Warning, Two stroke penalty, DQP penalty, actual disqualification of the player, or removal of caddie.
Tobacco & Alcohol: Tobacco and alcohol use by players or caddies, including the use of electronic cigarettes is not permitted during the event. First offense: Warning; Subsequent offenses: Code of Conduct penalty.
Dress Code: 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. Those not appropriately attired will not be permitted to participate.
CADDIES & SPECTATORS
Caddies: Players in the 8-10 age group MUST be accompanied by a caddie. Players in the 11-12 may have a caddie. No caddies are permitted in the 13-14 & 15-18 age group. Caddies must be at least 15 years of age or older, unless otherwise authorized by the Committee.
Marking & Replacing: Caddies have authorization to mark and replace the player’s ball, where the Rules permit the ball to be lifted and replaced. HOWEVER, in rules instances that require a drop, ONLY the player is permitted to drop the ball (reminder: drop is from knee height.)
Caddie Use of Carts: Players must walk during play of each hole. Caddies for 9-hole players may rent a cart for use during play to help shuttle 9-hole 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. Penalty: Two strokes per hole at which any breach occurred, up to a maximum of Four strokes; Additional breach(es): Code of Conduct Policy penalty. In the event of a breach between the play of two holes during an 18-hole round, the penalty applies to the next hole.
Spectator Cart Policy: Cart availability depends on the host course. A valid driver’s license is required to operate a golf cart. Carts must be operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Passengers must be seated inside the cart at all times. Carts must follow cart path rules of the host facility. First offense: Warning; Subsequent offense (s) may result in removal from the golf course.
Pull Carts: Manual and electric pull carts are allowed for use unless prohibited by the golf course.
Spectator Policy: Junior Invitational Series recommends that spectators stay behind their group at all times and remain on the cart path. Spectators may not give players advice during the round. Spectators are not permitted to walk in the fairway or on the greens. First offense: Warning, Subsequent offense(s) may result in removal from the golf course.
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STOPPAGE OF PLAY
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ONE LONG SIREN OR HORN BLAST OR VERBAL DIRECTION BY A COMMITTEE MEMBER MEANS STOP PLAY IMMEDIATELY AND SEEK SHELTER because of a dangerous condition. All practice areas are closed, and all practice is suspended. Penalty for breach of this rule is the DQP penalty and applies to the hole being played when the player stopped play or the last hole completed.
Safety Announcement: Participation during tournament play can be dangerous.
Players, caddies, and spectators are advised to seek shelter or medical help when conditions warrant. Please be aware of others near you on the course and practice areas. 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. Pulling a pull cart behind a cart is not advised and is done so at the player/caddie/spectator’s own risk.
When attending event-related functions such as opening ceremonies, awards presentations, pool parties, etc., please use extreme caution and be mindful of how you or your children’s actions may affect others in close proximity. While necessary precautions are taken to ensure everyone’s safety, it is critical that we all work together to provide a safe and fun environment for all in attendance.