California Junior Golf Tour Rules and Regulations
Play is governed by the Current USGA Rules of Golf and its Decisions and, where applicable, by the following Local Rules, Conditions, and Definitions, subject to changes or amendments by the California Junior Golf Rules Committee.
California Junior Golf Tour Policies
Disqualification Policy:
Players that breach any Rule of Golf that results in Disqualification may still complete the play of tournament, but their final result will be listed as DQ. EXCEPTION: A player disqualified due to CJGT code of conduct violations, gross breach of etiquette or poor behavior, shall be immediately removed from the course.
Code of Conduct:
Violations include profanity, abusive language, club throwing, cheating, disrespect of volunteers, officials or fellow competitors, abuse to the golf course or the facilities, littering, or any other conduct unbecoming of a player. The CJGT may assess any or all of the following penalties based on the severity or frequency of the violation(s).
First and Subsequent offenses: One-stroke penalty for each code of conduct violation.
Immediate disqualification from the tournament which the violation occurs.
Repeated or severe violations may lead to suspension/rejection of future entries.
California Junior Golf reserves the right to dismiss any player or spectator at any time for any reason during the event.
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.
Pace of Play will be monitored by a group’s position at the completion of specific check point holes - #3, #6, #9, #12, #15, and #18. A group’s expected time of completion for each hole (TIME PAR) will be listed at the bottom of their official score card. Each player in any group that has fallen behind BOTH their listed time par and 15 minutes or more behind the group in front of them shall be issued a one-stroke penalty. Players will be notified by receiving a “Red Card” pace of play violation notice. That penalty shall be rescinded if the group either gets back in POSITION or back within TIME PAR at the next check point. Any group finishing the round with a Red-Card are subject to an additional one-stroke penalty for each subsequent check point they failed to get back in POSITION or back on TIME PAR. If the CJGT Tournament Director decides that specific players in the group were the sole cause of the group’s slow play, individual players may be penalized while the others may not.
“IN POSITION” is defined as completing a hole (flagstick back in the hole) no more than 10 minutes behind the group in front of you.
“WITHIN TIME PAR” is defined completing a hole AHEAD of the listed times of completion for each hole on the bottom of your official score card. If the tournament is delayed for any reason, time par will be adjusted to account for the duration of the delay.
Time of Starting/Late to Tee:
If a player arrives late to his tee, but ready to play within five minutes after his or her starting time, the penalty for failure to start on time is two strokes at the first hole. If a player arrives at the tee more than five minutes after their starting time he or she will be disqualified from the competition, but may be driven out to join their group and play the round (CJGT Disqualification Policy).
Incomplete rounds due to Darkness or other Weather Related events:
If the final or last group(s) in a specific age division are not able to finish their round due to weather or darkness, the total score for ALL groups in that division shall only be counted up to the final hole the final group was able to fairly complete. The definition of “fairly complete” is at the sole discretion of the CJGT Tournament Director. For any 18-hole round, the ENTIRE Age Division must complete a minimum of 9 holes, otherwise the round shall be cancelled.
Pull Carts:
Pull carts are allowed for use unless prohibited by the golf course.
Electric and Remote Control Pull/Push Carts are NOT allowed. Penalty for use is 2-strokes per hole, not to exceed 4 penalty strokes total.
Caddies:
Caddies are not allowed at any CJG event.
Dress Code:
Only acceptable golf attire is permitted. Players are prohibited from wearing shoes with metal spikes, swimwear, denim of any kind, t-shirts, or tank tops. Those not appropriately attired will not be permitted to participate. All players MUST adhere to any dress code requirements that the host facility has beyond the CJGT dress code.
Tobacco, Cannabis, and Alcohol:
Use of tobacco, nicotine products (vaping), cannabis or alcohol is not permitted during the event by any PLAYER. Penalty: Disqualification and removal from the course.
Electronic Devices:
Cell phones, headphones/earbuds, cameras, and the like may not be used during play. Exception: You may use a cell phone for live scoring (if implemented) or to call for medical help or a ruling at any time during the event. First offense: Warning. Second offense: One-stroke penalty. Third Offense: Disqualification
Golf Car Policy:
At the discretion of the golf course, spectators may rent golf cars from the host facility. Golf Cars are ONLY available to Spectators. Spectators must keep golf cars on paved paths and roads at ALL times.
Local Rules
In addition to the standard CJGT Local Rules Below, an additional list of local rules shall be published for each individual event and made available to each competitor prior to the start of play. Local Rules will be handed to each player on the first tee. The additional list of Local Rules for each individual event takes precedence over any standard CJGT Local Rule below. It is the sole responsibility of the player to be informed of any local rule.
Distance Measuring Devices:
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. Penalty for first breach of Rule is two strokes and any subsequent offense is disqualification.
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.
Yellow Penalty Areas:
Defined by yellow lines and designated by yellow stakes. In the absence of lines, the stakes both identify and define the hazard.
Red Penalty Areas:
Defined by red lines and designated by red stakes. In the absence of lines, the stakes both identify and define the hazard.
Dropping Zones:
A dropping zone is an area enclosed by a white line having the words “dropping zone” or “DZ” written 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 zone and rolls outside the line is in play and should not be redropped, unless it rolls more than two club lengths.
Ground Under Repair:
Enclosed white lined areas define ground under repair. The white lines are considered in 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 for Lie of Ball Only:
To be treated as ground under repair through the general area.
Conditions of Competition
Golf Balls:
It is a condition of the competition that players must use a brand of ball on the current USGA List of Conforming Golf Balls. Penalty for breach of rule: disqualification.
Practice Between Holes:
Practice between holes is NOT authorized in stroke play competitions. Rule 5.5b is modified in this way:
Between the play of two holes, a player must not:
Make any practice stroke on or near the putting green of the hole just completed, or
Test the surface of that putting green by rubbing the putting green or rolling a ball.
Make any practice stroke on or near any practice green.
Result of the Competition:
Competitions are deemed to have closed when all scores have been approved by the Committee and a winner has been announced.
Signals for Suspension and Resumption of Play:
If play is suspended by one long siren or horn blast or verbal direction by a Rules Committee member, the player must immediately discontinue play and look for shelter. All practice areas are closed until the Committee has declared them open for use.
Suspension of play for reasons other than dangerous situations (darkness, fog, etc.) will be made with three short blasts of a horn. Players in a group may decide whether to finish the hole they are playing but they may not start another hole. The choice to finish the hole is an individual decision. A player within the group may choose to finish the hole while others choose to wait until play has resumed.
Players may discontinue play and seek shelter if they believe there is dangerous weather (lightning, tornado, hurricane, etc.) regardless of whether a siren has been heard. The player must report to the committee as soon as practical. Bad weather (rain, wind, temperature extremes etc.) is not itself a good reason for discontinuing play. The Rules Committee makes all decisions regarding delays and/or cancellations. The intention is to play the event on its scheduled day.
Safety Announcement:
Participation during tournament play can be dangerous. A player may discontinue play if he believes there are dangerous weather conditions (lightning, tornado, hurricane, etc.) or other good reason such as illness. Seek shelter or medical help when these conditions arise.
Please be aware of others near you at all times on the course and practice area. 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.
The California Junior Golf Tour reserves the right to change the Rules & Regulations prior to or during any event.