1.  Time of Starting/Late to Tee: If a player arrives at his/her tee five minutes or less past his/her starting time, the penalty for failure to start on time is two strokes at the first hole. The player may tee-off and join their group with a 2 shot penalty. If a player arrives for his/her tee time more than five minutes after the starting time he/she will receive a score of 8 on that hole and any future holes missed. If the Player is more than 5 minutes late for the tee time, they may not join the group during play of 1st hole; they must join them on the next tee.

2.  8 Shot Rule/Stroke Limit: A player shall take no more than 8 strokes on a hole. Once 8 has been reached, a player must pick up their ball and wait for the other players in the group to complete the hole.

3.  Distance Measuring Device: Players are permitted to use optical devices (rangefinders) that measure distance based on a through-the-scope calculation by the player. GPS (global positioning system) devices with pre-programmed distances, and devices capable of gauging or measuring other conditions, are permitted. If GPS device shows slope or wind speed, these options must be disabled for tournament. If not disabled, a player will be accessed an 8 on any hole used. Refer to USGA Rules of Golf for additional information.

4.  Caddie Policy: Players ages 8 & under are REQUIRED to have a caddie.  No player may have more than one caddie at a time.  Caddies are encouraged not to emphasize winning, get too involved or “over-coach.”  A caddie may NOT assist in any way during the swing or make official rulings.  Any violation by the caddie will be resolved as a penalty against the player. Please see complete caddie policy for more detailed information.

5.  Pace of Play: Each player must play without undue delay, which is defined as taking no more than 45 seconds to play a 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 within a reasonable period of time. Play “READY GOLF” and walk quickly.

A group will be deemed to be out of position on the golf course when they are over time par. Time par is determined by each hole taking an average of 15 minutes to complete a hole and/or by staying up with the group in front. When it is determined that a group is out of position on the golf course the group will be warned and asked to speed up play. If the group does not get back into position, any player in that group who does not play their stroke within 45 seconds when it is their turn will get a warning. A second warning will incur a one-stroke penalty. Subsequent warnings will incur a two-stroke penalty for each occurrence not to exceed the maximum of an 8 on each hole in question. The 45-second rule is in place to assure playing without “undue delay” and to prevent over coaching and slow play.

6.  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.

7.  Water Hazards/Penalty Areas: Defined by yellow lines and designated by yellow stakes. In the absence of lines, the stakes both identify and define the hazard.

8.  Lateral Water Hazards/Penalty Areas: Defined by red lines and designated by red stakes. In the absence of lines, the stakes both identify and define the hazard.

9.  Ball Drops: A “drop zone” is an area enclosed by a white/yellow circle or sign. A “ball drop” is not ground under repair.

10. 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:
a.    French drains (trenches filled with stones or like)
b.    Fire ant beds and mounds

11. Flower Beds Identified by Blue Stakes: To be treated as Ground Under Repair. Relief is mandatory.

12. Sod Seams for Lie of Ball Only: To be treated as an embedded ball through the green. All seams in a given area are deemed to be the same seam.

13. Lifting an Embedded Ball: The “Embedded Ball Rule” as written in Appendix I, is in effect “through the green.”

14.  Accidental Movement of a Ball on a Putting Green:  When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment.  The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1. This Local Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental.  Note: If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced.

15. Disqualification Policy: No player will be disqualified for any violations of the Rules of Golf. Instead, the player will be assessed a maximum score of 8 on any hole where the infraction would normally lead to disqualification. In situations where the round or hole has been completed, the score of 8 will apply to the last hole played or to the hole where the infraction occurred. Exceptions:  Code of Conduct violations or unauthorized use of electronic devices by player or caddie may result in disqualification of the player.

16. 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 during suspension for a dangerous situation until the Committee has declared them open for use. Penalty for breach of this rule is an 8 on the first hole when play resumes.  It is the player’s responsibility to be ready when play resumes that will be signaled by two short siren blasts repeated or verbal direction. All players failing to start play on time after a delay will be assessed a score of 8 on that and any subsequent hole(s) on which their group has already begun play. A player may not join a group during play of the hole; but must join them on the next tee. A player may discontinue play and seek shelter if he believes there is dangerous weather (lightning , tornado, hurricane, etc.) regardless of whether any tournament suspension siren has been heard. The player must report to the committee as soon as practical. Bad weather (rain, wind, etc.) is not itself a good reason for discontinuing play.

Champions Junior Golf Tour will make all decisions regarding weather delays and/or cancellations on site the day of the event. The intention is to play the event on its scheduled day, and everything possible will be done in order to do so. The final eighteen hole round may be separated into a single nine hole round.

17. Electronic Devices: Cell phones, MP3 players, headphones, pagers and the like may not be used during play. First offense: warning; second offense: disqualification. Exception: Cell phones may be used, if necessary, to alert rangers or seek rules advice from rules officials and/or tour directors during play.

18. Tobacco & Alcohol: Tobacco and alcohol use by players or caddies is not permitted during the event. First offense: Warning, Second offense: Disqualification

19. Spectator Policy: Spectators may rent a golf cart at the discretion of the golf course but must remain on the cart path at all times. All spectators walking must remain on the cart path or in the rough at all times. Spectators may not give players advice during the round. Spectators may not use any electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, etc.) on the course. First offense: warning; Second offense:  two-stroke penalty against the player;  Third offense: Immediate removal of the spectator from the golf course.

20. Code of Conduct: Violations of the code of conduct include: 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. First offense: warning; Second offense: disqualification. Repeated violations may lead to rejection of future entries.

21. Dress Code: Players and caddies must adhere to the following dress code: Only acceptable golf attire is permitted. Players are prohibited from wearing shoes with metal spikes, short shorts, swimwear, denim of any kind, t-shirts, or tank tops. Players or caddies not appropriately attired will not be permitted to participate.

22. Result of the Competition: When all the scorecards have been signed, attested, collected and approved by Champions Junior Golf Tour, the result of the competition is deemed to have been officially announced.

23.  Cart Rental:  When carts are available and permitted by the host facility, spectators and caddies may rent carts at their own expense.  Anyone renting a cart must be at least 16 years of age with a valid driver’s license.  At no time will a player be allowed to have a cart.  Spectator carts are to be kept on the cart path at all times-No Exceptions.  Caddies may rent a cart during CJGT events at their own expense if carts are allowed by the host facility based on availability. All caddie carts must remain on cart path at all times-No Exceptions. Players are not allowed to drive carts, ride in carts or have clubs in a cart during play. EXCEPTION: Caddies for players ages 8 & under may keep the player’s clubs in the cart during play, and may cart the player between green and the next tee only. Cart usage by a caddie must not delay a player from playing the next shot in a reasonable amount of time. All players ages 9 and over must walk the course with their clubs.  These players may be carted between green and tee ONLY as deemed acceptable in the local rules of a particular event or when shuttles are provided.

24.  Push/Pull Carts:  Push or pull carts are permitted during competition in all age divisions except when prohibited by a host course.

25.  Safety:  Participation during a golf tournament can be dangerous.  Please be aware of others near you at all times on t

REFER TO THE CJGT HARD CARD FOR LOCAL RULES EFFECTIVE FOR ALL CJGT EVENTS.