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The Following will outline the rules applied at all Golf Channel Amateur Tour Events

Other Local Rules that apply to each specific course will be available at the starting hole the day of the tournament

2018 GOLF CHANNEL AMATEUR TOUR HARD CARD

All Golf Channel Amateur Tour events shall be governed by the current USGA® Rules of Golf. The following Local Rules & Definitions shall also be in effect for every event during the 2018 season.

PACE OF PLAY: The Am Tour policy leaves the responsibility for maintaining the pace of play where it belongs, with the player. Efficient pace of play is a huge factor of a successful and positive Am Tour experience for all participants in accordance with Rule 6-7 of the USGA® Rules of Golf.

Lead Group(s):
The first group(s) must finish their first nine holes within the maximum allotted time established by the committee (typically, this time will be 2 hours 15 minutes). If the lead group finishes over the maximum allotted time after nine holes, each player in the group will be assessed a 2-stroke penalty on their 9thhole.

The first group(s) off each tee must also finish 18 holes within the maximum allotted time established by the committee (typically, this time will be 4 hours 30 minutes). Failure to finish under this maximum allotted time for 18-holes will result in a 2-stroke penalty, which will be assessed to the score on the final hole of play.

Exception:
If the lead group(s) are held up by public play that was sent out before them or that began on the opposite tee, they will be exempt from the pace of play penalty(s) if they finish over their maximum time but within 14 minutes of the group ahead of them

Following Groups:
A 2-stroke penalty will be assessed to any group failing to complete their 9th hole within 14 minutes of the group in front of them AND over their maximum allotted time

A 2-stroke penalty will be assessed to any group failing to complete their 18th hole within 14 minutes of the group in front of them AND over their maximum allotted time

Players are advised of the following:

Rules officials are not required to notify a player and/or group that they are behind. This is the responsibility of the group and each individual player in that group
Each group is responsible for monitoring its own pace. Being in position means to be immediately behind the group in front of you.
As a courtesy to each player, the pace of play policy will be reiterated on the starting hole
As a courtesy to each player, the maximum allotted time will be on your official scorecard
If a player is penalized three (3) times during the season that player will be suspended from tournament play for a minimum of six (6) months

CONCERNED PLAYERS AND APPEALS
A player concerned about slow player(s) in a group should first remind that player of the pace of play policy and encourage them to play more efficiently. The concerned player may, before or after penalties are assessed, request an Official to monitor the group. If a player is identified as holding up the pace of the group, penalties may be applied to that player and rescinded from the others. Appeals for exceptional situations will be considered only in the scoring area after the completion of the round and prior to the return of a player’s scorecard.

TEEING GROUNDS: Play will be from the designated tee markers, not necessarily the scorecard yardages

CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Cell Phones may be used only if doing so does not unduly delay play, cell phones must be on silent at all times. In the spirit of competition, cell phone usage during competition is discouraged. A player should be respectful of their fellow competitors. The device should only be used to make phone calls in emergency situations. Headphones and earbuds are banned from the competition at all times. A player may obtain distance information by use of a distance measuring device. If during a round, a player uses a distance measuring device to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (elevation changes, wind speed etc.) the player is in violation of Rule 14-3. (penalty Two Strokes. Subsequent offense – Disqualification)

CADDIES/SPECTATORS: The Tour allows caddies/spectators subject to approval of host golf course. Carts are for the sole use of players. Spectators/caddies may not ride in a cart during play of a hole in any Golf Channel Amateur Tour event on a local, regional, or national level. Penalty is disqualification for corresponding player. Exception: Caddies/spectators may ride to the starting hole and from the green to the next tee on a space available basis and may sit in a cart while it is parked at a tee-box or green.

Distance Measuring Devices: Distance measuring devices are allowed as long as they measure distance only.

TIME OF STARTING: It is the responsibility of the individual player to be at the correct starting hole 10 minutes in advance of the start time. A 2-stroke penalty will be assessed to any player not ready to play at their starting time. Any player that arrives to the tee 5 or more minutes after their starting time will be disqualified as determined by the starting time and starter’s clock

SCORECARDS: Each player in the group must head directly and without delay to the scoring area and look-over, sign, attest, and turn in their legible scorecards in together as a group within 10 minutes of finishing the round. Any ruling question or any invocation of rule 3-3 must be brought to the attention of the tournament committee before a signed scorecard is turned in. Competition is deemed to have closed once the trophy has been awarded. Any player who has not turned in their scorecard within 10 minutes of completion of the round will be deemed a No Card and is subject to disqualification.

RULE 3-3: For any ruling question or doubt as to procedure please invoke rule 3-3. Rule 3-3 is announcing your intention to play two (2) balls (designating to your marker which ball you intend to score with), complete the hole with both balls, and bring to the attention of the tournament committee before you turn in your signed scorecard (even if you score the same with both balls).

PRACTICE BETWEEN HOLES PROHIBITED: Note 2 to Rule 7 & Optional Condition in Appendix 1 shall be in effect. Penalty: 2 strokes

STONES IN BUNKERS: Are movable obstructions. Rule 24-1.

WATER HAZARDS: Defined by yellow stakes and/or lines. Lateral hazards are defined by red stakes and/or lines. When both stakes and lines are present, lines define the hazard and stakes identify the hazard

GROUND UNDER REPAIR: Defined by enclosed white lines. Shall also apply to deep tire marks, all apparent cart paths (paved or not), any construction area, newly sodded or seed area, aeration holes, French drains, and fire anthills. If there is an area near a green or in a fairway that you believe is GUR and is not marked, please consult your fellow competitors and invoke rule 3-3.

OUT OF BOUNDS: Defined by the inside edges at ground level of boundary walls, split-rail fences, perimeter fence posts, street curbing, roads, parking lots, white stakes and white lines connecting markers. A ball that crosses a public road or property line is out of bounds.

GOLF BALL The ball the player plays must be named on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls issued by the USGA. Rule 15-1: A player must hole out with the ball played from the teeing ground, unless the ball is lost or out of bounds, or if the player substitutes another ball if permitted under rule 15-2.