(modification for 2019 rules pending)

 

Play is governed by the 2016-17 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 rules committee of The First Tee Miami. Appendix I refers to the Appendix of Local Rules and Conditions of the Competition.

 

Dress Code: All participants will be required to wear appropriate golf clothing. Tank tops, cutoff shorts, tennis shorts, bathing suits, blue jeans, and hats worn backwards are not acceptable attire. Male players must wear a tucked-in, collared shirt.

 

Pull/Push Carts: Pull/Push carts are allowed for use unless prohibited by the golf course. Some courses may have pull/push carts available to rent. If golf carts are available for rent, a caddie may use a golf cart to shuttle their player between holes. After reaching the tee, the player cannot ride and must walk the entire hole. The caddie may leave the bag on the cart or carry it on the course with the player when needed. Please note: Golf carts are reserved for rules officials, tournament directors, and volunteers. However, there may be a limited number of carts available for spectators at all events, subject to the discretion of the course.

• Spectators renting carts must stay on the path at all times (or in the rough if no path exist at   

   the course) and remain behind the players being watched.

• Spectators are not allowed to go forward and disrupt players in the group ahead.

• Spectators are not allowed to give players advice during the round.

• Spectators are not permitted to walk in the fairway or on the greens.

All golf carts must be operated according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Riding anywhere other than the seat of the cart is strictly prohibited. Anyone that chooses to rent a golf cart does so at his or her own risk. The First Tee Miami and its officers, directors, volunteers, and employees/contractors, are not liable for any event/activity or consequence whatsoever in any way arising out of or relating to participation in The First Tee Miami Winter Series.

 

Caddies: All players 8 years old and younger MUST be accompanied by someone13 years old or older to serve as their caddie. However, all players are encouraged to have caddies. If a caddie becomes disruptive to the point of receiving a complaint from an official, volunteer, competitor or other caddie, he or she may be given a warning. If a second complaint is received at any point during the Winter Series, the caddie may be banned from the Winter Series and/or other The First Tee Miami events. The First Tee Miami, in its sole and absolute discretion, reserves the right to ban a caddie after the first complaint if necessary.  All USGA caddie related rules apply. As such, a rules violation by the caddie is the same as if the player violated the rule. A caddie must be aware of the rules and assist his player in accordance with the rules. Some of the rules are as follows:

 

• Rule 14-2b states that in “making a stroke,” a player shall not allow his caddie to position himself on or close to an extension of the line of play or the line of putt behind the ball. A caddie may position himself in this manner before the player commits to beginning his swing but must move away once the player is set to begin his swing. Failure to do so will result in a two-stroke penalty.
• Rule 8-2b states that when a player's ball is on the putting green, the player or his caddie may before, but not during, the stroke, point out a line for putting, but in doing so the putting green shall not be touched. No mark shall be placed anywhere to indicate a line for putting. Violation of this rule will result in a two-stroke penalty.
• Rule 17-3 states that the player's ball shall not strike the flagstick or attendant when the flagstick is attended or the flagstick is in the hole, unattended, or when the ball has been played from the putting green. Should this occur, the player is assessed a two-stroke penalty, and the ball is played as it lies.
• Rule 8-1 states that a Caddie is one who carries or handles a player's clubs during play and otherwise assists him in accordance with the rules. A player may only have one caddie at any given time. A caddie may be replaced or eliminated at any time by the player. No other person may offer advice or help to a player other than his caddie.

 

Electronic Devices: Cell phones, headphones, cameras, and the like may not be used during play, except that cell phones may be used in case of an emergency, dangerous weather, or to call for medical help at any time during the event. NOTE: cell phones and Distance Measuring Devices, (DMD) are permitted in accordance with Decision 14-3/0.5 as long as they are used to measure or gauge distance only (ie. no slope). Penalty for breach of rule: score of 10 on any hole used.

 

Pace of Play:  Each player must play without undue delay, which is defined as taking no more than one minute to play a shot. Caddies should refrain over-coaching the player. It is the caddie’s duty to help the player hit each shot without undue delay. In an effort to keep the pace of play at an enjoyable level for all players and caddies, players and caddies should be ready to play their shot as soon as it is their turn (for example, without interrupting other players, determine yardage, mark and clean ball on greens, pre-read the green, shot strategy, club selection, etc.). Each group is responsible for monitoring their own pace and The First Tee Miami Rules Committee is not obligated to give warnings. To avoid a penalty, groups must complete their round within (a) their allotted time, or (b) within fifteen (15) minutes of the group ahead of them. If one or both of these conditions are not met, a two stroke penalty will be assessed to each player in that group.

 

Ten-Shot Rule: A player shall take no more than 10 strokes on a hole. Once 10 is reached, the player must pick up his/her ball and wait for his fellow-competitors to complete the hole.

 

Playoffs: Weather permitting, ties for 1st place will be broken with a sudden death playoff. If weather or darkness prevents completion of a sudden-death playoff, the winner will be decided by a scorecard playoff and will be determined on the basis of the best score starting on hole number 9 and continue backwards from the last hole until a winner is determined. If two or more players tie for 2nd or below, the points will be decided by a scorecard playoff and will be determined on the basis of the best score starting on hole number 9 and continue backwards from the last hole until the tie is broken and the points will be distributed accordingly. If an event is shortened due to inclement weather, the event scores will not count and the Tournament Committee will decide whether to reschedule the event. Ties for The First Tee Winter Series Champion will be determined based on the best finish in the Series Championship. If the tied players also tie in the Series Championship for any place other than 1st, the winner will determined by scoring average. If none of the tied players attend the Series Championship, the winner will be determined based on scoring average.

 

Disqualification Policy: Except as otherwise provided for herein, no player will be disqualified for any violations of the Rules of Golf. Instead, a maximum score of 10 will be applied to any hole where the infraction would normally lead to disqualification. In situations where the round or hole has been completed, the score of 10 will apply to the last hole played or to the hole where the infraction occurred.

Exceptions: A player may be disqualified for arriving late, a player or caddie may be disqualified for code of conduct violations, unauthorized use of electronic devices, or as otherwise provided herein. 

 

Local Rules: Rocks in bunkers are Movable Obstructions. Embedded Ball is ‘through the green”. “Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are new to 2017 and are modified as follows: 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.
Other Local Rules may be applicable, depending on the course and/or conditions the day of the event. Please be sure to read the Player Rule Sheet prior to play of any event.

The First Tee Miami Rules Committee reserves the right, in their sole and absolute discretion, to dismiss any player, caddie or spectator at any time and for any reason during any event.