Region 5B 1A Girls Regionals

RULES COMMITTEE:

• The host tournament manager will serve as Rules Committee Chair. Rules Committee will be
appointed by the Chair to handle all rule decisions. This Committee shall administer the tournament
under USGA Rules and IGHSAU regulations and consist of five coaches from among the schools
participating.

Schools on Commitee

Cal-Wheat

Springville

Midland

Easton Valley

Marquette Catholic

RULES GOVERNING ALL PLAY:

• USGA Rules and IGHSAU regulations will be used for postseason meets.

MAXIMUM SCORE:

• IGHSAU post-season tournaments will not implement a maximum score option.

PARTICIPANT ATTIRE

• All participants in Regional and State tournament competition must wear similar (color/style) schoolissued or school-approved golf uniform during competition. In adverse weather conditions, if an
individual player desires to wear clothing over top of her shirt, the jacket does not need to be the same
as her teammates. Violation of this rule may result in disqualification of the golfer(s) in violation.

COMMUNICATION DEVICES:

• The use of cell phones, tablets, or other communication devices by is prohibited during the regular
season and tournament play except for the use as a rangefinder or official scorekeeping. No cell
phone for general use may occur until the player’s round is completed and the scorecard is
submitted to the official scorer. Use of a cell phone for unauthorized purpose(s) will result in a
code of conduct violation.

o The penalty for violation of this rule: 1st offense – warning; 2nd offense - 2 stroke penalty; 3rd -
offense disqualification.

• Golfers may use their phones for general use in/around the clubhouse once their round is complete and
they have submitted their scorecard to the scoring officials. Spectators should refrain from speaking on
their cell phones on the course when play near them is occurring. In the event of an emergency or
suspension of play, it is permissible for a golfers and spectators to use their cell phones on the course.

• In response to USGA Rule 4.3a(4) the IGHSAU shall expand its local rule banning cell phones to
include restrictions on all portable audio and video devices that players might watch or listen to during
play.

RANGE FINDING DEVICES:

• Range finding devices are allowed for use by players and coaches during the regular and postseason
tournaments provided they are only used to measure distance. Range finding devices designed to
measure conditions other than distance are permitted, provided the golfer only uses the device for
distance measurement and not for the following banned functions, which include but are not limited to,
wind speed, slope, or club selection.

o The penalty for violation of this rule: 1st offense – warning; 2nd offense - 2 stroke penalty; 3rd -
offense disqualification.

• If a player must wear a watch besides a GPS/range finding device, it must be set to airplane mode during
competition.

o The penalty for violating this policy is as follows: 1st offense – warning; 2nd offense - 2 stroke
penalty; 3rd - offense disqualification.

• Players and school-appointed, licensed coaches are encouraged to share distance information upon
request. A player with a range finder may shoot distance on the course and relay that information upon
request to another player, PROVIDED the process does not delay play. Spectators are not allowed to
provide or assist golfers with distance information.

GOLF REGULATIONS:

• USGA rules will be followed for all regular season and postseason tournament play, unless modified by
the local course management or IGHSAU. Any errors or discrepancies that take place during medal
play must be resolved prior to turning in the scorecard. If a discrepancy arises, golfers should make
every effort to resolve the discrepancy before playing the next hole. If the discrepancy cannot be
resolved, the hole/score should be circled. At the completion of the round, the player(s) involved should
refrain from turning in her scorecard until the rules committee has made a ruling.

SCORECARD SIGNATURES:

• Scorecards must be signed by the golfer whose score is being kept and the person keeping the score
upon completion of the round.

SCORING:

• Each golfer is responsible for the accuracy of her score recorded for each hole.

• Signed scorecards must be turned in by the golfer to the official scorer immediately following the round.

• Each golfer must total her own score for the round before turning in her card. This will assist with
inaccuracies between the actual score and recorded score and may prevent a card turned in with a blank
score.

• The score totaled by the individual is not their “official score” (as there may be some inaccuracies with

PLAYER REGULATIONS

• Motorized carts and caddies are prohibited. Use of non-motorized pull or push carts are allowed
throughout the entire season. Requests for use of a motorized golf cart during regular and postseason
competition must be due to a disability and will be evaluated by the IGHSAU on a case-by-case basis.
Transitory illnesses and injuries (actual or expected duration of six months or less) do not qualify
under the ADA as a disability and thus would not qualify for use of a motorized cart. Athletic
directors must submit the request for golf cart use and documentation from the golfer’s physician
stating the disability and the extent to which it prevents the golfer from walking during competition.
Upon receipt of the request, the IGHSAU will notify the school in writing of approval or declination.

• No practice is allowed on the course, including the practice putting green or driving range, after
competition has begun and until that player’s scorecard has been turned in.

• Any rule violation on the course should be called by a player. The rule violation should be brought to
the attention of the entire foursome before the alleged violator has COMPLETED THE HOLE ON
WHICH THE VIOLATION OCCURRED AND LEFT THE GREEN AREA. After a rule violation has
been declared, the Rules Committee shall be consulted immediately.

• Decorum. If a player is guilty of unsporting conduct or demeanor, her coach and a rules committee
member shall be notified. If the player is guilty of a subsequent offense, the rules committee may
disqualify the violator.

• The ball will be played down during the tournament series, with the tournament manager retaining the
right to invoke a local rule allowing pick, clean and place if course conditions warrant.

• Continuous putting shall be employed whenever possible.

• Contact a Rules Committee Member should any question arise during the tournament.
their addition), the hole-by-hole score will be their official score.

SPECTATOR REGULATIONS:

• Family, friends, spectators, etc. cannot provide instruction or guidance to participants on the course until
the final scorecard has been signed and submitted. (Walking immediately alongside a player is deemed
to be communication.)

• Spectators may cheer, applaud, and offer words of encouragement to golfers. However, spectators must
adhere to golf etiquette when doing so.

• Spectators are allowed to assist a player in looking for a lost ball but may not offer any rulings.

• Spectators should remain in the rough or on the cart paths and always keep parallel to the golfers.

• Spectators should refrain from speaking on their cell phones on the course when play near them is
occurring.

• Any spectator disrupting play in the opinion of the Rules Committee will be removed from the course.
Competitors may be disqualified if in violation of this rule.

• Spectators should remain adjacent with the group they are following and travel in the rough or on the
cart path, never on the fairway. When golfers are on the green, spectators must be behind the green or on
a cart path, so the next group can hit as soon as the green is cleared.

IGHSAU CODE OF CONDUCT:

The IGHSAU local rule governing code of conduct for players prescribes that a verbal warning shall be issued
on the first offense for conduct unbecoming high school players. Such conduct shall include, but is not limited
to:

• Club throwing or ball throwing defined as could cause harm to another participant, spectator, course or
means of releasing frustration.

• Use of abusive language.

• Willful acts which damage property or equipment on the course.

• Other unbecoming conduct as determined by the Golf Rules Committee (coaches’ jury).

Second offense: the player shall be assessed a two-stroke penalty.

Third offense: the player shall be disqualified.

In regular season meets, the code of conduct shall be enforced by the Golf Rules Committee (coaches’ jury)
which in dual meets is comprised of the two head coaches and/or pro serving as the rules interpreter in that dual
meet. In multi-team competitions, the designated three-person coaches’ jury and/or pro serving as the rules
interpreter shall comprise the Golf Rules Committee. Players and coaches have the discretion to alert the Golf
Rules Committee if they believe a Code of Conduct violation has occurred.

The IGHSAU Code of Conduct Rule does not negate the ability to enforce USGA Rule 1.2a for “serious
misconduct” which may result in immediate disqualification. The phrase “serious misconduct” in Rule 1.2a is
intended to cover player misconduct that is so far removed from the expected norm in golf that the most severe
sanction of removing a player from the competition is justified. The committee must determine if the
misconduct is serious considering all the circumstances. Please refer to USGA Rule 1.2a Interpretations for
further clarification.

Any player who uses tobacco (including smokeless and similar devices) or gambles on the course is
automatically disqualified per USGA Rule 1.2a for serious misconduct. In the case of gambling between
players, the players involved are disqualified in that given

Eligibility Rule 14(2) Penalties: Any student disqualified from an interscholastic contest by game officials for
flagrant, violent, or verbal misconduct will be ineligible for the next regular scheduled game/meet at the level of
competition and all other games/meets in the interim at any level in addition to any other penalties the IGHSAU
or school may assess. The second violation carries a four games/meets automatic ineligibility. It will be the
responsibility of the host school meet manager to report any disqualification(s) to the IGHSAU the day
following the meet, if the meet is held on a Friday or Saturday, then on the Monday following the meet. It is the
coach’s responsibility to inform his/her administrator of any disqualification(s). The administrator will file an
official report form with the IGHSAU.

WEATHER AND LIGHTNING PROTOCOL:

• When thunder is heard or lightning is seen, play should be suspended, and shelter taken immediately.
Once play has been suspended, a 30-minute wait from the last sound of thunder or lightning strike
witnessed must be taken before resuming activity. Any subsequent thunder or lightning strike during the
30-minute waiting period resets the clock, and a new 30-minute waiting period begins.

• Meet hosts are responsible for monitoring the weather activity and determining when to suspend
competition. Weather protocol (notification method and procedure for calling golfers off course, shelter
locations, evacuation procedures, etc.), should be given to participants prior to the start of the meet. The
IGHSAU encourages all meet managers to utilize a lightning app on their phone to monitor their local
weather.