Shooters Golf Tour Rules

SGT Scratch Division Rules

The Shooters Golf Tour local rules will not apply to the Scratch Division, except for the SGT Pace of Play rules.

Rangefinders and GPS units are allowed on the SGT. However, the information that is generated from these units should be kept to yourself. (We don't want a situation where other players are slowing down pace of play or interferring in the game of those who utilize the Rangefinders/GPS with constant distance questions).

The Shooters Golf Tour (SGT) will follow strict USGA rules except in the following situations that are deemed to be Local SGT Rules at all tournaments. Any changes to USGA rules have been made in order to expedite the pace of play.

• SGT Out of Bounds/Lost Ball (not in a water hazard) Rule:
  The player may play a provisional ball
  Procedure - 1A.  The player must inform his fellow competitors that he intends to play a “provisional ball”, and he must play it before he or his fellow competitors go forward to search for the original ball.  If he plays another ball and fails to declare it a provisional ball, that ball is not a provisional ball and becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance.  If the player is unable to find their original ball or the ball is found out of bounds, the player’s provisional ball becomes the ball in play and shall be assessed a penalty of one stroke.
  Procedure - 1B (Player chooses not play provisional ball).  The player may deem the ball out of bounds or lost and drop within 2 club lengths of the point where the ball is deemed to have gone out of bounds or is lost - no nearer to the hole.  If the player is unable to drop within 2 club lengths of that point, the player must drop at the first point in which the player has complete relief – no nearer to the hole.  The player shall be assessed a two stroke penalty.

  Procedure if Player leaves the hitting area without Provisional:
  If a ball is lost or is out of bounds, the player must drop within 2 club lengths of the point where the ball is deemed to have gone out of bounds or is lost - no nearer to the hole.  If the player is unable to drop within 2 club lengths of that point, the player must drop at the first point in which the player has complete relief – no nearer to the hole.  The player shall be assessed a two stroke penalty.

• SGT Water Hazard/Heather Rule: Unless a drop area has been designated for use by the SGT, a ball hit into a water hazard or heather may be: (a) played as it lies; (b) dropped within two club lengths from the point at which the ball crossed the margin of the hazard – no nearer the hole; OR (c) dropped behind the hazard - without limit to distance – on a line that keeps the point at which the ball crossed the margin of the hazard between the desired drop point and the flag.  The player shall be assessed a one stroke penalty in all cases.
• SGT 60 Second Search Rule: The SGT has a 60 second rule for all lost ball searches.  If you have not found your ball after searching for 60 seconds, you must drop a new ball according to the “SGT Out of Bounds/Lost Ball Rule”.  The player shall be assessed a one stroke penalty.
• SGT Ready Golf Rule: Please play “ready golf” and forgo honors on the tee and in the fairway.  If it is your turn to hit, it is expected that you will be at your ball and ready to go (not sitting in the cart at your partner’s ball).
• SGT Pace of Play Rule:  At the completion of the 18th hole, if your group is slower than 17 minutes behind the group ahead of you, you will be in breach of the SGT Pace of Play Rule.  It is the responsibility of all players in the group to try to remedy slow play before getting to the end of the round.  If a group falls outside of 17 minutes they will be given the opportunity to state their case to the Tournament Official for not being penalized and he will decide whether to penalize the players 2 strokes.  This opportunity will only be allowed on the day of the tournament so that we will be able to get the results posted online in a timely manner.  The Tournament Official reserves the right to penalize or warn a player or group based on their slow play.  If a single player continues to be the cause of slow play, he will forfeit his membership and tournament fees and be removed from the SGT.  IMPORTANT NOTE: This rule is meant to penalize foursomes that cause backups and create slow play.  A foursome will not be held responsible for the groups ahead of them, so as long as that foursome is keeping pace (within 17 minutes) of the group ahead.  So please make assurances that your foursome keeps relative pace with the group ahead.  It is requested of us by the course to finish rounds in a timely manner and most courses feel that 4 hours and 45 minutes is well within the limits of responsible play by players competing on their courses.   Therefore we still want players to be conscious of their overall time, but it will not be a factor that the Players Board uses for levying penalties. 
• Assignment of tee-times for Slow Players - The SGT will reserve the right to assign slow players to the back of the tee-time list for the following tournament if they are found to be in breach of the pace of play rule as determined by the Players Board.  If it is determined at an event after penalties are assessed that specific individuals were the cause of the slow play, they will automatically be placed into the last tee-time slots for the following tournament in which they compete.  If in the following tournament they show that they've rectified the cause of their slow play, they will be placed back into the random tee-time drawings going forward.

Rangefinders and GPS units are allowed on the SGT.  However, the information that is generated from these units should be kept to yourself.  (We don't want a situation where other players are slowing down pace of play or interferring in the game of those who utilize the Rangefinders/GPS with constant distance questions).

If the SGT Board is notified that any particular member is responsible for the cause of slow play, or a disregard for tournament rules as set forward to them, they will be given 1 warning.  The second occurrence of slow play, or disregard for tournament rules will result in that player’s loss of membership and removal from the SGT.