Rules and Regulations

AGA TOUR
Policies, Procedures and Rules

As a member, we ask that you familiarize yourself with the policies and procedures of the AGA TOUR.  Being aware of the procedures listed below will help insure that you will enjoy the TOUR from your first event.  Should you have any questions, please call or email us.  Effective communication is the foundation of a long and enjoyable relationship.

Handicap/Index
The AGA TOUR (Amateur Golfers’ Association) uses World handicap system.  To play on the TOUR you must have a current and active world handicap system handicap/index.  For new members exceptions will be granted on an individual basis with proper documentation until their USGA index is active.

Registration for Tournaments
Registration for tournaments occurs by filling out the form online. The AGA TOUR accepts payments made with cash, Venmo, American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard or check.  Venmo and credit card payments may be made online prior to an event. Cash and check as well as credit cards will be accepted day of.  Please make sure you are aware of the cancellation policy, as once you are registered this policy will apply for all cancellations. 

Guests must pre-pay for any event and no refunds will be given for guests who do not show up for their tee time.

Note: The AGA TOUR will charge a $30.00 fee for any returned checks or other such items.

Cancellation Policy
Please make your best effort to cancel your tournament registration in a timely manner. We are usually able to get out of paying for your spot, but there will be occasions where that is not possible. The more lead time you provide, the better the situation.
A credit to use towards a future event will be issued if you have prepaid. If you pay with a credit card and would like a refund rather than a credit, the refund will be given less the fees paid to the credit card company on your behalf.   

This is necessary to insure a smooth and orderly tournament, and ensure we meet the contract terms given by the courses. Familiarize yourself with this policy to insure no misunderstandings. This policy is for tournaments. Trip cancellations are handled on a case by case basis depending on the nature of the trip. 

Notification of Tee Times
Approximately 2-3 days before the event, your tee time, directions to the course plus any particular information you might need for that day will be posted on the web site (www.agatour.com).  Your tee time may change plus or minus 10 minutes of the time stated on the web site without notification.  A reminder email will be sent the afternoon before the event and it is suggested that you check your tee time at that point.

Tournament Day Procedures
On tournament day there will be AGA TOUR personnel for proper check-in. No check-in at the pro shop is required.  Your entry fee includes greens fee, cart, range balls, tax, and prize pool.  It is of utmost importance that you are on time tournament day.  We request that you check in at least 30 minutes before your tee time, and be to your designated tee box 10 minutes ahead of time.  Keep in mind that your tee time may be changed plus or minus 10 minutes without notification.  If you are late by up to 5 minutes, but your group has not left the first tee you will be assessed a 2 stroke penalty if you make your tee time.  If you miss your tee time, you are disqualified from the tournament.  At check-in you will receive your official score card.  Before starting play, players should exchange score cards as players must have another competitor in their group keep their score.  At the completion of play, the scorer must sign the scorecard and the player must attest his or her score. It is the participant’s responsibility to correctly add his/her score card and turn it in at the scoring area.

Weather
The AGA TOUR is under contractual obligation to the golf courses in question. If the club deems the golf course open and playable, we play (like the players on the PGA, Senior and LPGA Tour). We do not play when lightning is imminent. Usually, private courses deem your day complete once you have concluded nine holes of golf, as dictated by the contractual arrangement set forth by the club. Public courses have a set rain check policy which prevails.

The director of the TOUR will negotiate the best option for members when those situations exist. We are all disappointed when weather shortens an event, but we ask for your cooperation and consideration on these occasions, as we strive to be as fair as possible to our members.

Dress Code

The AGA TOUR dress code is that of the course we are playing.  Please make sure you abide by the courses rules.

Code of Conduct/AGA TOUR Rules
We expect each member to conduct themselves within the honor and tradition of the great game of golf. (No throwing of clubs or cheating of any type will be tolerated.  Expulsion from the AGA TOUR will occur if necessary.)

All members should also have a good understanding of the USGA Rules of Golf which governs play on the AGA TOUR.  These rules will govern play with the following exceptions:
Waiving of rule No. 27-2.  Should you lose a ball not out of bounds or in a hazard, the AGA TOUR allows you to play the ball as a lateral hazard.  Meaning you have 2 options:
1) You can take a line-of-flight from where your playing partners agree the last place the ball was seen to the tee box, drop on that line of flight with a one stroke penalty, and continue.
2) You can take 2 clubs lengths from where your playing partners agree the last place the ball was seen, take a drop with a one stroke penalty, and continue.

Also, as per Note 2 for Rule 7-2 and Rule 33-1, the AGA TOUR Committee, in the conditions of competition, does prohibit practice on or near the putting green of the hole last played, and rolling a ball on the putting green of the hole last played.

Slow Play Policy
The standard pace of play for the AGA TOUR is four and one half hours.  The AGA TOUR and local course will assist in informing and ensuring groups are aware of their position and pace of play.  It is critical however that all groups keep up with the group in front of them and play ready golf as a way to ensure our pace of play guidelines are met and everyone can have an enjoyable event without being penalized.

If your group falls one full hole behind (a par four), you are considered to be out of position on the golf course.

This is the definition set by the USGA and adopted by the GSGA and the AGA TOUR. Course marshals will notify you if your group is falling behind. Once you have fallen one hole behind, your group (foursome) will be given an official warning, and then must play the next three holes in 40 minutes or less. Failure to comply will result in a two-stroke penalty for everyone in your group.  If even after completing these 3 holes in 40 minutes you are still behind a hole behind you will remain in warning and need to play the next 3 in 40 minutes or less as well.

It is your responsibility to monitor the group in front of you, not the group behind. The following overused statement is often heard, “We are not holding up the group behind.” If you were current with the group in front, then the group behind would be handled according to this policy.

Guest Policy – Weekend and Trips
We have suggested bringing friends, business associates, and relatives who are not members of the AGA TOUR to tournament events. You can bring the same guest to two events a year. No limit on different guests, but no more than three guests per tournament. Cost for guests is $30 higher than event cost listed.  Guest are always a lower priority then members for events.

Guests with an active USGA index can compete in the Tournament portion of the event. Guests without an index will be charged $20 less (prize pool portion), but can compete in the skins and Closest to the Pin contests in the Flight best determined for their ability. Some prime events will not be able to confirm guests’ entry until 5 days prior to ensure members get a first and fair chance to enter the event.

Distance Measuring Devices
Distance measuring devices will be allowed in all AGA TOUR tournaments per the USGA Decision 14-3/0.5 Local Rule Permitting Use of Distance Measuring Device. 

A local rule will be in effect at all tournaments for the use of all devices that do not use gradient, slope, or any other subjective means to give distances.  If you have any questions about a certain device please consult with us before using the device on TOUR.

Non-conforming Clubs Policy
The AGA TOUR plays strictly by USGA rules with the exception of our “lost ball” rule. Therefore, all non-conforming clubs will not be allowed to be used on the AGA TOUR. Use of these clubs will automatically disqualify you.

Cell Phone Policy
Although the AGA has not totally banned cell phones, to insure consideration for others, the following local rule will be implemented. Once you arrive to your first tee, the phone must be turned off or on silent mode. A cell phone ringing will be subject to a one stroke penalty. Talking on the cell phone is strongly discouraged and will only be allowed between holes if you must talk on your cell phone. Please also make sure that if you must use your phone between holes, that you do not bother any competitors or affect the pace of play. If a player does talk on their phone during the play of a hole, they will be subject to a one stroke penalty.

AGA TOUR Handicapping Rules
Fortunately sandbagging is rarely, if ever, an issue in the AGA. This is because we have checks and balances in place to insure fairness to all.  Your current handicap index is pulled up before each tournament you play in order for us to put you in the correct flight.  The handicap revision date that will be used will be the latest revision as long as that revision date is not sooner than 5 days prior to an event in which case the previous revision will be used.  This is used in almost all situations.  However, in order to ensure fairness to all, the Force Reduction rule has been created to handle certain situations that may arise. All aspects of the Force Reduction rule is subject to the commissioner’s discretion.

After each event, winners’ scores may be evaluated to determine if they had a qualifying win. Evaluations will occur on players who won a trophy AND finished in the top 2 in the Net division.  If a flight has less than 20 players, only the top Net score will be evaluated.

The differentials of posted tournament scores are used and compared to the player’s index at the time of the win. Regardless of flight size, if the differential is 3 better than the index, the win is considered a qualifying win. If the differential is greater than the index, the win may be considered a qualifying win if the flight size was greater than 10 and the commissioner feels course conditions, quality of field, etc warrant it. If the differential is between 1 and 3 strokes better than the index, the win will be considered a qualifying win by commissioner’s discretion.

Two qualifying wins in ten may put the player under penalty. If a player beats a field of 10+ players by 5+ strokes, an automatic penalty may be applied. If a player beats a field of fewer than 10 players and his differential is 4+ better than his index, an automatic penalty may be applied.  In all situations, the commissioner will make the final determination.

Penalties of the Handicap Adjustment rule:
When the Force Reduction rule is applied to a player, the player will receive 2 index points less than their trend or index for all events during their penalty period.

Penalty Period
Player will play under penalty over the course of the next 4 to 6 weeks. A minimum of two events must be played during this period to be removed from penalty after this period. If no events are played during this timeframe, player must play in 2 events before being removed from penalty. The penalty period will carry over through seasons and series.

If a player under penalty wins in a flight with 10+ players or has a qualifying win in a flight with 9 or fewer players, then a further handicap reduction will occur under the commissioner’s discretion.

If a player under penalty shoots a round where the handicap differential is below the adjusted handicap, further handicap reduction may be taken under the commissioner’s discretion.

After the penalty period ends, re-evaluation will be based on the current USGA index and your competitiveness in the new flight.

Winner Presentations Procedures
Once everyone in an individual flight has completed play and posted their scores, trophies and prizes will be determined and awarded for that flight.  If the prize is a certificate in the pro shop, it must be redeemed that day.  Points are given for how you place in the tournament for your specific flight as outlined on the Points page on the website providing you turn in your card and post for handicap. Winning an event also qualifies you for the TOUR Championship. If you are a non-winner but have high point total, you also have the opportunity of being invited to the TOUR Championship.

WAIVER/RELEASE FROM LIABILITY AND PLAYER/SPECTATOR ASSUMPTION OF RISK (INCLUDING COMMUNICABLE DISEASES)
All players are required to agree to the assumption of risk policy prior to playing in an AGA event and/or participating in an AGA sponsored travel trip.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK / WAIVER OF LIABILITY / INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT In consideration of being allowed to participate on behalf of the AGA TOUR, Inc. in related events and activities, I acknowledge, appreciate, and agree that: 1. Participation as a participant and/or any spectators associated with a participant includes known risks involved with the participation in a golf event, including but not limited to being struck by a ball or golf club, suffering from heat exhaustion, incurring a severe health problem like a heart attack or stroke, being injured by uneven terrain, and possible exposure to and illness from infectious diseases including but not limited to MRSA, influenza, and COVID-19. While particular rules and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious illness and death does exist; and, 2. I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES or others, and assume full responsibility for my participation; and, 3. I willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions for participation as regards protection against infectious diseases. If, however, I observe any unusual or significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and bring such to the attention of the nearest official immediately; and, 4. I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS AGA TOUR, Inc., their officers, officials, agents, and/or employees, other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, and if applicable, owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the event (“RELEASEES”), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL ILLNESS, DISABILITY, DEATH, or loss or damage to person or property, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, to the fullest extent permitted by law. I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS, AND SUBMIT TO THIS WAIVER/RELEASE FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT.

We look forward to seeing you at the tee box!!