2024-2025 GCJGF Player Handbook

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PACE OF PLAY:
Each playing group will have a maximum of 15 minutes to play each hole on the course.

This includes the time necessary to walk from a green to the next tee.

Each group should be within 8 or 9 minutes, depending on the tee time interval, of the group ahead but must be within 15 minutes of the group ahead on the last hole of play or within the time they are allotted to play each hole. (Time allotted is printed on the player’s Official scorecard)

Each player in the group that is out of position will receive a one-stroke penalty at the 9th green & 18th green checkpoints (4th & 9th greens for 9 hole divisions).

Players experiencing unusual situations may appeal the penalties at the scoring table prior to submitting their scorecard.

There are NO WARNINGS for a group that is out of position. If you cannot see the group ahead, you are probably Out of Position.

Each player has 40 seconds to play their shot as soon as the group ahead is clear, and it is safe to hit. Players are encouraged to play “READY GOLF”.

The first player to play from the tee will have 40 seconds to do so; each of the following players will also have 40 seconds to play their shot. Timing starts for the 1st player as soon as the group ahead is clear, and it is safe to hit; the remaining players timing starts as soon as the previous player’s ball hits the ground and it is safe to hit. The time above is the MAXIMUM time allowed. YOU ARE PERMITTED TO PLAY FASTER and YOU MAY PLAY READY GOLF.

Players are allowed 3 minutes to search for their ball. Play a provisional ball if you believe the original ball may be Lost or Out of Bounds. A provisional ball MAY NOT be played if you believe it is in a Penalty Area. You must be certain that your ball went into a Penalty Area. There is no reason to search for a ball if you are certain it went into a Penalty Area.

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER TIMING:
If a player in your group is taking more than the allowed time to play their shots, do not wait until grou is behind time; ask an Official to time the player. Phone numbers for Officials are on the bottom of the Notice to Competitors sheet.

If you are out of position, you must catch up!

See the “Hard Cards” for Pace of Play. Hard Cards are available from the starter and should be kept in your golf bag.

GOLD TOUR LOCAL RULES:
Players must be able to consistently shoot 49 or better for nine holes to play in the 18-hole divisions (Boys and Girls). Players playing in the 18-hole divisions must score less than 100 per round to continue to play 18 holes. The Tournament Committee may make adjustments to the number of strokes.

USGA Rules of Golf apply plus any Local Rules implemented by the committee.

USGA RULE 20.1:
If unable to resolve a rule question and a Rules Official is not available, play a second ball and declare which ball you will score if the rules permit.  Keep score on both balls. Obtain a ruling at the scoreboard prior to signing and turning in the scorecard. Failure to report the issue, even if both balls score the same, the player is disqualified.

STROKE LIMIT:
THE MAXIMUM SCORE PER HOLE IS EIGHT.  Pick up your ball after reaching 7 strokes, including penalties and record an 8x for the hole. Do not continue to play the hole. Should a player continue to play the hole, he/she must record the actual number of strokes taken on the hole.

Boys 10 & Under, Girls 12 & Under: After the 2nd attempt to clear a penalty area, a two-stroke penalty is to be added for placing the ball outside of the penalty area.

The player closest to the hole on each green is to attend the flag stick for the other players if they request the flagstick be attended. Continuous putting is encouraged unless the player will be standing in the line of putt of another player, in which case the player is to immediately mark their ball. (Continuous putting is not required)

The player with the honor (lowest score on the last hole) is to tee off first and is allowed 40 seconds from the time they arrive at the tee to play the shot, followed by the next lowest score, and then the next player. The 2nd and 3rd players also have 40 seconds each to play their shot. Time begins as soon as the previous player’s ball strikes the ground or Penalty Area, and it is safe for them to hit.

Playing Groups that fall behind the group in the tee time in front of them by more than ONE  hole will be required to proceed forward to catch up, without playing any holes to do so and record a score of 8x for the missed holes played. Individual Players who cannot maintain the pace of play will play in a division that is compatible to their level of play.

SCORING:
Paper Scorecards: Each player will serve as a Marker (scorekeeper) and will keep the scorecard, with legible figures, for a fellow competitor (playing partner) as assigned. No other marks, symbols, circles, squares, the number of putts, etc. are to be recorded on the Official Scorecard.

The Marker’s score is to be recorded on the top portion of the scorecard.

The player may record any kind of information on the Marker’s portion at the top of the GCJGF Official Scorecard. The Marker’s portion of the scorecard is to be removed after play and be used to verify your score as recorded by your playing Marker.

Players in the 9-hole flights may have their Caddie keep the scorecard. Players in those flights are to verify their score with the scorekeeper after each hole. Each player is responsible for making sure that their score for each hole is correct, even though their Caddie is entering the scores.

All players in the group are to report to the scoreboard with their Marker to review their scorecard, sign scorecard, and submit it to the scoring committee immediately upon leaving the last green played. The scorecard is considered submitted when the player leaves his or her seat at the scoring table. Only players and the Markers (if one has been assigned) are permitted in the scoring area. Once the score has been posted, the resolution of a scoring error will be made in accordance with the Rules of Golf.

Electronic Scoring by Cell Phone: (Live Scoring) 
Each player in the assigned tee time will be a Marker for another player in the same tee time using the BlueGolf mobile phone GCJGF App. Each player may check the scores recorded by their Marker by using the GCJGF mobile phone app. A Volunteer may be assigned to be the Marker for all players in the tee time. Also, you may record your score for each hole by using the BlueGolf Scorecard app. Players may review their scores using their mobile phone and maintaining the social distances under GCJGF local rules. The scores will be official once the players have agreed to the scores and sign off for them.