Rules
USGA Rules will apply: One of the principle directives of the SWMJGT is to help our kids to better understand the rules and etiquettes of the game. Therefore USGA rules will apply in all of our tournaments. We will require players to check-in timely and properly; enforce the 14-club rule; teach players to check and sign their scorecards correctly; train players to be better competitors, partners and opponents; understand the penalties that can be assessed and respect this great game.
Rules Disputes: If you and your playing competitors are unable to resolve a dispute as to the rule for a particular situation, you are instructed to play a 2nd ball from that spot, keeping score with both balls for that hole. Once your round is completed and before you sign your scorecard, your entire group should immediately proceed to the Rules Official for a final ruling.
Distance Measuring Devices: Range finders and distance measuring devices that are approved by the USGA for tournament play are allowed during SWMJGT tournaments. Range finders that provide 'Slope' assistance are not allowed. Penalty for using a non conforming device is disqualification.
Walking the Golf Course: Competitors must walk the golf course and either carry their own golf clubs or use a pull cart for transporting their own golf clubs, during SWMJGT official tournament rounds. No caddies will be allowed. No motorized golf carts will be allowed, except in an approved situation involving one of our Tour’s kids who has a medical condition that prohibits them from walking the golf course. Virtually all Junior and Amateur golf requires players to walk. It builds endurance, physical fitness and stamina, all characteristics of a champion! Non-motorized Pull Carts will be allowed!
Players' Appearance & Behavior: Player appearance and behavior is addressed in the SWMJGT Membership Covenant. It is every player's responsibility to be familiar with and abide by the established dress code and code of conduct. Penalty for breach can lead to suspension of playing privileges and possibly expulsion from the Tour.
Spectator Policy: The SWMJGT strongly believes in the concept that Parents and Spectators be invited to walk along and watch the kids play tournament rounds. In all other sports, ie: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Wrestling, Track and Field... parents and spectators are invited to watch their friends and loved ones compete. We realize that competitors may experience some anxiety having spectators watching them play. This happens in every sport and with time, kids get accustomed to playing in front of a gallery. We believe that this is an integral part of the game and that this is the time and the place for our players to gain that experience! So, feel free to take a walk, following the progress of your loved ones during their tournament rounds and taking in all the beauty and nature along the way. You are invited to walk the golf course!
Now with this invitation comes some rules!
- Final approval to walk the golf course lies with the host Golf Professional's and the Host Course's rules. The golf course always has the final say as to "if" and "how". You may be asked to sign off on a 'Waiver of Liability' holding the SWMJGT and the golf course harmless for any accident that might happen during your walk around the course.
- Parents and their child Tour Members are required to read, agree to and sign the SWMJGT Membership Covenant. Within the Membership Covenant is the Parent and Spectator Code of Conduct where you will find the Spectator Rules.
- Details of the rules for parents and spectators walking the course are spelled out in the Spectator Rules section of the website. Just click on the Tour Info TAB on the Menu Bar and click on Spectator Rules.
Tournament Participant Limits: Generally, the cut-off is at 100 players, but certain courses can handle more or less players. We will post the cut-off for each tournament on the website, if necessary, based on direction from the host course Golf Professional.
Tour Age Divisions: There are six (6) Divisions on the Tour, separating the players into age groups as follows:
The Scotty Scheffler Division (Boys 16-18) The Nelly Korda Division (Girls (16-18)
The Patrick Cantlay Division (Boys 14-15) The Lexi Thompson Division (Girls 14-15)
The Jordan Spieth Division (Boys 11-13) The Danielle Kang Division (Girls 11-13)
Age Rules: Players are qualified to play on the Tour based upon their age and birth dates as follows:
- 11-13 Division Qualification Example: For the 2022 season, the Tour Championship, the final tournament, will be held on Monday, August 8th. Therefore, in order for a player to be considered age qualified to play on the Tour in the 11-13 year old division, they must turn 11 on or before August 8, 2022. (We realize that as with any rule or policy, there can be circumstances which may be considered for exception. Any exceptions to this rule will be made by the SWMJGT at their sole discretion!)
- 16-18 Division Qualification Example: For the 2022 season, any 18 year old junior golfer will be qualified to play on the Tour until they graduate High School. Therefore, in order to be considered age qualified to play on the Tour in the 16-18 year old division, an 18 year old junior golfer must NOT have graduated from High School. (There are no exceptions to this rule!)
Members may move up in Age Divisions, but may NOT move down in Age Divisions. When a player moves up in Age Divisions, any points earned in the lower Age Division are not taken to the upper Age Division. If a Member elects to move up and has competed in at least one tournament within an upper Age Division, they may not move back down to the lower Age Division within the same season.
Tour Championship Qualification Rules: Members are not required to play in all of the first 7 tournaments. However, Members must play in at least 4 of the first 7 tournaments in order to be eligible to compete in the season ending SWMJGT Tour Championship at Old Works Golf Course. Tour Championship qualification is not based upon talent, scoring averages or even Tour Standings. We want all Tour Members to be able to experience golf at Old Works Golf Course, rated in the top 50 in the nation by Golf Digest for golf courses you can play for under $100! Emphasis is made on playing golf tournaments!
Tournament Entry:
You MUST register for each and every event! Our local Golf Professionals need know how many players are going to be entered into each tournament. The process is simple! Visit our website; log in; Go to the Tournaments Page; Find the Tournament that you wish to register for; On the left side of that tournament, select Click Here to add Child/Golfer. That’s all there is to it. You will receive an automated email response acknowledging your tournament entry. WE STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU SIGN UP AT LEAST 48-HOURS PRIOR TO THE TOURNAMENT STARTING TIME!
NOTE: If you do not have access to the Internet, please contact the host golf course and notify them of your intention to play by 12:00pm noon 2-days before the tournament. DO NOT JUST SHOW UP! This process ensures that you are properly entered into the Tourney and allows the Host Golf Professional to place you into Pairings, Tee Times, Hole Assignments, Score Cards, Score Boards as well as to ensure that there will be enough staff and volunteers available to help out. Also, they will need to know how much food and beverages to have on hand for the players’ lunches.
Point System Rules:
- “Standard” Points will be awarded based on players’ finishes in the first 7 events as shown below:*
- MEDALIST POINTS: The Medalist in each flight will receive 600 points. Second place in each flight will receive 400 points. Third place in each flight will receive 200 points (ALL of the first 7 tournaments count).
- PARTICIPATION POINTS: Players receive 200 points for each event that they participate in (ALL of the first 7 tournaments count).
- SCORE POINTS: Players are awarded 100 points for each individual that they finish ahead of in their flight, in each tournament (ONLY their BEST 4 totals of the first 7 tournaments count).
* (Example for "How points are earned during a regular Tour event"): If there are 10 kids in the 11-13 year old boys flight, the winner will receive 600 Medalist Points for being in First Place for his flight, 200 Participation Points for participating in the tournament and 900 Score Points, since he would have finished ahead of 9 other kids, for a total of 1,700 points).
NOTE: You will keep your 200 Participation points if you play in your 5th, 6th and 7th tournaments (prior to The SWMJGT Tour Championship). In addition, you will keep any Medalist Points earned (600 points), Second place points earned (400 points) and Third place points earned (200 points), if you play and qualify in your 5th, 6th and 7th tournaments (prior to The SWMJGT Tour Championship).
- “Double” Points will be awarded based on players’ finishes in The Tour Championship at Old Works:**
- MEDALIST POINTS: The Medalist in each flight will receive 1,200 points. Second place in each flight will receive 800 points. Third place in each flight will receive 400 points.
- PARTICIPATION POINTS: Players will receive 400 points for qualifying and participating.
- SCORE POINTS: Players will be awarded 200 points for each individual that they finish ahead of in their flight.
** (Example for "How points are earned during the Tour Championship"): If there are 10 kids in the 16-18 year old girls flight, the winner will receive 1,200 Medalist Points for being in First Place for her flight, 400 Participation Points for participating in the Tour Championship and 1,800 Score Points, since she would have finished ahead of 9 other kids, for a total of 3,400 points).