2025 US Tour Manual

1. USGA/R&A Rules - Except where noted otherwise in this document, USGA Rules & Decisions apply.
 

2. Spotters/Spectators/Caddies - Speedgolfers are not permitted to have caddies or pacers. Players must carry all equipment without assistance, with the exception of golf balls and hydration, which may be placed in the scorekeeper's possession during play.

- Advice - USGA Rule 8 shall remain in effect, and advice is not permitted from either players or spectators. Any verbal or physical communications between players and spectators could be construed as giving/receiving advice and may result in a 2-stroke penalty. The scorekeeper will serve as an eyewitness.

- Lost Balls - Consistent with the USGA rules, with a modification to just a one stroke penalty.

i. Spectators are allowed to help search for lost balls.

3. Distance Measuring Devices - Consistent with USGA Rule 14-3, Distance Measuring Devices (DMD) will be permitted, however, such devices may not provide slope information.
 

4. Equipment

- No Equipment on Greens - Per SGUSA policy, players may not intentionally place bags/clubs/equipment (other than the ball) on the surface of the putting green for the purpose of making a stroke. Violations of this rule shall incur a 1-stroke penalty per incident.

- Finish With All Equipment - Players must finish their round with all of their equipment through the green of the final hole played. The penalty for leaving equipment on the course is 1-stroke per incident.

5. Music - Players may listen to music using headphones during their round. Our local rule overrides Decision 14-3/17, however, players should limit the volume to a level that allows them to hear their immediate surroundings.

6. Ball Lost or Out of Bounds - Rule 27-1 is in effect, but shall be modified to a one stroke penalty

7. Official Timing - The elapsed time for a player’s round will start at the official tee time. Timing will be stopped when a) the ball is holed on the player’s final green or b) upon crossing the designated finish line.

8. Weather Delays - In the event of inclement or severe weather conditions, the host venue will determine if the competition shall be suspended for safety. In such an event, a long horn blast will sound, at which point players shall cease play immediately and a) mark their spot and b) the spot of their ball (if different). The official clock time at the horn blast suspending play shall be marked by the official timekeeper.

To resume play, a horn will sound once to indicate that the players shall return to their previous position and stand ready. Once all players have had ample time to reestablish their previous positions, a second horn will sound to indicate that the players shall resume play. The official clock time at the second horn blast resuming play shall be marked by the official timekeeper.

9. Passing a Competitor - If one player intends to pass another, they shall first signal (ex: by calling “Fore”) to the player they intend to pass. Upon receiving the signal, the player being passed shall immediately move aside and allow the passing player to hit. Failure to move aside in a timely manner may result in a 2-stroke penalty.

While the passing player is in motion, the player being passed may also proceed. Regardless of position, the player being passed must yield the tee box on the next hole to the passing player.

10. Uncertainty - In the event that a player is uncertain of any rules or procedures, they may proceed according to Rule 27-1 as noted above. Ultimately, a player may always return to the spot of their previous shot and continue under penalty of one stroke (stroke and distance).

All participants agree that SGUSA and its agents maintain the exclusive right to use and publish images & videos of their participation at SGUSA sanctioned and affiliated events. Open division participants are expected to be available to the media while on-site, with the exception of a 10-minute window prior to their tee time.

Active members, regardless of performance (finishing position), will receive the same number of participation points (PaP), according to event classification. Players must complete the stipulated round(s) in order to receive PaP.

Finishing positions 1-20 in each division will earn Performance Points (PeP) in any sanctioned event. However, in order to receive 100% of the available PeP for each finishing position, there is a minimum required number of participants per division (or Amateur category). Participants include members and non-members. The minimum participation requirement per division increases by event classification as shown in bold in the table above.

In the event there are fewer than the required minimum number of participants in a division, available performance points will be divided according to the fraction of participation against the minimum requirement.

• For example, the minimum participation requirement is 8 participants at a National Championship. If only 6 spots are filled in a division/category, the awarded performance points for each finishing position in that division/category will be multiplied by 6/8.)

  • Further, if there are only 2 participants in a division or category, the winner will be awarded 3x PaPs, and the runner-up will be awarded 2x PaPs.

  • If there is only 1 participant in any division, that player will automatically be awarded 2.5x PaPs.

Adjoining Amateur Age Group categories will be combined to meet the minimum participation requirements. There are no minimum participant requirements to earn Participation Points (PaP) in any division.

In team events, players will split Performance Points for their finishing position. However, each player will be awarded the full number of Participation Points.