AGA TOUR

Policies, Procedures, and Rules

Bad Weather Policy

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.

Cancellation Policy (Strictly enforced)

$25 fee to cancel on day 3 or 4 before the tournament. The full entry fee (up to $100) to cancel on day 1 or 2 before the tournament.  On tournament day or "no show" the full tournament price will be due and your credit card will be charged.

Exceptions will be made if necessary for things such as hospitalization and a death in the immediate family.  Commissioner will have final say and determine the course of action to be taken.  

This is necessary to insure a smooth and orderly event, and to give those on the waiting list an opportunity to play. Familiarize yourself with this policy to insure no misunderstandings.

Guest Policy

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.

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. Major events, The Farm, Hawks Ridge, and The TPC of Sugarloaf 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.

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.

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, the Callaway ERC and any other non-conforming clubs will not be allowed to be used on the AGA TOUR. Use of these clubs will automatically disqualify you.

Handicap/Index

The AGA TOUR is a member club of the Georgia State Golf Association.  To play on the TOUR you must have a current and active USGA handicap/index that is GSGA and/or USGA approved.  For new members exceptions will be granted on an individual basis with proper documentation until their USGA index is active.

Cell Phone Policy

Although the AGA TOUR 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 even if you have to talk between your playing of holes that you do not bother any competitors or effect 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.

Tee Times

Approximately 7 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.  It is your responsibility to call the AGA TOUR office to obtain this information if you do not have access to our web site.

AGA TOUR Flighting Rules

Fortunately sandbagging has never been a problem on the AGA TOUR. This is because we have these checks and balances in place to insure fairness to all.  Your current handicap is pulled up before each tournament you play in order for us to see your current USGA index.  The handicap revision date that will be used will be the latest revision as long as that revision date is not sooner than 7 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 try and ensure fairness to all there are a few exceptions.
1)Winning two tournaments within 10 played TOUR events in a season automatically moves you to the next better flight.
2) If a participant should win by five stokes or more over the entire flight or be at five strokes better than the handicap of the flight, you will be automatically moved to the next better flight in all one day events.  In 2-day events the force move will only take place if on one day the winner beats the next best score by 5 strokes or they win the 2 day by 8 strokes or more.

In the event someone is moved to a better flight, they must play four more competitive tournaments in the new flight before being re-evaluated.  Re-evaluation will be based on the current USGA index and your competitiveness in the new flight. If you have a top 4 finish in the new flight you will not be eligible to move back to the previous flight.

How will points be handled? In the event of a move to a new flight for any reason, the season points will be moved with a competitor to the new flight.  This will hold true except for the following:
1) For the full year points, a player will be placed in the flight which 70% of his tournaments were played.  If a player did not play in a flight for 70% of his events then a determination will be made as to which is the most appropriate flight for the season points.
2) If a player moves more than once, a determination will be made by the commissioner about which flights points should be based.
In these cases, the competitor will play events in the appropriate flight, but point totals will calculate in the above described flight for season point awards. 

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 for players in Flight 3 and above.  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.

For players in Flight 3 and above all wooded areas where it is not apparent that it is out-of-bounds will be played as a lateral hazard.

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.

Dress Code

The AGA TOUR dress code is no denim, collared shirts only, and shorts no more than four inches above the knee.  This rule applies to all members and spectators.

Registration for Events

Registration for events occurs by filling out the form online with necessary payment information.  The AGA TOUR accepts payments made with cash, check, Visa, or MasterCard.  Credit cards are required to hold your spot, but will not be charged until the day of the event should you not elect to pay via another method.  Please make sure you are aware of the cancellation policy, as once you are registered this policy will apply for all cancellations.

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

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.  The prizes usually are certificates in the pro shop and must be redeemed that day.  Points are given for how you place in the tournament for your specific flight as outlined on the Watch the Seasom points page providing you turn in your card and post for handicap.  Points are very important as we have mid-season, second-half, and overall point champions in every flight.  Winning an event also qualifies you for the TOUR Championship.  Also, if you are a non-winner but have high point total, you also have the opportunity of being invited to the TOUR Championship.

Release from Liability and Player/Spectator Assumption of Risk

By submitting a member application and/or entering an AGA TOUR event, the participant and any spectators associated with a participant understands and agrees that there are 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, all of such risks participant assumes and solely accepts, and waives all claims of injury to body or property against the AGA TOUR. Furthermore, the participant agrees that while on the premises of all AGA TOUR events, the participant, and any spectators/guest, associated with participant, shall be present at their own risk and that the AGA TOUR, shall not be liable for any claims for injuries or damages whatsoever to person or property of the participant or associated person arising out of or in connection with the participation in the Event or presence at the Event. Participant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the AGA TOUR  from all claims by or liability to participant or associated persons.

Tournament Day Procedures

On tournament day there will be AGA TOUR personnel for proper check-in, as well as starters at the first and tenth tees to assist in final rules clarifications.  No check-in at the pro shop is required.  Your entry fee includes greens fee, cart, range balls, tax, and prize pool.  Any promotional or giveaways advertised as enhancements are not part of the entry fee and may be changed or cancelled without any notice.  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 scorecard.  Before starting play players should exchange scorecards 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. Players must then post their score card at the scoring table as well as write down their adjusted score for handicapping.  It is the participant's responsibility to correctly add his/her scorecard.