DWGA Tournament Rules and Policies

The Rules of the Unites States Golf Association govern play, as modified by local rules and conditions of competition. The DWGA has established a standard policy for its competitions that includes “playing the ball as it lies” (sometimes referred to as “Summer Rules”). On occasion, local conditions may make it necessary to modify this policy. If “preferred lies” are going to be used, players will be notified at the tournament site. The DWGA has adopted the local rule for an embedded ball. Through the Green, a ball embedded in it’s own pitch mark in the ground, other than sand, may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped as near as possible to where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green.

Tournament Eligibility and Entry
To be eligible to participate in a DWGA tournament event you must be a member of a member club, have a USGA handicap index from an authorized handicap system and be a member of the DWGA. Tournament entry forms for all DWGA tournaments can be found in the Playbook and on the website. Incomplete entries may not be accepted. Each tournament has an entry opening and closing date. To insure entry into an event your entry must be received at the DWGA office by 5:00 pm on the closing date. Telephone entries will not be accepted. Entries received after the closing date may be accepted to fill a tournament field at the discretion of the DWGA. A check or money order covering the entry fee must accompany the entry. Make checks payable to “DWGA”. The DWGA and the host club reserves the right to reject any entry, and shall also have the right to limit the number of entries in the field. In the event the field is oversubscribed, entries will be accepted based on when they were received by the DWGA unless otherwise stated. The DWGA has the right to deny participation at anytime, including during a tournament, by any contestant who refuses to comply with the rules and regulations of the DWGA and / or the host club. All tournaments and events listed in the book are subject to cancellation, change of date and / or change of venue. Any and all changes will be posted on the DWGA website, www.dwga.org.

Refunds
Entry fees will not be refunded unless cancellation of entry is made prior to the entry closing date of the event. Refunds, or partial refunds for tournaments that are cancelled or shortened will be sent back to the player. Refunds for partner tournaments will be sent to the individual(s) that submitted a check with the entry.

Carts & Fees

Cart fees are included as part of the tournament entry fee. In events where walking is an option, a competitor who elects to walk is not entitled to a refund for the cart fee. All golf carts are leased from the host club. The cart driver/operator must have a valid drivers license and is responsible, to the host club, for any abuse or damages to the golf cart.

Player Responsibilities

Starting Times – All players must be at their starting tee 5 minutes before their assigned tee time to receive instructions from the starter. Any player who is either late of fails to appear for their assigned time without notifying the DWGA or the host club is subject to a suspension from all DWGA tournaments for one year, including the following year’s event at which the infraction occurred.Any player who arrives more than 5 minutes late for the assigned tee time will be disqualified from the event. A player who arrives late, but is ready to play within 5 minutes of their assigned tee time will incur a 2 stroke penalty for undue delay.

Returning Scorecard – Any player or team who fails to return a scorecard to the scoreboard official or who withdraws during play without notifying an official and personally surrendering their scorecard to that official is subject to a suspension from all DWGA tournaments for one year, including the following year’s event at which the infraction occurred.

Marker Responsibilities – Any player or team that withdraws during play or suspension of play is still required to mark for their fellow competitor or provide a replacement marker. Any player that leaves a fellow competitor without a marker, is subject to a suspension from all DWGA tournaments for one year, including the following year’s event at which the infraction occurred.

Appropriate Dress - Players are required to dress appropriately for the golf course. Items of clothing such as short shorts or skirts, tank tops, jeans, etc. are considered inappropriate and anyone attired in such a manner will not be allowed to participate in the event. Certain Clubs may have more strict dress codes and they will be enforced accordingly.

Tie Breaking policies - Ties for winners for the Amateur Championship, the Senior Championship and the Girls Championship events will be determined by a playoff to be determined by the tournament committee. Ties in other events will be broken using tie-breaking guidelines established by the USGA. The USGA guideline is: Back nine score, last 6 holes, last 3 holes, and the 18th hole. In the event there is still a tie, the prize will be divided equally if the prize value is at least $20 per player. If not, the tie will be broken by drawing.

 

Pace of Play - All players in each group are responsible for maintaining the pace of play set by the tournament committee and also by maintaining their position on the golf course. As a reminder, the pace of play is printed on each scorecard so that each competitor will know if they are on pace at the completion of each hole. If a group fails to maintain their position they may be subject to penalty.

Tournament Credit and Gift Certificates - All tournament winnings will be credited, in the player’s name, with the host club golf shop. Players should make every effort to redeem their credit as soon as possible. All credit must be redeemed by November 30.

Electronic Measuring Devices - The DWGA is adopting the local rule to allow players to use devices that measure distance only. The use of devices that gauge or measure other conditions that might affect a player’s play (e.g. wind or gradient) is not permitted (whether or not it is disabled). The electronic measuring device WILL be allowed in the Amateur and Senior Championships. Distance measurements are public information and not considered advice and may be shared with your competitors.

Handicap Information - Each player is on her honor to do her best and to report every score accurately and promptly, and to post in chronological order a score for every round of golf played on a USGA rated course, when that course is played from regulation tees to regulation greens. This includes 18 hole and 9 hole rounds. A 9 hole score will be stored in the computer until you enter another 9 hole score. The scores will be combined for an 18 hole score and will be marked with a “C” meaning combined score. If you play 7 to 12 holes, take the remaining holes at par plus the handicap strokes you would have received on those holes and post a 9 hole score, or playing 13 or more holes, use the same guidelines and post an 18 hole score. Scores in both match play and stroke play, including those in multi-ball competition, shall be used for player’s handicap. The USGA system reduces a player’s handicap if said player has two or more exceptional eligible tournament scores. (USGA Handicap System Manual, Section 10-3)