Rules of Play

The U.S. Deaf Golf Association (USDGA), its members, spectators, and players, will adhere to USGA rules. The U.S. Deaf Golf Championships (local) committee, some board members of USDGA, Tournament Director and some helps from a Pro Shop may also be referred to as the Committee. All decisions and rulings made by the Committee are final.

Rule 33-1 - The Committee has no power to waive a Rule of Golf.

Please become familiar with the USGA Rules of Golf.  Rule 6-1 - It is the responsibility of each player to obtain and familiarize themselves with the U.S.G.A. rulebook, if they have not already done so.

COMPETITION:
- All play shall be governed by USGA Rules and its decisions; and where applicable, by local rules, conditions, and definements, subject to changes by the Committee. Decisions of the Committee are final.

- If a referee has been appointed by the Committee, his decision on the golf course is final. (Rule 34-2 and A “referee’’ is one who is appointed by the Committee to accompany players to decide questions of fact and apply the Rules. He must act on any breach of a Rule that he observes or is reported to him.)
- Competition is considered to have closed when all players have submitted their scorecards to the Tournament Director and the results are officially announced.
- Protest of any contest and/or tournament is not allowed.`

- Entry Qualification: Deaf/Hearing Impaired golfers must have 55dB or above in the better ear.

SPECTATORS:
- Spectators are welcome and encouraged to watch the tournament.

- All spectators are to stay (walk) on the cart path and in front of the group they are watching. All spectators are to stay at a reasonable distance (at least 20 yards) from all golfers while on the course.

- Spectators are not permitted to communicate with any golfers during competition (no direct or indirect communication during a round). You may clap and encourage them.

- Spectators may help golfers to search for lost balls (i.e. in tall grassy area) if near the cart path. If a ball is found, DO NOT TOUCH IT.

- QUIET: Do NOT move at all when a player is about to swing or putt.

- Cameras are allowed, but NO FLASH is allowed.

- Due to any medical reasons, spectators are allowed to ride carts and must remain on the cart path with the carts all the time (check with Pro Shop first and pay $$$ per person). GPS on the cart may be off.

RANGE FINDERS / YARDAGE MEASURING DEVICE:

The Championships will allow for all rounds players to obtain distance information by using a GPS or Yardage Finder device (approval by USGA) that measures distance only. (Caution: A device with slope is not approval by USGA.) However, if, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc,), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used.

OTHER ELECTRONICS DEVICES:

Such as any (designed for deaf communication) pagers and cellular telephones are not permitted to be in use on any Championships rounds. A player, if in a breach of the rule, shall be disqualified.

ADVICE:
- “Advice” is any counsel or suggestion which could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of a club or the method of making a stroke.

- No players, parents or spectators shall be allowed to coach or give advice to any player who is competing during play.

Note: Information on the Rules or on matters of public information, such as position of hazards or the flagstick on the putting green, is not advice.
 

CADDIES:
- The use of caddies is allowed; must check with the committee and local Pro Shop first.

CARTS:
- The use of motorized carts is allowed; however, the committee may not allow Open golfers to ride carts.
- All spectators using powered carts must remain on the cart path at all when operating the carts.

- Pull carts are permitted; must check with the committee and local Pro Shop first.
 

SCORING:
- Scorecards are to be exchanged. Each player should verify his/her score and that of their opponents after each hole and prior to next tee box. It is advised by the Committee that each player verify their score prior to signing their scorecard.
- All scorecards must be signed by both players and scorekeeper, where appropriate, prior to turning scorecard in to a Tournament Official.
 

STARTING TIMES:
- Players are to report to the Starter 10 minutes prior to their starting times.
- Any player that arrives 5 minutes after starting time will be assessed a two-stroke penalty.

DISQUALIFICATION (Tentative):