Golf Rules and Procedures

_(2011-2012)

REGULAR SEASON:

A. Golf is a state championship event in each classification for boys and for girls held on a region basis. In addition to the team competition, there will be an individual competition.

1. Boys Teams: A team may consist of six players, with the best four scores counting as the team score.

Girls Teams: A team may consist of four players, with the best two scores counting as the team score.

2. Players on a girls team will use the tee boxes designated for ladies in regular-season play. Tee boxes used in post-season play will be designated by the director of each region and state tournament to meet course length requirements.

B. All GHSA golf matches shall be conducted in accordance with the "Rules of Golf" as published by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Exceptions specific to all GHSA competitions include:

1. Players may use push/pull carts in regular season and post season matches. Motorized carts or caddies are not permitted.

2. Players may NOT use electronic devices that compute playing distances during competition.

3. Other electronic devices including, but not limited to, cell phones, cameras, video recorders, etc., may not be used (sending and/or receiving messages or pictures) by players or coaches during competition.

4. If a coach receives information from an "artificial device" (as defined by USGA rules) and passes that information on to a player during competition, it is grounds for disqualification.

C. Notification of entry ("Contestants List")must be submitted electronically to the GHSA office by April 17, 2012, and the form is found on the GHSA web site. A school may list the allowed number of team members, plus up to two (2) alternates. Lineup changes and/or substitutions may be made at the Region and/or State level using only those players listed on the entry form submitted to the GHSA. (See deadline under State Tournament heading.)

D. The number of golf matches allowed (excluding region and state tournaments) is twelve (12) playing dates.

NOTE: A 9-hole match played prior to April 1 will count as 1/2 playing date.

E. Beginning and ending dates for practice and competition can be found at the front of this publication.

1. There will be no interschool practice or scrimmages in golf.

2. A golf match may not begin prior to the end of the school day with the exception of the region or state tournament.

F. A maximum of two (2) golf coaches may confer with their golfers between each green and the next tee box so long as there is no delay in play. NOTE: Conversations with or suggestions from any other person is prohibited.

G. In the event that a match ends in a tie during the regular-season or post-season competition, a "team sudden-death playoff" will be used.

Boys:

1. All six (6) players will play the first playoff hole.

2. The first foursome will include the top two players from each team, the second foursome will include the 3rd and 4th scorers from each team, and the final foursome will include the other two players.

3. The best four (4) scores of each team will count.

4. If the teams are still tied, all players will proceed to the next playoff hole.

Girls:

1. All four (4) players will play the first playoff hole.

2. The first twosome will include the top player from each team, the second twosome will include the 2nd place scorer from each team, and the final foursome will include the other players.

3. The best two scores of each team will count.

4. If the teams are still tied, all players will proceed to the next playoff hole.

H. It is permissible for coaches to use "split squads" during the regular season. However, the use of split squads will count as two (2) of that school's maximum allowed competitions.

REGION TOURNAMENT:

A. Each region tournament will be an 18-hole team event.

1. Details of the tournament will be sent to schools by the local director through the region secretary.

2. Boys: A school may enter up to six players, and the best four scores count for region competition.

Girls: A school may enter up to four players, and the best two scores count for region competition.

3. Boys: The region champions and runner-up teams will advance to the state tournament.

Girls: The region champions and runner-up teams will advance to the state tournament.

4. The Region Tournament Director will submit Electronically the "Region Golf - Report of Winners" upon completion of the tournament. The "Report of Winners" and the "Contestants List" also must be sent by the Region Tournament Director to the specific classification's State Tournament Director. The deadline for submission of all these reports is 9:00 a.m., on April 30, 2012.

5. Regions are not required to use the State Tournament regulations for approximate playing yardage. However, the use of these distances better qualifies the golfers for the State Tournament.

B. Each region tournament will have an individual competition in addition to the team competition.

1. The lowest scoring individual (boy and girl) whose team does not qualify out of the Region Tournament shall advance to the State Tournament.

2. Schools who do not have a regular girls golf team may enter one girl in the girls Region Tournament to compete for individual honors.

STATE TOURNAMENT:

A. The State Golf Tournaments in all classifications will be held on Monday, May 7, 2012.

1. All State Tournaments shall be 18-hole events.

2. Details of the state tournaments will be sent to the schools involved by the respective tournament directors or the GHSA office.

3. Substitutions from the Region to the State Tournament must be submitted to the Tournament Director no later than 6:00 p.m., the evening before the State Final. Substitutions may be made at the open position only.

4. The approximate playing yardage shall be 6,500 yards for boys and 5,500 yards for girls.

B. All State Tournament sites will be marked and prepared by the Tournament Director and the host club's golf professional. The Georgia State Golf Association will provide officials for the State Tournament to answer questions regarding the rules of Golf.

C. The 2012 State Golf Tournaments (10) will be held in the Augusta area. All State Tournaments will be hosted by the Greater Augusta Sports Council and Burke County High School; Wade Marchman Tournament Director.

1. Boys:

AAAAA Champions Retreat Golf Club

AAAA Jones Creek Golf Club

AAA Augusta Country Club

AA Waynesboro Country Club

A Forest Hills Golf Club

2. Girls:

AAAAA The River Golf Club

AAAA Bartram Trail Golf Club

AAA Applewood Golf Club

AA Goshen Plantation

A Pointe South Golf Club