2009-2010 Golf Rules and Procedures
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 low-medalist 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. Girls 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 state tournament.
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.
C. Notification of entry must be filed with the Region Secretary by April 12, 2010, 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 REGION SECRETARY. (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. Each advancing team's "Contestants List" must be faxed to the GHSA office, as
well. 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 26, 2010.
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 individual medalist competitions in addition to the team competition.
1. The low-scoring medalist in each region (boy and girl) advances to the state tournament even if not on a team qualifying from that region.
2. Schools who do not have a regular girls golf team may enter one girl in the region tournament to compete for low-medalist honors for girls.
3. Any girl on a girls golf team is automatically in competition for low-medalist honors for girls.
STATE TOURNAMENT:
A. The State Golf Tournaments in all classifications will be held on May 3, 2010.
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. Lineup changes or substitutions from the Region to the State Tournament must be submitted to the Tournament Director no later than 12 noon on the Friday before the State Tournament (April 30, 2010).
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 sites for the 2010 State Golf Tournaments will be:
1. Boys:
AAAAA Reynolds Landing Golf Club, Greensboro
Host: TBA
AAAA Oleander Golf Course, Jekyll Island
Host: Glynn County Schools
AAA Maple Ridge Golf Club, Columbus
Host: Columbus High School
AA Crabapple Golf Club, Alpharetta
Host: Westminster School
A Green Island Golf Club, Columbus
Host: Brookstone School
2. Girls:
AAAAA Reynolds Plantation/Plantation Course, Greensboro
Host: TBA
AAAA Indian Mound Golf Course, Jekyll Island
Host: Glynn County Schools
AAA Country Club of Columbus
Host: Northside-Columbus High School
AA Alpharetta Athletic Club-East, Alpharetta
Host: Westminster School
A Bull Creek Golf Club, Columbus
Host: Brookstone School
