Code of Conduct

Washington Junior Golf Association provides a worthwhile activity, which can be pursued throughout life and which helps develop character and good sportsmanship. All WJGA and Junior World qualifying competitions are conducted under the USGA Rules of Golf.  In addition, the following is a Code of Conduct, which is a guideline for junior golfers to follow throughout the tournaments, both on and off the course. The Code of Conduct is intended to help WJGA participants understand the consequences of their actions. 

1.             USE DECENT AND PROPER LANGUAGE AND BEHAVIOR AT ALL TIMES.

a.     UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT EXAMPLES

Cheating, unreported violation of a USGA Rule of golf, swearing, obscene vulgar language or gestures, throwing clubs, displaying poor attitude, behavior or conduct.

b.    PROHIBITED TO USE

Smoking, or use of tobacco or chewing tobacco, alcohol or drugs (unless with medical authorization).

2.     RESPECT AND CARE FOR THE PROPERTY OF OTHERS AND OF THE GOLF COURSE

a.     PROPER EXAMPLES

Replace divots, repair ball marks, rake bunkers and use proper containers for garbage.

b.    IMPROPER EXAMPLES

Damaging greens, defacing or destroying club property, littering, leaving divots or ball marks failure to rake bunkers, etc.

3.             ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE PROHIBITED FOR USE ON THE GOLF COURSE BY PLAYERS, with the exception of distance only measuring devices for 18 hole players only. No cell phone distance measuring devices will be allowed.
 

4.              WALKING SCORER POLICY

a.     PARENTS of PLAYERS AGES 8-13 MUST BE (or provide) A WALKING SCORER (16 yrs or older) in at least 2 events (or one event if player enters
only one event).

b.   Players may be asked to withdraw if no walking scorer is provided.

Player Attire

        1.                 GOLF ATTIRE FOR PLAYERS (Volunteers and Walking Scorers are encouraged to follow the WJGA dress code and to be a role model with     
                      regard to their choice of golf course attire).

a.     PROPER ATTIRE FOR BOYS, GIRLS, and VOLUNTEERS

Neat and clean clothing, shoes, sleeves and collars on boys’ shirts and collars on girls’ shirts. Boys shirts must be tucked in, girls shirts   must be worn as the manufacturer intended. Boy’s shorts must not be lower than the bottom of the knee. Capri pants, shorts, skorts and skirts on girls that are appropriate for golf and worn as the manufacturer intended. All hats must be worn bills forward, and all shirts must be tucked in, at all times.  No bare midriff showing.

Note: If the host club dress code policy is more strict than the WJGA policy, all WJGA contestants and gallery must adhere to the host club dress code policy.

b.    IMPROPER ATTIRE

             Athletic shorts, short shorts, tee shirts, tank tops, jeans (denim of any color), cut-offs, sweats, spandex, yoga attire, jeggings, leggings and halter tops.

 PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF CODE OF CONDUCT AND PLAYER ATTIRE

    If unable or unwilling to abide by WJGA Code of Conduct (#1 Player Attire) the player will not
               be able to play that event.

        First infraction                 Warning
                    Second infraction            2 stroke penalty
                    Third infraction                Disqualification from this and the next WJGA even in which the player is entered.
                    Fourth infraction              Disqualification and cannot play the rest of the year.
                    Note:                                 Disqualification can preempt warning if violation is flagrant.
                    Penalty for unauthorized practice rounds (i.e. sneaking on the golf course) – DQ from that tournament                                                           

WJGA Player's Rules

1.            Junior golfers are assigned to play in their own district based on their home course. 

2.            Arrival time: check in at registration desk 30 minutes before tee time.

3.            Caddies or motorized carts are not permitted - Penalty: DISQUALIFICATION. (Pull carts okay)

4.            IMPORTANT ---Withdraw – a minimum of 48 hours (48 hours is defined as from the beginning, or first tee time, of the tournament) notice to tournament
        director (not golf course) of cancellation.  Does not affect future tournament play.

5.            IMPORTANT --- “NO-SHOW” (failure to give notice) - less than 48 hours (48 hours is defined as from the beginning, or first tee time, of
        the tournament) notification to tournament director (notifying golf course is not acceptable) of withdrawal.  Failure to give such notice will
        result in player being DISQUALIFIED from the next WJGA event in which the player is entered, including WJGA District, State or the
        Jr World State Qualifier.  “Pick-up” (Quit) without permission of the Tournament Director, before play is officially ended, the player is
        DISQUALIFIED (USGA 6-8a) and is automatically suspended from the next WJGA event in which the player is entered
         including WJGA District, State or the Jr World State Qualifier.

6. ·         “NO-SHOW” (failure to give notice of withdrawal) at the WJGA District or State Championship will result in the player losing his/her
         exempt status for the following year.

7. ·         Players may be penalized for slow play if more than one hole is open ahead or if not completing a set of holes in a time specified by the committee. 
        A player may be subject to penalty as specified in USGA Rule  #6-7, if, when it is their turn to play they are observed to require in excess of 40 seconds
        for two separate shots.  No practice chips or putts are allowed onto or near the green of any hole just completed.  Penalty: 2 strokes applied to next hole.

8. ·         After players have left the attesting table, cards are considered officially turned in to the Committee and no changes may be made.  The definition of the
        Committee is: “person/persons at the attesting table.”

9. ·         Practice between rounds on any competition course remaining to be played is prohibited.    PENALTY IS DISQUALIFICATION. 
        Practice at practice areas is permitted.  USGA RULE #7-1b.

                                                  Gallery Rules                                                                

1) Galleries will be permitted.  Players are held responsible for the action of their families, relatives or friends.

a) Galleries must keep their distance from players on the course and until players leave the attesting area. (25 yards-walk in rough)  No Coaching Allowed.  

b)    Abuse (including abuse of cell phone restrictions), harassment or interference with volunteers or officials will not be tolerated.

c)     Talking on cell phones or other similar devices or use of noise making electronic devices is prohibited. 

d)    Spectator carts will not be allowed.  Only official carts authorized by the Committee will be allowed on the course.

e)     No alcoholic beverages allowed outside the restaurant areas.

f)    Please use discretion when smoking in front of players and in the clubhouse area.

2)    Dress Code For Gallery

            All spectators, family members and others, must observe the dress code of the course being played.

PENALTIES

First offense               warning

Second offense           person asked to leave the course and may be refused future gallery privileges.  If person refuses to leave, the player may be
  DISQUALIFIED from the tournament being played or suspended indefinitely from future WJGA events.  
  DISQUALIFICATION can preempt warning if the violation is flagrant.