Player Conduct Policy

Proper course etiquette and sportsmanship is extremely important and will be strictly enforced. The Met PGA Staff works hard to find courses willing to host junior events. By taking care of the course, we stand a better chance of a return visit. Players are expected to behave in accordance with the rules prescribed by the Met PGA Junior Tour.

As a member of the Metropolitan PGA Junior Golf Tour, it is your responsibility to abide by and respect the following:

• Players are responsible for protecting the integrity of The Tour, and should refuse to sign any scorecard that he/she believes to be inaccurate and should speak to a tournament official immediately if this occurs. Players should be aware that a marker who knowingly signs an incorrect scorecard is also subject to disqualification.

• Players are required to: replace divots, repair ball marks, smooth bunkers, and properly dispose of trash. There will be ZERO TOLERANCE! It is imperative to remember that we are guests of these clubs and lack of respect for the golf course will not be tolerated.

• Players must not display unsportsmanlike conduct, including but not limited to abusive language, cheating, disrespect to volunteers, officials or fellow competitors, and throwing clubs.

• Players must not display improper behavior on the golf course such as physical abuse, smoking, chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol, using illegal drugs etc.

• Players should leave the golf course in better shape than you found it!

• Players should always take time out to write a thank you note to the course/host Professional in order to be invited back
   

  For those who do not abide by the rules above the following 3 strike policy has been put into affect:

  
  1. First offense: You are disqualified from the tournament where you had the offense, The Met PGA staff contacts your PGA professional to make them aware of the situation, and you are put under probation where a staff member will follow you at future tournaments. *
  2. Second offense: You are disqualified from the tournament where you had the offense and suspended from the Tour for two weeks. The probationary period will continue when your suspension is lifted.*
  3. Third offense: You are expelled from the Junior Tour and disqualified from Player of the Year points and special honors that go along with them.
  
  *Please note the severity of the offense may result in stricter reprimand. 

Dress Policy for Juniors & Parents

Appropriate attire for boys is a collared golf shirt, pants or long shorts, and golf shoes or sneakers. Appropriate dress for girls is a collared golf shirt, pants or long shorts/ skirts, and golf shoes or sneakers. No MOCK NECKS OR CARGO SHORTS, jeans, tank tops, sweat suits, T-shirts, gym/mesh shorts, bicycle shorts, halter-tops, midriffs, or short shorts/skirts will be tolerated. Girls’ shorts/skirts MUST be no shorter than 4 inches above the knee. All shirts must be tucked in. No hats are to be worn backwards and should be taken off when entering the clubhouse. The use of cell phones, iPods/mp3 players, and headphones is not permitted during a stipulated round unless it is for scoring purposes. Golf shoes must have soft spikes. It is important that children, as well as adults, dress appropriately at all times. Players and parents who do not abide by the dress code will be asked to leave club premises.

Cancellation/Withdrawal Policy

If you find that you are unable to participate in an event that you have entered, you must cancel the event online through your Players Club account and NOT by calling the office!  Cancellations made by 12:00pm 2 weeks prior to an event will receive a refund minus a $5 cancellation fee, or can receive a full credit to play in a future tournament. Any cancellation made 2 weeks to 3 days prior to an event will receive a credit to play in a future tournament. Any cancellation made after 12:00pm 3 days prior to an event will receive no refund, no exceptions. All credits are valid through the 2022 season only. In the case of emergencies players will be able to cancel up until 9:00am the day of an event to avoid being listed as a No Show. If you fail to notify the Met PGA of a cancellation, you are subject to a loss of playing privileges listed below under “No Show Policy.” 

No Show Policy

The Met PGA Junior Tour cancellation/withdrawal policy enables the staff to replenish the tournament field. A “no show” takes away a playing opportunity for another Met PGA Junior Tour member. A player who “no shows” will have their playing privileges suspended.

Standby Policy

If you are waitlisted, or decide you want to play in an event the day of, you may come as a stand by. Please arrive no sooner than 30 minutes before the first tee time in your division. There are no guarantees stand bys will receive a spot in the tournament. 

Pace of Play Policy

The Metropolitan PGA does not condone slow play. It is inexcusable to play 18 holes in over 4 1/2 hours. A player must play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines that the Committee may establish. Between completion of a hole and playing from the next teeing ground, the player must not unduly delay play. Therefore, the following guidelines will be enforced:

The maximum amount of time groups need to play a hole are as follows:

• Par 3: 13 minutes

• Par 4: 14 minutes

• Par 5: 15 minutes

In addition:

• A group will be considered out of position if at any time during the round they exceed the time allotted to play a hole.

• Groups will also be considered out of position if a par 3 or par 4 is open ahead of them, or when the group ahead of them is on the putting green on a par 5.

• When a group is out of position, a warning may be issued and the group will be encouraged to get back into position. If the group remains out of position, all individuals in the group will be put on the clock and timed on each shot.

• The timing of a player’s stroke will begin when it is his/her turn to play and he/she can play without interference or distraction. A player is allowed up to 40-seconds to play a stroke. If a player exceeds the 40-second time limit on two consecutive occasions, they will receive a one-stroke penalty. If a player exceeds 40-seconds on three consecutive occasions, they will be penalized two additional strokes. A fourth consecutive occasion will result in the player being disqualified.

• Once a group has regained their proper position, all timing shall cease and all/any bad time shall be void.

Scoring Procedures

The following guidelines have been established by the Met PGA to help ensure fairness to all Junior Tour competitors:

• All players should call out their scores at the completion of each hole.

• All players should record the score for each member of their group.

• All players should keep a record of their own scores.