Golf Genius ::

Golf-4U Amateur Tour T’s & C’s 2024

This following document constitutes the official regulations governing the events run under the auspices of Golf-4U Amateur Events. All rules and regulations are set by the Directors of Golf-4U Ltd amateur events. No rule shall be made without the approval of the tour directors.

Tournament conditions may vary between events, but the overriding conditions that govern the tournaments shall fall within the framework of these tournament regulations. Conditions unique and specific to an individual event will be published at event entry and this shall be binding. Publication of the conditions at www.golf-4u.com and on the Golf-4U golf genius portal shall be considered proper and official notice to all competitors.

Tour Policy Approval

When entering any Golf-4U event the player must take the time to read the Events Policy and Regulations. The purchase of a Golf-4U amateur tour season ticket or tournament entry serve as confirmation that the player understands and is in agreement with the Tour Policy.

The Tour Policy & Regulations will be displayed at the review section on the tournament entry purchase page. This acts as an official reminder that payment serves as acceptance of Golf-4u Amateur events Policy.

Tournament Format

Tournament formats may vary from event to event, but the format and length of event will be published on the tournament information page. Players are required to contact Golf-4U amateur events should they have any queries.

Golf-4U amateur events will be governed by the Rules of Golf published by the R&A Rules Limited. Golf-4U amateur events retain the rights to make additions to these rules and include local rules that are deemed necessary.

Tournament specific local rules will be made available and communicated to competitors at each tournament. They will be published on the tournament notice board at registration.

Event Entry

Golf-4U amateur events is an open access platform and there is no qualification for individual events. All entries being handled on a first come first serve basis via our Golf Genius event portal.

GOLF-4U amateur events are open to both male and female golfers with an official WHS handicap index of a maximum of 22.0. All golfers must be a 2024 Member of an Affiliated Golf Club or a 2024 iGolf Member.

A formal competition (used to be known as Handicap Qualifiers) is managed and administered by an "Authorised Association" (either a golf club or other organisation which is licensed by one of the golf unions to run formal competitions). These scores are submitted to the central WHS database by the AA in question, rather than by the individual.

A General Play round (formerly supplementary score) counts when calculating handicap index, but are not competition rounds, since they are not administered by an Authorized Association.

Golf-4U amateur events reserves the right to establish unique and event specific entry criteria. These criteria will be published in advance of a tournament and listed in the tournament information on the tour website.

Players must read and agree to the Golf-4u amateur events Policy (document in question) before they enter and pay for an event. An entry cannot be processed until the tour policy is accepted. Payment and entry acts as confirmation that players are accepting of the Golf-4U amateur events Policy.

Entries must be submitted and paid for online, using the official booking system or via Direct Transfer upon direct request to the tour directors. Golf-4U amateur events will not accept cash payment for any tournament entries. Entries must be paid in full at the point of entering. Bulk entry will be available in the form of a season ticket at the start of the season – subject to availability. Payments for season tickets will only be accepted via BACS to Golf-4U Ltd.

Validity

A players club or iGolf membership must be valid for the entirety of 2024. A players handicap index must be active and valid for the entirety of 2024. Previous tour members with an index from 22-24 may enter events but will play off a maximum of 22.

Refunds/Cancellations

Refunds of any nature are at the total discretion of Golf-4U amateur events and it reserves the right to deduct any payment processing fees incurred and administration fees as per the refund policy. No refunds or transfers will be offered 34 days prior to the event or 64 days prior for the Royal St Georges event.

Season Tickets –

Season Tickets are non-refundable. Once the season has started, should a player be unable to make an event for any reason they have the right to gift or sell their place to a friend – no refunds will be issued. Season Tickets are only valid for the 2024 season. Season Tickets cannot be shared by players.

Our cancellation and refund policy are outlined below –

Cancellation fees are based on the total amount paid by the booker. Requests for cancellation must be made in writing to – gemma@golf-4u.com.

35 Days or more prior to the event day – 100% refund less £15.00 admin fee or Move Entry to an Alternative Event on the 2024 Tour Schedule. 65 Days or more for the Royal St Georges event.

34 – 0 days before the event date ( 64-0 for RSG) – No refunds or Transfers. You may send a friend in your place – details must be provided to gemma@golf-4u.com in advance of the event.

All entry inclusions listed for a particular event, such as food, are subject to change and subject to availability.

Golf-4U amateur events maintain the right to issue sponsors invites to any player that they choose for any given event in the 2024 schedule.

It is the players responsibility to indicate any changes to personal or contact information that might have an impact on correspondence between Golf-4U amateur events and the player.

Force Majeure – Circumstances Beyond Our Control

For circumstances which are outside of our control such as golf course unavailability through war, strikes or labour disputes, outbreak of disease including pandemics, golf club bankruptcy, course closure through acts of nature, civil unrest, local acts of terrorism, or any other unforeseen event which make the event commercially impracticable, impracticable to perform, illegal, or impossible to fully perform under this Agreement as the Parties originally contracted. In such cases we may terminate this Agreement, without liability, in writing to the email you provided upon booking.

We will endeavour to work with you in this case to provide alternative arrangements or credits for future events, but this is not guaranteed.

Entry Closing Dates

Entries will be accepted up until the entry closing date. Dates will vary depending on the policy of the hosting club. Official entry closing dates will be posted on the tournament entry page. When an event becomes full a waiting list will be in place. Should a place become available, 1st on the list will be automatically added into the event and so on.

No player will be allowed to play a tournament without Golf-4U amateur events receiving full payment for the respective event. Late entries will be handled entirely at the discretion of the Golf-4U amateur events and subject to availability.

Tournament Withdrawals

The withdrawal policy for Golf-4U amateur events will govern all divisions. A player will receive a refund for a withdrawal that is made within the timescales listed in our refund policy, less at £15.00 admin fee. Players who withdraw out with the timescales listed in our refund policy will NOT receive a refund.

Once a tournament has begun, no refunds will be granted under any circumstance.

Tee Times

Tee times will be released as early as possible prior to each event. Players will be notified via email or text message and tee times will also be posted on the Golf-4U website. Golf-4U amateur events retains the right to alter and arrange groupings where they see fit.

Tee time requests for early or late starts will be considered carefully, but there is no guarantee that requests will be granted. It is the Golf-4u amateur events obligation to maintain a fair and competitive environment.

Prizes

All Golf-4U amateur events prizes are gender equal and guaranteed. All genders compete for the same prizes, there are no gender separate prizes.

Prizes for tournaments may vary between events.

Golf-4U amateur events retains the right to change the breakdown of an event prizes subject to entries. There must be one winner of each tournament.

Prize Fund, Prizes & Entry Inclusions

All guarantees and incentives offered by Golf-4U amateur events are true and accurate at the time of release. Prizes can be won by all competitors; the allocation of these prizes is at the discretion of the Golf-4U tour directors.

All listed entry fee inclusions such as breakfast are subject to change and availability. If changes are made the players will be notified.

Registration

Players must register at least 40 minutes prior to their tee time on the day of the tournament in person at the tournament registration. A player is registered when their name has been signed off in person or by a member of Golf-4U staff. No other player or person is allowed to register on behalf of the player. Failure to register will be treated as a tournament withdrawal and no refund will be issued. Golf-4U amateur events will not give allowances or move tee times if a player is running late for any reason. The player is fully responsible for arriving at the venue in good time. Players that arrive late and miss their tee time risk forfeiting their entry fee with no grounds for appeal.

Gender Equal Policy

Golf-4U amateur events offers a fully inclusive golf event platform. All events staged by Golf-4U amateur events are open to all genders and they are also open to disabled golfers. Golf-4U amateur events put a great amount of thought and consideration into course set up and providing a fair and equal playing field. Women will compete off designated tees at all events. All Tour Ranking incentives and playing invitations are open to all genders.

Suspension of Play

Golf-4U amateur events are committed to providing a safe and fair environment for all of its competitors. Players will be called in at the first sign of electrical activity, signalled by 1 long blast on the klaxon. Players must mark the position of the ball using two tee pegs and seek the nearest point of safe shelter.

The resumption of play will be signalled by two long blasts on the klaxon. Other reasons for suspension in play such as flooded greens will be signalled by 2 short blasts on the klaxon. When play is suspended with 2 short blasts and for non-electrical activity the players have the option to complete the hole that they are on or mark the position of the ball.

No practice on the course can be undertaken during a postponement in play. Players must return to the clubhouse and await further instruction. Players are required to stay on site and must make themselves available to return to the course at the request of the tour directors.

Players will be granted a minimum of 10 minutes to warm up and return to their position on the course following a postponement in play.

Golf-4U amateur events has the authority to extend the length of a tournament beyond the stated time frame if the event has been suspended due to unplayable conditions.

Tournament Cancellations

Golf-4U amateur events reserves the right to cancel any tournament for any reason that they deem necessary. In the unlikely event of a tournament cancellation players will be given the option to carry forward their entry fee to a future event or to request a full refund. Full refunds granted for a tournament cancellation will be processed and paid within 7 working days. A tournament cancellation is defined as follows – ‘the event is cancelled with no future date be it at the same venue or an alternative. Golf-4U Ltd reserves the right to deduct any payment processing fees incurred on payments.

Players acknowledge that Golf-4U amateur events cannot be held accountable for expenses, costs or a loss of earnings in the event of a tournament cancellation. If a tournament is cancelled during or prior to the scheduled date, Golf-4U amateur events will endeavour to find an alternative venue or reschedule the event. Players however acknowledge that this might not be possible.

18 holes of golf must have been completed by all players in order for an event to be declared as completed.

Golf-4U amateur events maintains the right to cancel or postpone any given tournament should the numbers of participants be deemed to be too low to sustain an effective tournament. This decision will be made at the sole discretion of Golf-4U amateur events.

Buggies & Trolleys

Pull and electric trolleys are permitted at all Golf-4U amateur events. During winter months this will be at the discretion of the hosting club. Should there be any trolley bans in place, players will be notified. Hire trolleys are subject to availability by the hosting club and will be distributed on as first come first serve basis.

Golf buggies are not permitted for tournament play. Golf-4U amateur events officials retain the right to make allowances of this rule based on medical grounds. A doctors note will need to be provided by the player.

Competitive Attire

Players are required to wear standard golf attire at all times on the course in accordance with the dress code of the hosting club. It is a players responsibility to check the dress code prior to competing in an event.

Players must obey the clubhouse and course rules of the host venues and must restrain from wearing hats, golf shoes and waterproofs inside of the clubhouse. In the event that the host club has specific rules regarding attire, the club rules with override that of Golf-4U amateur events.

Distance Measuring Devices

GPS/Distance Measuring Devices are permitted; however, slope and gradient calculators/indicators must be turned off before the tournament round commences. Mobile phones are allowed to be used for GPS and compass apps.

Pace of Play Regulations

Pace of play is of paramount importance at any Golf-4U amateur event. Competitors will be closely monitored by tournament officials and the officials will be focussed on getting groups to complete their rounds within the allotted time frame.

All groups are required to keep pace with the preceding group. Please note that keeping ahead of the group behind is not deemed to be keeping up with pace of play. Ready golf is encouraged by Golf-4u amateur events.

Competition

Each event will be a WHS qualifying Stableford – 95% index.

Ties

In the case of a tie the result will be decided on countback.
For a one round event this will be resolved by taking into account holes 10-18
If there is still a tie the result will then be decided on holes 13-18, 16-18 and hole 18
In all cases of tied results, the decision will be made based on the order of the holes as set out on the scorecard, regardless of where the individual competitors started.

Format

Each event will be an 18 hole Stableford – Tees will vary depending on the venue – details will be provided in the event information

Tour Ranking

Tour Ranking points will be awarded to all players in the field at each event.

The Tour Ranking offers fully equitable incentives that can be won by both male and female golfers.

The Top 4 Ranked players after our September event will qualify for a complimentary place at our Tour Finals in November, at The Royal St George’s Golf Club.

Should there be any ties for 4th place in the Tour Ranking then the best score between the tied players from the Camberley Heath event will be used to determine the qualifier. Should this not be possible then the best score between those players from the last event they both played in will be used.

Qualification – To be eligible to qualify for the Tour Finals at RSG in November a player must have played at least 4 events in the 2024 schedule. Their handicap index and club membership must also be active/valid.

Tour Ranking Points System 2024

1	500
2	450
3	400
4	350
5	300
6	250
7	200
8	150
9	100
10	75.00
11	70.00
12	65.00
13	60.00
14	57.00
15	55.00
16	53.00
17	51.00
18	49.00
19	47.00
20	45.00
21	43.00
22	41.00
23	39.00
24	37.00
25	35.00
26	34.00
27	32.50
28	31.00
29	29.50
30	28.00
31	26.50
32	25.00
33	23.50
34	22.00
35	21.00
36	20.00
37	19.00
38	18.00
39	17.00
40	16.00
41	15.00
42	14.00
43	13.00
44	12.00
45	11.00
46	10.50
47	10.00
48	9.50
49	9.00
50	8.50
51	8.00
52	7.50
53	7.00
54	6.50
55	6.00
56	5.50
57	5.00
58	4.50
59	4.00
60	3.50

Players Responsibilities

Players and caddies are required to adhere to The Rules of Golf and behave in an appropriate and responsible manner in line with normal golf etiquette.

Players and groupings must stick closely to the allocated playing times for each hole and shot. Pace of play must be maintained throughout.

Players are required to arrive at the 1st tee 10 minutes prior to their round starting. A 2 shot penalty will be incurred for any player that is not ready when called to the tee.

Golf-4U amateur events will not give allowances or move tee times if a player is running late for any reason. The player is fully responsible for arriving at the venue in good time. Players that arrive late and miss their tee time risk forfeiting their entry fee with no grounds for appeal.

Any golf ball used in making a stroke must be on the current list of conforming golf balls issued by the R&A.

Upon commencement of any Golf-4U Tournament the type of ball must be declared by the player to playing partners on the 1st tee.

All balls should be individually marked by the player to confirm ownership. Any blank balls with no personalised markings are at risk of being deemed lost, should there be a dispute over ownership.

Players must only carry 14 clubs. No additional clubs may be carried in the bag during tournament play. No training aids of any description may be used during a tournament round. This includes laying them on the ground to aid alignment.

Players are given 3 minutes to look for a ball and it is the players responsibility to time their own ball. The use of mobile phones is prohibited during tournament play except for the following circumstances: To time for a lost ball, to call a referee, for live scoring and GPS/compass apps or to call for emergency assistance.

Players are fully responsible and culpable for the actions and behaviours of their caddies, family, friends and supporters. If a player’s caddy, family or supporters break any of the tour rules the player will be held responsible and incur a 1 stroke penalty.

Appeals, requests, complaints

Players are entitled to a second on course opinion regarding a ruling. Players must request this at the time of the incident to allow for an accurate assessment to be made.

Any disputes or appeals must be referred to the Tournament Director’s. All disputes and appeals must be made at the scoring desk following a round and before the player has signed their card. Appeals made after the conclusion of the tournament will not be considered.

Tournaments will be deemed officially closed and completed 60 minutes after the last group has left the scorer’s desk.

Golf-4U amateur events will at all times work in the best interest of the players and consider all facts and details presented in the case of an appeal. However, in all cases, The Tournament Director’s decision is final.

In the event of a dispute between players surrounding a ruling, the tournament officials must be called at the time of the incident. Rulings made by a group or individual are subject to change and overruling if the players have made the incorrect ruling.

Scoring

Golf Genius live scoring will be used as well as hosting club scorecards for those players not wishing to use the electronic scorecard. It is a players responsibility to check the information on their scorecard at the point of registration. Scorecards must be completed in line with the rules of golf. All scores must be checked and verified with your marker. All players must verify their scores in person with the tournament director upon completion of their round. If a player fails to do so, this will be deemed as a non-return. Scores cannot be altered once submitted with the tour director.

Photography/Media

Golf-4U amateur events may take photographs and video at events for reports, news updates and marketing purposes. If a player wishes NOT to be photographed or filmed, they must inform us at player registration or via email before the event. All photographic media is the property of GOLF-4U LTD & is subject to copyright.

Mobile phones may be used during the competition but NOT for the purposes of filming.

Liability

Players acknowledge that participation in Golf-4U amateur events shall be played entirely at their own risk. Players release and discharge GOLF-4U LTD its directors, staff, employees, volunteers, representatives and sponsors from all claims caused by suits, liabilities, costs, damages or any other demands. The participant solely accepts, and waives all claims of injury, death or property damage. All players, caddies or supporters agree to be at an event at their own risk. It is a player’s responsibility to have the relevant golf insurances in place.

GOLF-4U LTD Reserve the right to alter these terms & conditions at any point during the course of the season.