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Player Policies

Junior Code of Conduct

The AJGA takes great pride in the quality of its players, host facilities and broad community involvement at each tournament. In order to continue making the AJGA experience enjoyable and rewarding for everyone, the Association requires all members to adhere to a set of guidelines known as the Code of Conduct. Its purpose is to help AJGA participants grow and mature by understanding and accepting the consequences of their actions. The Code of Conduct is to be followed throughout the junior’s membership.

AJGA PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT

"In golf, customs of etiquette and decorum are just as important as rules governing play." 

                                                                                                                                     - Bobby Jones

GENERAL:

As a member of the AJGA, I promise that:

  • I will adhere to the AJGA's guidelines for promoting player safety.  I understand that the AJGA will not tolerate violations of safety guidelines by players, parents, guardians, permitted guests, or coaches, and that the AJGA may penalize and/or disqualify me if I (or the others listed above) knowingly violate such policies at the golf course, host hotel or any venue associated with the AJGA tournament; 
  • I will conduct myself in a manner that brings respect and honor to myself and to the AJGA at all times while participating in AJGA events;
  • I will demonstrate respect for myself, my fellow players, spectators, parents, coaches, officials, volunteers, host course staff and members, and sponsors while present on-site at AJGA events, as well as for my host family (if applicable);
  • I will abide by the Rules of Golf as recognized at all AJGA events in which I participate;
  • I will refrain from conduct that detracts from my ability, or the ability of others, to attain peak performance while competing in AJGA events;
  • I will act in a sportsmanlike manner consistent with the spirit of fair play and responsible conduct at all times while participating in AJGA events, and will refrain from unsportsmanlike conduct, including abusive language, cheating, club throwing, and any abuse of golf course property while participating in AJGA events;
  • I will demonstrate respect for the golf courses that host AJGA events, including by filling divots and fixing ball marks;
  • I will abide by the rules of the facilities that host AJGA events in which I participate, including their dress code;
  • I will neither engage in nor threaten others with any form of discriminatory or bullying behavior, nor with verbal, physical, or sexual harassment, or abuse of any kind, in any medium;
  • I will, under no circumstances, engage in acts of violence, racism, including racial slurs, or sexism, of any kind toward any party;
  • I acknowledge that I am a guest at AJGA host facilities and am subject to the rules and guidelines they establish regarding use of practice areas, practice rounds and playing the golf course. I will not disrespect or threaten with verbal abuse any host facility staff member prior to or during the event.
  • I will not use or associate myself with drugs, alcohol, smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco;
  • I will not engage in any conduct that is criminal under any laws applicable to me;
  • I will not participate or assist in any gambling or betting activities associated with any AJGA golf event;
  • I will respect the property of others (whether personal or public);
  • I am aware that AJGA sponsors, suppliers, and licensees provide critical support for the AJGA, and will therefore (i) refrain from covering or concealing their brands or marketing materials on clothing or elsewhere on-site; and (ii) refrain from seeking to personally profit from their AJGA member promotions by, for example, offering merchandise for trade or sale that was gifted to me as an AJGA member, or offered to me via a discount program for AJGA members.  I will further refrain from assisting others in doing any of the foregoing;
  • I will not use or authorize the use by others, for commercial purposes, of photographs, films, videos, or other images of myself participating in any AJGA event, without the prior written permission of the AJGA;
  • I will not act as a journalist, media liaison, or in any other media capacity during any AJGA event without the prior written permission of the AJGA;

AUDIO AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT:

Rule 1.2 Standards of Player Conduct covers the "spirit of the game" and "showing consideration for others" by not distracting the play of another player. To expand on Rule 1.2 and to provide more specific examples, the following Code of Conduct policies are in effect regarding audio and video equipment.

  • Wearing ear buds, air pods, headphones, and the like are NOT permitted for players during competitive rounds.
  • Players are prohibited from carrying, wearing, or attaching to their equipment devices specifically designed to capture audio, such as microphones, during any competitive round.
  • Players are prohibited from using video recording devices during competitive rounds. This includes attaching video recording devices to themselves or their equipment. Example, a player must not personally make video recordings during the round.

DRESS AT THE HOST GOLF FACILITY:

Proper attire is always required at the host golf facility, including during competition, social activities, and food functions. When an AJGA event takes place at a resort, all attendees must be in golf attire to use practice facilities.  Questionable attire will be reviewed by the Tournament Committee. Should a host golf course or resort have a stricter dress code, its policy will take precedence. Players in violation will not be allowed to tee off. Males are expected to always remove their hats/visors indoors. Other aspects of the AJGA dress code are not in effect for functions planned at the host hotel when they are not associated with a host golf course.

More specifically, at AJGA events:

  • Hats/visors must be worn with brim forward; males must remove hat/visor while indoors;
  • Visible earrings (males), body piercings and tattoos are allowed unless otherwise prohibited by the host facility.
  • Collared shirts or mock turtlenecks (host golf course permitting) must be worn and tucked-in at all times;
  • Women’s fashion shirts without a collar must have sleeves;
  • Women’s fashion shirts must not rise above the belt line at anytime during the golf swing;
  • Women’s shorts, skorts and skirts must be no more than 5” above the knee or the inseam of the shorts must measure at least 5’’;
  • Compression and yoga pants may be worn at golf course if covered by shorts, skorts, or skirts.

The following are prohibited at AJGA events:

  • Displaying Marks on their person, equipment or apparel (including accessories, such as headwear, wristbands, socks, etc.) that may reflect adversely upon the image and reputation of the AJGA, insult or offend the general community or any group within the community or be viewed as hateful, abusive, obscene or divisive, as reasonably determined by the AJGA. For example:
    • Tobacco/Marijuana: Marks of any tobacco or marijuana products and the names of companies who sell tobacco or marijuana products, including cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco smoked in pipes, smokeless tobacco products (including chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaping products, etc.) and recreational or medicinal marijuana products, are prohibited.
    • Illegal/Prohibited Substances: Marks involving any products or services classified as illegal under United States federal law and products containing items or substances on the International Golf Federation’s (IGF) Prohibited Substances List are prohibited.
    • Firearms/Weapons: Marks of any firearm or weapon products, or any company or organization that primarily sells or is affiliated with firearms or weapons, are prohibited.
    • Adult Products and Services: Marks involving any adult products or services (including pornographic material, sexually suggestive or explicit products or services, etc.), or companies selling or distributing adult products or services, are prohibited.
    • Alcohol:  Marks of names, brands, and logos of companies selling alcohol products, such as beer, wine, distilled spirits, hard seltzers, or other alcohol products are prohibited.
    • Betting/Gambling: Marks of any names, brands, and logos of gambling companies, including casinos, sports betting companies, and others are prohibited.
  • Tank tops, T-shirts;
  • Denim shorts, short-shorts, cut-off shorts, gym shorts, jeans, sweatpants.

PLAYERS REGISTRATION:

All tournament fees must be paid prior to play.  If a Players Meeting is scheduled and a player does not attend, then unless the player has made prior arrangements with the Tournament Director, the player may not receive his or her tournament gifts.

VIOLATIONS & PENALTIES:

Whether a player has violated this Code of Conduct, and what penalty or penalties are appropriate, will be determined in the sole discretion of the AJGA; however, the AJGA may delegate certain decisions to the Tournament Committee.  The AJGA and/or the AJGA Tournament Committee may assess any or all of the following penalties (alone or in combination) based on the severity and frequency of the violation(s):

  • One-stroke penalty for each violation;
  • Immediate disqualification from the tournament at which the violation occurs;
  • Disqualification from future event(s), including without limitation, future Invitationals and/or postseason honors;
  • Suspension of AJGA membership (including playing privileges); and/or
  • Revocation of AJGA membership.

Depending on the type and severity of the violation, one or more of the above penalties may be assessed on the spot, or at a later time, after further reflection or investigation by the AJGA.  In any case, upon a violation, the relevant player and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) will receive a written letter to explain the AJGA's final decision.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SUSPENSIONS AND REVOCATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP:

In the event the AJGA is considering a suspension or revocation of AJGA membership, both the player and his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) will be required to submit a written account of the alleged Code of Conduct violation to the AJGA Chief Operating Officer within 30 days of request by the AJGA. The AJGA Chief Operating Officer will also seek accounts from AJGA tournament staff or volunteers, and/or from host facility staff or volunteers with knowledge of the incident(s).  After considering all such input, the AJGA Chief Operating Officer will then determine whether the member is to be acquitted, suspended (and if so, the duration of such suspension), or removed from AJGA membership.  The member may not participate in AJGA events during such consideration period, unless permission is granted in writing by the AJGA Chief Operating Officer.  Any player whose membership is under consideration for suspension or revocation will not be eligible for postseason honors.

Additionally, members should be aware that the AJGA reserves the right to penalize members under this Code of Conduct for (i) violations of this Code of Conduct by the member's parent(s), guardian(s), and/or permitted spectator(s), as applicable; (ii) violations of the Parent Code of Conduct by the member's parent(s), guardian(s), as applicable; violations of this Code of Conduct by AJGA members at non-AJGA events.

Be aware that additional rules and guidelines may be communicated by AJGA staff or other tournament correspondence. 

Revised June 6, 2024

To view the AJGA Spectator Code of Conduct, please click here.

Code of Conduct