West Texas Junior Champions Tour

WTJCT HARD CARD & RULES

WTJCT Hard Card

Click below for the WTJCT Hard Card. The Hard Card is our "tour rules" along with some common USGA rules as quick reference. This is also printed on the back of players scorecard for each event.

HARD CARD - JUNIOR DIVISIONS
HARD CARD - COLLEGIATE DIVISIONS

New Player

New player to the WTJCT? Take our New Player Quiz before you are ready to tee it up!

WTJCT NEW PLAYER QUIZ

USGA Rules

The USGA provides many tools to assist players in learning and understanding the Rules of Golf. See below some of our favorite resources.

USGA Rules 101 - This is a FREE online program that players can take to learn and understand the basic rules of golf. We encourage all players, new and seasoned, to try it out. 
The USGA Rules of Golf - This is the online, and FREE, complete rule book. Users can navigate through the rule book with ease.
NEW 2023 Rues Resources - A guide to the updates/changes for the 2023 Rules of Golf.

Advice given during a round:

Unique to the WTJCT, parents and/or spectators are allowed to coach/motivate/encourage their players in between play of holes ONLY for ages 13-18. While the player is playing a hole, parents/spectators must maintain a respectable distance (staying to the cart path, rough, etc). They may not give any advice, rules decisions or tips during the play of a hole. Parents/spectators may assist in search of any players golf ball, but in the case a rules decision needs to be made we ask they refrain from assisting and call upon a WTJCT Staff Member/Rules Official.

Caddies:

• Caddies are ONLY permitted for ages 12 and under, except for the West Texas Junior Open and the Tour Championship (caddies will be allowed for all divisions in these events)

• Caddies will be allowed to assist their player by carrying their golf clubs, assisting in yardages and club selections, determining a course of play, advice and all other caddie duties.

• Under WTJCT Tour Policy, caddies in the 12 and under divisions WILL be allowed to assist their players in alignment for each shot. Caddies are still not permitted to physically adjust a player for alignment, and caddies are not allowed to stand directly behind a player during a stroke.

Tips for Caddies:

• We encourage caddies to be supportive of their player before, during and after play.
• Caddies must have general knowledge of the game of golf, including how and when to rake bunkers, keeping out of the players line and other players line of sight when they are making a stroke, not disrupting the regular flow of play and any other general caddie duties.
• Caddies may assist with players on score keeping, but should leave all scoring decisions up to the players.
• Caddies are encouraged to know the general rules of golf, but should NOT issue any rulings. Any rules situations that arise, caddies should call in Tournament Staff or have their player play two golf balls and write down both scores until someone with the tournament staff can make a ruling decision.
• Caddies should assist players with keeping up pace of play. If a group is falling out of turn, we encourage caddies to help players pick up the pace.

Pace of Play:

Players will be expected to stay within the guidelines of the designated pace. For events with tee times, the designated pace will be determined on the players scorecard. For shotgun start events, pace of play is determined by keeping up with the group in front of you. Under the USGA rules, each player has 40 seconds to hit their shot once it is their turn in play. 

Warning System for Out of Pace Groups: 1st warning will be the WTJCT staff alerting the group that they have fallen off pace, and they will receive an X amount of time or holes to catch back up. 2nd warning will be alerting the group they have received their 2nd warning on their pace, and will receive another set amount of time to catch back up. 3rd warning will result in individual timing of players and penalty strokes.

Ties/Playoffs:

Any ties for an award will result in a sudden death playoff on the golf course (if possible). If time or availability of the golf course does not allow it, there will be an alternative form of a playoff. If a player is not present for a playoff, it will be considered an automatic forfeit.

Score keeping and Scorecards:

Players will receive their official scorecard at the start of each round and must trade scorecards with their group members upon arriving to their first hole. Players are only responsible for their hole by hole score, not total. Before turning in scorecards, each card must have 2 signatures (player and person who kept players score). Adding up the totals is not required.

6-7 & 8-9 Division:
Caddies may assist the players by tracking their score during the hole, writing the scores down and double checking with the other players/caddies in the group at the end of the round. The player will still be responsible for signing their scorecard and their competitors scorecard. We encourage these divisions to allow the players at the end of the round to call out their scores/competitors scores to their playing partners for learning purposes.

10-12 Boys & Girls:
Players should write down the scores and keep track of their score/playing partners scores themselves. Caddies are encouraged to help keep track of shots during the hole if needed. At the end of the round, we encourage players to double check their scores with their playing partners and caddies to only assist when needed.

13+ Divisions:
No assistance will be allowed from parents/spectators in score keeping. Any questions about a scorecard may only be decided within the group or with the tournament staff.

Walking/Push Carts:

Ages 13-18: All players are required to walk the entirety of their round unless specific shuttles are assigned per local rules. Push/pull carts are always allowed, and we encourage them for the first time golfers.

Ages 10-12: Player must walk during the hole, but may receive a ride from green to tee box (if they choose). Caddies in this division may carry the players bag, use a push cart or carry the bag on a golf cart.

Ages 8-9: Player must walk during the hole, but may receive a ride from green to tee box (if they choose). Caddies in this division may carry the players bag, use a push cart or carry the bag on a golf cart.

Ages 6-7: Player may walk or ride in a golf cart with their caddie (if they choose). Caddie may carry the players bag, use a push cart or carry the bag on a golf cart.

WTJCT POLICIES

Cancellation Policy:

Credit Policy:

Code of Conduct:

The WTJCT prides itself in the quality of our players. We ask that our players follow and respect our guidelines in order to make every persons’ experience enjoyable and memorable. We issue this so players can continue to grow as athletes and as respectable young adults.

Violations of the Code of Conduct:

•  Unsportsmanlike Conduct including but not limited to:
•  Abusive language, cheating, club throwing, disrespect to tournament staff, golf course staff, officials or fellow competitors and abuse to golf course property.
•  Not adhering to dress code
•  Use or association of drugs/alcohol, smoking or chewing tobacco products.
•  Abusive behavior to any competitors

Code of Conduct Violation Penalties:

Any breach of our Code of Conduct will result in a letter written to the player and/or their parent. The penalty of the breach will depend on the severity and frequency and is at the sole discretion of the WTJCT.

Dress Code:

Etiquette Policy:

All WTJCT players are expected to display proper golf etiquette and knowledge of the rules of golf at all times during tournament play. Appropriate behavior at all golf courses will be expected.

Inclement Weather Policy:

Playing Event: We will play unless the venue deems the course unplayable or conditions are not suitable to complete at least 9 holes. Should an event get cancelled/rescheduled due to inclement weather, players entry fee will either automatically be transferred to new event or a full credit may be issued.

During Event: In case of inclement weather after start of event, the staff will blow an air horn with 2 long blasts, indicating players need to mark their golf balls and proceed to the nearest shelter. We will always try and complete a round or get in as many holes as possible to score. Decisions on continuing play will be made at the tournament site by the Tournament Director or Tournament Staff in conjunction with the host venue. Once the tournament has started, no refunds will be issued due to commitments to golf courses. 

Notifying Players: Notifications on any changes or updates in regards to inclement weather will be sent via text message to all players and parents followed by an email. Updates may also be posted to the Tournament Page on website and Facebook page.

For quickest updates, we please ask that players "opt in" on receiving text messages from the WTJCT. We only use this feature for weather updates and emergencies. To double check that you are "opted in" for texts, go to the website and click on your Account (person icon at top of page). If the user account says "Receive Text: True" then you are opted in. If it says false, click on your user name and check the box that says "yes, please send text notices".

No-Show Policy:

No refunds or credits will be issued to any player who no-shows to an event.

WTJCT Point System