JGA of Broward County

Stay Behind the Ropes!

Junior Golf Association events are played under USGA Rules of Golf and local rules specified in the Junior Golf Association of Broward County Local Rules and Conditions of Competitions JGA Handbook or at the tournament.

1. The JGA Board of Directors want the tournaments to be enjoyable experiences for the junior golfers and spectators, alike, so we ask that you help by adhering to the following spectator rules:
   1. Spectators must remain on the cart paths or in the rough (when cart paths are not available) at all times, including while searching for a lost ball.
   2. Spectators are NOT permitted on the fairways with the players at any time or for any reason AND must keep at least 30 yards from all players, once play has begun.
   3. Spectators are expected to adhere to the JGA Code of Conduct, including the Dress Code.
   4. Spectators are “observers” only and may NOT:
      1. communicate in any manner with the players during competition
      2. interfere with any JGA Official performing their duties
      3. interfere with the assigned scorekeepers in any way
   5. Spectators may assist in the search for a player’s ball in order to help speed play, however, carts must remain on the cart paths while the search is conducted on foot.
   6. Positively NO COACHING OR CADDYING is permitted.
   7. The penalty for a player receiving advice from a spectator is two (2) strokes and the penalty is added to the score of the hole where the violation occurred [USGA Rule 10.2. A second violation of this rule will result in the player receiving an additional two (2)-stroke penalty and the spectator being asked to leave the course.
2. Spectators that violate any JGA Rule, such as the “30-yard rule”, subject the player to a “non-golf” breach of the rule’s penalty. Players in violation of a JGA Rule (non-golf rule) will be suspended and the player and spectators must leave the course.
3. It will be at the discretion of the JGA Board to determine if a player that is suspended or disqualified from a tournament for any reason will be eligible to attend the following tournament. The offending spectators will not be allowed to attend another tournament the remainder of the season.
4. Spectators may rent golf carts at the discretion of the host facility. Cart rental and price are controlled by the host facility, not by the JGA.
5. The following rules govern the use of carts and are in addition to those of the host facility:
   1. No player shall sit or ride in a golf cart unless authorized to do so by a JGA Official except during a course evacuation.
   2. Carts must be operated in a safe manner at all times and remain on the cart paths and/or rough
   3. Carts may only move forward (from tee to green) except in the case of a course evacuation. Avoid situations where the cart must be placed in reverse.
   4. Carts must not move while competitors are playing a stroke.
   5. Only two (2) people are allowed to ride in a cart except during a course evacuation. Under no circumstance is ANYONE to stand or ride on the back of a cart.
   6. Carts are to be returned to the cart area immediately upon returning to the clubhouse area. They are not to be parked around the scoring area or left at the scoring area. People leaving carts outside of the cart return area will not be permitted to rent carts at future events.
   7. Spectator carts will be used to assist with a course evacuation of all players and spectators. If necessary, carts may leave the cart paths during a course evacuation.
   8. Spectators violating any of the above will be asked to leave the course immediately and will not be allowed to rent carts at future events. Violators will not receive any form of refund or credit on the cart rental.
6. Compliance with these rules is the responsibility of both the spectator and the player, though it is the player who will receive the penalty.
7. A good rule of thumb is “no conversations with the players once play has started other than words of encouragement”. This will help to avoid any appearance of providing assistance.
8. Players and spectators are strictly prohibited from smoking and using electronic cigarettes of any kind.