Policies, Rules and Code of Conduct
GENERAL POLICIES
Please read ALL of the information below so both students and parents are familiar with the new policies & rules of the Top 50 Junior Tour including registration, cancellations, exemptions, rules of competition and more.
The Top 50 Junior Tour was founded in 2003 with the purpose of offering students more opportunities to compete and get recognized by college golf coaches. The Top 50 Junior Tour is now expanding to other states and continues to offer students opportunities to learn the game, compete in nationally ranked tournaments, and earn scholarships to play college golf.
TOURNAMENTS:
The Top 50 Junior Tour offers 36 hole nationally ranked tournaments (JGS), 18 hole tournaments(GJGR), 9 hole tournaments, and team events.
- 36 hole tournaments have a cut to the Top 50 players and ties for play on day 2. The cut is fair to each age group and is based upon the percentage of players in each age group. (All ranked by JGS & GJGR, some events are also ranked by AJGA)
- 18 hole tournaments have no cut and are played in one day. (Ranked by GJGR)
- 9 hole tournaments are for the Coed Division and is played on the first day of all Michigan 36 hole events, except the Midwest Junior Championship (play both days) and the Top 50 State Championship (second day). In Florida coed plays both days.
AGE DIVISIONS:
The Top 50 Junior Tour offers students the opportunity to prepare for High School and College competitions by offering age divisions which develop each students physical and mental ability. Age Divisions include Boys 15-18, Girls 15-18, Boys 11-14, Girls 11-14, Coed 8-10. Division determined by age on January 1st. Students may play up a division if they choose to do so, and may do so at registration.
Boys and Girls in the 8 to 10 age division will play 9 holes. There is a double par maximum for each hole. Students are required to have a caddie in this division. Parents are reminded that students at this age require encouragement, as they are developing an interest in the game and an understanding for the rules. Please make their experience before, during, and after the event enjoyable and fun! The Tour Director is available to assist students and parents to understand the rules of golf. When in doubt of a rule please ask for assistance.
EXEMPTIONS AND INVITES FOR MEMBERS ONLY:
Numerous exemptions are offered to students who participate on the Top 50 Junior Tour including:
1. Tournament winners in each age division
- earn an exemption to compete in the very next scheduled Top 50 tournament (No Cost).
- earn an exemption to compete in 1 of 3 Top 50 Championships of their choice (No Cost).
2. Students who finish 2nd or 3rd in each age division
- earn a discounted entry into 1 of 3 Top 50 Championships of their choice
*There must be at least 5 players in the division to receive exemptions to a Championship
* Championship events include: The Midwest Junior Championship at TreeTops Resort, The Michigan Tour Championship at the Michigan State course, Forest Akers, and the Florida Tour Championship at Hawks Landing.
Optimist International Junior Championship
All Top 50 Junior Tour spring tournaments offer qualifying exemptions into the Optimist State Championship. The winner of each age division at the Optimist State Championship can participate in the Optimist International Junior Championship in Miami, Florida at Trump National in July. In the spring we host the qualifiers for the July Championship.
Golf Association of Michigan
GAM is offering Top 50 players the opportunity to play in the GAM Junior Invitational. These qualifying exemptions are for golfers who accumulate the most “Player of the Year” points. The Top 3 boys and girls in the 15 -18 age division, and the Top 2 boys and girls in the 11 to 14 division will earn a spot in the GAM Junior Invitational in September.
AJGA / UHY
The Top 50 Junior Tour offers AJGA Stars at several tournaments throughout the season which aid students to earn a spot in AJGA events.
CADDIES & SPECTATORS:
If you are a caddie you must carry/or push the golf clubs, you must wear the Top 50 caddie bib, and no motorized carts may be used while caddying. All USGA rules regarding the player’s equipment and caddies apply. If you are a spectator you must not communicate with the player in a way that assists in playing decisions. You are either a caddie or a spectator; you can't be both.
LOCAL RULES:
All players are provided with local rules on the first tee of each tournament. In addition to the local rules the Top 50 Junior Tour has the following Tour Rules:
- All students are expected to arrive at the first tee 5 minutes prior to their tee time for special announcements and local rules. A player late for their tee time by more than 5 minutes will be assessed a 2 stroke penalty.
- If in doubt of a ruling or how to proceed under the rules, you should play two balls. Inform your playing partner that you are going to proceed and play two balls. You must finish the hole with both balls, record your score with each ball, and inform a rules official at your earliest opportunity.
- Pace of play will be monitored and penalties will be issued if your group is not in position. Your group MUST NOT fall more than one hole behind. Pace of play at the turn: “If your group is not on #9 tee when the group ahead of your group leaves #9 green then your group may be penalized 2 shots”. Run between shots to catch up if you must! It’s better than 2 shots. (If your group is more than one hole behind at the turn you must make the turn in 2:15 to prevent a penalty).
- Range Finders: Players and caddies may use any and all distance devices regardless of the technology.
IN CASE OF TIES:
Ties for tournament champion shall be broken by chip off unless otherwise noted in local rules for the event.
INCLEMENT WEATHER / RAINOUT POLICY:
The Top 50 Junior Tour makes every effort to complete rounds the same day. If weather conditions or course conditions prohibit the completion of the round, the Tour Director has the right to alter the number of holes determining the stipulated round which may include only nine holes. When weather conditions are expected to become dangerous a long horn blast suspends all play. If a student sees lightening before hearing a horn, students are encouraged to seek shelter immediately. You should mark the position of your ball with a tee and move quickly to the nearest building. (Trees do not offer you protection from dangerous weather and may become hazardous). The weather is out of our control, players should expect to stay the entire day if necessary to complete the tournament.
WAITLISTED:
Players are waitlisted when the tournament is FULL. Players are not charged if waitlisted. When a spot becomes available, players are added to the field in the order in which they were waitlisted. Players will be notified by email and/or text message when a spot becomes available. The player has 12 hours to accept the open spot by registering online. Failure to register within 12 hours the player loses the spot and it goes to the next waitlisted player.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
If a player must cancel from a Tournament he/she must do so at least (7) days prior to the scheduled event in order to receive a Full Refund. You may cancel by sending an email to tourdirector@top50jrtour.com. If a player must cancel and it is within (7) days of the Tournament the player must email or call and notify us that he/she is unable to play in order to receive a partial 50% Refund. Failure to notify a tour official of a cancellation will result in the player being suspended from the next week's Tournament. There is no refund if a player cancels within 24 hours of the tournament. A cancellation due to an emergency or sudden illness requires a written request for a refund and must be accompanied with a physician's note. All refunds are distributed (10) business days after the end of the season
AWARDS, TOUR STANDING POINTS & SCHOLARSHIP POINTS:
Awards are presented for each division at the conclusion of each tournament. We award the Top 3 Champions in each division at every tournament. (1st place with a flag or trophy and 2nd and 3rd place with medals). Player of the Year points are very important. The Player of the Year is awarded at each state championship with special plaque and scholarship points. (Michigan - Indianwood, Florida Hawks Landing). The race for player of the year starts in January and points are earned at each Top50 tournament. More points given for Championship and Invitational tournaments. You may check your standing points at this link https://www.top50jrtour.com/public/standings
You may also check your stats and results at this link: https://www.top50jrtour.com/Public/TourPlayers
Tournament results and tour Standing points are posted to the web site within 24 hours of the tournament
CODE OF CONDUCT
The game of golf requires the participant to hold themselves responsible to the rules of the game. Students that play on the Top50 Junior Tour learn the values of respect, honesty, and personal responsibility. In order to make participating on the Top50JrTour an enjoyable and competitive experience, all members are required to adhere to the following guidelines.
Student and parents are encouraged to respect the rules of the host facility, and be courteous to tournament staff, volunteers, members of the club, and other individuals at all times.
Cheating will NOT be tolerated. Be aware of the rules of golf, and be sure to follow them at all times. If you have a question regarding a rule, or a dispute with another competitor, you are encouraged to play a second ball and consult a tour official at the end of your round as soon as an official is available.
The Top50JrTour wants to leave the course in better shape than when we arrived. As a member of the Top50jrTour you are a guest at each facility and you represent the qualities of the Top50jrTour. Please respect the facility by replacing divots, fixing ball marks, rake bunkers, and disposing of any trash you may find while on the course or near the clubhouse.
All students are expected to arrive at the first tee 5 minutes prior to their tee time for special announcements and local rules. A player late for their tee time by more than 5 minutes will be assessed a 2 stroke penalty.
Any use of alcohol, tobacco or any other drugs are strictly forbidden. This is a zero tolerance policy; players will be immediately disqualified from the tournament series.
SPORTSMANSHIP:
Please exhibit good sportsmanship at all times. Students are encouraged to assist other students with the rules of golf to avoid penalties. Often a penalty can be avoided by communicating with members of the group prior to the infraction. Each player is responsible for “protecting the field” and enforcing the rules of golf.
PACE OF PLAY:
Pace of play will be monitored and penalties will be issued if your group is not in position. Your group MUST NOT fall more than one hole behind. Pace of play at the turn: “If your group is not on #9 tee when the group ahead of your group leaves #9 green then your group may be penalized 2 shots”. Run between shots to catch up if you must! It’s better than 2 shots. (If your group is more than one hole behind at the turn you must make the turn in 2:15 to prevent a penalty).
ATTIRE:
No T-shirts, blue jeans or denim allowed, boys must wear a collared shirt or turtleneck and the shirt must be tucked in. Shorts for both boys and girls, must be no higher than 4" from the knee. Final discretion lies with the starter at the host facility, so please dress appropriately.
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR:
As a member of the Top 50 Junior Tour you are a guest at each facility we play and you represent the qualities of the Top 50 Junior Tour. Please be courteous and respectful at all times. Club throwing, profanity and behavior that is not respectful of your fellow competitors and staff will not be tolerated. Each occurrence will be ruled on its own situation and may result in penalty strokes for the first occurrence. Each additional occurrence may result in a suspension, loss of all playing privileges, loss of any accumulated scholarship funds or all of the above. The final decision will be made by the tour official and the course Golf Professional.
PROVIDING FALSE INFORMATION:
If it is discovered that any individual or group of individuals have provided false information during the registration process they will forfeit all scholarship funds and be immediately removed from the tour.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW GUIDELINES:
Each occurrence will be ruled on its own situation and may result in penalty strokes for the first occurrence, with a suspension, loss of all playing privileges, loss of any accumulated scholarship points or all of the above for any additional occurrences. The final decision will be made by the tour official and the course Golf Professional.
Please read and familiarize yourself with some of the recent rules changes: 2019 Golf Rules PPT