General Terms for Competition

(updated 21/02/2024)

1. Rules of Golf

a) All  DevonGolf events shall be played in accordance with the Rules of Golf, Rules of Handicapping as approved by the R&A  and USGA. Including Local Rules and Terms of Competition approved by DevonGolf.

b) In the case of entry by a golfer with a disability, rule 25 of the Rules of Golf applies..

2. Amateur Status

a) All players must be of Amateur Status as defined by The Rules of Amateur Status.

3. Entry: Method and Fees

a) All entries must be completed and received by DevonGolf office by midnight on the date entries close. They must be accompanied by payment through PayPal on entry. Entries without payment will not be accepted. No entry will be included in competition unless complete in every detail.

b) All events will have a minimum number of entries policy. If the minimum number of competitors does not reach the number required then  DevonGolf reserve the right to amend the competition if required and in some cases cancel the competition.

c) Entries received after the competition closing date will only be considered if the maximum field size has not been achieved.

d) Entries should be made online at the  DevonGolf website (www.devongolf.org.uk). In order to enter online, a competitor must possess a WHS Member ID number. Payment will be taken when the online entry is submitted. Unsuccessful entrants will be refunded to the same card after the closing date.

e) If Online Entry is not possible, a PDF entry form may be requested from the DevonGolf office.

f) Entries by telephone are not accepted unless authorized by the Competitions Director/committee.

g) No entry fee will be refunded unless notice of withdrawal is communicated to the county office no less than 72 hours before the day of the competition, except to any entrant who may be balloted out and who does not subsequently compete.

h) All entries shall be subject to the approval of the Competitions Committee, which reserves the right to accept, refuse, or cancel an entry without giving reason for its decision. The Committee’s decision shall be final. In such cases, any entry fee will be refunded.

4. Entry: Handicaps

a) All players who hold a WHS handicap index and wish to enter any DevonGolf event must be in possession of a WHS Handicap Index not exceeding the maximum handicap permitted as stated in the individual competition’s conditions and rules. In order to enter online, players must possess a WHS Member ID number as stated above and be a member of a golf club. Igolf WHS handicaps are not accepeted in DevonGolf competitions unless stated in the Terms of competition.

b) When entering any  DevonGolf event by any of the methods in, a player’s handicap index must be recorded on the entry form.

Note: It is the player’s responsibility to ensure that their WHS handicap index is correct.  DevonGolf shall take no responsibility for any out of date handicap used for balloting purposes. 

5. Withdrawals

a) A player will forfeit their entry fee if they withdraw less than 72 hours before the day of competition.

b) Any player who:

i. withdraws from an event after the draw has been published
ii. fails to register at the DevonGolf Office
iii. fails to appear on the tee at their appointed start time
iv. having qualified to continue in an event, fails to do so will be subject to an automatic ban from entering or playing in  DevonGolf competitions for such period as the Competitions Committee may decide. 

6. Reserves

a) In individual stroke play Championships, a reserve list will be maintained and managed by the DevonGolf office. Should a place or places in the draw become available, reserves will be invited to play in the order they are listed on the reserve list.

b) In order to ensure a full field for an event and at the sole discretion of the Competition Committee, a reserve or reserves may be offered a place depending on whether they can be contacted, i.e. irrespective of their place on the reserve list.

c) At all events, in the event of a late withdrawal of a player in the draw, a reserve who has entered the event and is present at the venue on the first day of the competition may be offered the vacated start place. Should there be more than one reserve in attendance, such reserves will be invited to play in the order they are listed on the reserve list. 

d) At the discretion of registration officials at the venue, and depending on a practice round space being available, a reserve who is present at the venue may play a practice round. They may also use practice facilities at the venue. 

7. Eligibility

a)  Each player must be a HOME member of a golf club affiliated to  DevonGolf unless the specific terms of competition states otherwise.

b)  County Championships - Each player must not take part in a golf championship of another County or have played for another County in representative matches, including friendly matches, during the same calendar year as any Championship, Competition or Match administered by DevonGolf. Entrants can be born in Devon and be an affiliated member of another county.

c)  Players moving from one County to another - if there is agreement between the County from which the player is moving and the County to which the player is moving to, the player may play for his “new” County with immediate effect, subject to the Eligibility Conditions for all County Championships. 

d) County competition qualifiers can only be entered by the player at their respective "home" club only (this is applicable when a player is a member of more than one club in the county).

e) Disagreements/disputes. In case of doubt or in the absence of agreement over eligibility to play for a County in any other County representative match, a County, Counties or Group may seek a decision from EG (Championship Department) whose decision shall be final. 

8. Disability 

a) The rules of golf for players with disabilities apply if they fall under one of the following four categories of disability*. 

• i)   Players who are blind,
• ii)  Players who are amputees,
• iii) Players who use assistive mobility devices, and
• iv) Players with intellectual disabilities.

These authorized modifications adapt the Rules of Golf for these categories of disability.

*Many players have physical limitations that may result in some degree of disability and that may affect their ability to play the game. Examples include players who are partially sighted and players who have difficulty gripping a club because of severe arthritis. Rule 25 of the Rules of Golf applies.

9. Prohibited Substances 

a) Any player who is found guilty of possessing, administering or using any substance or method on the WADA (World Anti- Doping Agency) Prohibited List, will be subjected to Disciplinary Procedures in line with EG Anti-Doping Policy. The full list of prohibited drugs is available from UK Sport (http://www.uksport.gov.uk/)

10. Entrants Under 18 Years of Age 

a) If an entrant is under 18 years of age on the first day of a tournament and no completed Parental Consent Form (PCF) has been provided to the DevonGolf's Operations Manager beforehand, they will not be eligible to compete. The PCF must be submitted before the day of competition.   

11. Caddies  - Are permitted for any DevonGolf county event (excluding Junior events or if stated otherwise)

a) There are no restrictions on the use of caddies, except:

i) in under 16 Championships when caddies are not allowed.
ii) in under 18 Championships when either caddies are not allowed or they must be under 18 on 1st January of the year in which the Championship is being played.
iii) if stated in the Terms of Competition for a specific competition.

12. Advice in Match Play Team Competitions

a) Each team may appoint one person (in addition to the persons from whom advice may be asked under the rules of golf), who may give advice to members of that team. Such person must be identified to DevonGolf before giving advice.

13. Returning Score Card

a) A player’s score card is deemed officially returned to DevonGolf when they have left the recording office/area.

Note:  Players must promptly return their score cards to the scoring desk.

14. Result of a Match and when Competition Closed

a) Match play: The result of a match is deemed officially announced when it has been recorded in the Competition Office.

b) Stroke play: The results of the competition are deemed officially announced and the competition is closed when the Trophy is presented to the winner.

15. Decision of Ties

a) Resultant ties in competitions will be determined by the individual specific rules and conditions as described in the events rules. In general Ties shall be decided either on the last 18, 9, 6, 3 or 1 holes, or by sudden-death play-off, or as the Competitions Committee may otherwise decide. 

b) Sudden death play off holes are selected by the competitions committee in association and liasion with the host club.

16. Bad Weather

a) If, in the opinion of DevonGolf, it becomes impossible to complete a Competition in accordance with that Event’s Terms because of adverse weather or other circumstances, DevonGolf may vary the Terms to the extent necessary to achieve a result within the time available. 

17. Trophies & Prizes

a) All County Trophies are the property of  DevonGolf. The winners of these trophies (in the case of team trophies, the Committee of the winning club shall be responsible for their safe custody and shall hold them until the DevonGolf AGM of the following year. They must be returned cleaned either on or before that date as required by  DevonGolf. All items must be kept safe in a Nacoss Alarmed Area/Trophy Cabinet at their Home Club. If these conditions cannot be fulfilled they must be left with  DevonGolf for safekeeping. In the event of a damaged item being returned, the individual will be liable for the cost of repair.

18. Transportation

a) Players must not ride on any form of transportation during a stipulated round unless authorised by DevonGolf.

i. A medical certificate must be submitted to the Operations Manager by email (info@devongolf.org.uk) and approved by DevonGolf in advance of the required need to use a buggy for county events.
ii: See also England Golf’s Transportation Policy (www.englandgolf.org), which includes provisions for people with disabilities.

19. Dress Code

a) Both on and off the course you must wear standard golf apparel, and adhere to the host venues specific requirements.  Failure to do may result in the competitor being withdrawn.

20. Liability

a) Neither the Host Club nor DevonGolf can be held responsible for the loss of or damage to, equipment or personal possessions.

21. Photography Consent

a) By entering a  DevonGolf event all players are consenting to being filmed or recorded (images and sound) by or on behalf of  DevonGolf, or another authorised third party, and consent to these images (or likenesses) being used in any film, recording, photograph or other footage (“recording”) in the promotion of  DevonGolf activities. Players acknowledge that no payment or compensation for use of their image or likeness shall be payable to them.

b) If you object to any photography being taken of yourself please contact DevonGolf at info@devongolf.org.uk and notify us of this.