Policies
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Our mission at Red Hills Junior Golf Tour is to provide young golfers with a platform to experience tournament golf and develop their skills in a competitive and supportive environment. We aim to introduce juniors to the world of competitive golf, offering them opportunities to learn and grow as players. Our goal is to create a supportive competitive environment that helps juniors develop their skills, gain confidence and prepare for the next stages of competitive golf. We believe that by fostering a love for the game and providing opportunities for growth, we can help shape the future of golf and produce talented, skilled and passionate players.
In order to be a participant in any RHJT tournament, you must be a member of the RHJT.
You can compete on the Tour from age 6 through 18 as long as you have not completed high school AND started attending college full time (12 credit hours). Which means... you can take college classes while you're still in high school. Oh yeah, if you bomb out of college and want to come back and play it's too late - you should have studied more.
The player's age on June 1 of the tour season must fall within the age division (9 & Under, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 or 16-18 age division)*.The following actions will make a player ineligible:
- Player turns 19 years old
- Player loses amateur status
- Player graduates high school and enrolls in college full time (12 or more credit hours)**
Philosophy: The RHJT believes a junior golfer is one who is 18 years old or younger and doesn't take an action to become eligible to play college golf.
* See the "Playing Up" policy for exceptions to age ranges.
** The RHJT reserves the right to modify the college enrollment criteria at any time to reflect any NCAA or NAIA rules. The RHJT also reserves the right to evaluate each player's situation on a case-by-case basis in regards to college enrollment eligibility.
Red Hills and Pink Links Junior Tour events will take place as scheduled unless it is necessary to cancel or postpone for one of the following reasons:
- Safety: the host course's lightning detection or radar indicates lightning in the area, the committee will postpone play until it is determined safe to resume.
- Course Condition: the host course determines the course is too wet or frost conditions exist that would result in damage to the course.
- In some cases, the course will leave it up to the discretion of the RHJT whether to play or not. The RHJT will suspend play if any of the following occur:
- Standing water on fairways to the point where casual water relief isn’t possible
- Standing water on any green
- A tee box RHJT plans to play is completely covered in standing water
- In some cases, the course will leave it up to the discretion of the RHJT whether to play or not. The RHJT will suspend play if any of the following occur:
- Darkness: the committee determines that play must be suspended for the day due to darkness.
- This will usually be about 20 minutes after “sunset” on weather apps.
Complete Events
If an event should be hindered by rain, frost delay, or darkness, the following rules will be applied:
Minimum Number of Holes to be considered a complete event:
If all age groups in an event complete the following number of holes, an event is considered complete. Awards will be presented according to our Points and Awards criteria. No refunds will be given for events we consider complete.
9-Holers | 18-Holers | |
1-Day Events | 5 holes complete | 9 holes complete |
2-Day Events | 9 holes complete | 18 holes complete |
If the event cannot be completed we will re-schedule at a later date. We will automatically roll your registration to the rescheduled event. Alternatively, you may request a refund.
If it is obvious the event cannot be played because of extended inclement weather (hurricane or tropical storm in the Gulf), we will make every effort to let you know via email, phone and website update. Otherwise, please know we will play as scheduled.
Caddies are permitted by age group under the following guidelines:
“Once the player begins taking a stance for the stroke, and until the stroke is made, the player’s caddie must not deliberately stand on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball for any reason. Exception — There is no penalty if the caddie accidentally stands on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball, rather than in trying to help in lining up.” |
Players (NOT caddies or parents) are responsible for bringing rules infractions (or potential infractions) to the attention of the Tournament Committee.
The Cart Policy is designed to help with the pace of play and improve the enjoyment of both the player and spectator. Carts may be used for play at RHJT events under the following guidelines only:
Caddy use of carts: 9-Hole Players
Though we strongly encourage walking for all RHJT events, parents or caddies of 9-hole players may rent a cart for use during play. The caddy may use the cart to shuttle their player between holes. After reaching the tee, the player cannot ride and MUST walk the entire hole. The caddy may leave the bag on the cart or carry it on the course with the player when needed. In no case, will carts be allowed off the path. First offense – warning. Second offense – 2 stroke penalty. Subsequent offenses – double par on that hole.
Pull carts are allowed unless prohibited by the host golf course.
Note: Carts are provided on a first come/first serve basis. Each course may or may not have enough carts for all players. The cart policy has been put into effect to help those who play on a long course and have substantial walks between greens and tees.
18-hole Players: No electric carts permitted
Pull carts only are allowed unless prohibited by the host golf course.
Spectator cart policy
Spectators of all players may rent carts for use while watching play. Spectators in carts must stay on the path at all times and remain behind the players being watched. Spectator carts are prohibited from going forward to spot tee shots in advance of play. First offense: warning; second offense: spectator will be asked to return to the clubhouse until the conclusion of play.
Note: It is at the discretion of the host golf course as to whether spectator carts will be allowed.
Special Circumstances:
At the committee's discresion, the RHJT Caddy/Cart Policy may be suspended due to excesive heat or other weather-related circumstances where the health/saftey of the player(s) may be at risk.
Required for Players and Spectators
Players and spectators: please be reminded we are taking part in a competitive event as guests of the host course. Many of the courses we play are otherwise private. Please read and follow the dress code below and conduct yourselves accordingly.
Proper attire is required at all times at the host golf course. Should a host golf course or resort have a stricter dress code, its policy will take precedence.
Players in violation may be asked to change prior to tee off.
Players must also be in golf attire while using the practice facilities.
Attire on the Golf Course and in Clubhouse
Encouraged / Required Attire |
Prohibited Attire |
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If you are unable to attend any event for which you have registered, please contact us as soon as possible and let us know.
Our policy regarding Tour Credits or Refunds is below and is dependent on when you let us know:
- BEFORE END OF REGISTRATION (generally Wednesday before event at midnight): Tour Credit or Full Refund at your discretion
- AFTER TEE TIMES POSTED (generally Thursday before event at noon): Tour Credit only (full entry fee minus $25)
- AFTER START OF EVENT: No refund
If you select Tour Credit please be aware the credit will appear in your player's account for you to use later. We will not automatically roll the credit to a future event unless you specify the event when you write us to cancel.
Withdraws
- An RHJT event is "Official" if we complete at least half the scheduled holes - Refunds will not be given if half the event is completed (18 or more holes for 36-hole events, 9 or more holes for 18-hole events, etc.)
- A player must contact us to WD from an event.
- No shows at events will not receive a refund.
Click here if you need to contact RHJT to Withdraw |
As a tee gift for players we may include a customized MoRod alignment tool. These training aids are intended for use during practice to help the player check alignment. They are not to be used during a competitive round, as described below. Please make sure you read and understand the recent rules update relevant to these and other practice aids. If you have questions please contact a Red Hills tour director.
Alignment Rods Result in Disqualification?
It seems that almost all junior golfers are carrying fiberglass alignment rods/sticks in their bags. They are a great tool for checking your alignment or swing plane, but do you know if you use one of these rods during a round (whether during a stroke or not) that you are disqualified?
A decision on the Rules of Golf came into effect on January 1, 2010 that prohibits the use of these rods during a round.
Decision 14-3/10.3 Use of Rod During Round for Alignment or as Swing Aid Q. During a stipulated round, a player used a rod to check his alignment or his swing plan. What is the ruling? A. The player is disqualified under 14-3 as the rod is unusual equipment and such use, during the stipulated round, is not permitted. Carrying the rod is not, of itself, a breach of a Rule. So, if you want to check your alignment during a round, don't use one of these rods, just lay down a club from your bag. Checking alignment with a club is not a breach of the Rules, unless the club is kept on the ground for alignment during a stoke. If you have any questions on the Rules of Golf please contact the Florida State Golf Association at 813-632-3742 or email info@floridajuniortour.org. |
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Effective March 2023
Other Policies (.pdf)
- Tournament Rules and Regulations (given at each event)
- Pace of Play Policy
- Code of Conduct Policy