General Tournament Guidelines

If you sign-up and do not show up for a tournament, you will not be allowed to compete in the next 2 NCIC tournaments. If you sign-up and do not show up for a 2nd time, you will lose your privilege to compete in any NCIC tournaments for the remainder of the season.

Play is governed by USGA Rules and Decisions except as modified by Local Rules.

Unless otherwise specified, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule or Condition is two strokes in stroke play and loss of hole in match play.

Time of Starting/Late to Tee: Rule 6-3a provides: "The Player shall start at the time laid down by the committee." The penalty for breach of rule 6-3a is disqualification. However, it is a condition of the competition that, if the player arrives at his starting point, ready to play, within 5 minutes after his starting time, in the absence of circumstances, which warrant waving the penalty of disqualifications provided in rule 33-7, the penalty for failure to start on time is two strokes at the first hole in stroke play and loss of first hole in match play instead of disqualification. In other formats, local rules will apply regarding applicable penalties.

Embedded Ball: Anywhere "through the green", a ball which is embedded in its own pitch mark in the ground, may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the whole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course "through the green". Exception: A player may not obtain relief under this rule if it is clearly unreasonable for them to play a stroke because of interference by anything other than the condition covered by this rule.

Out of Bounds: Defined by inside points, at ground level, of white stakes, fence posts and white lines.

Water Hazards: Defined by yellow lines and designated by yellow stakes. When both stakes and lines are present, the stakes identify the hazard and the lines define the margin. When a lateral hazard is defined on only one side, it is deemed to extend to infinity.

White Lined Areas Tying Into Artificially-Surfaced Roads And Paths: These areas have the same status as the roads and the paths - obstructions.

Nets: You may take nearest stance, swing and line of sight relief from all nets.

150 Yard Bushes, Trees w/ Guy Wires or Rubber Casings: These items are treated as immovable obstructions.

Ground Under Repair: Enclosed white line areas define ground under repair offering relief without penalty. Other areas of ground under repair may not be marked, but include French Drains (trenches filled with stones).

Pace Of Play: The player shall at all times play without undue delay. Infractions of this rule (6-7) are subject to the penalties of loss of hole in match play and a two stroke penalty in stroke play.

Discontinuance Of Play: Players have the right to discontinue play and take shelter if they believe they are in danger. The signal to indicate a Dangerous Situation is one prolonged air horn blast. The signal to indicate Resumption Of Play is two short, sequential air horn blasts.

Cancellation Of Tournament: The tournament will be played if the golf course is open.

Unbecoming Conduct: Unbecoming conduct is, but not limited to: vulgarity, throwing equipment in anger, destruction of property and verbal or physical abuse to any person. A player in violation of these guidelines is subject to disqualification.

No Show Policy: Players who fail to appear for their assigned tee time without notifying NCIC prior to their assigned tee time will be suspended from the next two NCIC tournaments. No Shows also include any players who fail to turn in score cards or who withdraw during play without notifying an official and personally surrendering their score cards to an official.

Returning Scores: Immediately upon completion of the round, the player must report to the scoring area. It is the player's responsibility to verify the hole-by-hole scores on the score card, to see that the card is signed by the scorer (marker) and attested to by the player. Players are not allowed to keep their own score card, unless it is required by the format of the tournament.

Results Of The Competition: When all of the scores have been posted on the scoreboard and confirmed by the Tournament Committee, the results of the competition are deemed to be officially announced. This may or may not be the same day as the competition.

Eligibility: You must be a member in good standing of the Newton Commonwealth Inner Club and your entry fee must be paid prior to teeing off in an NCIC tournament. Failure to adhere to these guidelines will result in disqualification from the competition.

Team Play: If a team player is deemed ineligible to play, their partner, team, or the Tournament Committee may fill the vacancy with an eligible player to begin the tournament, even though the tournament sign up date is past. This guideline does not apply once the player or team has begun play in the competition.

Handicap: Players must have a current GHIN handicap to play in NCIC tournaments.

Entry Procedure: You can sign-up for all tournaments right at the pro shop counter. All entry fee payments can be made by check, cash, or credit card. You must sign-up and pay for all tournaments at least 1 week in advance. For a list of all tournament sign-up deadlines, click on a particular tournament and view it's description. Be sure to let the pro shop staff know if you prefer an early or late tee-time and they will make every effort possible to accommodate you.