1. Governing Rules

a. All play shall be governed by the Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association (USGA) except where modified by these Local League Rules (based on local course rules).

b. In the event of a conflict USGA Rules prevail unless a Local Rule is specifically permitted by the Rules of Golf.

c. Rangefinders are allowed to be used with both distance AND slope for the Grinder Tour.

d. Green readers and yardage finders on apps (18 birdies, The Grint, etc) and books (such as Strackaline, etc) are allowed for the Grinder Tour.

2. Eligibility

a. All players must be members in good standing of the league.

b. Players must have an established USGA Handicap Index.

3. Handicaps

a. Handicaps shall be calculated using the World Handicap System (WHS) and your GHIN Number.

b. League play will be using course handicaps for individual players.

c. Handicaps will be pulled no earlier than 24 hours before the start of each competition day, or the start of a make-up round, where applicable.

d. Sandbagging or manipulation of handicaps is prohibited and subject to disciplinary action.

4. Format and Scoring

a. Individual stroke play

b. Gross Winner and Runner-Up

c. Net Winner and Runner-Up

d. Players can only finish first or second in one category. The higher place finish will be the determining factor for award and prizes. For example, if a player finishes first in gross category and second in net category, that person would receive award and prize for gross category, and the second place finish in net would be forfeited, and the third place finisher would then be second place.

e. All scores must be hole-by-hole and attested by another player.

f. Scorecards must be returned immediately following play.

g. No “gimmes” are allowed. Everything must be putted out.

h. Players will earn points each round based on their gross and Net scores. Points will be calculated based on how they finish in comparison to the winner

Ex. 1st - 68, 2nd - 72, 3rd - 76

1st -68/68=100pts, 2nd -68/72=94pts, 3rd -68/76=89pts

5. Tees

a. Players shall play from the tees designated by the League Committee.

b. Players may not change tees without committee approval.

c. Tees will be assigned based on the following:

  • Age - Players 55+ years old will have the option to play from either senior tees or regular men’s tees (as designated by local course)

  • Gender - Women will have the option to play from either ladies tees or regular men’s tees (as designated by local course)

  • All other players will play from regular men’s tees (as designated by local course)

6. Pace of Play

a. Players are expected to maintain pace with the group ahead.

b. Ready golf is encouraged.

7. Local Rules (USGA-Permitted)

The following Local Rules may be in effect:

a. 8.1 Out of Bounds & Lost Ball

  • Stroke and distance applies at all times.

b. 8.2 Preferred Lies

  • Players may lift, clean, and place the ball within one club-length no nearer the hole in the general area during all tournament rounds.

c. 8.3 Ground Under Repair (GUR)

  • Areas marked or declared GUR must be avoided with free relief.

d. 8.4 Immovable Obstructions

  • Relief is allowed per Rule 16 of the Rules of Golf.

8. Sportsmanship and Conduct

a. Abuse of equipment, course, or fellow players may result in:

  • Warning

  • Penalty strokes

  • Suspension or expulsion from the league

9. Disputes

a. Rules questions should be raised before teeing off on the next hole.

  1. If a ruling is not immediately available, players should:

    • Play two balls under Rule 20.1c (stroke play)

  2. Final decisions rest with the GolfGrinders League Administrators.

10. Make Up Play

a. Players may play a course up to one week prior or one week after the posted date if they are unable to play on the posted date. 

b. Players MUST declare in the Grinder Tour discord channel that they are playing their competitive round prior to the start of the round.

c. Players playing outside of the posted date MUST play their round with at least one other competitor from the tour. The second competitor does not need to be completing their competitive round, however.