FIRST SECURITY BANK JUNIOR TOUR

First of all, let me say “Thank you” for encouraging and supporting junior golf in the Gallatin Valley.

FOR THE NEW 2024 SEASON PLAYING PROCEDURES, PLEASE SEE THE “TEE TIMES” TAB.

GUIDELINES FOR 7 – 9 YEAR OLD DIVISION

  • Golfers will be required to have their own caddie for ALL First Security Bank Junior Tour events.
  • There is an 11 stroke maximum on all holes.
  • If a player has not reached the green in 7 strokes, INCLUDING PENALTY STROKES, have him/her pick up their ball and place it on the front of the green and begin to putt. Example – A player hits their 7th shot in the fairway, however it doesn’t reach the green, the player will pick up the ball and place the ball on the front of the green. (The front of the green is where the middle of the fringe, apron, or fairway meets the green. Player will place the ball within one foot of the front of the green.) Player will now putt a maximum of 4 putts.
  • Golfers will play a shortened junior course at ALL golf courses on the First Security Bank Junior Tour.
  • Try to keep the junior players MOVING and to play without DELAY. Nine holes should be played in about 2 hours. Keep your group on pace with the group ahead of you. You may have to strongly encourage the juniors to get moving.
  • Make sure each junior REPLACES DIVOTS in the fairway and fixes BALL MARKS on the green.
  • Closest to the flagstick putts FIRST and it should be a continuous putt until the player putts the ball a maximum of 4 times. (In other words, do not mark balls on the green.) This speeds up play!!!! Make sure you pull the flagstick when putting on the green.
  • HAVE FUN!!! Encourage these young golfers and teach them the rules of this wonderful lifelong sport.

GUIDELINES FOR 10 – 11 YEAR OLD DIVISION

  • Golfers May Use A Caddie! This is optional and NOT required! 10 – 11 Year Old Caddie Guidelines – No Lessons! Each Player Responsible for OWN shots! Rules and Policy on Back.
  • Golfers will play a shortened junior course at ALL golf courses on the First Security Bank Junior Tour.
  • There is an 11 stroke maximum on all holes.
  • If a player has not reached the green in 7 strokes, INCLUDING PENALTY STROKES, have him/her pick up their ball and place it on the front of the green and begin to putt. Example – A player hits their 7th shot in the fairway, however it doesn’t reach the green, the player will pick up the ball and place the ball on the front of the green. (The front of the green is where the middle of the fringe, apron, or fairway meets the green. Player will place the ball within one foot of the front of the green.) Player will now putt a maximum of 4 putts.
  • Try to keep the junior players MOVING and to play without DELAY. Nine holes should be played in about 2 hours. Keep your group on pace with the group ahead of you. You may have to strongly encourage the juniors to get moving.
  • Make sure each junior REPLACES DIVOTS in the fairway and fixes BALL MARKS on the green.
  • Closest to the flagstick putts FIRST and it should be a continuous putt until the player reaches 11 strokes.  Make sure you pull the flagstick when putting on the green.
  • HAVE FUN!!! Encourage these young golfers and teach them the rules of this wonderful lifelong sport.

GUIDELINES FOR 12 – 13 YEAR OLD DIVISION

  • All participating junior golfers are expected to have a grasp of the BASIC RULES of the game. You are responsible for being a MARKER (scorer) today. With that in mind, here are the expectations for play.
  • You will be responsible for keeping the score for each player in your group so, you should become familiar with each junior.
  • There is a 11 stroke maximum on each hole.
  • If a player has not reached the green in 7 strokes, INCLUDING PENALTY STROKES, have him/her pick up their ball and place it on the front of the green and continue to putt out.Example – A player hits their 7th shot in the fairway, however it doesn’t reach the green, the player will pick up the ball and place the ball on the front of the green. (The front of the green is where the middle of the fringe, apron, or fairway meets the green.Player will place the ball within one foot of the front of the green.) Player will now putt out, with a maximum of 11 strokes on the hole. Players using the 10 stroke rule ARE eligible to receive prizes!
  • Golfers will play a shortened junior course at ALL golf courses on the First Security Bank Junior Tour. Most events will be played from the red tees. Golfers may not use a caddie.
  • Try to keep the junior players MOVING and to play without DELAY. Nine holes should be played in about 2 hours. Keep your group on pace with the group ahead of you. You may have to strongly encourage the juniors to get going. A group out of position (a hole or more behind) MAY be given a 2 stroke penalty. (Director would place the group “on the clock.”) As ALWAYS use POSITIVE encouragement to move the group.
  • BAD LANGUAGE and CLUB THROWING will NOT be tolerated and will result in a 2 stroke penalty. (Enforced by director.) If the actions continue, disqualification from the event or program may occur. Catch this early, PLEASE!!!!!
  • Make sure each junior REPLACES DIVOTS in the fairway and fixes BALL MARKS on the green.
  • If you have a problem where a rule is not clear, have the player play TWO balls to complete the hole. Keep score for both balls & explain it to the RULES COMMITTEE upon completion of play.
  • NO CELL PHONES – The use of any communication devices by participants (i.e. cell phones, walkie-talkies, sky-caddies or headphones) during any golf tournament is prohibited. The timeframe is from being called to teeing off on the first designated hole until that player’s signed card is turned into the scoring table. The penalty for the first infraction is the player(s) using such device(s) will incur a two stroke penalty. Any further infraction by the same player(s) will incur immediate disqualification from the tournament.
  • ELECTRONIC DEVICES – Players are allowed to use USGA-approved measuring devices during events. In using these devices, players can share distance information with fellow competitors without violating any USGA tournament rules. Sharing distance information is NOT considered giving advice. Legal measuring devices must be USGA-approved and only measure distance. The penalty for the first infraction is the player(s) using such device(s) will incur a two stroke penalty. Any further infraction by the same player(s) will incur immediate disqualification from the tournament.

GUIDELINES FOR 14 – 17 YEAR OLD DIVISION

  • All participating junior golfers are expected to have a grasp of the BASIC RULES of the game. You are responsible for being a MARKER (scorer) today. With that in mind, here are the expectations for play.
  • You will be responsible for keeping the score for each player in your group so, you should become familiar with each junior.
  • Stroke Play – ALL SHOTS COUNT (unless stated otherwise)! Play the ball as is, under ALL USGA Rules. If they receive a 2 on a hole, they receive a 2. If a player has a bad hole and receives a 22, they receive a 22. If a golfer continues to struggle and is causing pace of play issues, the director may inforce a pick up rule to keep pace of play at 4 hours for 18 holes.
  • Try to keep the junior players MOVING and to play without DELAY. Nine holes should be played in about 2 hours. Keep your group on pace with the group ahead of you. You may have to strongly encourage the juniors to get going. A group out of position (a hole or more behind) MAY be given a 2 stroke penalty. (Director would place the group “on the clock.”) As ALWAYS use POSITIVE encouragement to move the group.
  • BAD LANGUAGE and CLUB THROWING will NOT be tolerated and will result in a 2 stroke penalty. (Enforced by director.) If the actions continue, disqualification from the event or program may occur. Catch this early, PLEASE!!!!!
  • Make sure each junior REPLACES DIVOTS in the fairway and fixes BALL MARKS on the green.
  • If you have a problem where a rule is not clear, have the player play TWO balls to complete the hole. Keep score for both balls & explain it to the RULES COMMITTEE upon completion of play.
  • NO CELL PHONES – The use of any communication devices by participants (i.e. cell phones, walkie-talkies, sky-caddies or headphones) during any golf tournament is prohibited. The timeframe is from being called to teeing off on the first designated hole until that player’s signed card is turned into the scoring table. The penalty for the first infraction is the player(s) using such device(s) will incur a two stroke penalty. Any further infraction by the same player(s) will incur immediate disqualification from the tournament.
  • ELECTRONIC DEVICES – Players are allowed to use USGA-approved measuring devices during events. In using these devices, players can share distance information with fellow competitors without violating any USGA tournament rules. Sharing distance information is NOT considered giving advice. Legal measuring devices must be USGA-approved and only measure distance. The penalty for the first infraction is the player(s) using such device(s) will incur a two stroke penalty. Any further infraction by the same player(s) will incur immediate disqualification from the tournament.

CADDIES

  • No carts will be provided for a caddie on the First Security Bank Junior Golf Tour. In the 7 to 9 year old age group players are required to be accompanied by someone fifteen years of age or older to serve as their caddie. In the 10 to 11 age group caddies are optional.
  • Cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices may not be used during play by a player or caddies.
  • Sometimes well intentioned caddies may disrupt others during play. If a friendly conversation between the cadies does not resolve the issue then a WRITTEN COMPLAINT should be filed with the Tournament Director at the end of the round. Once a WRITTEN COMPLAINT has been filed, the Tournament Director will inform the caddie of the complaint. The complaint will also be turned into the First Security Bank Junior Golf board of directors. If a second WRITTEN COMPLAINT is filed against the same caddie by a different person, the board of directors will carefully determine further action. All participants agree to abide by the Board’s decision and that decision is final.
  • It is the intention of the junior tour directors that these events NEVER happen on our tour; however guidelines need to be in place in the rare case that trouble does arise. Thank you for your understanding, and please act as ADULTS and make the First Security Bank Junior Golf tour a fun and enjoyable event for yourself and the kids!

SPECTATORS

  • Spectator Policy to be followed.
  • Spectators will now be allowed to watch all players participate in the First Security Bank Junior Golf Tour.  Spectators may rent carts from the host facility.
  • Cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices are not allowed on the golf course.  Range finders are allowed.   All walking spectators should stay on or near the cart path at all times or in the absence of cart paths in the rough. Spectators are not allowed on the greens or in the fairway. Please stay behind the group being followed and do not go ahead to spot shots in advance of play. Spectators are not allowed to give advice to golfers or make rulings on the course. Rulings will be directed to the on course rules committee. First offense will receive a warning. Second offense, the offender must leave the golf course or the player will be disqualified.