SGA FAQ's

Q:        What exactly is SGA Tour?
A:        The RDGA classifies us as a “traveling tournament association” and uses our association as the prototype for all such clubs across the country. The SGA Tour plays tournaments all around the Rochester suburbs area. We are a member club of the Rochester District Golf Association (RDGA) and the USGA, which qualifies our Members for participation in RDGA and USGA sponsored events.

Q:        What's involved?
A:        You join as a Member and that allows you to play as many or few events as you wish. We offer 46 events in 2012, all on weekends. The season runs from late-April through late October.

Q:        How many events do I have to play?
A:        One-third of our Members play only 6–10 events each year. You can play as often as you’d like (or as often as your schedule allows).

Q:        How many events do I have to play?
A:        One-third of our Members play only 6–10 events each year. You can play as often as you’d like (or as often as your schedule allows).

Q:        What does it cost?
A:        The SGA annual Membership is $50 for all Members. Then you just pay per event. The events are priced at reduced or normal greens fees plus $3 sweeps.

Q:        Is there a deadline to become a Tour Member?
A:        No, we accept Membership applications all through the season, but the earlier you join, the more events you have from which to choose.

Q:        How big are the events and what can I win?
A:        Events average over 100 on per saturday. At least 10%-15% of all golfers in the field will win some prize at each event. The most common form of prize is a Dick’s Sporting goods gift card. We also have hundreds of dollars in sponsor certificates to award as prizes this year. In total, we expect to award more than $15,000 in certificates again in 2012.

Q:        What if I don't have an official handicap?
A:        We provide official GHIN handicaps for our Members. If you don’t have one, we can start one for you. All you need is to post 5 scores into the GHIN system.

Q:        What are the rules of play?
A:        We abide by USGA rules. No gimmes, mulligans, or "winter rules." We do our best to protect the field and the integrity of the game. We also have a Rules Committee which we use as a resource for establishing SGA Tour local rules to govern our events.

Q:        How large is Membership?
A:        The past 5 years, Membership has averaged around 300. Women comprise 25% of our membership.

Q:        How large is Membership?
A:        The past 5 years, Membership has averaged around 300. Women comprise 25% of our membership.

Q:        What’s the level of competition?
A:        We always have gross and net prizes, and the whole field is always eligible for both. 25% of the Members have a single digit handicap. Another 30% is higher than 20. If you like scratch competition, you’ll find it. If you usually shoot high 90s, you’ll find friends at that level, too. The average handicap index is 13.5. It’s always a tournament when you play—and it’s only as competitive as you want to make it.

Q:        What are your cancellation policies?
A:        You may cancel anytime up until the registration deadline (usually the Friday  before an event), without penalty..

Q:        Embedded Ball & Lift, clean and place  

A:        1.  A ball embedded in a closely mown area of the course through the green may be lifted, cleaned and dropped without penalty as near as possible to the original spot but not nearer the hole.

2.  Closely mown area is any area that is mowed to fairway height or less including the fringe of the green.  There is no relief if embedded elsewhere through the green. The SGA has adopted a 'local rule' (every week) that allows for the embedded ball rule 'through the green'.  That is anywhere other than a bunker, green or tee box.  Do not confuse the embedded ball rule with Lift, Clean and Place.  Lift, Clean and Place is  announced on the day of the event, prior to the 1st group teeing off.  You may lift, (mark your ball first), clean the ball and place it in the same spot, (that is why you marked it), when on your fairway.  You cannot place it on a nice spot 1" away, it goes back on the spot you marked.  The intent here is for a clean ball, not to improved the lie.  Your lie can only be improved by other rules such as unplayable lie.  Yes it costs you a stroke, there a not many freebees in this game.

3.  When your remove your embedded ball do not repair the pitch mark until after the stroke has been played as this would be considered improving the area of intended swing or area of drop. When you drop, if it rolls back into the pitch mark, you re-drop.  For a ball to be embedded it must have been airborne prior to hitting the ground.  For example, if you miss hit a ball and drive it into the ground a few inches in front of  where it originally was a rest, it is not considered embedded.  Now you need an excavator, hey, there is an idea for a new club, we can all be rich! 

4.  The green, the basic rule, to mark, lift, clean, repair pitch mark (different than above) and ball replaced

Q:       Does the SGA have a Code of Conduct
A:        The SGA has adopted the RDGA Code of Conduct when playing SGA events. It has been brought to my attention that there have been some breaches, for example throwing clubs, vulgar language.  We are all here to have a good time.  When members are teamed up with other members that do not conduct themselves within the spirit of the SGA the round is no longer enjoyable. Improper conduct on the course will not be tolerated and will lead to DQ for first offense and SUSPENSION FROM THE SGA ON THE SECOND OFFENSE (no exceptions). Improper conduct off the course where a member represents the SGA (District Events, meetings etc.) will also have consequences that could lead to suspension. Effective immediately, I am to be notified if you are subjected to this type of conduct.