2021 Certified Caddie Information Who Can Have a Caddie?

• All Little Linksters and Junior Links Tour players can have a caddie! Who Can Be a Caddie?

• The STPGA does not have minimum age requirement for Caddies • To become a Little Linksters or Junior Links Caddie, individuals must complete and pass the STPGA Caddie Quiz • There can be multiple Caddies in one household, however, each Caddie is still required to register and complete the Caddie Quiz to be eligible to caddy in a tournament.

*NOTE: Inappropriate conduct can result in the immediate revoking of a Caddie Badge Rules

There are a few rules before beginning your duties as a Caddie that you need to know. 1. While at registration for each tournament, you must show your Caddie Badge to the staff member or volunteer to receive a wristband before being allowed to caddy. If you do not have a wristband you will not be allowed to caddy for that tournament. 2. When you arrive at the starting hole, you must exchange scorecards with the other competitors. 3. There is a 10 stroke per hole limit at all Little Linksters and Junior Links events, even if the player has not reached the green. Once the player has hit their 9th stroke and has not holed out, they must pick-up and record a score of 10. A player may not pick-up their ball prior to their 9th stroke and give themselves a 10. They must hit at least their 9th stroke before picking up for a 10. Spectator Rules

1. Spectators are not permitted to give the players any advice while he or she is playing during a round. Spectators must remain 30 yards from all players and caddies.

Examples of what do to do: • Tell a player encouraging words (i.e. good shot) • Give a player water and snacks

Examples of what NOT to do: • Tell a player what club to hit • Tell a player where to aim or line up his or her shot • Tell a player where to drop a ball in the case of a ruling Little Linkster Specific Rules

There are a two (2) Little Linkster specific rules that you need to know before assuming your responsibility as a Caddie.

1. Penalty Area Rule • If a player hits two (2) balls into a penalty area that is designated by red or yellow stakes or freshly painted lines they may drop a ball on the opposite side of said penalty area for no additional penalty. • Example: Player hits his or her first (1) shot into the penalty area designated by red or yellow stakes or freshly painted lines. Player drops and lays two (2). Player proceeds to hit his or her third (3) shot into the same penalty area. The play may then drop on the other side of the penalty area. At this point the player will be laying four (4) and will proceed to hit his or her fifth (5) shot. Note: The player must count the two (2) strokes for hitting into the penalty area before proceeding under this rule. 2. Bunker Rule • If a player’s ball is in a bunker and the player has taken two (2) strokes at the ball in the same bunker and has not advanced the ball out of the bunker, the player may, under no penalty, drop the ball outside the bunker. The player will drop the ball at the nearest point of relief, one (1) club length no closer to the hole, and continue to play. *Please note that the Bunker Rule is ONLY applicable during Little Linkster tournaments Why Are Caddies Important?

1. Pace of Play – Caddies play a vital role in ensuring players stay focused and on task. 2. Help with confusing situations. 3. Carrying the players bag. 4. Assist the player in making decisions, not coach. 5. Support players while they make the transition from recreational golf to tournament golf. 6. Help the players improve their knowledge of the Rules of Golf. What is a Caddie?

• Someone who helps you during a round to carry, transport, or handle your clubs and/or to give you advice. • A player can only have one caddie at any given time. • Players and Caddies must walk while playing the hole.

Definition – p. 202 USGA Rules of Golf The Duties of a Caddie

• Carry or push the players bag • Help with club selection • Help with etiquette • Rake the bunkers • Remove or tend the flagstick • Assist with score keeping/scorecards • Limited assistance with the Rules of Golf Things a Caddie CAN do

• Give advice • Search for the player’s ball • Caddie for more than one player • Example: If there is a player in the group besides your child that does not have a caddie, you may also caddie for that players as well as your own child. Please let the other players and parents in your group know that you will be assisting both players. • Help player with the Rules of Golf • Note: If you give the wrong advice on a ruling and the player takes your advice, the player is still responsible for any penalties that they may have incurred. That is why it is always better to ask an official to help with any rulings or problems which may arise. Things a Caddie CAN NOT Do

• Stand behind the player when the player takes their stance or while he or she makes a stroke (Rule 10.2, p. 86-87) • Drop or place a ball in a relief area (Rule 14.3, p. 114) • Give advice to other players, unless you are also caddying for them • Drive a golf cart while caddying • Coach the player during the round Penalties Related to Caddies

• A player is responsible for his or her caddie’s actions both during a round and while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a, but not before or after a round. • If the caddie’s action breaches a Rule or would breach a Rule if the action was taken by the player, the player gets the penalty under that Rule.

Example: If a caddie gives an incorrect ruling and the player proceeds accordingly, the player is responsible for the penalties involved (including disqualification) by proceeding incorrectly. (Rule 10.3c, p. 90) STPGA Pace of Play Policy

Pace of Play is extremely important to the STPGA. We strictly enforce a 2:15 pace of play for all 9-hole tournaments unless otherwise specified by the on-site tournament director. Below are some pace of play tactics.

1. Play “Ready Golf” 2. Limit the number of practice swings 3. Walk with a purpose

STPGA Junior Golf Rules & Regulations, p. 14 What is READY GOLF?

READY GOLF – is a commonly used term which indicates that players should play when they are ready to do so while still adhering to the etiquette rules of golf.

“If you are ready to play and it’s safe, then play.” Examples: • Hitting a shot when safe to do so if a player farther away faces a challenging shot and is taking time to assess their options • Hitting a shot before helping someone to look for a lost ball • When not playing your shot, you should be preparing to play your shot Basic Rules of Golf

Advice (Rule 10.2a, p. 85)

• Definition – Any verbal comment or action that is intended to influence you or another player in choosing a club, making a stroke, or deciding how to play during a hole or round. Advice does not include public knowledge. • Do NOT give advice to fellow competitors. Your player will receive a two (2) stroke penalty if you do.

Examples of advice you may NOT give to other competitors are: 1. John, hit a 5-iron. 2. Susan, you should hit the ball through those trees and over there onto the fairway. Basic Rules of Golf

Obstructions

Definition – Any artificial object except for integral or boundary objects.

Examples: • Artificially surfaced roads and paths, including their artificial boarders • Buildings and vehicles • Sprinkler heads, drains, and irrigation or control boxes • Player equipment, flagsticks, and rakes Types of Obstructions

There are two (2) types of obstructions

1. Movable Obstruction • An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course • Examples: Coke can, plastic bag, towel, bunker rake, candy wrapper, etc… 2. Immovable Obstruction • Any obstruction that cannot be moved without unreasonable effort or without damaging the obstruction or the course, and otherwise does not meet the definition of a “movable” obstruction • Examples: Restrooms, ball washer, concrete, electrical box, etc… Note: Immovable obstructions are also referred to as Abnormal Ground Conditions Movable Obstruction: Relief

When can a player take relief from an obstruction? 1. Movable Obstruction (Rule 15.2, p. 128-129) • If a players ball lies in or on a movable obstruction, you may remove the movable obstruction without penalty anywhere on or off the course and may do so in any way • If the ball moves in the process, there is no penalty and you ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known, must be estimated)

Example: If a ball lands next to a coke can, the player may remove the can. If the ball moves in anyway while removing the can, the player must replace the ball as close as possible to where the ball first lay. Immovable Obstruction: Relief

When can a player take relief from an obstruction? 2. Immovable Obstruction (Rule 16.1a, p. 133-134) • If a players ball lies in or on the immovable obstruction, or when the immovable obstruction interferes with the player’s stance or the area of intended swing

Example: If a ball comes to rest on a concrete cart path, the player make take relief. Immovable Obstruction: How to Take Relief

1. Decide the nearest point where the immovable obstruction is no longer in the way, (this is referred to as the nearest point of relief) that is no nearer the hole. Note: the nearest point of relief might not be the best point of relief. 2. Remove the longest club (excluding your putter) from your bag and lay it where one end is touching the tee. The at the other end of the club, put another tee in the ground. This area is to be referred as the relief area. 3. Now drop a ball at knee height between the two tees. Make sure the ball does not roll closer to the hole. The ball is now in play and is ready for the next stroke to be taken.

Note: the nearest point of relief might not be the best point of relief. Immovable Obstruction: How to Take Relief (Con’t)

Please refer to the diagram to the right when taking relief from an immovable obstruction. Basic Rules of Golf

Abnormal Course Conditions (Rule 16.1, p. 133)

Defined by the following: • Animal Hole • Ground Under Repair (GUR) • Immovable Obstruction • Temporary Water

Relief is allowed if one of the following is true. • The player’s ball touches or is in or on an abnormal course condition • An abnormal course conditions physically interferes with a player’s area of intended stance or area of intended swing • Only when the ball is on the putting green, an abnormal course condition on or of the putting green intervenes on the line of play. Basic Rules of Golf

Penalty Areas (Rule 17, p. 146-154)

Definition – An area from which relief with a one- stroke penalty is allowed if your ball comes to rest there.

The two (2) different types of Penalty Areas are distinguished by the color used to mark them: • Yellow Penalty Areas (marked with yellow lines or yellow stakes) • Red Penalty Areas (marked with red lines or red stakes) Yellow Penalty Area: Relief

When it is known or virtually certain that a ball is in a yellow penalty area and the player wishes to take relief, the player has two (2) options, each for one (1) penalty stroke: Red Penalty Area: Relief

When it is known or virtually certain that a ball is in a red penalty area and the player wishes to take relief, the player has three (3) options, each for one (1) penalty stroke: Basic Rules of Golf

Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2, p. 156)

Definition – A ball is out of bounds only when all of it is outside the boundary edge of the course.

Boundary edges are defined by boundary objects or lines, i.e. stakes, fences or white lines painted on the ground. Out of Bounds: What Happens?

If a ball is out of bounds, the player must take stroke-and-distance relief by adding one penalty stroke and playing the original ball or another ball from where the previous stroke was made.

Note: If previous stoke was off the tee box, the second ball may be teed then played. Otherwise a ball must be dropped as near as possible to the place where the original ball was hit and replayed. Provisional Ball (Rule 18.3, p. 158-159) – If a ball might be out of bounds, to save time the player may play another ball provisionally under penalty of stroke and distance. A player must announce that he or she is going to play a provisional ball. Little Linkster & Junior Links Specific Rule – Out of Bounds

As a local rule, if a ball is known or virtually certain to be out of bounds, the player has an additional option. The player has the ability, under a two-stroke penalty, to drop his or her ball at the nearest fairway edge. Below are the steps to take: 1. Determine where your ball when out of bounds. 2. Find the nearest fairway edge, no closer to the hole and determine the area of relief ( two-club lengths from the relief point) and drop a ball. Basic Rules of Golf

Lost Ball (Rule 18.2, p. 156)

Definition – A ball is lost if not found in three minutes after the player or his or her caddie begins to search for it.

After three (3) minutes the player or his or her caddie cannot find the ball, the ball is then deemed to be lost. At this point, the player must take stroke-and-distance relief by adding one penalty stoke and playing the original ball or another ball from where the previous stroke was made.

Provisional Ball (Rule 18.3, p. 158-159) – If a ball might be lost, to save time the player may play another ball provisionally under penalty of stroke and distance. A player must announce that he or she is going to play a provisional ball. Basic Rules of Golf

Ball Unplayable (Rule 19, p.162)

A player is the only person who may decide to treat his or her ball as unplayable.

Unplayable ball relief is allowed anywhere on the course, except in a penalty area. Unplayable Ball: Relief

A player may take unplayable ball relief using one of the three (3) options, in each case adding one penalty stroke.

1. Stroke-and-Distance Relief • The player may play the original ball or another ball from where the previous stroke was made 2. Back-On-the-Line Relief • The player may drop the original ball or another ball in a relief area that is based on a reference line going straight back from the hole through the spot of the original ball: • Reference point: a point on the course chosen by the player that is on the reference line and is farther from the hole than the spot of the original ball (with no limit on how far back on the line) • Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: One club-length, no nearer the hole 3. Lateral Relief • The player may drop the original ball or another ball in this lateral relief area • Reference point: the spot of the original ball • Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: two club-lengths, no nearer the hole Basic Rules of Golf

What to do when you are uncertain on how to proceed: A player who is uncertain about the right procedure while playing a hole may complete the hole with two (2) balls without penalty: • The player must decided to play two (2) balls after the uncertain situation arises and before making a stroke. • The player should choose which ball will count if the Rules allow the procedure used for that ball, by announcing that choice to his or her marker or another player before making a stroke. • If the player does not choose in time, the ball played first is treated as the ball chosen by default. • The player must report the facts of the situation to the Committee before returning his scorecard, even if the player scores the same with both balls. The player is disqualified if he or she fails to do so. Rule 20.1c3, p. 170-171 Important Nutritional Info

Tournaments can be exhausting to any player. There are a few ways to prepare your child so that they may play their best.

1. Ensure that your child gets plenty of rest the night before the tournament 2. Make sure to bring water or Gatorade to every tournament. After finishing the drink, you can refill it with the water jugs provided at each course. Drink water before, during, and after the competition. Once your child becomes thirsty, it is too late, they are already dehydrated. 3. Provide your child with a few snacks to eat throughout the round. Snacks such as granola bars work well. Try to avoid giving sugar to your child, and opt instead for something that will provide lasting energy. Other Precautions

Below are some precautions to take so that you and your child can enjoy their Little Linksters or Junior Links Tournaments.

1. Make sure and apply sunscreen before the tournament begins as well as reapply the sunscreen periodically 2. Bring a bottle of bug repellant containing DEET, to help keep the mosquitoes away 3. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing 4. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! Ready?

Now that you have reviewed some important information regarding the 2021 Caddie Program, you must complete the 25 question test.

An email should have been sent to you upon registering for the 2021 Caddie Program. That email will contain the link to take your Caddie quiz. You may take the quiz as many times as you need. You must correctly answer 20 of the 25 questions to pass. Before you are allowed to caddie for your Little Linkster or Junior Links player, you must pass the online exam.

If you have any questions, please email Jessica Greenshield at [email protected]