Arkansas Tour Local FAQs for 2024
January 2024
Table of Contents (Click on Question)
- What do I get for my membership in the GolfWeek Amateur Tour?
- What does my tournament entry fee get me?
- What is the event format?
- Are Range finders/GPS allowed?
- Do I need a USGA handicap index?
- How is the Tour handicap calculated?
- How are the flights broken down?
- What yardage is played in each flight?
- What if I am in the wrong flight?
- What if I don’t know the rules?
- Do I have to play every event?
- Can I play in another tour?
- Can I try an event before I commit to a membership?
- How long do I have to decide to play in an event?
- What are the prizes?
- How do I get to The Tour Championship at Hilton Head Island at the end of the year?
- What is the triple bogey max rule?
- What is the dress code?
- Are caddies permitted?
- Are spectators permitted?
- What if the weather is bad?
- Is there a deadline to join the tour?
- What if I sign up for an event and them can't make it?
What do I get for my membership in the GolfWeek Amateur Tour?
Your tour membership of $128 for 2024 allows you to play in any tour event nationwide and comes with a welcome packet that includes:
- 2024 GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour Logoed Items
- 2025 GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour Member Card
- Discounted Practice Rounds at Most Event Courses
- 15% to 50% on Golf Equipment, Apparel and Accessories at Tour Sponsor Golf Shop and Online Store
- Opportunity to compete in National Tour Championship in Hilton Head, SC in October 2024. Over 1100 golfers competed in 2021!
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What does my tournament entry fee get me?
Your entry fee for each tournament gets you 18 holes (18 each day for a 2 day event), cart, range balls and includes money that goes into your flight prize pool and an etched trophy for first place winner in your flight.
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What is the event format?
All standard 1 and 2 day events are gross stroke play with USGA rules in effect.. The Tour Championship at the end of the year in Hilton Head is a 3 day, 54 hole gross stroke play event.
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Are Range finders/GPS allowed?
Range finders and GPS are allowed as long as they conform to USGA rules and do not measure slope, wind or any other information other than distance. If they do measure these things they must have a button that can turn them off during tournament play.
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Do I need a USGA handicap index?
It is helpful to have an established index to place you in the correct flight, but the index is not necessary. If you do not have a USGA or Tour index, we will place you in a flight based on your average score and ability for the appropriate yardage. Your flight placement can always be adjusted later if the placement doesn’t fit your ability. Once on Tour, you will develop a Tour Index based strictly on your tournament results.
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How is the Tour handicap calculated?
The Tour Index Policy is intended to group players into flights of comparable potential ability to promote fair competition within the flight. Indexes are based solely on Amateur Golf Tour performance. The AGT index formula will closely mirror the published USGA handicap method (for a complete description see USGA Handicapping Manual go to the following link: (http://www.usga.org/ ). The AGT formula differs from USGA handicap methodology in that it uses only rounds played on tour and substitutes the triple bogey rule in place of Equitable Stroke Control.
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How are the flights broken down?
- Championship Flight players have handicap 0 -3.9
- A Flight players have handicap 4 – 8.9
- B Flight players have handicap 9 – 13.9
- C Flight players have handicap 14 – 18.9
- D Flight players have handicap 19+
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What yardage is played in each flight?
- Championship plays from roughly 6700+
- A plays from roughly 6500 – 6800
- B plays from roughly 6400 – 6600
- C plays from roughly 6200 – 6500
- D plays from roughly 6000 – 6300
- Women play 1 tee forward of their respective flight tees
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What if I am in the wrong flight?
Flight adjustments can be made after 2 events have been played. Adjustments to a more difficult flight can be done at any time. If you are in the wrong flight at the beginning of the year and are shooting out of the flight range, you may be disqualified for that event. The flight range score is determined by the Tour Director and will be announced prior to the event.
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What if I don’t know the rules?
USGA rule books are available onsite or at the USGA website. Players are responsible for knowing the rules. Other players can help with the rules if in doubt or unsure. Always play 2 balls if a rule or play is in dispute. The director can determine the proper play when discussed at the end of the round.
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Do I have to play every event?
You can play in as many or as few events as you wish. The more events played will earn you more points in the race to win your flight championship and qualify for National Finals at Hilton Head Island, SC.
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Can I play in another tour?
You can play any event in the nation. If you play a visiting Tour, you must first indicate the play to your local tour director and also let the visiting tour director know which tour you are a paid member. Event registration is then the same process as your local tour. Points earned in another tour can only be counted in your home tour if you miss a home tour event. Regardless, your score will be used for handicapping purposes.
You are allowed to count points in up to three REGIONAL EVENTS throughout the year. You can play in more regional events, but can only count points for three. The Tour Manual has a more detailed description of Regional Events.
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Can I try an event before I commit to a membership?
Golfers who have not been on the tour before can attend 1 event as a visitor and would only have to pay the tournament entry fee. In order to play a second event, the membership would have to be paid for first. Part of your tournament fee will be used to enter you in the flight skins. If you wish to enter Superskins, you will have to cover that amount.
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How long do I have to decide to play in an event?
All tournament entry fees are due by the end of the day on the Tuesday before the tournament. Any entries submitted after Tuesday may be subject to a late fee. Courses cannot leave open tee times, therefore they need to know how many tee times the tournament requires well before the event. Late entries also delay the posting of tee times and pairings.
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What are the prizes?
Prizes are in the form of a Visa gift card. The amount is determined by how many players are in the flight. A portion of your entry fee for each event goes into the prize pool. See the link below for a further break down of pay outs. First place winners of each flight also receive a glass trophy engraved with their name on it.
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How do I get to The Tour Championship at Hilton Head Island at the end of the year?
You must play at least 4 rounds in the season, local tour or other, to qualify. 2 day Majors count as two rounds.
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What is the triple bogey max rule?
To promote a good pace of play, the GWAT implemented the triple bogey max rule for all flights except the Championship flight. All players must pick up their ball and discontinue their play on any hole where they have reached a score of triple bogey.
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What is the dress code?
Collared shirts and soft spikes are required. (Mocks are considered Collared Shirts). No jeans, denims, jogging outfits, or sweat pants are permitted. Shorts may be worn.
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Are caddies permitted?
Caddies are not permitted for in any GWAT event unless required by the course.
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Are spectators permitted?
Spectators are welcome but may be required to ride and rent a cart. It is up to each course in regards to the policy. We try to refrain from having spectators ride with the players. Spectators cannot be used as forecaddies or to look for lost balls. They can be used to keep the LiveScore.
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What if the weather is bad?
We play rain or shine unless the course suspends play. If an event has to be cancelled due to dangerous weather, then a make-up event may be arranged for later in the season.
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Is there a deadline to join the tour?
No, you can join the tour at any time during the season. The more you play however, the more points you can start to accumulate towards the points race.
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What if I sign up for an event and them can't make it?
We do not give refunds, but we will make every effort to put the credit to another event, as long as the course doesn't charge the Tour for your absence.
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