General competition rules

1. General

Competitions played on Loimijoki Golf Oy's course follow:

• The latest applicable international golf rules from the R&A and USGA.

• The course's local rules.

• The Finnish Golf Union's general competition regulations.

Note: The rules of the competition being played take precedence in case of conflict.

2. Registration

• Registration with the caddie master, online or in the manner stated in the competition invitation.

• Registration closes at 12:00 noon the preceding day, unless otherwise stated.

• By registering, you commit to following the Finnish Golf Union's rules and regulations.

3. Eligibility to participate

• Open competitions are open to players from the Finnish Golf Union's member clubs with a valid membership and handicap card.

• Foreign players may participate with a reliable certificate of membership in a club affiliated with the international golf federation.

4. Late registration

• Late registration is not accepted for open competitions.

• Late registrants can be included in the club's internal competitions, if possible.

5. Restrictions

• The number of players is stated in the competition invitation.

• Players are selected in order of registration.

• Extra players are placed on the waiting list.

6. Cancellations

• Cancellation to the caddie master before the registration deadline.

• Cancellation after the registration deadline for an acceptable reason (e.g. illness).

• Non-attendance without an acceptable reason leads to the entry fee having to be paid afterward.

7. Tee time

• The player must be ready to begin play at the announced starting time (Rule 5.3).

8. Tee times and group sizes

• In stroke play competitions, 3-player groups, 10-minute intervals between tee times.

• In shotgun-start competitions the group size is 4 people.

9. Entry fee

• The competition-specific fee and any green fee must be paid before the tee time.

10. Use of golf cart

• Use of golf cart permitted for those over 70 years old.

• With a doctor's certificate, special permission to use a cart.

11. Slow play

• A slow group can be placed under pace-of-play monitoring if it is more than 5 minutes behind schedule.

• During pace-of-play monitoring, players have 40 seconds to prepare for their shot.

12. Suspension of the competition

• Suspension allowed for a valid reason (e.g. illness).

• Withdrawing without notice and without a valid reason leads to a competition ban for the next competition.

13. Suspension of play by the organiser

• Suspension due to a dangerous situation: play must be stopped immediately.

• One long horn signal: immediate suspension.

• Two consecutive horn signals: play continues.

14. Equipment

• Mobile phone use is allowed for results service, calling a referee, or in case of illness.

• Other equipment specified in rule 4.3.

15. Scorecard

• We use the electronic scorecard, paper only as a backup.

• Results are recorded during the round in accordance with rule 3.3.b.

16. Other competition rules

• Disruptive behavior, damage to the course, or causing a dangerous situation leads to disqualification from the competition.

• The caddie master and the competition committee oversee the competitions.

17. Tie-break decisions

Stroke play

• In handicap stroke play, the player with the lower handicap wins.

• In the class without handicap, the outcome is decided by a mathematical method.

• In championship competitions, ties are decided by playing extra holes.

18. Competition office and scorecard return

• The caddie master's office serves as the competition office.

• At the end of the round the results are checked and approved.

19. Handicaps and eligibility to compete

• Loimijoki Golf ry maintains handicaps in accordance with the handicap regulations.

• The player's responsibility for their handicap: honesty, trying their best, submitting results.

20. Age limits Junior = under 22 years Senior = over 50 years Veteran = over 65 years Age limits are determined by birth year, not birthday.

21. Alternative tee The competition is played from the club tee (men yellow, women red). Alternative tees are permitted for 70+ players - blue - and for 80+ players also red, and for under-15s blue/red. Moving from blue to red is permitted for 70+ players on a case-by-case basis for those who specifically request it.