Rules & Policies

Model Local Rule G-2 (Groove and Punch Mark Specifications) effective for all USGA Championships will not be implemented in MSGA Championships.

Appropriate championship golf attire as determined by the Executive Committee is required. Knee-length shorts are acceptable. Metal spikes are prohibited and the penalty for breach is disqualification.

Additional information can be found in the MSGA Code of Conduct Policy.

All players wishing to enter an MSGA event must follow the tournament eligibility guidelines below. Please refer to individual entry forms for any additional eligibility requirements (age, gender, handicap guidelines, etc.). All competitors will play from the same teeing grounds, except if the Tournament Rules provide otherwise

Unless otherwise noted on the tournament information page for a specific competition, Association competitions are open to female and male golfers who (1) hold an active GHIN number issued by a licensed MSGA Member Club in good standing and (2) comply fully with USGA Rules of Amateur Status.

MSGA Women’s and Girls’ Events: Only female competitors are permitted. The MSGA has adopted the USGA Competitive Fairness Gender Policy. Contact the Maryland State Golf Association at (410) 943-2379 for the additional entry application procedures.

The Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association and the R&A govern play. See applicable event Notice to Players and Entry Applications for modifications and/or additions to these Local Rules and Terms of the Competition. Complete text of the Rules and Local Rules may be found in the Rules of Golf and Official Guide to the Rules of Golf, effective January 2023. The player is responsible for being familiar with these as well as the Local Rules and Terms of the Competition for MSGA Tournaments and general conditions and regulations for all MSGA events.

2026 MSGA Hard Card (Local Rules & Terms of the Competition)

Model Local Rule G-4 (One Ball Rule) is not in effect at MSGA Championships, Qualifiers, and One-Days.

Pace of Play Policy

Rule 5.6 states that a player must not unreasonably delay play and must adhere to any pace of play guidelines set by the Committee.  Players are responsible for understanding this pace of play policy. Other than at the group’s starting tee and as otherwise indicated in this policy, the Committee is not responsible for advising any player of the details of the pace of play policy.

OUT OF POSITION – LEAD GROUP:  The first group off No. 1 (and No. 10 when using a two-tee start) is expected to maintain the pace outlined in the chart above and marked on each player’s scorecard. The first group is OUT OF POSITION when it exceeds the time par printed on each player’s scorecard. A hole is considered complete when the flagstick has been replaced.

OUT OF POSITION – FOLLOWING GROUPS:  A following group is OUT OF POSITION when it exceeds the time par printed on each player’s scorecard and is more than 14 minutes behind the group immediately ahead. A hole is considered complete when the flagstick has been replaced.

MONITORING PACE OF PLAY AND TIMING PLAYERS: When any group is OUT OF POSITION, it is ‘on the clock’, and the players in that group are subject to being individually timed.

NOTIFICATION OF BEING TIMED: When a group is OUT OF POSITION and the players are being timed, a referee will place a YELLOW FLAG on the tee to notify them they are being timed. The group will remain ‘on the clock’ until the group is no longer OUT OF POSITION or is informed by a referee that the players are no longer being timed.

STROKE TIMING:  A player has 40 seconds to make a stroke. 10 extra seconds will be allowed for the first player to play a) a tee shot on a par 3, b) an approach shot to the green, or c) a chip or putt. If a player takes longer than the allotted time to make a stroke, that player has incurred a BAD TIME. A player who incurs a BAD TIME will be informed as soon as practicable.

• Timing for a stroke starts when a player has had sufficient time to reach the ball, it is their turn to play, and they can play without interference or distraction. Any time taken to determine distance and select a club will be included as time taken for the stroke.
• On the putting green, timing starts when the player has had a reasonable amount of time to lift, clean and replace the ball, repair damage that interferes with the line of play, and move loose impedimentson the line of play. Any time spent looking at the line of play from any angle will be included as time taken for the stroke.
• Timing of a stroke will start when the timing referee decides it is the player’s turn to play and that they can play without interference or distraction. Timing of a stroke will stop when the clubhead strikes the ball.
• BAD TIMES accumulate throughout the round. For example, if a player receives a BAD TIME while their group is out of position, and the group later catches up but falls behind again, the same player receiving another BAD TIME will be subject to the corresponding penalty.

PENALTIES: A player who receives a BAD TIME is subject to the following penalties:

FOUR-BALL PENALTIES: Rule 23.9 applies.

INDIVIDUAL TIMING: REGARDLESS OF POSITION, if the Committee determines that a player or players in a group are delaying play of their group, any subsequent group, or the competition in general, the following applies:

• The Committee reserves the right to warn or begin timing a group, match, or an individual player at any time.
• Any player or players who are delaying play will be warned.
• Any player who is timed by a referee will be notified.
• A penalty for breach of Rule 5.6a (Unreasonable Delay) may be applied.

Players who fail to appear for their assigned tee time without notifying the MSGA before or on the day of a tournament may not be allowed to participate in future MSGA events.

Players failing to appear will be listed as a ‘No Show’. If a player completes a round and does not turn their scorecard in, for whatever reason, will be listed as a ‘No Card’. Players not completing a round for obvious or verifiable reasons will not be considered as a withdraw (WD) but rather will be listed as a ‘Did Not Finish’.

Players who fail to appear for their assigned tee time without notifying the MSGA before or on the day of a tournament may not be allowed to participate in future MSGA events.

Players failing to appear will be listed as a ‘No Show’. If a player completes a round and does not turn their scorecard in, for whatever reason, will be listed as a ‘No Card’. Players not completing a round for obvious or verifiable reasons will not be considered as a withdraw (WD) but rather will be listed as a ‘Did Not Finish’.

The MSGA will make every effort to ensure practice round availability for championships and qualifiers. The practice round policy (including days and times) for any event is determined by the host club and can be viewed on the tournament event page. During a practice round, players should not play additional practice shots except on the putting green if such practice does not delay play.

Starting times will be emailed to the field seven (7) days prior to the start of the event via email. Tee time requests can be submitted, however they should be sent as soon as possible. The MSGA does not guarantee the request will be accommodated. Tee time requests for USGA qualifiers will not be granted. To submit a request please use the following staff contact:

Men’s Championships – Elisa Hermes | ehermes@msga.org | 410-943-2379
One-Day Events – Nick Logue | nlogue@msga.org | 443-853-1060
Women’s Championships – Jared Goldberg | jgoldberg@msga.org | 410-943-2377

One-Seat Policy: A player and their caddie may ride in a golf cart during a round but both may not ride at the same time. Players can also ride in a golf cart with another player’s caddie in it if that player’s caddie is not riding in another cart at the same time. Players are responsible for the actions of their caddie. Intentional disregard for the policy may result in Code of Conduct penalties, including disqualification.

Carts: Motorized transportation is permitted at various MSGA events except for the Maryland State Amateur and Maryland State Open. Please refer to the tournament event page of any specific event for information on carts. The MSGA will evaluate, on a case-by-case basis any request to use a cart in MSGA walking only championships due to a disability. Players will need to submit necessary medical documentation in writing to Elisa Hermes, Director of Rules & Competitions, 10455 Falls Road, Lutherville, MD 21093 or ehermes@msga.org. These requests must be received by the MSGA no later than 10 days before the entry deadline. Requests due to temporary injuries or impairments that do not qualify as a disability under the ADA will not be granted.

Spectator Carts: Spectator carts are not permitted at MSGA events. Spectators who comply to ADA standards may request golf carts. Request for golf carts must be submitted with medical documentation in writing. Requests must be received by the MSGA no later than 7 days before the start of the event. Requests due to temporary injuries or impairments that do not qualify as a disability under the ADA will not be granted.

Entries received after the field limit has been reached will be placed on a waiting list. Applicants will be ranked on the waiting list in the order their application was received by the MSGA unless otherwise specified on the entry form.

NEW IN 2023 – On-Site Waiting List: Players who have previously registered for the event and have been placed on the waiting list are eligible to be placed on an on-site waiting list. Players wishing to be added to the on-site waiting list will need to text or call 214-458-7733 30 minutes prior to the start of the event. Players will be added to the list on a first come, first served basis.  If a player in the event fails to show up at the starting tee at their designated tee time, an on-site waiting list player will be called. If the player does not show within five minutes, the on-site waiting list player’s ball will be in play. NOTE: The On-site Waiting List policy will NOT apply to the Maryland State Amateur or the Maryland State Open.

At the Maryland State Amateur and Maryland State Open, players and caddies will be required to always walk during the round, unless approved by the Committee. Transportation for players and caddies is permitted at Am/Open Qualifiers. For players wishing to request the use of transportation during these rounds, please see the ‘Transportation’ policy tab.

A withdrawal made prior to five days of the event will receive a refund minus a $25 processing fee. To withdraw prior to the entry deadline, players should do so through their Golf Genius user profile. After the entry deadline has passed players should call the MSGA at 410-653-5300 or email the staff in charge listed below. There will not be a refund if a withdrawal is received less than seven days prior to the event without a written medical excuse. Please use the following staff contacts to withdraw:

Men’s Championships – Elisa Hermes | ehermes@msga.org | 410-943-2379
One-Day Events – Nick Logue | nlogue@msga.org | 443-853-1060
Women’s Championships – Jared Goldberg | jgoldberg@msga.org | 410-943-2377