For Tournaments played at Rancho Park, the club Local Rules are in effect. These rules are spelled out on the scorecards or the tournament rules sheets. To read the Local Rules, click HERE.

Etiquette Policy and Sportsmanship Code

Members shall be required to know and practice USGA Rules on Etiquette. "Unlike many sports, golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf." Failure to demonstrate etiquette and decorum will be considered to be a serious breach of Club policy and may be reviewed by the Board of Directors to determine sanction or penalty. In addition to any disciplinary action recommended by the Grievance Committee, you may be restricted to enter in future tournaments and possibly expelled from the Club membership.

Pace of Play Regulation

RPGC has a pace of play regulation in effect. If your group falls behind on one hole, you are expected to help the group play efficient golf and get back into position behind the group in front of you. This might mean playing ready golf for a hole or two and doing continuous putting. Both of which are allowed in stroke play. If you are the first group in the field, play efficient and ready golf. If you are in a following group, keep up with the group in front of you and you will not have a pace of play issue. Please review the Ready Golf Guidelines to assure you make the round of golf enjoyable for every member.

A - If the golf course marshal identifies your group to falling behind one hole, all competitors in the group will be deemed to be slow players and may be moved to later tee times in following tournaments, unless the member(s) causing the delay volunteers to take full responsibility to release the others from any sanctions by Committee.

B - If the golf course marshal cites the group a second time for delay of play, he shall have the authority to invite the group(s) behind to play through. The marshal shall have full authority to determine when your group can resume play.

C – On par 3 holes, wave up the following group if they are present and on the tee box whether or not the group in front of you has left their tee box. However, if the golf course marshal instructs otherwise, follow his guidance.

Ready Golf Highlights

Ready Golf means being ready to play, not playing when you're ready. The USGA and the SCGA cannot legislate, design or develop a policy that will eliminate slow play. The Club encourages its members to commit playing golf efficiently so the problem can go away. Here are some simple guidelines to follow:

Walk to your ball as soon as possible, so that you can choose your club and think about the shot in advance, not when it is your turn.

When driving a cart, drop off your partner first, let your partner choose his or her club, and then drive to your own ball to get ready to play.

When a ball is lost, hit your shot first and then help look for the lost ball.

Walk down the sides of the fairway to reach your ball and then approach it from the center. Never play in a caravan, moving in a group from ball to ball.

When on the Green, line up your putt before it is your turn, and putt out immediately instead of marking, if you are not in someone else's line.

Undue Delay; Slow Play

Under USGA Rule 6-7/1, if a player delays play between holes such as forgetting clubs in the previously played hole, he is delaying play of the next hole and is a detriment to the group at the hole behind. A one-stroke penalty must be recorded on that member's scorecard and for a second offense, a two-stroke penalty. For a subsequent offense, that member shall be disqualified from the stipulated round of golf.

Wireless Hand Held Devices

Use of wireless hand held devices, such as a cellular phone is restricted to the club house, snack bar between holes 11 and 12 and the maintenance yards during any stipulated round of competition in non-major tournaments. Please adhere to Section I - Etiquette Behavior on the Course in the Rules of Golf handbook. If a member's device makes a sound on the golf course that is a detriment to a competitor, that competitor shall have authority to disqualify the member. Undue delay caused by abuse can also result in disqualification.

Practice Between Holes

Members shall not play any practice stroke on or near the putting green of the hole last played. If a practice stroke is played on or near the putting green of the hole last played, the player shall incur a penalty of two strokes at the next hole, except that in the case of the last hole of the round, he incurs the penalty at that hole.

Rake Placement

The Club recommends its members to make every effort to rake the bunkers immediately and efficiently after their stroke out of the bunker without undue delay. The rake should be left outside the bunkers in areas where they are least likely to affect the movement of any ball hit by the groups behind.

Electronic distance-measuring devices approved by USGA are acceptable

USGA-approved measuring devices are approved for use at all events.The USGA decision permits the use of devices that measure distance only; devices that measure other conditions that might affect a player’s play (such as wind and slope gradient) are not permitted. Members may contact the Rules & Green Committee Chairman in advance of their purchase if there is any uncertainty on whether a particular brand and model is USGA-approved.Sharing yardage information with fellow competitors is acceptable and considered good sportsmanship.

Flight Management

The tournament directors for non-major events will divide the field of registered competitors into thirds based on the established current index value issued by the SCGA electronic handicapping system. They will assign 1/3 of the registered members with the lowest current index values to play in the "A" Flight, the middle 1/3 in the "B" Flight and the highest 1/3 of the members in the "C" Flight. Major tournaments will typically utilize the member’s low-trend index provided by the SCGA.  The tournament committee reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of flights based on the skill levels of the members participating.

Handicaps

Please review the Handicap Policy section for details as there have been changes to the policy.

Please contact the Handicap Chairman with any questions.

Tournament Rules and Formats

Typically most tournament formats for Golfer of the Year are low gross / low net and play is governed under USGA Rules of Golf. Members will be provided the Condition of Competition at check-in prior to each tournament. You can view other type of formats that may be scheduled from time to time by our Tournament Committee at the following link. 

Tournament Fees

Fees will vary depending on the event.  Prices are set by the board.  Majors and other Special tournaments have a variety of payment amounts. Members not registering online must pay by check -- made out to Rancho Park Golf Club, P.O. Box 64266, Los Angeles, CA 90064. Please indicate in the memo section on your check which tournament the check is for and the names of the members you are paying for. Each tournament must be paid for separately and not lumped together.

Tournament Registration

Members are encouraged to register and make payment online before the established deadline. The tournament dates, deadlines and respective fees can be found on our club web site. It is each member's responsibility to secure their entry by making payment online. If this is not convenient, our members have the additional option of dropping off the completed tournament coupon with fee at the Rancho Park pro-shop or mailing the coupon with fee to Rancho Park Golf Club, P.O. Box 64266, Los Angeles, CA 90064. Non-guaranteed last minute registration may be available on the day of the tournament and payment will be accepted by either check or cash at the check-in table. The City of Los Angeles restricts Rancho Park Golf Club to a maximum of 160 competitors.

Deadlines

The deadline to ensure entry for all Home Tournaments is typically ten (10) calendar days prior to the event in order to meet the City of Los Angeles booking cut off. If you fail to register prior to the deadline, you may still be permitted to play in one of the 4 bonus tee times at the end of the schedule and/or if we have a cancellation. Please check the pairing sheet when posted on the web site prior to contacting the respective Tournament Director via email or walking up on the day of the event. Majors, Specials, Weekend, City Away and Thursday Away tournaments will have varying deadlines posted on the web site.

Starting Times

The Home Tournaments will start at 7:00 or 7:30 am sharp, depending on the month. Majors, Specials, Weekends, and City Away will vary. The official starting time for members will be posted on our web site in the TOURNAMENT tab on the Monday before the tournament date. When making your tee time selection, please be considerate of other members wanting to play efficient golf. We recommend the following time frame for playing in club home tournaments:

Early - Members commit to complete their rounds of golf under 4 hours / 20 minutes

Middle - Members commit to complete their rounds of golf under 4 hours / 30 minutes

Late - Members commit to complete their rounds of golf under 5 hours

Cancellation and Refunds (revised for 2009)

If you must cancel from a tournament, you are required to notify the Tournament Director via email or phone call before the registration deadline. The City of Los Angeles makes the club commit 10 days in advance of our tournaments. Many other golf courses require the club to commit a fixed number of players anywhere from 14 to 30 days in advance of the tournament date depending on their contract. If you cancel on or before the registration deadline, you will receive a full refund.

If you cancel after the deadline, no refund will be allowed unless: you replace yourself with an unregistered member 48 hours prior to the tournament date, or the tournament staff is able to fill your spot with a late registrant or someone from the waiting list on the day of the tournament.  Refunds for checks will be paid by the Treasurer after approval by the Tournament Director.

Check-In Requirement

Players are required to check in a minimum of twenty (20) minutes prior to their scheduled tee time to guarantee play. We have nine (9) minute intervals at the Home Tournaments and consideration should be made to identify yourself with members in your pairing group. Despite having paid to play, the tournament men reserve the right to replace you in the tournament should you not check in accordingly. If you experience an unforeseen delay on the way to the golf course, you may contact another member in your scheduled tee time or the golf course starter to notify the tournament director about your delay but ability to report to the first tee five (5) minutes prior to your scheduled start time. The burden is on the member to reach the tournament director via another Club member. Any miscommunication with the golf course starter will be in favor of the starter.

Reporting to the First Tee

If a player is not ready to tee off five (5) minutes prior to their scheduled time after check-in, that member will be disqualified in accordance with USGA rule 6-3 and will result in the forfeiting of the player's fees, unless an opening is available later in the tournament and there are no members on the stand-by list. A second offense will be considered a serious breach of Club policy and may be reviewed by the Board of Directors to determine sanction or penalty. In addition to any disciplinary action imposed by the Handicap Chairman, you may be restricted to enter in future tournaments.

No Shows

Failure to appear at a tournament without notification will result in the forfeiting of the player's fees. A second offense will be considered a serious breach of Club policy and may be reviewed by the Board of Directors to determine sanction or penalty. In addition to any disciplinary action imposed by the Handicap Chairman, you may be restricted to enter in future tournaments.

Scorecard Submittal

Each player is solely responsible for signing and attesting his/her correct score prior to submitting his/her scorecard to the tournament committee in accordance to USGA Rule 6-6, unless otherwise instructed by the tournament committee. Failure to properly sign and attest your score may result in a disqualification for that tournament.

Failure to submit your scorecard after checking in and hitting off the first tee of the tournament is an offense considered to be a serious breach of Club policy and may be reviewed by the Board of Directors to determine sanction or penalty. In addition to any disciplinary action imposed by the Handicap Chairman, you may be restricted to enter in future tournaments.

Drop your completed scorecard off in the designated box next to the posting computer in the pro shop or as instructed in the tournament rules. 

Posting of Scores on the Computer (corrected July 22, 2010)

Bonus Scrip Prizes

Typically, all home tournaments will provide a bonus of $25 per/flight for landing the closest to the pin on each of the par 3 holes (#3, #8, #12 and #16). Other tournaments may not provide bonus awards or might have alternative bonus awards, i.e. skins.

Golfer of the Year points will be awarded to the top five (5) places in each flight for both Low Gross and Low Net flights. Five (5) bonus points for 1st place, four (4) bonus points for 2nd place and so on until 1 bonus point for 5th place in each flight. There is a minimum of 15 members required in each flight to be eligible to award participation points.

Major and Special Tournaments (EXCEPTION TO GENERAL CLUB POLICIES)

The conditions of competition for both majors and special golf tournaments will supercede and contain exceptions to Club policy. Members should read the specific requirements for eligibility prior to registering to play. Some tournaments take place over a period of days or months and some restrict play to members over a certain age. Typically, the flights are determined by using the established low index rather than the established current index.

Major Tournament Eligibility 

To be eligible for Major Tournaments, a member must
·         have an established low index,
·         must be a member in good standing of RPGC,
·         have competed in at least 3 RPGC sanctioned tournaments within 12 months of the Major Tournament

The Four-Ball and Club Champions will represent Rancho in the SCGA Four-Ball Net Championship and Tournament of Club Champions tournaments.

L. A. CITY Tournament of Club Champions

The low gross winner of the championship flight of the Club Championship and the low net winner (from any flight) of the Tournament of Champions will represent RPGC each year in the Los Angeles City Tournament of Club Champions.

Inclement Weather and Course Conditions

Play may be suspended due to unplayable conditions including the prohibition of golf carts on the golf course. The tournament directors will have the full authority to determine if play should be suspended. Every effort will be made to proceed with play if it is likely that all registered members will be able to complete the stipulated round of golf without jeopardizing their health and safety. Because Rancho Park Golf Club does not own the golf course, we are subject to the City of Los Angeles' non-refundable policy once payment is made 15 minutes prior to the first tee time. We are not entitled to stop mid-tournament and resume later or reschedule for another day. Please be courteous -- every time we have a rainout some people approve and some people disapprove. Although you are entitled to your opinion, please do not rudely complain to our volunteers who are only trying to do what's best for the club. Remember, if the club pays for 120 golfers and a downpour starts one hour into the tournament, ALL MONEY IS LOST.

Disputes and Decisions