2026 LONG BEACH WOMEN’S CITY

CHAMPIONSHIPS

~ Women’s City Championship ~

 

Terms of Competition

 

LONG BEACH GOLF FESTIVAL

Unified Terms of Competition

These Unified Terms of Competition are intended to apply to all Long Beach Golf Festival–administered championships, challenges, qualifiers, match play events, junior events, and senior events, unless otherwise specified in the event-specific Notice to Competitors or Notice to Players. Where an Event Notice conflicts with these Terms, the Event Notice shall take precedence.

1. GOVERNING RULES

Play is governed by the USGA Rules of Golf, effective January 2026 (or current year edition), the applicable Local Rules as described in the Notice to Competitors/Players distributed at the tournament site, and these Terms of Competition. Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule or Term of Competition is the General Penalty.

2. THE COMPETITION

The format of play (stroke play, match play, gross or net scoring, number of holes, cuts, flights, divisions, and qualifying procedures) will be defined in the Event-Specific Notice.

• Championships may be conducted as gross competitions
• Challenges and Flighted events may be conducted as net competitions
• Qualifiers are typically 18-hole stroke play
• Match Play events include qualifying rounds followed by bracket play

All eligibility requirements, advancement criteria, and tiebreaking procedures will be announced in advance of play.

3. HANDICAPS (WHEN APPLICABLE)

When a competition is designated as a Net event:

• Course Handicaps are calculated using the Lowest Handicap Index over the specified period announced for the event
• Playing Handicaps are determined using a 95% Handicap Allowance, unless otherwise stated
• The Tournament Committee reserves the right to review and adjust a player’s Course Handicap in accordance with the World Handicap System Rules of Handicapping if the Handicap Index does not reflect demonstrated ability

4. CODE OF CONDUCT

By submitting an entry, the contestant understands that they may be warned or disqualified by the Tournament Committee under Rule 1.2b for unbecoming conduct, including but not limited to:

• Willful damage to the golf course or property
• Club throwing
• Offensive, threatening, or abusive language or actions
• Verbal abuse of officials, staff, volunteers, host club personnel, or competitors
• Endangering others
• Manipulation of scores or other acts of cheating

Dress Code

Appropriate golf attire must be worn at all times:

• No denim pants, short shorts, tee shirts, or tank tops
• Collared shirts required unless otherwise permitted
• Model Local Rule G-7 is in effect: shoes with metal or traditionally designed spikes are prohibited

Penalty: Warning for first offense; Disqualification for second offense.

5. PRACTICE

• Practice rounds are not included in entry fees
• Practice is permitted only in designated practice areas
• Once a tournament has begun, practice on the competition course before or between rounds is prohibited unless expressly allowed in the Event Notice

Penalties for breach follow Rule 5 and applicable Model Local Rules.

6. TEE TIMES & PAIRINGS

• Starting times and pairings will be posted on the applicable event portal prior to play
• Subsequent round pairings may be determined by score, flight, division, or bracket position
• Pairing requests are generally not accepted

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7. TIME OF STARTING

Players must be present at the proper tee, ready to play, at their scheduled starting time or when called by the starter.

• Not ready when called: General Penalty
• More than five (5) minutes late: Disqualification

8. TEE MARKERS & HOLE LOCATIONS

• Tee markers will be specified by division, flight, age group, or event
• Players must play from the tees listed on their scorecard
• Hole location sheets will be available at the starter’s table

9. DISTANCE-MEASURING DEVICES

Distance-measuring devices are permitted for distance only.

• Features that measure slope, wind, or other conditions must be disabled

Penalty: General Penalty for first violation; Disqualification for second violation.

10. CONFORMING EQUIPMENT

The following Model Local Rules are in effect:

• G-1: Conforming Driver Heads
• G-2: Groove and Punch Mark Specifications
• G-3: Conforming Golf Balls

11. LOCAL RULES

The following Local Rules, as outlined in the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf, are in effect unless otherwise stated:

• E-10: Protection of Young Trees (No Play Zones)
• F-3.1 / F-3.2: Ground Under Repair treated as part of nearby obstruction
• F-5: Immovable Obstructions close to putting greens (modified)
• F-7: Relief from seams of cut turf (lie only)
• F-10: Damage by animals (fresh damage, lie only)
• F-17: All roads and paths treated as obstructions (with event-specific exceptions)
• G-8 / G-4: Restrictions on audio and video devices
• G-9: Replacement of broken or significantly damaged clubs

12. DOUBT AS TO PROCEDURE / SECOND BALL

In stroke play, Rule 20.1c(3) applies. Players must:

• Announce intent to play a second ball before doing so
• Declare which ball is to count
• Report the situation to the Committee immediately after the round

Failure to do so results in Disqualification.

Note: Rule 20.1c(3) does not apply in Match Play.

13. CADDIES

Caddies are permitted unless otherwise stated in the Event Notice.

• Caddies must not delay play or interfere with officials
• Caddies may be asked to leave for misconduct or pace-of-play issues
• Individuals riding in a player’s cart may be deemed a caddie under Rule 10.3c

14. SPECTATOR CARTS

Spectator carts are prohibited except for a verified medical necessity.

• Documentation must be presented at Tournament Headquarters
• Approved spectators will receive a cart placard
• Cart rental fees apply ($17.50 per person)

15. PACE OF PLAY

Rule 5.6b is strictly enforced. Groups out of position may be timed.

Penalties may be assessed to individuals who exceed allowed stroke times as defined in the Event Notice or Pace of Play Policy.

16. TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE AUTHORITY

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to:

• Interpret and enforce these Terms
• Make decisions in the interest of fairness
• Modify conditions due to weather or course conditions

All decisions of the Committee are final.