Ritz-Carlton GC (16-18 & 13-15)

FLORIDA JUNIOR TOUR

PARENT & SPECTATOR POLICY

The Florida State Golf Association and the FJT takes great pride in the conduct of its players and the relationships that it has with the golf clubs in Florida.

Ladies and Gentlemen     Our players, their parents, friends and relatives are expected to act as ladies and gentlemen at all FJT events including practice rounds, competitive rounds, dinners and other functions.

Spectators must observe the same golf etiquette and respect to the golf course, facilities, and policies of the host club as the players.

Spectator Privileges    Watching an FJT event as a spectator is a privilege.  Whether you are a parent or a friend of a player, your spectator privileges may be suspended if you fail to follow the spectator guidelines. 

PARENT AND SPECTATOR POLICIES

Dress Code     All family members and spectators should dress in appropriate golf attire or clothing of a similar nature.  Blue jeans, t-shirts, tank tops, short-shorts, flip-flops and other overly casual attire should NOT be worn at any FJT function.  Gentlemen should remove hats when entering the clubhouse, pro shop or grill.

Cell Phones     Cell phones are NOT permitted to be used.  Please turn off all electronic devises or set their alert mode to silent.  Calls may be returned at the clubhouse by cell phone at a later time. (if the club permits)

General Conduct     You child or friend is attempting to play top-level competitive golf and this is NOT the time for any coaching.  Quietly follow your player without attempting to speak to them and keep your expressions of joy and/or disappointment to an absolute minimum.  Please do not embarrass your child in front of other players and spectators.  Smoking should be kept at a minimum at all events - cigarette butts look horrible on the golf course and smoking sets a poor example for the kids - enjoy the fresh air and exercise!

Advice     (Violation of the advice rule will lead to a two-shot penalty for the player involved)

• A player may not receive any advice from spectators (parents, relatives, or friends). Examples are:
• Verbal communication with the participant
• Hand signals to the participant, including gestures to influence player decisions
• Providing participants with written material
• Positioning your self to assist the junior participant with aim or alignment
• Keep your distance from your child while following him or her throughout his or her tournament rounds - stay at least 25 yards away.
• Spectators who need to talk with participants (i.e. for health reasons, sunscreen, water etc.) should do so in front of other spectators and/or other participants

How to Follow Your Group  (Where you should stand & walk)

• Follow your players from a distance (at least 25 yards) and stay in the rough or on the cart paths.  You should NOT be in the fairway.
• Stay to the side of the action and remain still and quite while all players play.
• Do not lag behind the participants as this often delays the group behind
• Move forward to the putting green when all shots have been completed
• Putting Green - Spectators must never be on the putting surface and should observe the putting green from a reasonable distance that will not interfere with the players
• Looking for Balls - Help spot balls for all players
• Rulings - Allow Rules Officials to administer rulings. You will be brought into a situation ONLY if the Rules Official asks you

Spectator Cart Policy     (Failure to follow these policies can result in your cart being taken away at any time and may result in your privileges being suspended for future events)

• Carts may be rented by spectators - the daily fee is determined by each individual club and will be included in the payer's information on the website
• Spectators carts must stay on the cart path at ALL times
• Only 3 carts will be allowed per group
• Carts may only move forward on the golf course (from tee to green) except in case of a weather evacuation. Carts may not move while competitors are playing a stroke
• Only 2 people per cart are allowed except during evacuation
• Spectator carts will NOT be used for shuttling of players from green to tee
• Spectators carts will be used to assist with evacuation of players and spectators and may leave the cart path as necessary during and evacuation
• Spectator carts may carry water for players but no golf equipment and may also carry any other spectator's items such as umbrellas etc..

Appreciation of Club Staff and Officials     It is appropriate to express your appreciation to the host club, its staff and the FJT officials conducting the event.  Please recognize that your actions may influence the future ability of other junior golf organizations to use the club and it is your responsibility to be a gracious ambassador of junior golf.  Set a great example for your child and all the people present:

• Say thank you to the golf professional, club staff and members
• Be patient with staff and officials
• Write a thank you note to the club
• Express you thanks to our volunteer officials
• Be courteous at all times
• Do not wear hats indoors

Penalties     In the case of advice, the appropriate penalty, typically two-strokes, will be applied to the player.

Spectators and/or Parents who violate any of the spectator policies above may be barred from the course for the current round or event and repeated violations may result in the suspension of a parent's spectator privileges