NCCGA Rules & Eligibilty

Fall 2022 Collegiate Event Rules and Eligibility

  • Tournaments are 2-day stroke play events (typically Saturday afternoons or Sunday mornings)
  • The top 5 scores are counted as the team total daily (max of 8 players per team)
  • Playing distance is determined based on weather and course difficulty
    • Men ~ 6,000-7,000 yards
    • Women ~ 5,200 – 6,200 yards
  • The 2019 USGA Rules of Golf apply for all play with the following exceptions
    • Pace of Play policy
    • Course local rules (the NCCGA does not adopt the 2019 Stroke and Distance optional local rule - players may not drop the ball in the fairway for a penalty of 2 strokes)
    • Double Par is the maximum any player can take on a hole for all NCCGA tournaments besides the NCCGA National Championship. Once a player reaches double par, that player is required to pick up. Any rules related to Double Par do not apply to the National Championship.
    • All players that are late for their tournament tee time will be assessed a score of double par for each hole that they miss but will still be allowed to complete play.  If players are late for a shotgun start they may join their group at the next hole in which the group has not left the teeing ground
    • If a player has played at least one hole and is unable to complete his or her round, they may record a score of double par for all missed holes
    • If a player becomes aware of a penalty after the fact that would result in disqualification, that player receives double par on the hole in question.  Double par will not be awarded to a player who intentionally breaks a rule or acts in a manor against the integrity of the game
    • Players who stop play without a suspension issued by the student ambassador or course will be given double par for missed holes
    • Practice on or near the hole last played is prohibited in NCCGA tournaments
    • The Tournament Committee is composed of the NCCGA Commissioner, the NCCGA Zone Manager, the student advisory group, the Student Ambassador, and the course professional.  The Tournament Committee is to be consulted for help with any rulings.  Rulings are made at their discretion in the best interest of the tournament competitors and tournament experience
    • The Committee has the right to declare abnormal ground conditions (including allowing players to use lift, clean, and place rules) before or during the stipulated round
    • Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule or Condition is two strokes
  • All tournament scoring discrepancies must be resolved in the designated scoring area.  It is the players responsibility to ensure his/her scorecard is signed and accurately inputted.  No changes will be made after the player leaves the scoring area.  The only situation in which a score will be altered after the fact is if the Student Ambassador needs to consult the Tournament Committee for a ruling
  • Range finders and electronic measuring devices are allowed as long as they don’t measure slope or wind
  • No caddies are permitted during events
  • Teammates may not interact/give advice with players at any time during the round
  • Spectators may not provide advice to participants during play
  • A club golf team is permitted to name any non-student the official "coach" of the team. Advice is permitted at NCCGA events that are not PGA Playing Ability Tests (NCCGA Nationals). Advice is permitted throughout the round exempt on the putting green
  • Players may accept rides from any spectators or coaches during the course of play
  • Electronic devices may be used during the round as long as it does not interfere with pace of play
  • NCCGA Tournaments are either all walking or all riding.  In an all walking events, players may take a cart if they receive a medical cart exemption (see Disability Policy). Push carts are allowed for all players

Eligibility:

  • Any college or university is eligible to create a team (this includes community colleges, law schools, PGM programs, etc.)
  • Players must be full-time students as defined by their university to participate on the club golf team
  • Graduate students or school sanctioned co-op students may compete.  Students may compete in a season in which they graduate as long as they are full-time students at the beginning of the NCCGA season
  • Players cannot compete in tournaments if they are a NCAA varsity golfer at any point during the NCCGA season
  • The NCCGA does not discriminate against age
  • Players must have amateur status (PGM students training to become a professional may compete as long as they do not currently compete for money)
  • Men and women may compete on the same team or play on gender specific teams at the same school (women play from shorter tees)
  • A player will play the mens or women's tees in accordance with the gender he or she identifies with as NCCGA tournaments are inclusive for all eligible college golfers
  • If your college does not have an NCCGA sanctioned team, you may compete as an individual.  The NCCGA staff can also help individuals start a club team.
  • Participating in NCCGA tournaments may count towards NCAA eligibility

Ready to compete? Click here to get more info on our tournaments

Still have questions? Contact Matt Weinberger, Matt@nccga.org

Tiebreaking Procedures

In the event any tiebreaker cannot be settled with the following procedures, the NCCGA Commissioner will be consulted

Team Tiebreaker Policy for Regional Tournaments

  1. Compare 6th person scores from both rounds combined (if a team does not have a 6th person they lose the tie-breaker)
  2. Compare 7th person scores from both rounds combined
  3. Compare 8th person scores from both rounds combined
  4. Compare 2nd day team total (in the event both teams have less than 8 players but also the same amount of players, the 2nd day team total would be compared to break the tie)

Team Tiebreaker Policy for Same Amount of Points

  1. Combine team total tournament scores from all Regional Tournaments relative to par (teams that play in more tournaments will automatically win this tiebreaker)
  2. Compare 6th person scores from all rounds combined relative to par
  3. Compare 7th person scores from all rounds combined relative to par

Team Tiebreaker Policy for Same Differential

  1. Compare 6th person differentials from all rounds combined
  2. Compare 7th person differentials from all rounds combined

Medalist Tiebreaker Policy for a Single Tournament

  1. In the event of a tie, the course pro and Regional Coordinator will determine whether a sudden death playoff can occur based on course and player availability
  2. Playoff holes will be determined by the course pro
  3. Sudden death format – The lowest score(s) will continue to the next hole until there is one player remaining

*In the event a playoff cannot occur or it is determined by the tournament coordinator and the course pro that the start of an additional playoff hole could not be completed due to darkness or inclement weather, a scorecard playoff will determine the winner

Scorecard Playoff to Break Individual Ties

  1. Compare score to par from the #1 handicap hole of all rounds combined (regardless of whether the players played the same course)
  2. Continue to compare the next hardest hole in a sudden death format until one player remains

Individual Tiebreaker Policy for National Championship Qualifying

  1. Lowest single tournament total
  2. Lowest single tournament round

Team Tiebreaker for National Champion

  1. To break team ties at the National Championship, the “Team Tiebreaker Policy for Regional Tournaments” will be utilized except as it relates to determine the National Champion (based on course availability)
  2. To determine the National Champion for teams that are tied, the 5 players with the lowest tournament total for each team will compete in a sudden death playoff with other teams that are tied
  3. The course pro and NCCGA Commissioner will determine order of playoff holes (order of play will be determined by drawing from hat)
  4. After each hole, all 5 scores will be accumulated and compared with the other team(s) that are tied. In the event these scores are the same, the playoff will continue until a single team remains. Each hole the order of play changes
  5. In the event daylight/course availability does not allow for a team playoff to be completed, the “Team Tiebreaker Policy for Regional Tournaments” will be utilized

Still have questions? Call our Director of Rules Matt Weinberger at 513-277-9992

Fall 2022 Qualifying Procedures

All regions are broken into zones to provide a more equal playing field when comparing teams from different regions for qualifying purposes.  Zones are based on typical weather conditions and do not factor in any historical scoring by team or region

Learn more about Zone Based Qualifying procedures

Zones

  • Zone 1 - New England, North, Northern New England, Northeast, Northwest
  • Zone 2 - Atlantic, Metro, Midwest, Philly, Twin Cities, West
  • Zone 3 - Capitol, Central, Great Lakes, Indiana, Mountain, Ohio Valley
  • Zone 4 - Colonial, North Carolina, Ozark, Pacific, South, Southeast
  • Zone 5 - Desert, Gulf, Florida, Southwest, Texas

Teams and individuals will continue to be ranked by round using the USGA Handicap formula to calculate differential: (Score - Course Rating) x 113 / Slope Rating

If a team has competed in the first two tournaments of the semester they are able to participate in the third tournament and not have it count towards their eligibility for nationals.  This is done to allow teams to lock in their differential while meeting the threshold of competing in at least two events to be eligible for the National Championship.  The team must alert the NCCGA prior to the third tournament if they would like to not count the event towards their ranking

Fall 2022 NCCGA National Championship Qualifying

  • 27 Teams and 8 Individuals
  • Automatic bid for National Championship title - North Carolina State University
  • 4 auto-bids per zone will be awarded to teams with the best rankings (cap of 2 auto-bids per region)
    • If a team who earns an auto-bid does not accept, that bid will become a Wild Card bid
    • Teams must compete in two Regional Tournaments to be eligible
    • Defending National Champions do not count towards zone auto-bids
  • Top ranked Women's specific club via National Rankings
  • Wild Card bids
    • Wild Card bids are awarded to the top ranked teams regardless of zone to fill the field
  • Individual Qualifying Process
    • The top 8 ranked individuals from non-qualifying teams to either national tournament will be invited to accept an individual bid. The top 3 ranked women will qualify based on national rank to the Championship.

Fall 2022 NCCGA National Invitational Qualifying

  • Winner of the NCCGA National Invitational earns a bid to the following semester's NCCGA National Championship - Northwestern University
  • 14 Teams and 8 Individuals*
  • Regional Tournament Qualifying Points - Teams that earn the most points in their region will automatically qualify for the National Invitational (or the National Championship if they qualify)*
    • 1st Place – 6 Points
    • 2nd Place – 3 Points
    • 3rd Place – 1 Point
  • 2 auto-bids per zone will be awarded to teams with the best rankings
    • Region winners will count towards the 2 auto-bids per zone (regardless of differential)
    • If a team who earns an auto-bid does not accept, that bid will become a Wild Card bid
    • Teams must compete in one Regional Tournament to be eligible to qualify
  • Wild Card bids are awarded to the top ranked teams regardless of zone that competed in at least one Regional Tournament.  Number of Wild Card teams depends on the remaining field size
  • The 2nd ranked Women's specific team will be invited to participate in the National Invitational
  • Individual Qualifying Process
    • The next top 8 ranked individuals from non-qualifying teams to either national tournament will be invited to accept an individual bid

*Teams that decline their National Championship bid are not eligible to compete in the National Invitational

*Previous semester Nationals winners earn Regional Tournament Qualifying Points but the top point-getter outside of previous Nationals winner will receive the region auto-bid

*If a region has 0 events completed due to cancellations, the teams that qualified for the previous semesters Championship and Invitational will be invited to the same event in the current season

Can your team make the championship? Start competing

Additional Rules

  • Inclement weather will be monitored by the Student Ambassador and the course pro
  • Close of Competition – The competition is deemed to have closed when all scores have been approved by the Committee
  • Scores in the Nextgengolf software are considered official scores.  Changes to scores will not be permitted once the round is closed in the system
  • NCCGA tournaments does not require conforming grooves and does not ban anchored putters
  • Alcohol is not permitted during play at any NCCGA events. Consuming alcohol will result in disqualification for the tournament
  • Proper dress is required: no tank tops, t-shirts, denim shorts, short shorts, cut-offs, gym shorts or jeans are allowed. If dressed inappropriately, the course can refuse the right to let you play
  • NCCGA Media staff and third parties are allowed access to grounds for team and individual video and pictures. All content is the ownership of the NCCGA.
  • Fall 2022 Prizing
    • The top 8 players receive All Tournament Team prize
    • The Medalist receives a Medalist prize
    • Top 2 teams receive team prizes
  • No refunds will be issued for individuals paying who do not come to a Regional Tournament.  No refunds will be issued for players who have pre-paid for the tournament who request a refund after 11:59pm Tuesday prior to the event.  This includes but is not limited to weather issues.
  • There is a non-refundable convenience fee of 2.9% and 30 cents for each transaction processed on Nextgengolf.org. To avoid the non-refundable convenience fee, Nextgengolf accepts checks and bank ACH payment methods. Checks can be made payable to Nextgengolf, Inc and mailed to the address on the invoice. To set-up bank ACH, please email billing@nextgengolf.org. Please note, convenience fees will not be refunded even if the payment to which it relates is canceled, refunded, credited or charged back.
  • NCCGA Credits are given on a case by case basis to teams and individuals when tournaments are postponed, cancelled or attendance at events is not recorded. NCCGA credit on accounts is redeemable (1) semester post credit issued. If credit is not used within (1) semester, credit is forfeited and non-refundable.
  • The NCCGA Commissioner reserves the right to suspend players who do act in accordance with NCCGA standards.
  • Any abuse or disrespect of fellow competitors, officials, spectators, employees of the host facility, or other persons conducting or attending a NCCGA sponsored event can be grounds for disqualification from the event, and possible rejection of entry for future NCCGA events. Such abuse may be verbal or physical or threat thereof and includes, but is not limited to the use of obscene language, physical damage to property or equipment including that of the NCCGA or the host facility, and being under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances during competition.
  • Liability Release and Tournament Participation Terms information

Still have questions? Contact the NCCGA Commissioner Matt Weinberger at 513-277-9992 or Matt@nccga.org

Walking and Medical Exemption Policies

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), (including changes made by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, effective January 1, 2009), TITLE 42 – THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE, CHAPTER 126 – EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

NCCGA Walking Exemption Policy

  • It is the NCCGA intent to operate under the guidance of the ADA as it applies to National Collegiate Club Golf.
  • An individual with a walking impairment shall not be denied the opportunity to fair and equitable participation in NCCGA events.
  • Reasonable accommodations shall be granted to a player with a walking impairment in the form of a Walking Exemption.  Players who are granted a Walking Exemption may not share that cart privilege with their playing partner(s) during the course of play.  They may provide rides between holes similar to a spectator.
  • A walking impaired is defined as an impairment that substantially limits a player’s ability to walk a one day 18 hole or a two day 36 hole NCCGA Team Qualifier, Regional, or National Championship golf event.
  • The term “substantially limits” shall be interpreted consistently with the findings and purposes of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.
  • A walking impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit walking activity when active.
  • The determination of whether impairment substantially limits walking activity shall be made without regard to the ameliorative effects of mitigating measures such as prosthetics, including limbs and devices.
  • A walking exemption shall not apply to impairments that are transitory and minor. A transitory impairment is impairment with an actual or expected duration of 6 months or less.  The players discretion will be utilized to determine if the impairment shall require a cart.
  • A player must apply for a walking exemption as instructed by established procedures directly to the NCCGA.  Application procedures are available on the NCCGA webpage.
  • Email Matt@nccga.org with your walking exemption and contact information for a doctor or reference point to confirm the legitimacy of the claim

Still have questions? Contact the NCCGA Commissioner Matt Weinberger at 513-277-9992 or Matt@nccga.org

Matt Weinberger

Have questions about rules?

Contact Matt Weinberger
513-277-9992
Matt@nccga.org