1. Each player is permitted one (1) breakfast ball on the first tee shot only per round.

2. Players get to choose between the original tee shot and the breakfast ball tee shot as the ball for their next shot. Once decided, you must finish the hole from that ball.

3. No additional mulligans are permitted at any time during rounds.

1. When a ball is clearly observed to come to rest in bounds, with an absolute zero possibility of entering a penalty area or out of bounds, but cannot be found after a reasonable search:

   • The player may take free relief by dropping a new ball from knee height at the best estimated point where the original ball should have came to rest.

2. Relief is permitted only if all players in the group agree that the ball was definitely in play and lost due to course conditions (e.g., leaves, thick rough, plugged).

3. This rule does not apply if there is any reasonable doubt from anyone in the group that the ball may have entered a penalty area or out of bounds.

1. A ball lying in the fairway or on the green fringe may be lifted, cleaned, and placed:

• At its original spot, or

• Within one scorecard length of the nearest point of complete relief, no closer to the hole

2. This includes relief from divots, pitch marks, dead turf, or damaged fairway areas.

3. When placing on the green fringe, players may not align the ball in a manner that provides an advantage (lining up their putt using the line on their ball).

4.1 Rough

1. Due to virtual rounds and varying course/weather conditions:

   • A ball in the rough may be lifted, cleaned, and dropped from knee height with no penalty.

2. The drop must occur within one scorecard length of the original spot or the nearest point of relief in the case of temporary standing water or other unplayable conditions.

3. The ball must remain in the same cut/grass condition (i.e., rough stays in the rough).

4.2 Bunkers

1. A ball in a bunker must be played as it lies and cannot be touched, including plugged lies.

2. If the ball comes to rest in an unraked footprint, the player is entitled to free relief:

   • Lift, clean, and drop from knee height in the same exact spot (rake first).

5.1 Out of Bounds (White Stakes/Lines)

1. A ball that is found in an out of bounds area can not be played.

2. All out-of-bounds relief options carry a one-stroke penalty.

3. The player must proceed under stroke-and-distance (rehitting previous shot) or may take a lateral relief option:

   • Lateral drop within two club lengths of the out of bounds area line from where the ball crossed the out of bounds area line.

4. Penalty relief drops may not be taken closer to the hole.

5.2 Penalty/Hazard Areas (Red and Yellow Stakes/Lines)

1. A ball in a penalty/hazard area may be:

   • Played as it lies, with no penalty, or

   • Relieved under stroke-and-distance (rehitting previous shot), with a one-stroke penalty, or

   • Dropped laterally within two club lengths of the penalty area line from where the ball crossed, with a one-stroke penalty.

   2. If no stakes or lines are present, the area shall be treated as a penalty/hazard area and not an out of bounds area.

   3. Balls in penalty areas may not be lifted, cleaned, or improved, unless taking a penalty drop.

   4. Penalty relief drops may not be taken closer to the hole.

1. When a ball lies in a position where a stroke would risk damage to the player or equipment (e.g., tree roots, rocks, thorn bushes):

   • The player may take free relief within one scorecard length of the nearest point of complete relief, no closer to the hole.

2. Relief must be taken in good faith and may not be used to obtain a strategic advantage.

3. The player must still play a shot consistent with the shot that would reasonably have been required.

   • Taking this free relief can not allow a player to be able to play a different shot that would give them an advantage. If your ball is up against or behind a tree, you are still behind the tree. A chip-out should still be a chip-out.

4. This relief is never permitted when in penalty areas or out-of-bounds areas.

1. Free relief is granted when an immovable man-made object interferes with:

   • The ball,

   • The player’s stance or swing, or

   • The area of intended landing (within reason).

   2. Examples include cart paths, sprinkler heads, drains, yardage markers, benches, signs, and other fixed man-made structures.

   3. Relief procedure:

   • Fairway: lift, clean, and place.

   • All other areas: lift, clean, and drop from knee height.

   4. This rule applies throughout the course, including near the putting green for sprinkler heads. The ball must remain in the same cut/grasscondition.

5. This relief is not permitted when in penalty areas or out-of-bounds areas.

1. Scores are entered in 18Birdies on a gross basis. The app will automatically calculate your net scores for you. 

2. Scores must be entered hole-by-hole in 18Birdies. No bulk entries for holes.

3. The maximum score for any hole is a gross triple bogey:

   • Par 3: 6

   • Par 4: 7

   • Par 5: 8

   4. Once the maximum score is reached, the player must pick up their ball to maintain pace of play.

1. For all tournament rounds except Rebel Cup events, gimme putts are not permitted.

   • All putts must be holed, even tap-ins. No exceptions.

2. During Rebel Cup events:

   • A putt is conceded only if granted by an opponent.

   • Once conceded, the putt is deemed holed; practice strokes are permitted.

1. All tournament rounds must be played on a full 18-hole course.

2. Tee box selections must measure no less than 6,000 yards.

3. Courses must present an appropriate competitive challenge.

4. Players cannot play the same course more than 4 times in a season, including playoffs.

1. For tournament play, all players must use their auto-calculated 18Birdies handicap.

2. Handicaps in the app may not be manually altered by players on their own at any time prior to a tournament round, unless given approval by the commissioner beforehand. 

3. The CGA Tour Board reserves the right to adjust a player’s tournament handicap manually, if it is necessary.

4. To prevent sandbagging, all 18-hole individual stroke-play rounds, whether tournament or non-tournament, must be:

   • Logged in 18Birdies, and

   • Retained in the app permanently and never deleted.

   5. Nine-hole rounds, scramble rounds, and other non-stroke play rounds are not required to be logged.

   6. All tournaments are contested at 90% of each player’s handicap.

1. All tournament rounds must be announced to the CGA Tour group chat no less than 4 hours prior to the tee time. Announcement must include the course name, day & time of the tee time, and who you are playing with.

2. Failure to announce the round in time renders it an ineligible tournament round, with no exception.

1. All tournament windows are final and will not be extended, unless granted an extension by the CGA Tour Board due to severe, persistent weather conditions or personal matters for an extended period of time.

2. If in the middle of a tournament round, play is suspended due to weather:

   • All completed holes shall count.

   • The round must be paused and resumed at a later time or day, within the same tournament window.

   • Play must resume on the same course, same tee box, and same hole.

   3. Do not wait until the last day/weekend of a tournament window to get your round in.

1. Any form of deliberate cheating is prohibited.

2. All violations are reviewed and decided by the CGA Tour Board. All decisions are final.

Penalty Structure

• Grade 1: Two-stroke penalty applied to the player for the current tournament

• Grade 2: Current tournament round is voided; player must begin a new round

• Grade 3: Disqualification from the current tournament

• Grade 4: Disqualification from the current tournament and suspension from the next tournament

• Grade 5: Permanent removal from the CGA Tour
  
  

  3. Players are encouraged to address potential violations from other competitors before the next stroke is made whenever possible, in order to prevent violations/penalties.

  4. If a player is uncertain about a rule during a round, they must consult a CGA Tour Board member before playing their next shot.

  5. Any unresolved disputes or concerns must be reported to the CGA Tour Board for review.

1. The CGA Tour relies on the principles of honesty, integrity, and sportsmanship.

2. All players are expected to protect the spirit of the game and the integrity of competition.

3. Golf is a gentleman’s game. With a lot of us playing our rounds remotely or without another member of the league present, honesty, integrity, and sportsmanship is all we have. Please follow all of the rules listed above. Don’t be the guy that cheats.