Official Rules

The EA Golf Tour consists of 12 official tournaments played at selected golf courses across Europe throughout the season.

Each tournament will be played over two or three days, depending on the format and characteristics of the host venue.

Players may enter an unlimited number of tournaments during the season.

The EA Golf Tour features two official competitions within every event:

• Handicap Championship
• Scratch Championship

The Tour is open to amateur golfers holding a valid and active World Handicap System (WHS) Handicap Index issued or recognised by a national golf federation.

The maximum Playing Handicap permitted is 18.0.

Players whose Handicap Index exceeds 18.0 may participate only with the prior approval of the EA Golf Tour Competition Committee and will compete using a maximum Playing Handicap of 18.0.

Players under the age of 18 are welcome to participate provided they are accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or another responsible adult approved by the organisation.

All tournaments will be played under the Stroke Play Handicap format.

The Handicap Championship will be determined by the cumulative net score over all tournament rounds.

A parallel Scratch Championship will be played simultaneously, based on each player's cumulative gross score.

The Competition Committee may introduce qualifying cuts whenever the size of the field, tournament format or course conditions require it. Any cut policy will be published before registration opens.

All EA Golf Tour competitions shall be conducted in accordance with:

• The current Rules of Golf published by The R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA).
• The Local Rules of the host golf club.
• The Conditions of Competition published for each event.
• Any additional decisions issued by the EA Golf Tour Competition Committee.

Should any conflict arise, the official Conditions of Competition and Local Rules published for that tournament shall prevail where permitted under the Rules of Golf.

The Handicap Index used for each tournament will be the player's official Handicap Index on the closing date for entries.

Playing Handicap will be calculated in accordance with the World Handicap System using the applicable Course Rating, Slope Rating, tees in use and handicap allowance.

The Competition Committee reserves the right to review any player's handicap where there are reasonable grounds to believe it does not accurately reflect the player's demonstrated ability.

Any deliberate manipulation of a handicap or submission of false information may result in:

• Adjustment of results.
• Loss of ranking points.
• Disqualification.
• Temporary suspension.
• Permanent exclusion from the EA Golf Tour.

Each tournament awards points towards the EA Golf Tour Season Ranking.

Points are determined by:

• Final finishing position.
• Number of competitors.
• Tournament category.
• Major status.

Larger and more competitive fields may award more ranking points than smaller events.

The complete points allocation system will be published before the beginning of each season.

Selected tournaments will be designated as EA Golf Tour Majors.

Majors award additional ranking points through a published multiplier.

Major status will always be announced before entries open.

The overall season ranking is calculated using each player's five best tournament results.

Players may compete in as many tournaments as they wish, however only their five highest scoring performances will count.

Separate season rankings may be maintained for both the Handicap and Scratch Championships.

Scratch Championship

Any tie for first place in the Scratch Championship will be decided by a sudden-death playoff.

The playoff hole or sequence of holes will be designated by the Competition Committee before play begins. Whenever practical, play will commence from the 18th hole.

All other tied positions in the Scratch Championship will be decided by scorecard comparison in the following order:

1. Last 18 holes.
2. Last 9 holes.
3. Last 6 holes.
4. Last 3 holes.
5. Last hole.
6. Draw, if still tied.

Handicap Championship

Any tie in the Handicap Championship, including a tie for first place, will be decided in favour of the player with the lowest Playing Handicap.

Should the tie remain after comparing Playing Handicaps, it will be decided by scorecard comparison in the following order:

1. Last 18 holes.
2. Last 9 holes.
3. Last 6 holes.
4. Last 3 holes.
5. Last hole.
6. Draw, if still tied.

Season Ranking

If two or more players finish the season with the same number of ranking points, positions will be decided in the following order:

1. Greatest number of victories.
2. Greatest number of runner-up finishes.
3. Best Major finish.
4. Highest individual tournament points total.
5. Best finish in the season finale.
6. Best cumulative Scratch performance across the counting events.

Should a tie still remain, the Competition Committee shall determine the final procedure.

Each tournament shall have a Competition Committee responsible for:

• Applying the Rules of Golf.
• Interpreting these regulations.
• Establishing Local Rules.
• Resolving disputes.
• Administering penalties.
• Suspending, shortening, postponing or cancelling play where necessary.

The Committee's decisions shall be final.

Registration is confirmed only upon receipt of full payment through the official EA Golf Tour registration platform.

Players who withdraw at least seven (7) days before the first scheduled round will receive a full refund.

Withdrawals made less than seven days before the event are non-refundable except where required by law or expressly authorised by the Competition Committee.

Should the EA Golf Tour cancel or postpone an event, players will be offered either a full refund or the opportunity to transfer their entry to the rescheduled event.

Official practice rounds may be available before selected tournaments.

Availability, pricing and booking procedures will be published individually for each event.

Practice rounds remain subject to the policies of the host golf club.

Starting times, pairings and all relevant player information will normally be published at least 48 hours before the first round.

Players are responsible for checking the official EA Golf Tour communication channels before the event.

Players are expected to maintain a prompt pace of play and keep their position relative to the group ahead.

Competitors should be ready to play whenever it is their turn and avoid unnecessary delays.

Penalties may be applied in accordance with the Rules of Golf and any Pace of Play Policy published for the event.

Caddies are permitted at all EA Golf Tour events unless otherwise stated.

Golf buggies are not permitted for competitors under the age of 60.

Exceptions may be granted only for documented medical reasons and require prior approval from the Competition Committee and the host venue.

GPS devices and laser rangefinders that measure distance only are permitted.

The use of any device or application providing additional information, including wind speed, wind direction, slope, elevation, club recommendations or any other prohibited feature under the Rules of Golf, is not permitted during play.

Players must comply with the dress code established by the host venue.

Where no specific dress code has been published, competitors are expected to wear appropriate golf attire consistent with the traditions and standards of the game.

The Competition Committee reserves the right to refuse participation to any player who fails to comply.

All competitors are expected to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, integrity and respect.

Players shall conduct themselves appropriately towards fellow competitors, officials, volunteers, spectators, staff and host venues at all times.

Unsportsmanlike conduct, abusive behaviour, cheating, damage to property or any action that brings the Tour into disrepute may result in:

• Warning.
• Penalty.
• Disqualification.
• Suspension.
• Permanent exclusion from the EA Golf Tour.

The Competition Committee's decision shall be final.

Every tournament will include awards for both the Handicap and Scratch Championships.

Additional special awards or sponsored prizes may also be presented.

The prize structure for each tournament will be published before entries open.

The tournament entry fee includes medical insurance and event cancellation insurance, subject to the terms, limits and exclusions of the applicable insurance policy.

The EA Golf Tour accepts no liability for losses or expenses not covered by the insurer.

By entering an EA Golf Tour event, competitors grant the EA Golf Tour and its authorised partners the unrestricted right to photograph, film and record their participation during the event.

These images, videos and recordings may be used worldwide for promotional, marketing, editorial and commercial purposes, in any media format, without additional compensation.

The EA Golf Tour reserves the right to suspend, postpone, shorten or cancel any tournament due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, natural disasters, public health emergencies, government restrictions, civil disturbances or any event that makes the safe or fair conduct of the competition impossible.

Where possible, the Competition Committee will determine an alternative format or rescheduled date.

Any refunds or transfers shall be governed by the Registration & Payment Policy and the applicable insurance coverage.

By registering for an EA Golf Tour event, competitors consent to the collection and processing of their personal information for the administration of the Tour.

Personal data may be used for purposes including:

• Tournament administration.
• Player registration.
• Results publication.
• Rankings.
• Statistical analysis.
• Communication regarding EA Golf Tour events.

All personal data will be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and the EA Golf Tour Privacy Policy.

The EA Golf Tour reserves the right to amend these regulations whenever necessary for sporting, organisational, legal or force majeure reasons.

Any amendments will be published through the Tour's official communication channels before taking effect.