The following constitute the regulations governing tournaments run under the auspices of OGL (an ‘OGL Event’) and are set by OGL and unless otherwise stated shall apply to all OGL Events (the ‘Regulations’)
The Regulations shall be binding on all players competing in an OGL Event.
Publication of the Regulations on the OGL Event on the entry purchase page at www.onegolfleague.co.uk and by Golf Genius at www.golfgenius.com shall constitute proper notice of the Regulations to all players competing in an OGL Event.
Entry to an OGL Event shall be deemed acceptance of the Regulations by the player.
Any variation of the Regulations or which apply to any specific OGL Event will be published at www.onegolfleague.co.uk and on the information page for that OGL Event and on www.golfgenius.com.
A. Gender Equal Policy:
1. OGL offers a fully inclusive golf event platform for professional players.
2. All OGL Events are open to male, female, and disabled players.
3. OGL will ensure all players have equal opportunities to compete. Typically, a percentage course length reduction of approximately 12% to 14% will be considered for women and/or disabled golfers. OGL will decide any such reduction at its discretion based on the circumstances to ensure equality and fairness. All order of merit (‘OOM’) incentives and playing invitations are open to male, female, and disabled players.
B. Entry Fees
1. In 2024 OGL will offer entry to each OGL Event upon payment of £399.00.
2. OGL retains the right to review, evaluate and refuse any entry application.
3. Any application for a refund an entry fee will be granted at the discretion of OGL and in accordance with the Regulations.
4. Refunds will not be given to players whose entry to an OGL Event has been cancelled or withdrawn by OGL due to poor behaviour or conduct.
C. OGL Event Format
1. All OGL Event formats will be published on the OGL Event information page at www.onegolfleague.co.uk.
2. All OGL Events will be governed by the Rules of Golf published by The R&A Rules Limited (‘R&A Rules’).
3. OGL retain the right to make additions to R&A Rules and include local variations to R&A Rules that are deemed appropriate based on the OGL Event location.
4. Local variations to R&A Rules which apply to an OGL Event will be published on the OGL Event information page at www.onegolfleague.co.uk and on the notice board the OGL Event venue at registration and where practicable notified to each competitor by email.
D. OGL Event Entry Procedure
1. After entry is accepted players are required to set up a profile on the Golf Genius booking system at www.golfgenius.com. This requires the player to submit personal contact details for business use only.
2. It is the players responsibility to notify OGL of any changes to personal or contact information that might have an impact on correspondence between OGL and the player.
3. Players are advised to familiarise themselves with these Regulations before they enter and pay for an event.
4. Payment and entry acts as confirmation that players accept these Regulations.
5. Entries for all OGL Events must be submitted and paid for in full online, at www.onegolfleague.co.uk using the official OGL booking and payment system.
6. Refunds of entry fees are at the discretion of OGL.
7. OGL maintains the right to issue sponsors’ invites to any player that they choose for any given OGL Event in the 2024 schedule.
8. Entry Closing Dates:
§ Entries will be accepted up to 48 hours prior to an OGL Event.
§ Late entries will be determined at the discretion of OGL.
9. Tournament Withdrawals:
§ A player will receive a full refund on an OGL Event entry fee (less 3%) where withdrawal is submitted before the official withdrawal date. The official withdrawal date for each event will be posted on the OGL Event information page at www.onegolfleague.co.uk and will be typically 16 days prior to the OGL Event. Players who withdraw, giving the required notice will receive a refund less 3%, to cover the administration cost incurred by OGL.
§ Withdrawals submitted after the official withdrawal date will be handled at the discretion of OGL.
§ Refunds for a withdrawal after the official date will only be granted if a player is medically unfit to compete. Withdrawals requested on medical grounds must always be accompanied by an official doctor’s certificate. (Note: an official doctor’s note is deemed to be a note administered following a face-to-face consultation with a doctor, certifying that the player is deemed to be medically unfit to travel and compete. Online consultations will not be accepted).
§ Failure to give notice of a withdrawal before the official withdrawal date will result in the full entry fee being charged. A fine of £150.00 will also be levied for repeated failure to comply with the withdrawal process outline here.
10. Once an OGL Event has begun, no refunds will be given.
11. Manual Entries:
§ Manual entries will be allowed at the discretion of OGL. Manual entries are defined as entry fees paid online at www.onegolfleague.co.uk by direct bank transfer or by online payment links through Golf Genius.
§ Official OGL Event entry and withdrawal dates will apply to manual entries. Players who fail to process their manual entry payment before the entry deadline (48 hours prior to an OGL Event) will be subject to a £150 fine, and risk losing their place in the OGL Event entered.
§ Players who fail to make their manual entry payment and subsequently withdraw before the OGL Event has begun will be charged the full entry fee.
E. OGL Event Cancellation Policy:
1. OGL reserves the right to cancel any OGL Event in its absolute discretion.
2. In the unlikely event of a cancellation, players will be given the option to carry forward their entry fee to a future OGL Event or to request a full refund. Full refunds granted for a cancelled OGL Event will be processed and paid within 14 working days.
3. Players acknowledge that OGL will not accept liability for expenses, costs, or loss of earnings in the event of cancellation of an OGL Event.
4. If an OGL Event is cancelled during or prior to the scheduled date, OGL will use reasonable commercial endeavours to find an alternative venue or reschedule the event. Players acknowledge that this might not be possible.
5. 18 holes of golf must have been completed by all players for an OGL Event to be declared as completed. OGL will use reasonable commercial endeavours to complete all OGL Events within the relevant season.
6. If an OGL Event is interrupted by adverse weather or factors outside the control of OGL, players agree to make themselves available to complete the relevant OGL Event outside of the initial scheduled dates.
7. OGL maintains the right at its absolute discretion to cancel or postpone any OGL Event should the number of players entered be deemed too low to sustain an effective competition.
F. Media and Sponsors:
1. By accepting the Regulations, the player grants to OGL full rights to all imagery and footage taken at all OGL Events in perpetuity.
2. OGL retains the full right to use imagery and digital content created at all OGL Events. Distribution and the use of this content is at the sole discretion of OGL. Acceptance of the Regulations by players upon entry grants OGL the right to use the image of the player for use on its social media platforms, on the OGL website and for use in its marketing campaigns.
3. Host venues are granted full access to the content created during the respective OGL Event, and players are granted free use of the OGL Event imagery for use on their social media channels only. Players wishing to use images and content created at an OGL Event for their own commercial purposes must obtain prior approval from OGL subject to agreed commercial terms.
4. Players are required to respect OGL, sponsors and host venues at all times when communicating with the media. It is a requirement that all players be available for media duties should they arise. OGL Event winners are expected to make themselves available for prize giving ceremonies and appropriate media interviews.
5. Players may use OGL Event images captured by OGL official photographers on the player’s social media platforms, subject to acknowledging copyright in favour of OGL and the photographer. Failure to do so will result in OGL imposing a minimum £100 fine on the player, subject to increase for repeat breaches.
G. Data Protection
In the course of arranging and running OGL Events OGL will process Players’ personal data, which will include releasing the names of Players who have entered an OGL Event. OGL will only use a Player’s personal data as set out in its privacy policy, which is displayed on OGL’s website (https://www.onegolfleague.co.uk) a copy of which will be made available to any Player upon request.
OGL EVENT RULES
1. Registration:
§ Players must register as soon as they arrive at the OGL Event venue on all OGL Event days at the OGL registration desk at the OGL venue. A player is registered when their name has been signed off by an authorised signatory of OGL. No player or person is permitted to register on behalf of another player.
§ Failure to register may be treated as a withdrawal from an OGL Event for the purposes of D9 above.
2. Tee Times:
§ Tee times will be released 48 hours prior to each OGL Event. Players will be notified via email; text message and tee times will also be posted on www.onegolfleague.co.uk.
§ A random draw will be conducted to formalise the tee sheet to ensure competitive fairness. OGL retains the right to alter and arrange groupings where it sees fit.
3. Prize Money:
§ Male, female, and disabled players compete for the same prize funds.
§ All prize funds are guaranteed for the 2024 season. The individual tournament prize funds will be listed on the OGL Event information page at www.onegolfleague.co.uk and on the tournament information page on the Golf Genius booking system.
§ In the event of a tie, the result of a OGL Event will be determined by a sudden death play- off. OGL maintains the right to conclude a OGL Event on the day after the scheduled date if daylight is deemed too poor to finish on the assigned day. If there is insufficient daylight to conclude the OGL Event and the host venue cannot accommodate a further day’s play, then OGL reserves the right to declare a tie and split the prize funds accordingly.
§ All runners up will be deemed to have finished second and the place money will be divided equally between them. All winnings will be paid in full via bank transfer within 5 working days. It is the responsibility of the player to make sure OGL has their current and correct bank details.
§ OGL retains the right to alter the breakdown of an OGL Event prize fund as long as the guaranteed total remains the same as the declared guaranteed sum.
4. Prize Giving:
§ Any player who is predicted to win a prize or is positioned inside the top 10 is required by OGL to stay at the host venue for the prize giving ceremony and media duties. Prize giving ceremonies will take place straight after the close of play when all scores have been finalised.
§ OGL Event winners will be asked to acknowledge the OGL Event and the host venue on their social media platforms at the conclusion of the OGL Event. OGL will encourage all winners to write a note of thanks to the host venue and title sponsor for their participation in the OGL Event.
5. Prize Fund, Prizes and Entry Inclusions:
§ All guarantees and incentives offered by OGL are true and accurate at the time of notification to players. Spot prizes, hole in one incentives and cash bonuses can be won by all players. The allocation of these prizes is at the discretion of OGL.
6. Fines, Penalties and Late Withdrawal Charges:
OGL retains the right to issue monetary fines and penalties for any of the following circumstances. Please note that OGL retains the right to sanction players with immediate effect through Golf Genius:
§ A £150 fine will be imposed on players who NR or walk in off the course without a medical reason (medical reasons must be supported by a retrospective doctor’s certificate).
§ A £150 fine will be imposed on players for damage to OGL property (players will also be expected to pay the full price of the damaged object/s).
§ A £150 fine will be imposed on players for damage caused to the course and host venue property (Players will also be expected to pay the full price of the damaged object/s)
§ Foul and abusive language on the course or to tournament staff will incur a £150 fine per offence.
§ Aggressive and threatening behaviour towards playing partners, officials or others will result in a £150 fine per offence.
§ Leaving the scoring area before the whole group has finalised scores will incur a £100 fine.
§ If a player is caught cheating, they will be fined £500. The player will not be allowed to compete in any subsequent OGL Event, and all national governing bodies and tours will be notified.
§ Slow play and the issuing of a third warning during a single round will result in a £150 fine and a two-shot penalty. Slow play sanctions are listed in the Pace of Play regulations below.
§ A £100 fine will be incurred if players fail to repair pitch marks, rake bunkers and re- place divots.
§ A £150 fine will be implemented for players that fail to hit a provisional ball.
7. Buggies and Trolleys:
§ Pull trolleys and motor caddies are permitted at all OGL Events. Pull trolleys from the host venue are subject to availability and will be distributed on as first come first serve basis.
§ Golf buggies are not permitted for play or practice rounds and a fine may be implemented should this rule be breached. Spectators and caddies may not use buggies on the course.
§ OGL retains the right to make allowances of this rule based on the needs of competitors. .
8. Competitive Attire:
§ Players are required to always wear standard professional attire on the course. Shorts will be allowed to be worn during practice and in tournament play, and hoodies made by golf manufacturers will be permitted.
§ Players must obey the clubhouse rules of the host venues.
§ Caddies must wear trainers and tailored shorts and are not permitted to wear golf shoes under any circumstances.
9. Distance Measuring Devices:
§ GPS/Distance Measuring Devices are allowed; however, slope and gradient calculators/indicators must be turned off before any round commences. Slope and gradient functions may be used in practice rounds only.
§ Mobile phones are allowed to be used for GPS and compass applications. Green books are not permitted at any OGL Event.
10. Pace of Play Regulations:
§ Pace of play is of paramount importance at any OGL Event. Players will be closely monitored by tournament referees, and the officials will be focused on groups to complete their rounds within the allocated time frame.
§ All groups are required to keep pace with the preceding group. Please note that keeping ahead of the group behind is not deemed to be keeping up with pace of play.
§ Unless there are mitigating circumstances, the following process applies:
§ When a group falls out of position, they will be given an initial verbal warning and explanation. Falling out of position is defined by a group falling more than 1 hole be- hind the group in front.
§ After an initial warning a group will be monitored for pace of play and officials must see a concerted effort to close the gap on the group in front.
§ If there is no improvement on positioning and pace of play the group will be issued with a first bad time and official first warning.
§ Continued slow play will result in a second bad time for the group and a one-shot penalty plus a £100 fine per player.
§ A third bad time will result in a two-shot penalty for the group and £100 fine per player.
§ A fourth bad time can result in disqualification at the discretion of OGL.
§ If an individual player is playing too slow, OGL will carry out and apply the above procedure to the individual rather than to all players within the group.
11. OGL Recommended Timings:
§ OGL recommends that all tournament rounds be played in under 4hrs 30minutes.
§ Par 3 allocated time allowance: 11 minutes Par 4 allocated time allowance: 14 minutes Par 5 allocated time allowance: 16 minutes.
§ Shot timing and allowances are as follows:
§ The first player in a group has a 50 second allowance to hit a shot.
§ The second player in a group has a 45 second allowance to hit a shot.
§ The third player in a group has a 40 second allowance to hit a shot.
§ Officials will start timing a player when it is their turn to play, and as soon as the green or hole ahead is safe and clear to play. This decision is at the discretion of the trained referees.
§ The timings carried out by OGL officials will be deemed the official and correct timing and overrule the timings of players and caddies.
§ Ready golf is accepted by the league and encouraged to maintain a good pace of play if it is safe to do so and when it is not to the detriment of playing partners.
§ A strict provisional ball policy will be in operation. Players are required to hit a provisional ball for any shot deemed in potential danger of being lost. The failure to hit a provisional will result in a £150 fine being imposed. Provisional balls must be clearly announced on the tee before the shot has been played.
12. Players Responsibilities:
§ Players and caddies are required to adhere to the R&A Rules and behave in an appropriate and responsible manner in line with normal golf etiquette.
§ Players and groupings must stick closely to the allocated playing times for each hole and shot. Pace of play must be maintained throughout.
§ Players are required to arrive at their allocated tee 10 minutes prior to their round starting. A 2 shot penalty will be incurred for any player that is not ready when called to the tee.
§ OGL will not give allowances or move tee times if a player is running late for any reason. The player is fully responsible for arriving at the venue in good time. Players that arrive late and miss their tee time risk forfeiting their entry fee with no grounds for appeal.
§ The OGL staff time measurements are deemed to be the official time.
§ Players must play by the one ball rule in all OGL Events. The same brand and model of ball must be used for the entire round, and the type of ball must be declared to playing partners on their first tee.
§ All balls should be individually marked by the player to confirm ownership. Any blank balls with no personalised markings are at risk of being deemed lost, should there be a dispute over ownership.
§ Players must only carry fourteen clubs. No additional clubs may be carried in the bag during tournament play. No training aids of any description may be used during a tournament round. This includes laying them on the ground to aid alignment.
§ Players are given three minutes to look for a ball and it is the players responsibility to time their own ball search. All OGL officials will have the authority to declare a ball lost if there is no timing device being used to accurately time the search period.
§ The use of mobile phones is prohibited during play except in the following circumstances: To time for a lost ball, to call a referee, for live scoring and GPS/compass applications.
§ Caddies, fore-caddies, friends, and family must stay insight of all players in group that they are following. They must not interfere with the search for a ball, and the search for the ball must not begin until the players have reached the area of the search. Such following groups must not walk on the fairways or greens nor hinder the pace of play for any subsequent groups of players.
§ Players are fully responsible and culpable for the actions and behaviour of their caddies, family, friends, and supporters. If a player’s caddie, family member or supporter breaks any of the league rules the player will be held responsible and incur a £100 fine and a one stroke penalty.
§ In the event of a fine, players are required to make payment in full before they leave the OGL venue.
13. Appeals, requests, complaints:
§ Players are entitled to a second on course opinion regarding a ruling. Players must request this at the time of the incident to allow for an accurate assessment to be made.
§ Any disputes or appeals must be referred to the nominated OGL Event official. All disputes and appeals must be made at the scoring office following a round and before the player has signed their card. Appeals made after the conclusion of the tournament will not be considered.
§ OGL Events will be deemed officially closed and completed within 60 minutes after the last group has left the scorers office.
§ OGL’s decision is final but will act fairly and reasonably in considering all facts and details presented in the case of an appeal.
§ In the event of a dispute between players surrounding a ruling, the nominated OGL Event official must be called at the time of the incident. Rulings made by a group or individual are subject to change and overruling if the players have made the incorrect ruling.
Contact details for all enquiries concerning the Regulations:
ONE Golf League Limited
Scott Harris: scott@onegolfleague.co.uk
Nick Phillips: nick@onegolfleague.co.uk
Phil Seed: info@thegolfbarn.co.uk