Purpose
The VELA Tour Code of Conduct establishes the standards of behavior expected of every player, caddie, and spectator at VELA Tour events. It exists to protect the integrity of the competition, the reputation of our host venues, and the experience of everyone on property.
Sportsmanship & Respect
- Compete with integrity, honesty, and respect for the game.
- Treat fellow players, tournament staff, volunteers, spectators, and course personnel with courtesy at all times.
- Accept rulings and pace-of-play interventions from officials without argument or delay.
Pace of Play
Players are expected to keep pace with the group ahead and to comply with any pace-of-play policy in force at the applicable championship. Groups may be timed by tournament officials, and players are expected to comply with all pace-of-play procedures, timing notifications, and instructions issued by officials. Slow-play penalties may be assessed by tournament officials.
Care of the Golf Course
- Repair ball marks, replace divots, and rake bunkers.
- Observe cart-path rules and any course-preservation signage.
- No practice swings on tees, greens, or in areas that may damage turf.
Players are responsible for any damage caused by themselves, their caddies, or their guests to golf course property, carts, clubhouse facilities, or tournament equipment, and may be required to reimburse VELA Tour or the host facility for the cost of repair or replacement.
Dress & Appearance
Players must wear collared shirts (or approved athletic golf shirts), tailored trousers or golf shorts, and soft-spike golf footwear. Denim, athletic shorts, cargo shorts, tank tops, and t-shirts are not permitted on the course or in clubhouse areas.
Alcohol & Substances
Players must be fully sober and composed during competition. Alcohol consumption during a round is prohibited. Use of any substance banned by the Rules of Golf or by applicable law is grounds for immediate disqualification.
Smoking & Vaping
Smoking, vaping, and tobacco use are permitted only in areas designated by the host facility, if permitted at all. Players, caddies, and spectators must observe all host-facility restrictions and any additional restrictions issued by tournament officials.
Failure to Appear
Players must report to the starter and be present at their assigned tee time. Failure to appear for an assigned tee time without authorization from tournament officials may result in withdrawal, disqualification, forfeiture of entry fee, and/or restrictions on participation in future VELA Tour events.
Prohibited Behavior
- Abusive, threatening, discriminatory, or harassing language or behavior toward any person.
- Cheating, deliberate rules violations, or falsifying scores.
- Use of distance-measuring devices with slope features enabled.
- Club throwing, foul language, or conduct that disrupts play.
- Damage to course property, clubhouse property, carts, or facilities.
- Refusal to follow instructions from tournament staff or host-club personnel.
Caddie Conduct
Caddies are considered part of the player's team and must follow this Code of Conduct at all times. Players are responsible for their caddie's behavior.
Spectator Conduct
Spectators must remain in designated areas, refrain from coaching or interfering with competitors, silence mobile devices during play, and comply with all instructions from marshals and tournament staff.
Social Media & Public Representation
When identifying yourself as a VELA Tour player online or in public forums, conduct yourself in a manner consistent with this Code. Content that disparages fellow competitors, officials, staff, sponsors, or host venues may result in disciplinary action.
Reporting Misconduct
Report violations to on-site tournament staff or by email to info@velagolftour.com. Reports are reviewed confidentially by tournament administration.
Penalties
Violations of this Code may result in one or more of the following, at the sole discretion of VELA Tour tournament administration: warning, stroke penalty, disqualification, removal from the property, forfeiture of entry fee, suspension, or restriction from future events.
Acknowledgment
By registering for a VELA Tour event, players agree to be bound by this Code of Conduct and to ensure their caddies and guests comply with it.