Each Local Chapter will create a schedule of events for earning Player of the Year points.  Scoring may be standard stroke play, match play, Stableford, team scoring, etc.  Format for non-points events may vary, including but not limited to Ryder Cup-style team events, fourball, foursomes, Stableford, Chicago, scramble, shamble, match play, etc.  Unless otherwise provided by the Tournament Committee, USGA rules for tournament play will apply.

Unless stated otherwise in the Conditions of Competition, Divisions 3, 4 and 5 will play with a triple-bogey max rule that requires competitors to pick up their ball and cease play upon reaching triple-bogey (including any penalty strokes) on any hole.  Competitors must not continue to play the hole beyond triple-bogey to keep pace of play moving along for the remainder of the field and the other competitors in their group.

Divisions 1 and 2 will not play with a max stroke rule.  Players in these Divisions must continue to play and count every stroke until the ball comes to rest in the bottom of the cup.

The Conditions of Competition provided by the Tournament Committee supersede any local rules that may be adopted by the Host Facility.

New Members will initially be placed in a Division based on their current USGA-approved handicap.  If a new Member does not have a valid USGA-approved index, the Tour may consider an acceptable tournament index from a reputable amateur golf entity with at least ten posted rounds within the previous twelve-month period.  If a new Member does not have a current USGA-approved handicap or acceptable tournament index from a similar golf entity, the player may provide references from the PGA Professional or other Director of Golf at their home club.  If they do not have a home club or other reliable reference to offer, the Local Chapter Owner will have the discretion to place the Member in the division they deem appropriate.  If a new Member posts a score more than four (4) strokes below the limit of their Division prior to obtaining a validated Tour Index, the Local Chapter Owner or Event Host will have the option to disqualify the New Member from the event.  A Member’s Tour Index will be validated after posting their eighth (8^th) gross tournament score.

The Tour Index is NOT equivalent to a USGA GHIN handicap.  The Tour Index is calculated using Tour Event scores only for the sole purpose of promoting fair competition.  The Tour Index has been designed to divide Members into groups of relatively equally skilled competitors.  These divisions create fair competition among competitors within each division using gross scoring.  The Tour Index will be calculated and adjusted based on the 11 most recent Tour Event scores, carried over from year to year, with each Tour Event score being adjusted for Course Index differential based on the USGA formula.  The following table will be used to determine Tour Index:

When a Member’s Tour Index drops below their current division limit, the Member will be automatically promoted to the higher division.  Upon promotion to a higher division, a Member will retain 80% of their current season points total.

Division movement will continue throughout the season.  However, Division placement for the North American Championship will be determined based upon each Member’s Validated Tour Index as of August 3rd.  If a Member’s Tour Index is not validated on or before August 3rd, Division movement will remain possible until said Tour Index is validated.

If a Member’s Tour Index drops at least one full stroke below their Division limit between August 3rd and the North American Championship the Member will be automatically promoted to the higher Division for the North American Championship.  Members may not move down after August 3rd, and only then if their Tour Index rises at least one full stroke above their current Division limit.

The Tour adopts this policy to encourage Members to freely pursue their Local Final Championship and Playoff Race wins without fear of Division movement immediately prior to the North American Championship.