idahojon
Sep 08 2005, 01:25 AM
The PGA Tour's fine system
What are the no-nos on the PGA Tour, and what happens when a player violates one of them? The following details are from the "PGA Tour Player Handbook and Tournament Regulations" for 2004:
VIOLATIONS
Any player who violates the provisions of this paragraph shall be subject to a suspension from tournament play for a minimum period of two years. A player should not do any of the following:
1. Fail to give his best efforts in competition.
2. Gamble or play cards on the premises where a PGA Tour cosponsored or coordinated tournament is being played.
3. Associate with or have dealings with persons whose activities, including gambling, might reflect adversely upon the integrity of the game of golf.
4. Bet money or anything of value on a golf tournament or similar event, whether or not the player is in such competition.
5. Offer or give a bribe, gift, payment, reward or anything of value to any player with the intention of influencing his efforts in a competition.
6. Solicit, agree to accept or accept a bribe, gift, payment, reward or anything of value offered or given with the intention of influencing the player's efforts in a competition.
7. Fail to report promptly to the commissioner any known or suspected offer, bribe, gift, payment, reward or anything of value or any agreement or acceptance of bet described in the foregoing.
APPEARANCE/CONDUCT
While on the host facility property during official practice and tournament round days:
1) Players shall present a neat appearance in both clothing and personal grooming. Blue jeans, shorts or T-shirts shall not be worn.
2) Caddies may wear either long pants or tailored knee-length shorts. Blue jeans, cutoffs, T-shirts or tank tops shall not be worn. Smooth rubber sole shoes are required. Golf shoes with metal or soft spikes are prohibited.
3) Players must attempt to be competitive and must conduct themselves in a professional manner.
4) Consumption of alcoholic beverages on the competition course or designated practice areas by players or caddies is conduct unbecoming a professional. Players or caddies found to be using or selling illegal substances or using alcohol in an abusive manner shall be considered to have engaged in conduct unbecoming a professional.
5) Players must accept responsibility for the conduct of his caddie. A caddie who conducts himself in an unbecoming manner could result in the removal of the player from the competition.
PGA TOUR reserves the right to remove a player from the competition for non-competitiveness or unbecoming conduct.
PENALTIES
Penalties for "conduct unbecoming a professional," which includes profanity:
1. Minor penalties. A minor penalty is a fine of not more than $2,500.
2. Intermediate penalties. An intermediate penalty is a fine between $2,501 and $5,000 and/or suspension from play for not more than three tournaments including the tournament then in progress or scheduled for the calendar week in which the alleged violation occurred.
3. Major penalties. A major penalty is a fine in excess of $5,000, suspension from tournament play for more than three tournaments and/or permanent disbarment from play in PGA Tour cosponsored or coordinated events. A major penalty may be imposed only by the commissioner except as otherwise specified in these regulations.
What are the no-nos on the PGA Tour, and what happens when a player violates one of them? The following details are from the "PGA Tour Player Handbook and Tournament Regulations" for 2004:
VIOLATIONS
Any player who violates the provisions of this paragraph shall be subject to a suspension from tournament play for a minimum period of two years. A player should not do any of the following:
1. Fail to give his best efforts in competition.
2. Gamble or play cards on the premises where a PGA Tour cosponsored or coordinated tournament is being played.
3. Associate with or have dealings with persons whose activities, including gambling, might reflect adversely upon the integrity of the game of golf.
4. Bet money or anything of value on a golf tournament or similar event, whether or not the player is in such competition.
5. Offer or give a bribe, gift, payment, reward or anything of value to any player with the intention of influencing his efforts in a competition.
6. Solicit, agree to accept or accept a bribe, gift, payment, reward or anything of value offered or given with the intention of influencing the player's efforts in a competition.
7. Fail to report promptly to the commissioner any known or suspected offer, bribe, gift, payment, reward or anything of value or any agreement or acceptance of bet described in the foregoing.
APPEARANCE/CONDUCT
While on the host facility property during official practice and tournament round days:
1) Players shall present a neat appearance in both clothing and personal grooming. Blue jeans, shorts or T-shirts shall not be worn.
2) Caddies may wear either long pants or tailored knee-length shorts. Blue jeans, cutoffs, T-shirts or tank tops shall not be worn. Smooth rubber sole shoes are required. Golf shoes with metal or soft spikes are prohibited.
3) Players must attempt to be competitive and must conduct themselves in a professional manner.
4) Consumption of alcoholic beverages on the competition course or designated practice areas by players or caddies is conduct unbecoming a professional. Players or caddies found to be using or selling illegal substances or using alcohol in an abusive manner shall be considered to have engaged in conduct unbecoming a professional.
5) Players must accept responsibility for the conduct of his caddie. A caddie who conducts himself in an unbecoming manner could result in the removal of the player from the competition.
PGA TOUR reserves the right to remove a player from the competition for non-competitiveness or unbecoming conduct.
PENALTIES
Penalties for "conduct unbecoming a professional," which includes profanity:
1. Minor penalties. A minor penalty is a fine of not more than $2,500.
2. Intermediate penalties. An intermediate penalty is a fine between $2,501 and $5,000 and/or suspension from play for not more than three tournaments including the tournament then in progress or scheduled for the calendar week in which the alleged violation occurred.
3. Major penalties. A major penalty is a fine in excess of $5,000, suspension from tournament play for more than three tournaments and/or permanent disbarment from play in PGA Tour cosponsored or coordinated events. A major penalty may be imposed only by the commissioner except as otherwise specified in these regulations.