Certified PAT Examiner Responsibilities

***Please adhere to the following to ensure the validity of the PAT***

Check Golf Course Setup

• • • • As the Examiner, you must arrive on site early to check that tees are set up appropriately for men and women, and that hole locations are on a generally flat area of each green (failure to have these two items correctly placed could void the entire PAT).  Specifics of the the course rating and yardage are as follows:

        • • Course Rating:

            • Minimum USGA course rating of 68.0 for both men and women

          • Men's Yardage:

            • Men under the age of 50 will play from a minimum of 6,350 yards, and a maximum of 6,700 yards

            • Men ages 50 and over will play from 94% of the Men's under age 50 yardage, and maintain the same target score

          • Women's Yardage:

            • Women under the age of 50 will play from a minimum of 5,400 yards, and a maximum of 5,700 yards

            • Women ages 50 and over will play from 94% of the women's under age 50 yardage, and maintain the same target score.

          • Marking the Course:

            • All penalty areas, abnormal course conditions, and out of bounds, must be appropriately marked.

Calculate and Post Target Score

• The Examiner is responsible for calculating and posting the target score for the 36-hole event prior to play, using the following formula:

  • • Course rating x 2, plus 15 strokes (as a reminder, drop any decimal point on the course rating, and do not round up)

    • Example # 1: Course rating of 71.0 x 2 = 142, plus 15 strokes = 157 (Official Target Score)

    • Example # 2: Course rating of 70.7 x 2 = 141.4, plus 15 strokes = 156.4, but always drop the decimal, so the official target score = 156

• Confirm Target Score with Host Professional and post at the scoreboard area, along with the compliance form, Notice to Players (local rules addendum), pace of play policy, and current conforming golf ball and driver list.

• No adjustments are to be made to the target score due to course conditions or weather.  If conditions are severe, the PAT should be rescheduled or canceled with the National Office being notified immediately by calling Kyle Helms at 561-313-8252.  

Player Registration & First Tee Responsibilities

• The Examiner is responsible for player registration prior to play, including checking required picture identification

• Enforce Dress Code:

  • • Male participants must wear slacks unless shorts are permitted by the Section (if so, shorts must be professional in appearance)

    • Female participants may wear slacks, golf shorts, or golf skorts, which constitute acceptable clothing worn by women in connection with participation in professional golf tournaments

    • Denim is prohibited

• Before teeing off, players must receive both the PGA of America Local Rules and Terms of the Competition (Hard Card) and a Notice to Players (local rules addendum) along with their scorecard

Key Hightlights

• The USGA Rules of Golf must be adhered to at all times

• The Examiner is responsible for reviewing all local rules with the host professional well in advance of the event to ensure none of the local rules violate the Rules of Golf

• If assistance is needed in determining a ruling, contact Matt Weinberger at (513) 277-9992, or Trenton Blundell at (561) 236-4742

• After all groups have began play, the Examiner will need to monitor pace of play throughout the golf course

• The Examiner is responsible for enforcing all policies considering withdrawal (e.g. illness).  A player who withdraws due to illness must submit medical documentation to the National Office within three (3) business days of the scheduled PAT, otherwise will be suspended from playing in a PAT for 90 days.  For any player to avoid suspension for withdrawal from an event, the National Office must be contacted within 72 hours of the PAT. 

At the conclusion of play for each group:

• The Examiner must record all player scores on the PAT Reporting Form, using the following codes:

  • • P = Pass

    • F = Fail

    • NS = No Show

    • NC = No Card

    • WD = Withdrawal  (please indicate reason for withdrawal)

    • DQ = Disqualified (please indicate reason for disqualification)

• Scores should be posted in M360 within 24 hours after the PAT has concluded.

• Contact the Host Professional to discuss:

  • • Notice to Players (Local Rules Addendum)

    • Golf Course Set Up / Course Conditions

    • Defining and Marking the Golf Course

    • Confirm Starting Times

    • Calculate Target Score
      
      

• Review & Post:

  • • Target Score

    • Compliance Form

    • PGA of America Local Rules and Terms of the Competition

    • Notice to Players (Local Rules Addendum)

    • Pace of Play Policy

    • Rules and Policies Governing the use of Automotive Transportation

    • Approved Golf Ball List, which can be found here

    • Approved Driver Head List, which can be found here
      
      

• Check Picture Identification of All Players Prior to Play
  
  

• Provide all players:

  • • PGA of America Local Rules and Term of the Competition

    • Notice to Players (Local Rules Addendum)

    • Scorecards (exchange with other players)
      
      

• Monitor Pace of Play and make rulings as needed
  
  

• Scores should be posted in M360 within 24 hours after the PAT has concluded.