Q. Who do I contact with general questions regarding PAT Policies or Rules of Golf Questions?
A. General Questions: Kyle Helms 561-313-8252
Tom Brawley 561-628-5291
Rules Questions: Matthew Weinberger 513-277-9992
Trenton Blundell 561-236-4742
Q. Are distance measuring devices allowed during a PAT?
A. Yes, distance measuring devices are allowed but can only be used to measure distance. If the device measures other factors, they must be disabled.
Q. Is there a dress policy for individuals participating in PATs?
A. Yes, the Uniform Dress Policy approved by the PGA Board of Directors states:
Female participants may wear slacks, culottes, walking shorts or golf skirts/dresses, which constitute acceptable clothing worn by women in connection with participation in professional golf tournaments. Denim is prohibited.
Male participants must wear slacks and participants shall not wear shorts anywhere on club property, unless allowed by the hosting Section. In Sections which allow male participants to wear shorts, males may wear slacks or golf shorts which are professional looking in appearance. Denim is prohibited.
Q. If PAT players are caught cheating during a PAT, may they continue to take subsequent PATs?
A. They will not be allowed to take the PAT again for up to five (5) years. If a player is caught cheating, the PAT Examiner will have the players playing in that group who observed the cheating, complete a statement describing the circumstances and have the statement notarized. If it is the PGA Examiner who observes the cheating, the Examiner will complete the statement, have it notarized and submit it to the National Office. The National Office will then write a letter to the player advising him/her that another PAT cannot be taken for up to five (5) years.
Q. May PAT participants use caddies while participating in PATs?
A. Yes, if the course and Section allow caddies.
Q. If the course where a PAT is being held requires that golf cars be utilized by PAT players and a player uses a caddie, may both the caddie and the player ride in the golf car at the same time.
A. No, only a player may ride in a golf car. See Rules & Policies governing the use of Automotive Transportation.
Q. If a PAT participant shows up at the PAT site without picture identification, can he/she be allowed to take the PAT?
A. The PGA Guidelines specify that all players are required to show picture identification. However, if the PAT Examiner or Host Professional can positively identify the competitor without picture identification, this requirement may be waived.
Q. Who is responsible for registering PAT participants at the PAT site -- the PAT Examiner or the Host Professional?
A. The PAT Examiner. The Host Professional only provides the registration table.
Q. If a PAT player becomes ill or injured during a PAT, requiring him/her to withdraw, will their PAT entry fee be automatically refunded?
A. No, however, if a doctor’s statement is submitted to the National Office within three business days the individual will be allowed a refund or to transfer their funds to another available PAT site, in which the deadline has not passed.
Q. Are PAT Examiners expected to continually be on the golf course to spot-check the number of strokes participants are taking and later compare with recorded scores once the PAT has begun?
A. Yes, PAT Examiners should spot-check players’ scoring versus recorded scores.
Q. Are all PAT participants required to start on Hole #1?
A. Participants may be started from multiple holes, including a double tee start or a shotgun start, at the PAT Examiner’s discretion.
Q. Who is the Rules Official during the PAT?
A. The PAT Examiner. However, he/she may be assisted by the Host Professional or other individuals assigned by the PAT Examiner who are knowledgeable rules officials.
Q. If three participants are paired together taking a PAT and two withdraw for whatever reason, who records scores per hole for the remaining participant?
A. All participants should be advised prior to the start of the PAT that if this situation develops, one of the participants withdrawing must continue to mark scores per hole of the participant continuing to play until someone can notify the PAT Examiner and the player will then be dropped back with another group of participants.
Q. If, for some reason, the Host Professional has not received the Competitor Compliance Form or PGA of America Local Rules and Terms of the Competition (Hard Card), what should the PAT Examiner do?
A. The PAT Examiner should make copies of the Competitor Compliance Form or PGA of America Local Rules and Terms of the Competition (Hard Card), which can be found on the PAT Hub.
Q. Should a copy of the Competitor Compliance Form be posted on the scoreboard, along with the target score, prior to PAT participants teeing off?
A. Yes, it is imperative that the Competitor Compliance Form be posted as it pertains to the legalities concerning cheating if a situation occurs. Also, a copy should be passed out to each competitor prior to their teeing off in the PAT.
Q. May PAT players practice putt on a hole when they have completed play during a PAT?
A. No, practice at putting green of hole played is prohibited. See PGA of America Local Rules and Terms of the Competition (Hard Card), Restriction on Practice for more information.
Q. If players arrive at the PAT golf course prior to their scheduled starting time, should they be allowed or required to start at an earlier time?
A. The PAT Examiner may allow them to start earlier at his/her discretion. However, the PAT Examiner should not require the participant to start prior to their assigned starting time.
Q. If PAT players are grouped in threesomes or foursomes and the number of players in that group is reduced to two (2), may those two continue to participate in the PAT and keep each other’s scores?
A. Yes, but every effort should be made to add at least one other player, or a Marker designated by the Host Professional or Section, if available.
Q. Can a PAT Examiner impose penalties on PAT players for slow play?
A. Yes, however, the PAT Examiner must do so under the PGA Rules for imposing penalties which have been sent to PGA Sections. Timing and warnings should be in accordance with PGA Rules.
Q. Is the “one ball” rule in effect for the PAT?
A. No
Q. If a PAT player cannot complete 36-holes of play because of medical/ADA concerns, what recourse does he/she have?
A. Anyone with a documented need to complete the PAT in an alternate form may submit a request for PAT accommodations, which will need to be approved in advance by the Board of Control. To learn more, please contact Kyle Helms, at 561-313-8252.
Q. May the Host Professional pair one or more of his club members with PAT players while they are competing in the PAT?
A. No
Q. May a player be assessed a penalty or disqualified for code of conduct (i.e. conduct unbecoming a golf professional)?
A. Yes, for example, a two-stroke penalty can be assessed if an individual consumes alcohol during a PAT or is improperly dressed after the start of play. A second offense would cause disqualification.[3]
Q. If a PAT player(s) completes a round, and rain precludes other PAT participants from completing their round, do the completed rounds count?
A. Yes, the PAT players are not competing against each other, just the course.
Q. When a PAT is rained-out, can the players be rescheduled for another PAT without having to meet the 7-day deadline for the rescheduled PAT?
A. If a PAT is rained-out and rescheduled, everyone can play in the rescheduled PAT or receive a refund or transfer to another PAT that is NOT within the 7-day deadline.
Q. If a PAT is postponed due to weather and rescheduled for completion, will PGA pay the PAT Examiner and Host Professional for both dates?
A. The PGA will pay a fee for only one day but will pay for the additional travel expenses incurred.
Q. If a PAT is rained-out, should the PAT fees charged by the Section be refunded?
A. This decision is up to the Section; However, the National Office recommends that Section fees be refunded or transferred to the next site.
Q. If while conducting a PAT, some players complete their rounds and others do not due to weather, can the remaining players mark their positions and complete their rounds the next day?
A. Yes, players not finishing their rounds due to weather can complete the round within one week. If the competitor cannot remain to finish the round within one week, they must reschedule for another PAT.
Q. If the first round of a PAT is completed, and players are in the middle of the second round, but get rained out and cannot return for the completion of their second round, do they get a refund?
A. If a player cannot return, but wants to use their first round to count towards a PAT combination round, they are not refunded or transferred to another event. If they cannot return, and do not want to use their first round towards a PAT combination round, a refund may be issued, or the player may be transferred to another scheduled PAT.
Q. Can a PAT use Model Local Rule E-5 Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds?
A. Model Local Rule E-5 is not allowed for PAT examinations. All players must use stroke and distance relief as provided under Rule 18.2 (Ball Lost or Out of Bounds: Stroke-and-Distance Relief Must be Taken). Only the Notice to Players - standard wording for developing local Rules (page 24) may be used for Local Rules for the PATs. Any other potential Local Rules that the course or PAT Examiner would like to be considered, must be presented to the Championship Department.
Q. If using a PGA of America led event (e.g. National, Section, Chapter) as an eligible PAT round, what formats are accepted?
A. Individual stroke play is the only format accepted.
Q. If a player thinks or knows they have a combined PAT score after the first round, do they have to play the second round?
A. Yes, all players must continue to play all 36-holes, otherwise their second round will be viewed as a No Card (NC), and their first round score will not be eligible to combine with another PAT played within a year.
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