Deliver a G4D tournament

Before any operational planning begins, the host should agree the purpose and scope of the tournament. This means deciding what the event is intended to achieve, which tournament series and competition format are most appropriate, the preferred dates, the anticipated field, and the standard of experience the organiser wants to provide.

The initial discussion should also test whether the event is realistically deliverable. Confirm the availability of the golf course, financial support, staff, referees, volunteers, medical provision, buggies and accessible accommodation. At this stage, identify the Event Organiser, Tournament Director, principal club contact and the person responsible for liaising with the EDGA Tournament Team.

Applications for an EDGA-approved or WR4GD counting tournament are considered by the EDGA Tournament Team. The Event Organiser should submit the required application with sufficient detail about the proposed venue, dates, competition format, field, divisions, refereeing and operational arrangements.

The application must be supported by a letter of recommendation from the relevant National Federation or a major professional tour in the host country. The Tournament Team will assess the proposal and, where appropriate, offer the event a place in the WR4GD Series, WR4GD-EDGA Open Series or WR4GD-EDGA Challenge Series. A Tournament Team member will then be appointed to work with the organiser and confirm the details.

Approval is not simply permission to use EDGA branding. It confirms that the organiser has agreed to meet the applicable tournament, eligibility, accessibility, competition and reporting requirements. Any material change to the approved format, venue, dates or divisions should therefore be discussed with the Tournament Team before it is implemented.

A WR4GD counting event must normally be played over a minimum of 36 holes. The National Federation must provide a National Referee, and the event must be conducted under the Rules of Golf, the applicable EDGA Hard Card, approved Local Rules and the published Terms of Competition.

For the results of a particular division to count towards the WR4GD Ranking, that division must include at least three participating players who hold a confirmed WR4GD Pass. Where fewer than three eligible ranking players take part, the division may still be played, but its results cannot be included in the WR4GD Ranking.

The planning timeline should work backwards from the first official practice day and include every decision, dependency and deadline. It should identify who is responsible for each action and when approval or confirmation is required.

Key milestones normally include the initial course inspection, tournament application, confirmation of the Terms of Competition, opening and closing of entries, eligibility verification, buggy allocation, appointment and training of officials and volunteers, player communications, preparation of Local Rules, final course set-up, publication of starting times and the pre-event meeting with the EDGA Tournament Manager.

The organiser should also schedule contingency decisions. These include the final date for confirming medical and evacuation arrangements, alternative plans for severe weather, deadlines for accommodation and transport bookings, and the point at which the final player information pack must be issued.

Every competitor must hold the pass required for the approved tournament series. Depending on the event, this may be a WR4GD Pass, Access Pass or Access Conditional Pass issued through the recognised EDGA eligibility process.

The pass confirms eligibility to participate and may also include information that affects event delivery, such as a buggy indication. Only ranking points earned by players with a confirmed WR4GD Pass are added to the WR4GD Ranking. An Access Pass or Access Conditional Pass may permit participation, but does not itself make the player's result eligible for ranking points.

The entry information should explain the pass requirement clearly and direct players who do not yet hold the appropriate pass to the application process. The organiser should not wait until registration to identify missing or unresolved eligibility information.

The entry form should collect enough information to establish eligibility, place the player in the correct division and plan the support needed at the venue. At a minimum, request the player's certified golf handicap, disability category, EDGA registration and pass details, and any special requirements.

Operational questions should cover the need for a golf buggy, electric trolley, pull trolley, caddie, aide or other approved support. It is also helpful to request travel details after entry is accepted, particularly where the organiser is providing airport transfers or logistical guidance.

An individual event may run three divisions simultaneously: Strokeplay Gross, Strokeplay Nett and Stableford. The model Terms of Competition place players with handicaps of 7.4 or better in the Gross division, 7.5 to 18.4 in the Nett division, and 18.5 to 36.4 in the Stableford division.

The Gross and Nett divisions are played over a minimum of two rounds of 18-hole stroke play on separate days. The Stableford division is also played over at least two rounds of 18 holes on separate days. Gross and Nett players may receive both Gross and Nett ranking points, while Stableford players receive Stableford ranking points.

These ranges are a model and must be checked against the approved series and event-specific Terms of Competition. The organiser should also ensure that teeing arrangements, course ratings and formats conform with WR4GD and WAGR requirements before entries open.

The method for reducing an oversubscribed field must be stated before entries open and then applied consistently. The model individual Terms of Competition prioritise the Strokeplay divisions by handicap order and the Stableford division by the stated selection method, which may include order of entry or a random draw depending on the approved conditions.

Any exemptions, host nominations or wild cards must also be described in advance. Under the EDGA Tournament Regulations, wild cards for players with higher handicaps require Tournament Team agreement and should not normally exceed 5 per cent of the field.

Unsuccessful entrants should be informed promptly and placed on a clearly managed reserve list. The organiser should explain how withdrawals will be filled, whether entry fees are refunded, and the final date on which a reserve may be called into the field.

Immediately after the closing date, prepare the proposed starting field and reserve list, then send the participant list to the EDGA Tournament Team. This allows eligibility, pass status, buggy indications and any need for on-site eligibility reviews to be checked.

Resolve incomplete entries, confirm accepted players and issue entry confirmation no later than the period stated in the regulations. The organiser should then finalise accommodation, transport, buggy and caddie requirements, and provide players with the practical information needed to plan their attendance.

A virtual meeting with the assigned EDGA Tournament Manager should normally take place approximately one week before the tournament, followed by a final meeting on the day before play. These meetings should close any outstanding questions about the field, officials, Local Rules, course set-up, scoring, communications and emergency procedures.

The golf course must offer a fair test for golfers with different impairments. Accessibility should be considered as part of the sporting assessment, not treated only as a clubhouse issue. The course inspection should examine movement from the car park to registration, practice facilities, starting tees, every hole, on-course toilets, scoring and the prize presentation.

Avoid courses where teeing areas can only be reached by stairs, where narrow footbridges provide the only route to a putting green, or where forced carries exceed approximately 100 metres for men and 80 metres for women. Paths, slopes, bridges, bunker access and routes for buggies and single-rider vehicles should be reviewed in normal and wet conditions.

These distances are general guidance. Course set-up should also consider the individual golfer’s playing ability, preferred teeing position and typical carry distance.

Field size must also be realistic for the course and available daylight. The regulations recommend maximum fields of approximately 80 players on an 18-hole course, 110 on a 27-hole course and 160 on a 36-hole course, subject to the agreed format and operational capacity.

The clubhouse and all amenities used by players must be accessible. The inspection should cover arrival, reserved parking, step-free access, door widths, reception, registration, lifts, changing rooms, accessible toilets, dining areas, tournament office, medical provision, scoring, social functions and the prize presentation.

Accessibility must be practical during the event. A route may be technically available but unsuitable if it is locked, poorly signed, blocked by furniture or too distant from the principal activity. Temporary ramps, alternative rooms or assisted routes should be agreed in advance and communicated to staff and players.

Cleaning regimes, opening hours and staffing should also be checked. Accessible toilets and changing facilities must remain available throughout practice and competition periods, including early starts and after the final groups have finished.

Buggy planning begins with the information shown on each player's pass and the supply available at the venue. Where buggy use is optional but supply is limited, priority must be given to players with an appropriate buggy indication. Buggies are reserved for players, unless an approved need requires a caddie or aide to travel with the player.

The regulations recommend one buggy for every two players entered, plus five buggies for tournament staff. The organiser must also plan charging points, secure overnight storage, keys, cleaning, breakdown response, permitted routes and procedures during suspension or evacuation.

Single-rider vehicles require particular attention. Provide an individual charging point and secure storage for each unit, and confirm safe access to all relevant parts of the course. Where required by the regulations, the player must also have a physically capable caddie.

Practice facilities should be accessible, safe and capable of serving the anticipated field. Inspect the driving range, putting green and short-game area, including the route between each facility, the first tee and the clubhouse.

Confirm the available length and capacity, quality and quantity of practice balls, equipment storage, power and water, opening hours, staffing, yardage boards and any restrictions on buggies or single-rider vehicles. The golf shop and practice areas should open at least one hour before the first starting time.

The organiser should also decide how players will book practice times, whether practice outside the official period is permitted and what role the starter will perform on the practice day. These arrangements should be communicated when entries open rather than shortly before the tournament.

A written medical and emergency plan is required for the official practice and competition rounds. There must be a staffed first-aid station on site, a medical doctor available in the area and reliable access to the emergency services.

The plan should identify who takes control, how an incident is reported, the location of medical facilities, ambulance access points, emergency contact numbers and the procedure for recording an incident. Where a physiotherapist is provided, the location, opening hours and appointment arrangements should be stated.

Evacuation planning must consider players who cannot move quickly or independently. Confirm the suspension signals, safe shelters, number and location of evacuation vehicles, buggy and single-rider vehicle procedures, and how officials will account for players, caddies, volunteers and staff before play resumes.

The venue should provide clearly identified operational spaces for the championship office, registration, rules officials, scoring and recording, media, medical support, physiotherapy, volunteer coordination and bag or equipment storage. Each space should be accessible and close enough to the relevant activity to work efficiently.

The tournament office should have reliable internet, a computer, printer, photocopier, telephone or radio access and secure storage for paperwork. It is responsible for starting times, results and distribution of official information, so it must remain staffed for the required periods.

Where eligibility assessments are required, a private room must be provided with reliable internet, a table, chairs, towels and an examination table. Privacy and confidentiality are essential, and access to the room should be controlled.

The player information pack should enable a player to understand the tournament without having to ask several different people for basic information. It should be issued at registration, with important travel and accommodation information sent earlier by email.

The pack should be available in an accessible digital format as well as in print. Any later change should be issued through the agreed official communication channel and reflected on the tournament information board.

Appoint a volunteer coordinator early and give that person authority to recruit, allocate, brief and support the volunteer team. Required roles may include registration, starters, score recorders, live scoring, ball spotters, flag support, marshals, transport, player assistance and hospitality.

Each role should have a written description, reporting line, location, shift time, equipment list and escalation procedure. Volunteers must know that they should not provide Rules decisions unless they are appointed and authorised to do so.

Training should cover respectful communication, disability awareness, safeguarding, emergency response, radio use and the boundaries of assistance. Confirm refreshments, clothing or accreditation, gifts, parking and the person volunteers should contact if they cannot attend.

Signage should allow a first-time visitor to move through the venue without needing to ask for directions. Provide clear signs for arrival, accessible parking, registration, clubhouse facilities, practice areas, first and tenth tees, toilets, catering, medical support, scoring, information boards and the prize presentation.

Parking arrangements should identify defined areas for players, officials, staff, volunteers, media and emergency services. Reserve accessible spaces close to the principal entrance and ensure attendants understand who may use them. Where car park labels or accreditation are required, send them before travel.

Check the sign height, contrast, font size and placement from the perspective of wheelchair users and people with visual or cognitive impairments. Temporary signage should be weather-resistant and should not create a trip or access hazard.

Create a single communication plan showing who communicates with whom before and during the tournament. It should include the Event Organiser, Tournament Director, Committee, referees, course manager, medical team, eligibility assessors, volunteers, scoring, transport, media, security, official hotels and EDGA Tournament Manager.

Allocate radios by role and confirm channels, call signs, charging, spare batteries and coverage across the course. Marshals should be able to contact referees, but must understand that they cannot give rulings or apply penalties.

The plan should also define how urgent player information is issued. Starting times, transportation details and changes should be posted on official information boards and distributed through the approved digital channel. Avoid conflicting messages from several informal sources.

The competition is governed by the Rules of Golf, the applicable EDGA Hard Card, the event's approved Local Rules, the published Terms of Competition and the EDGA Tournament Regulations. Where ranking is involved, the organiser must also meet WR4GD and WAGR reporting requirements.

The Terms of Competition should state the divisions, format, number of rounds, eligibility, handicap limits, field selection, registration, tie-breaking procedure, prizes, withdrawal and refund conditions, and when the competition is closed. Local Rules should deal only with local conditions and must be agreed with the Tournament Team and Tournament Director or Chief Referee before printing.

Players should be told where the current documents are displayed and how amendments will be communicated. The Committee must retain a controlled final version so that staff and referees are working from the same documents.

The introduction of Rule 25 into the 2023 Rules of Golf was an important step in making the Rules of Golf more inclusive and the game more accessible.

Before the 2023 edition of the Rules of Golf, the “Modified Rules for Players with Disabilities” were separate from the Rules of Golf and operated as Local Rules. They only applied where the Committee in charge of a competition had chosen to adopt them.

From 1 January 2023, the Modified Rules became Rule 25. Rule 25 provides modifications to certain Rules of Golf to allow players with specific disabilities to play fairly with players who have no disabilities, the same disability or a different type of disability.

From that date, the modifications within Rule 25 applied automatically in competitions and general play for anyone eligible to use them. There were no major changes to the substance of the Modified Rules introduced in 2019.

In addition to Rule 25, four Model Local Rules (M-1 to M-4) are available for Committees to adopt where appropriate. These provide further modifications for players with specific disabilities, including provisions relating to the placement of the ball, relief from bunkers and anchoring the club.

Unlike Rule 25, these Model Local Rules do not apply automatically and must be adopted by the Committee. Two of the four are already incorporated into the EDGA Hard Card, while the others may be adopted where appropriate to the competition and the needs of participating players.

Rule 25 did not change the existing responsibilities of organisers in relation to safety, course conditions, access to the golf course, or the use of golf carts and other mobility devices.

These matters remained the responsibility of the Committee running the golf course and applied to all players, regardless of whether they were eligible to use Rule 25. They could also be affected by national legislation.

Course set-up should be agreed by the Tournament Director or Chief Referee, course manager and relevant EDGA contact. It covers tee positions, hole locations, course marking, penalty areas, ground under repair, dropping zones, flagsticks, hole cups, distance-measuring prisms and the placement of furniture and bins.

The course should be presented in tournament condition while taking account of weather and player access. New holes should be cut each day, flags positioned correctly, tee markers moved and bunkers checked and raked as necessary.

Tee selection requires particular care. The regulations recommend a difference of approximately 10 to 14 per cent between men's and women's course lengths. Where a division uses different tees, the organiser must confirm whether those tees are rated and whether the results remain eligible for WR4GD and WAGR submission.

The starter controls the orderly and punctual start of play. The first tee should have a desk, start sheet, clock, information board and suitable audio equipment. A second starter may be required where a two-tee start is used.

Before each group starts, the starter should confirm the players, issue or check scorecards and Local Rules, explain the starting procedure and ensure that the group begins at the correct time. Players should be asked to report at least ten minutes before their allocated time.

The starter must immediately report an absent or late player and refer any Rules question to the Tournament Director or Chief Referee. The starter should not improvise a ruling or make an unauthorised change to the draw.

The Event Organiser, in consultation with the EDGA Tournament Team, must publish a pace of play policy. It should establish expected hole and round times, monitoring points, the procedure for identifying a group out of position and the authority of referees and marshals.

Referees should monitor pace consistently and distinguish between time reasonably required because of an impairment and avoidable delay. Where a particular player cannot be identified as the cause, the referee may split the group so that monitoring can continue fairly.

Under Rule 5.6a, the stated penalty sequence is one penalty stroke for the first breach, the general penalty for the second breach and disqualification for a third breach. The precise procedure and timing method should be included in the event policy and explained to players and officials.

The Committee must establish procedures for immediate suspension, normal suspension and resumption of play in accordance with Rule 5.7. The signals should be stated in the player information and explained at the player and volunteer briefings.

Identify safe shelters and evacuation routes before the event, with enough transport for players who use buggies, wheelchairs or other mobility equipment. Officials should know who controls the decision, which radio channel is used and how players are accounted for.

When play resumes, communicate the restart time, transport arrangements and any course changes clearly. The Committee should also determine in advance how shortened rounds, cancellations or a change in format will be handled if conditions prevent the planned programme from being completed.

The method for resolving ties must appear in the Terms of Competition. It should distinguish between first place in the principal Gross division, other stroke play placings, Stableford placings and match play.

The model individual Terms of Competition use a sudden-death hole-by-hole play-off for a tie for first place in the Strokeplay Gross division. Nett and Stableford ties are resolved by countback over the final 18, 9, 6, 3 and last hole, followed by earlier rounds if required.

The Committee should identify the play-off holes, transport, officials and starting procedure before the final round. For other WR4GD Open or Challenge events, a card play-off may be specified, but the chosen procedure must be approved and published before play begins.

Players should register in person at the official registration desk within the published period. The model individual Terms of Competition require registration during the official practice day and no later than 17:00, although the event-specific conditions remain authoritative.

Registration staff should verify identity, contact information, current certified handicap and pass status, including any buggy indication. Proof of handicap may be accepted in paper or approved digital form through the player's National Golf Body.

The player should receive the information pack, accreditation and any confirmed buggy, caddie, practice or assessment details. Outstanding questions must be referred to the appropriate official rather than resolved informally by registration volunteers.

Official practice times should be available from the date entries open and allocated through a clear booking procedure, normally on a first-come, first-served basis. State whether players may practise outside the official period and any associated green fee or booking conditions.

The organiser should confirm the starter's role, buggy allocation, range and golf shop opening hours, ball supply, trolley access and the procedure for changing or cancelling a practice time. Practice facilities should be in good condition and fully operational.

Publish one authoritative booking contact or system. Changes caused by weather, course maintenance or oversubscription should be communicated promptly to players, transport staff and the venue team.

Catering should support players throughout long practice and competition days. Where official hotels cannot serve breakfast early enough, the regulations recommend breakfast at the clubhouse approximately one hour before play begins.

Where possible, provide drinks, sandwiches and fruit near the first tee, between the ninth green and tenth tee, and at two further evenly spaced points on the course. These stations must be accessible to players using wheelchairs, buggies or single-rider vehicles.

Confirm dining access, menus, dietary requirements, takeaway options, opening and closing times, staffing, payment arrangements and provision for volunteers and officials. Information should be included in the player pack and displayed at the venue.

The Terms of Competition and player information must state whether caddies are permitted and how aides or supervisors may assist. Each player may normally have one caddie. Visually impaired players, wheelchair players and players with intellectual disabilities may also have an aide, subject to Rule 25 and the approved conditions.

Players with intellectual disabilities must bring a supervisor able to assist with all aspects of the game. The organiser should establish how that person is accredited, briefed and included in transport and catering arrangements.

Confirm caddie availability, cost, allocation and starting-time notification, together with trolley hire and secure bag or equipment storage. Where a player uses a para-golfer or similar single-rider vehicle, check the requirement for a physically capable caddie and provide suitable charging and storage.

Prize categories and the number of awards should be confirmed before play and displayed on the tournament information board. The regulations recommend at least one prize for each recognised category, a runner-up prize where there are more than eight players and a third-place prize where there are more than 20.

The model individual Terms of Competition provide Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and corresponding vouchers according to entry numbers in each division. The exact titles, trophies, medals, vouchers and eligibility rules should be stated in the event conditions.

Plan the ceremony in detail, including the presentation order, presenters, script, verified results, accessible staging, photography, flags, sponsor recognition and transport implications. Do not begin until the Committee has confirmed that all relevant scorecards, ties and penalties are final.

Final results must be checked, approved and submitted in the format required by EDGA and WAGR. The results should identify each player, pass or ranking identifier where required, country, division, handicap, round scores, final position and any withdrawal, no-return or disqualification status.

Results must be sent within 48 hours of the tournament finishing so that the WR4GD Rankings can be updated. Where EDGA GolfBox is used, much of the process is automated. Otherwise, the organiser must complete the approved WR4GD EDGA results template and send it to the specified EDGA and WAGR addresses.

Before submission, confirm that each division contains the minimum number of ranking-eligible players and that the tees, formats and course-rating data meet the requirements for the ranking being claimed.

The organiser should retain a complete event file containing the approved application, entry list, reserve list, eligibility confirmations, starting sheets, results, Terms of Competition, Local Rules, pace of play policy and Committee decisions.

Operational records should include incident and medical reports, suspension and evacuation decisions, volunteer rosters, radio allocations, buggy records, risk assessments, insurance information, financial records, supplier contacts, accreditation and consent documentation.

Personal, medical and eligibility information must be stored securely and retained only for the period permitted by the applicable data protection, safeguarding and legal requirements. Access should be limited to those with a legitimate operational need.

Hold a structured debrief soon after the event while information is still fresh. Include the Event Organiser, Tournament Director, course team, referees, eligibility team, medical lead, scoring team, volunteer coordinator and EDGA Tournament Manager where appropriate.

Review the planning process, course accessibility, pace of play, buggy and caddie provision, registration, communications, medical response, catering, transport, scoring, media, budget and player feedback. Record both successful practices and problems that require corrective action.

Produce a concise written action report with named owners and target dates. This should inform the next edition of the tournament and any changes required before the event can receive future EDGA approval.

The EDGA Tournament Team may withdraw approval immediately if the organiser of a WR4GD-EDGA-approved tournament does not comply with the requirements of the Tournament Regulations. In the case of a serious violation, EDGA may continue the sanction against the organiser for up to three years.

Potential grounds may include significant departures from approved eligibility, competition, safety, accessibility, refereeing or results requirements, misuse of EDGA approval or branding, or failure to address a material concern raised by the Tournament Team.

The best protection is early communication. Where the organiser anticipates that a requirement cannot be met, the issue should be raised with the assigned Tournament Manager before the event so that an approved solution or formal change can be considered.