IAGA Membership and Tournament Guidelines
2024 Season (Last updated: 03/20/2024)
(Updates highlighted in Yellow)

 

Outlined below are guidelines for our membership to follow as you progress through the year. These guidelines will enhance your golfing experience in the IAGA. They will ensure the IAGA Committee is able to run events efficiently and with minimal stress. PLEASE ADHERE TO THESE GUIDELINES. They apply to ALL participants; no exemptions or exceptions are allowed.

 

MEMBERSHIP LEVELS and FEES

New or Renewal or Reinstatement Membership (includes USGA) – Regular members enjoy the full IAGA benefits. A ONE-TIME annual payment is processed at the time of initiation:

  • Adult: $275
  • Juniors: $125 (<17 years)
  • New member signup after August 1st are not eligible for Club Championships.
  • New member signup after August 1st will have their IAGA membership run through next year.
  • New Members must be sponsored by an Active Member to join the club.

 

Membership Cancellation (including USGA) – You can cancel your membership anytime by sending an email to IAGA. Your paid IAGA/USGA membership fees for the year are non-refundable. Your membership with IAGA and USGA will remain active for the year through December. We will cancel your IAGA/USGA in December during the renewal process for next year. Send cancellation email to: tournaments@iagagolf.com

 

Note: IAGA Committee can cancel membership of a member for conduct detrimental to the IAGA. If such a decision is made by the committee a partial refund of the Renewal Fees will be issued to the member.

Tournament Schedule: IAGA tournament schedule is posted at iagagolf.com

 

TOURNAMENT FEES

Tournament Fees for Stroke Play includes Breakfast/Lunch, Green Fees, Cart, Range Balls (where available), and Prizes. Approximately 8% of total collections will be used to payout cash prizes:

  • Adult: Dynamic Pricing per tournament
  • Juniors: $100/tournament except Club Championships
  • Guests: Dynamic Pricing per tournament
  • Low Gross Pot: $20 (Participation is optional)
  • Skins Pot: $20 (Participation is optional. Must be over the age of 18 to participate)
  • Tournament fees are in addition to the annual Membership Fees.

 

 

TOURNAMENT DIVISIONS (FLIGHTS)

IAGA has the following Divisions based on handicaps. With the World Handicap System in effect converted Course Handicaps are NOT adjusted. Each active member is assigned to one of these Divisions for Stroke Play tournaments:

  • Maharaja Division – Players in this division will play to a maximum individual handicap index of 8.9 which will be converted to a course handicap. Tiger division members can play in the Maharaja with a maximum handicap index of 8.9. All players including junior boys play from the Blue Tees. Women and Junior Girls play White tees.
     
  • Tiger Division – Players in this division will play to an individual handicap index between 9.0 and 15.9 which will be converted to a course handicap. Cobra division members can play in Tiger with a maximum handicap index of 15.9. All players, including junior boys play from the White Tees. Women and Junior Girls play Red tees.

 

  • Cobra Division – Players in this division will play to an individual handicap index between 16.0 and 22.9 which will be converted to a course handicap. Players who have a handicap index exceeding 22.9 will have their index capped at 22.9. All players, including junior boys play from the White Tees. Women and Junior Girls play Red tees.

 

  • Guest Division – Guest or other non-eligible members are not eligible to participate in any tournament activities including skins. All guests must play from the White Tees or other assigned by IAGA.

 

TOURNAMENT HANDICAPS

 

Stroke Play Handicap: In 2020, USGA introduced the World Handicap System where a handicap for a player may change daily. Members with a USGA established handicap will play to Handicap Index that is based on the LOWER of:

  • Current handicap index published by USGA OR
  • Average differential of 2 low current year IAGA “Competition” scores OR
  • If you have not played 2 IAGA tournaments in the current year, you will play to Current handicap index published by USGA OR 
  • A handicap index established by a recognized Amateur Tour (E.g. US Am Tour)

 

  • New Regular member with a USGA handicap: If you have an established USGA handicap index and this is your first tournament with IAGA and a minimum of 4 scores have been posted in the last 6 months, you will play to the current USGA index. Your sponsoring member must verify your current USGA index. 
     
  • New Regular member without a USGA handicap: If you currently do not have an established USGA handicap, the first two IAGA “Competition” scores will be used to evaluate your playing level. IAGA committee will assign you a temporary handicap index from the 3rd tournament until a USGA handicap is established.
    • Note: You will NOT be eligible for prizes and skins in your 1st two IAGA tournaments except Closest to the Pin and Long Drive competitions.

 

Match Play Handicap: Match Play will use 80% of the USGA or IAGA handicap index whichever is lower. IAGA will update the Handicap Index at the start of a new Match Play Round. Detailed Match Play rules will be provided at the start of the match play events. Members without a USGA handicap at the start of Match Play competition are NOT eligible to participate in Match Play.

 

Skins Handicap: Participation in the Skins is optional. A maximum of 18 Course Handicap will be assigned for the skins game. Must be over the age of 18 to participate in skins. Current active members must have an established IAGA handicap index to participate.

 

Handicap Adjustments: The IAGA Committee reserves the right to lower Handicap Indexes at any time if it is determined that a player is not maintaining handicaps or posting within the spirit of the USGA/USGA guidelines. As an example, if IAGA “Competition” scores are below those of the established handicap, a review and adjustment by the committee is possible for future events.

 

 

TOURNAMENT FORMATS

 

The following tournament formats are used during the season:

  • Stroke Play: Majority of the tournaments are conducted in this format.
    • Awards for first and second place in each flight of the tournament are distributed from the prize pool, based on the total weight of the flight.
    • Low Gross pot (Optional participants only): Player with lowest gross  score takes the entire pot
    • Skins Pot (Optional participants only): Each skin won is divided equally within the divisions. For skins we have 2 divisions – Maharaja and Tiger/Cobra (combined)
       
  • Individual and Team Match Play Event
    • Prize pool is announced based on participation
       
  • Club Championship Format and Eligibility:
    • Club Championship is a 2-day mandatory 36-hole event.
    • Trophy awarded to Gross Champion who can come from any flight (Sudden death playoff in case of tie)
    • Trophy awarded to Maharaja Champion (Sudden death playoff in case of tie)
    • Trophy awarded to Tiger Champion (Card Playoff in case of tie)
    • Trophy awarded to Cobra Champion (Card Playoff in case of tie)
    • Gross Champion can also win any flights Net Champion trophy.
    • A member MUST play in a minimum of 2 regular season events PRIOR to be eligible for the awards and prizes in the Club Championship.  The Individual and Team Match Play events counts as qualifying events for Club Championship
    • If you have played in less than 2 tournaments during the regular season, you can still play in the Club Championship but would not be eligible for prizes.

 

GOLFER OF THE YEAR (GOY)

 

The Golfer of the Year (GOY) recognition is designed to honor players who exhibit outstanding consistency in golf throughout the season. This award takes into account performances in regular season stroke play events, where all events are weighted equally to ensure fairness. The GOY awards are distributed across both Gross and Net categories, with specific divisions within Net for more targeted recognition. Here’s a refined explanation of the rules and criteria for the GOY awards:
 

  • Golfer of the Year Categories:
    • Low Gross GOY (G-GOY): This category rewards the top 5 players in the Low Gross Division with points based on their standings: 1st place (100 points), 2nd place (80 points), 3rd place (60 points), 4th place (40 points), and 5th place (20 points).
       
    • Net GOY (N-GOY): In the Net category, which includes Maharaja, Tiger, and Cobra divisions, the top 10 players in each division are awarded points as follows: 1st place (100 points), 2nd place (90 points), down to 10th place (10 points). Participating in any IAGA tournament garners 3 points.
       
  • Overall Golfer of the Year: The highest overall points scorer across their best 4 stroke play tournaments within the season will be crowned as the Golfer of the Year.
     
  • Tie-Breakers: In the event of a tie, the determination will be based on the best 3 or best 2 performances. If a tie persists, the involved players will be declared Joint Winners and will split the award pot.
     
  • Important Note:
    • A player cannot win both the Gross and Net Golfer of the Year awards in the same season.
    • A player must play in minimum 4 events during the year to qualify for the GOY award.

 

TOURNAMENT SIGNUP and CANCELLATION

 

Tournament Signups and Payments: You will sign up for tournaments by logging into your account on www.iagagolf.com (Golf Genius powered). 
 

  • Deadlines – Deadlines to sign up and payments for a tournament are ONE week prior to the tournament unless specified differently by the IAGA for a specific tournament.
     
  • Tournament Cancellation Policy: The following cancellation policy applies for all tournaments:
    • Members can cancel their and/or guest entry 1 week prior to the tournament date (> 7 days) – NO CHARGE
    • Members can cancel their and/or guest entry between 2-5 days prior to the tournament date - NO CHARGE IF REPLACEMENT IS FOUND, 100% OF THE TOURNAMENT FEE PENALTY IF REPLACEMENT IS NOT FOUND
    • Members can cancel their and/or guest entry within 24 hours of the tournament - 100% OF THE TOURNAMENT FEE PENALTY
    • Member or Guest are a NO SHOW at the tournament - 100% OF THE TOURNAMENT FEE PENALTY. If a member does not inform the IAGA committee for more than 1 tournament, IAGA will not accept their entry for rest of the year.
    • Members are encouraged to help IAGA Committee to find a replacement if the cancellation is within 7 days of the tournament.
    • IAGA Committee shall make every effort to find a replacement but cannot guarantee a replacement.

 

TOURNAMENT DAY

 

  • Attendance at the Members Breakfast or Lunch is mandatory, unless stated otherwise by IAGA. All Members much reach within 10-minute grace period of the assigned time. Late arrival may be excluded from raffle. You must understand this one guideline that can make the difference between a smooth run event and one that falls apart. Do not consider yourself exempt.  
     
  • For Tee Times start you will be required to show up on the first tee 15 minutes prior to your assigned tee time ready to go. Tee times will be communicated 1 day prior to the tournament day, if not sooner. We cannot make any last-minute changes to the tee times on the day of the tournament. If you miss your tee time by more than 5 minutes, you will be DISQUALIFIED. 
  •  
  • All tournament results are unofficial until FINALIZED and COMMUNICATED by IAGA committee.
      
  • We strictly follow and enforce USGA rules for tournament play. Local rules for the golf course apply. IAGA Committee will communicate additional local rules before the start of the tournament.
     
  • Wrong Score for a Hole: If the foursome or the scorekeeper of the foursome returns an Official Scorecard (physical scorecard provided by IAGA) with a wrong score for any hole:
    • Returned Score Higher Than Actual Score. The higher returned score for the hole stands.
    • Returned Score Lower Than Actual Score or No Score Returned. The player is disqualified.
    • NOTES:
      • Online Scoring (like Golf Genius) are not official scores for a tournament.
      • Make sure you as a player verify that your score for each hole (not total score) is accurate on the Official Scorecard before leaving the golf course for the day.
      • Tournament is closed once the Official Scorecard signed by the scorekeeper is handed over to any member of the IAGA committee.
         
  • Rules Dispute: In case of a dispute regarding rules, play a second ball and let the IAGA committee decide on the correct ruling after the round. Do not waste any time arguing the correct ruling during the tournament.
     
  • Tie Breakers: USGA Rule 33-6 empowers the IAGA committee to determine how and when a halved match or a stroke play tie is decided. Here are the Tie Breaker rules for IAGA events:
    • Match Play Tie Breakers:
      • Playoff: If the IAGA committee requires a playoff, the match should be played off hole by hole until one side wins a hole. The play-off should start on Hole #1. Handicap strokes fall as per original 18-hole match.
      • Card Playoff: Card playoff winner is decided using the NET scores in the following order:
        • Back nine score
        • If tied, go to holes 13-18
        • If tied, go to holes 16-18
        • If tied, go to hole 18
        • If still tied, go #1 handicap, #2 handicap, and so on till tie is broken
          Note: Handicap strokes fall as per original 18-hole match.
           
    • Stroke Play Tie Breakers (Card Playoff):
      • Use last nine, six, three, and finally 18th hole. One half, one-third, one-sixth, one-18th of the handicap should be deducted from the scores on these holes. Fractions of one-half stroke or more should count as a full stroke; any lesser fractions should be disregarded.

        EXAMPLE: Assume Dan has a 9 handicap and Joe a 14 handicap:
      • LAST NINE HOLES:
        • Dan 39 – (9 / 2) = 39-4.5 = 39-5 = 34
        • Joe 41 – (14 / 2) = 41-7 = 34
        • TIE
      • LAST SIX HOLES
        • Dan 27 – (9/3) = 27-3=24
        • Joe 29 – (14/3) = 29 – 5 = 24
        • TIE
      • LAST THREE HOLES
  • Dan 12 – (9/6) = 12-2 = 10
  • Joe 14 – (14/6) = 14-2 =12
  • Dan WINS!

 

  • Card Playoff: All regular season tournaments use the above-mentioned tie-breakers for all flights. Individual and Team Match Play events use this method except for the rounds mentioned below.

 

  • Sudden Death Playoff: IAGA requires a sudden death playoff starting from Hole #1. If Hole #1 is not available, IAGA committee may decide to start playoff from another hole. Handicaps will be where they lie on the scorecard. Sudden death playoff applies to the following tournaments and flights:
    • Maharaja-Gross and Maharaja-Net champions at the season ending Club Championships
    • Final matches for Individual and Team Match Play
       
  • Tournament Prizes for Regular Stroke Play events: Prize money will be published on the tournament sheet at the day of the tournament. For the regular season, low gross winner for a tournament will get the same payout as net flight winner. Low gross winner cannot win low net prize as well. Winners will be paid using PayPal.
     
  • Tournament Prizes for Major, Match Play and Club Championships events: Prizes money is increased and varies for these KEY events. Winners will be paid using PayPal.
     
  • Tournament Prizes for Juniors in ALL events: No Cash Prizes will be awarded to Juniors or to their parents. Prizes in the form of gifts will based on the USGA guidelines “Rules for Amateur Status for Juniors”. 
     
  • Raffle Prizes: All active members participating in an event are eligible for raffle.
     
  • Local rules for “USGA Rule 21.2 – Maximum Score”: The need to hole out on every hole in stroke play can have at least two downsides: (1) it often leads to a slow pace of play, and (2) it may discourage golfers who feel they no longer have a realistic chance to compete or to make a good score for the round once they get a very high score on one or two holes. Maximum Score is an alternative form of play that addresses both concerns, by allowing a player to “pick up” when he or she scores at or above the maximum and by capping the player’s score for any hole at the maximum.
    • 7-8-9 “Maximum Score” Rule: This IAGA LOCAL rule is to speed up play only. This rule applies to all IAGA tournaments (except Maharaja-Gross and Maharaja-Net flights in Club Championship):
      • Par 3 – If you are hitting your 7th shot, pick up and write a 7 on the scorecard.
      • Par 4 – If you are hitting your 8th shot, pick up and write an 8 on the scorecard.
      • Par 5 – If you are hitting your 9th shot, pick up and write a 9 on the scorecard.

NOTE: We have done extensive analysis on historical scorecards and found out this local rule does not really alter the results of the tournament. Don’t worry about if someone is getting a break by IAGA max rule but think about how it helps us in getting off the course sooner. No one really wants a 6-hour round.
 

  • Provisional Ball: If your golf ball is heading towards tall grass that is in play. When in doubt about your shot, before going and looking for your ball, play a second provisional ball. This will avoid a trip back to the original spot in case of a lost ball.
     
  • Additional Suggestions for Speed of Play:
    • ALL members must complete the round in no more than 5 hours. We will have a rabbit group who will finish the round no later than 4 hours and 45 minutes (this assumes that the course was not delayed prior to our tee-off). A member from this group will be the IAGA course marshal upon completion of their round and will help insure that all foursome finish in 5 hours.
       
    • ALL foursomes must keep up with the group in front of them. IAGA is not a look behind club. You must keep up with the group IN FRONT of you. It doesn't matter that there is nobody behind you. If you can't see the group in front of you, YOUR group is playing slow. We will have an IAGA marshal monitor each group during play. If at any time a group is 1.5 holes behind the group in front of them, THE ENTIRE GROUP may be asked to pick up and move to the next tee box and be assessed an IAGA 7-8-9 Rule for every member. There is no finger pointing allowed as it is the ENTIRE group's responsibility to monitor itself to stay close to the group ahead. This rule applies regardless of the 5 hour - 15-minute guideline. There is NO excuse for being 1.5 holes behind the group in front of you...KEEP UP!
       
    • If your group is behind by couple of holes, 2 players from the foursome can finish putting first and go to the next tee to tee off, while the remaining 2 players finishing putting. This process should be followed until you are caught up. 
       
    • Another procedure to help you keep up will be for players to hit when it's their turn. Too often in the IAGA we park our carts next to the person who is away, wait for them to hit, then together they go to the next person's ball. Go to the player whose ball is the furthest away, drop them off, let them take 2-3 clubs and then drive to your ball. Be ready to hit when it's your turn. Follow this process all the way to the green and then putt out in turn on the green. From experience this makes a HUGE difference.

 

IAGA LIABILITY AND PHOTO RELEASE

In consideration of the Indo-American Golf Association (hereinafter IAGA), organizing and hosting golf tournaments and promoting competitive golf, and inviting to participate in the IAGA, Members, Guests, their families or others (hereinafter Participants) agree as follows:

  • Participants covenant not to bring any action legal, equitable, or otherwise, or to make any claim of any nature whatsoever against the IAGA, its officers, committees, trustees, employees, agents, instructors, representatives, volunteers, or/and any other persons involved with the IAGA activities, either directly or indirectly, for any personal injury or injuries, including death or property damage which participants may suffer or might sustain in engaging IAGA activities necessarily or incidentally associated therewith.
     
  • Participants hereby release and further discharge the IAGA, its officers, committees, trustees, employees, agents, instructors, representatives, volunteers, or/and any other persons involved with the IAGA activities, either directly or indirectly, for any personal injuries, death or property damage which participants may suffer or incur either directly or others indirectly as a result of participation in the IAGA activities.
     
  • Participants make these covenants, release and waivers knowingly and voluntarily with full knowledge of any existing dangers in training, practicing, playing, traveling and any other IAGA activities; which dangers participants hereby further expressly voluntarily assume.
     
  • IAGA reserves the right to take photos of all participants at all IAGA tournaments and events. IAGA further shall have the exclusive and irrevocable right to use these golf photos in print, web or other media to promote IAGA and its events, without compensation to the IAGA member or participants.
     
  • Participants execute this release with the intent to be legally bound hereby for them and on behalf of their heirs, administrators, executors and assigns.

 

IAGA emails used for communications: noreply@golfgenius.com / tournaments@iagagolf.com / finance@iagagolf.com

 

IAGA is social:

 

IAGA Committee Members: BJ Desai, Harsha Sastry, and Raj Gautam (Founder). For consideration to join IAGA Committee, a member must be an active IAGA participant for 5+ years.