Slammer logo2

Local Rules

Rules, Format, Etiquette & Course Care


The Slammer Tour fosters friendly, competitive, match-play golf for players of all skill levels. Each Slammer plays from the tee box that is best suited for their type of game which allows them to physically hit most greens in regulation with a mid to short iron. Matches are often played vs opponents from different tee boxes. The Tour is also about helping each other learn about the rules, etiquette and culture of golf so that everyone is treated with the utmost respect.




A - Etiquette & Course Care

Updated May 19, 2022

1. Golf Course & Clubhouse Respect

We're all in it to have a great time and we want courses to want us. When we treat the courses and staff with respect, they respond by treating us as valued customers... and that's a win-win for everyone. The Tour has a zero tolerance for the use of swearing and rough language in the clubhouse whether or not other customers and staff are present. Behaviour on the golf course also represents the Tour. The Tour has a zero tolerance for shouting, club throwing, and disruption of other players. One warning will be given, then a period of suspension for any breach of Course and Clubhouse Respect rules. Always respect the course's local rules with respect to powercarts and practice facilities. Remember: each time you play in an event, you represent the Slammer Tour and ClubEG so we'll say "thanks in advance" for helping out.

2. Divots & Ball Marks

We all appreciate a beautiful course so please make sure to always replace your divots, repair damaged tee boxes with seed and sand, if available, and fix your ball marks (and any others that you find). Try to leave the course in even better shape than you found it... even if it's not already in great shape.

3. Be Safe

No one wants to take a ball in the back of the head or meet their maker at the bottom of a ravine, so please be mindful of others' positions when hitting... especially from peculiar lies. If you have a blind shot, be absolutely sure all is clear before you hit. Safety first!

4. Negative Behaviour

Aggressive behaviour including ANY raising of your voice will result in an immediate suspension.

Whining and complaining are not fun for anyone to hear. If someone hears another person whining or complaining then they can “charge” them a toonie to go to the kids to keep it light. If someone has a pattern of whining and complaining then they will receive a warning and suspension to follow if it doesn’t stop.

Foul language: please keep this to a minimum. If used aggressively or loudly or too frequently, you will receive a warning.

Gamesmanship is not good sportsmanship. There's a fine line between teasing and intentionally doing something to negatively impact your opponent. Treat others as you would like to be treated. It is good etiquette to ask your opponents the status of your match instead of telling them in case they don’t want to engage in that at the moment.

5. Issue Resolution

Email info@SlammerTour.golf and we will address the issue with you. Please do not complain to the OC or course staff. We will address your issue in a professional manner.

6. Be On Time

Golf courses operate on very strict tee times so it is essential that you be at the course at least 20-minutes before your tee time, and on your tee box 10-minutes prior to your posted tee time. If you are late for your tee time, you can still join your group on the golf course but you will have lost each hole that has already been played. Furthermore, it's requested that as soon as you arrive, you check in with the Onsite Coordinator to pay for your optional Doggie and Skin entries — unless you paid in advance via email.

7. Ride Sharing

There is a feature on the website event pages to offer or request ride sharing to and from events. Similar to the checkboxes for card and app scorer, simply check off the appropriate box, then follow up with your fellow Slammer to make arrangements. If you can offer a ride, a little O will appear beside your name, and if you need a ride, an N will appear. Please note that it is customary for the ride sharing passenger to cover the driver's skin and doggie entry fee in exchange for the favour.

8. Playing Music on the Golf Course

Playing music during your round is permitted as long as all other golfers in your group agree.


B - Tour Format

Updated August 15, 2022

1. Match-Play

All Slammer Tour events are match-play format. In match-play, you win, tie or lose each hole until you run out of holes and a winner is declared... unless of course it ends up in a tie. Unlike stroke-play where scoring is based on the total number of shots for the entire round, the Slammer Tour plays on a hole-by-hole basis. If you par the first hole, for example, and your opponent bogeys it, you're "one up". Beat them again on hole #2 and you're "two up". If, for example, you are "three up" but there are only two holes left to play, you win the match!

2. Division Assignments

The Committee assigns each Slammer to one of five divisions: Open, A, B, C or D. There are multiple factors that go in to determining a player's division including scoring median, history, trends, injuries, disabilities, etc. If a Slammer improves significantly then they will be moved up a division. If a Slammer's game slips significantly then they will be moved down a division. If you think you or someone else is not in the right division, please email info@SlammerTour.golf and the Committee will conduct a review.

The overall goal is to have good close matches within each division.

3. Challenges

Challenges are made online prior to the event to help determine groupings. Each Slammer has a divisional ranking with the primary objective to work your way up to the number one rank in your division. If you beat someone in your own division with a higher rank then you get their rank. If possible, three challenges should be entered to increase your chances of getting the best matches. Sometimes you may not be able to get anyone ranked above you so your goal then is to defend and not let others take your rank.

Events typically open for registration at 8pm, five days before the event. For the first two hours there is a lottery to determine challenge priority. After the lottery closes, challenge priority is determined by time-stamp of registration. The lottery is also used to determine who gets in the event if there are more people than available spots.

You can modify your challenges at any time prior to 10pm the evening before the event. You will see the groups change as people modify their challenges.

The groups are frozen at 10pm the evening before the event.

Matches are played for rank and points; any friendly wagers are optional and are to be declared before a match begins.

4. Doggies

Doggies are awarded to the Slammer who sticks the ball closest to the pin on par-threes out of the entire event's field of players. You must be on the green (collar/fringe does not count) and make par or better. Doggies are marked with a personalized golf ball on a tee. You should keep a couple of doggie balls (maybe 4?) in your bag; white and pre-marked with your name so that others will know who is in the running. An optional 5-bone entry is required for the contest, payable to the Onsite Coordinator before you tee off.

All players in a group are eligible for the doggie if their ball is closer than the current doggie ball. If the closest player doesn’t make par or better, the doggie goes to the next closest who makes par of better, so remember to mark your location.

Be sure when you're putting for the dog to mark the position from where you're putting. Otherwise you'll be unable to claim the dog.

Note: You must always putt out your Doggies — and if you miss the putt, you must count it as a stroke.

5. Skins

Skins are an optional contest at every Tour event whereby you can win a "skin" if you alone get the lowest score on a hole out of the entire field of players. Every event has a designated Skin Master whose duty is to tabulate and present the results. If you want in on the skins game, you must give your name and 5-bone entry to the Onsite Coordinator before teeing off. Skins are played at every event, but only eligible for statistics when there are seven or more Slammers at the event.

6. Hole-in-One Pot

Optional contest with a one-time 10-bone entry fee sent by etransfer to holeinone@slammertour.golf or cash given to the OC at your next event. A confirmation email must also be sent to holeinone@slammertour.golf once entry fee is paid. The next person who gets a hole in one at a Slammer Tour event, wins the entire pot. Once the pot is won then a new contest begins and a new pot begins to grow. Temporary greens are fair game. Note that if you are playing a tee block forward from your regular TBA then you are not elegible for this contest for that round. See participants here.

7. App Scorer & Card Scorer

The App Scorer is the official scorer for your group. They will enter scores after each hole and verify scores with the Card Scorer after the round. The App Scorer is noted with a superscript A beside the Slammer’s name on event pages.

The Card Scorer keeps a nice and legible paper scorecard for the group. The Card Scorer is noted with a superscript C beside the person’s name.

If there is a discrepancy found between the scorecard and the app, the app will be used as the official result.

8. Win a #1 Cap

If you make it to #1 in your division, then you win a special Slammer Tour #1 cap. Contact us via Messenger or to info@SlammerTour.golf All #1 caps are white and come in standard fit or XXL.

Note that if you make it to #1 in your division because the previous #1 was inactive, then you must defend your #1 ranking to receive your cap.

Maximum one #1 cap per season.

9. Run for #1

(Updated October 19, 2023)

The 'Run for #1' is the final leg of the outdoor golf season and it's all about the rankings! Similar to the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour, players contend all season for position on the ladder and then October becomes our playoff time. Our final event will have a showdown in each division to crown five #1 Slammers.

  • The final event is generally scheduled for the last or second last Sunday in October
  • Every Slammer, regardless of age or gender, compete in their own division: Open, A, B, C or D
  • Divisions and tee block assignments are frozen Oct 1
  • Starting Oct 1, the non-activity rule changes from 10 days to 6 days; example if you are in the top 5 and play on a Sunday then you must play by the following Saturday to retain your ranking; otherwise you get moved out of the top 5 after Saturday's results are posted
  • If you are registered for an event at the time it is cancelled then you are given two extra days towards inactivity
  • If someone makes it to number one or defends number one within 6 days of the final (so starting the Monday before) they will have their ranking frozen; once number 1 is frozen then anyone who makes it to number 2 will be frozen; then anyone who makes it to number 3 will be frozen; then anyone who makes it to number 4 will be frozen; this will allow everyone to compete the last week to try and get into the top 4 and also allow the top players to play events in the last week without risking their ranking
  • If someone becomes number one on the Sunday before the final event and does not play the final week then they will be moved down to the fifth position after Saturday’s event results are in
  • You cannot challenge someone who is frozen if it takes away from someone who still has a chance to make it; you do not get a frozen player's ranking if you beat them
  • At the final event, at the start of play, the top 4 ranked in attendance will be assigned rankings 1 to 4 and will play in the same group; the next 4 highest ranked in attendance will be assigned rankings 5-8 and play in the same group
  • Prizing for the top 8 in each division and the #1 ranked Slammer will have their name etched in history forever
  • Those not playing in the top 8 are still encouraged to play and battle it out to the end for final ranking, points, dogs, skins, bones and to have fun until the end!
  • Everyone in attendance at the last event will receive a nice Slammer Tour gift
  • You must have 10 events or more in the current season, 7 days prior to the the final event, to compete for the top 8 on the final day

10. Not Eligible

If you are playing a tee box that is closer up than your TBA because of the CMPC or ClubEG Championships then you are not eligible for Doggies, Skins or Hole-in-One Pot. Also, if a higher ranked person wants to decline the match then they must tell the OC before tee off.

If you are playing a partners match then there is no match between you and your partner.


C - Pace-of-Play Rules

Updated September 13, 2022

1. Overview

Pace-of-play is critically important for the Tour and we have to look at ourselves, first, to find ways to ensure we play as efficiently as possible. The best tip of all is to be ready when it's your turn to go. Think ahead and plan your shot while others are making theirs, or while you're walking to your ball. We play "ready-golf" on the Tour when a group is out of position so lead by example. After your round, ask your fellow Slammers if they've noticed anything that you can do, personally, to improve your own pace-of-play and be open to others' observations. If you see a pattern in responses, then perhaps there is something you can work on. Remember, it's not about rushing: it's about efficiency and protection of the Tour's reputation.

2. 30-Second Rule

All shots must be executed within 30 seconds of the previous player's shot. This goes for drives, reloads, fairway shots, approaches, sand shots, chips and putts. Thirty seconds may not sound like much but if you test it out in the field, you'll see that it is in fact plenty of time. The key is to do as much planning before your 30 seconds kicks in... and get your glove on while you're walking or waiting for another player to hit. If a player is over 30 seconds, mention it to him/her in a polite, constructive or even "fun" way. If the problem persists, however, send us an email and we will address the issue with the individual.

3. Group Captains

Each group will be assigned a pace-of-play captain by the OC before the 1st tee-off. The OC will consider the history of the players and designate one person in each group to be the captain. The captain is responsible for their group to adhere to the rules and guidelines of this pace-of-play section.

4. Half-Hole Behind (out of position)

Because efficiency in pace-of-play is so critical to The Tour, a group is officially out of position when they are more than a half-hole behind the group in front, regardless of how many people are in the group ahead or for any other circumstance. When a group is out of position, the Group Captain must take responsibility and ensure his group gets back into position as quickly as possible.

5. First Group Out

The first group out must remain within half of a hole of the public group ahead or at a 2hr 10 minute nine-hole pace. If after the turn, it has been more than 2hr 10minutes, this group is out of position and must adhere to the rules of being out of position.

6. Three-Minute Search

A maximum of three minutes is permitted to look for your ball in the woods, hazard, rough or anywhere - and you are only entitled to three 3-minute searches per round. All searches after you've spent your three-minutes are limited to a maximum of one-minute each.

7. Slammie Max

The maximum number of strokes per hole is EIGHT and all eights are equal. If an individual takes their seventh shot and doesn't hole out, they must pick up their ball and score an EIGHT. If there is an infraction where the result would be loss of a hole (for example, playing the wrong ball) the player must take a NINE.

Exception: it is permitted to take highest score in the group plus one if you lost the hole to all competitors.

8. Gimmes

Gimmes are a traditional part of match-play golf and it is a Slammer Tour custom and expectation to give putts within two feet. If your putt is within one foot then you can pick it up without approval. If your putt is outside one foot but inside two feet then look to your relevant opponents for approval before taking it. If it is near the two foot mark and any relevant opponent does not concede then you must putt it out. If you have two matches going and one opponent says it’s good this does not entitle you to pick it up; you must ask the other opponent.

  • Note that putts outside of two feet can still be given as long as all relevant opponents agree.
  • Be quick and generous with gimmes as it helps pace of play; be ready to offer the gimme.
  • Exceptions: you must putt out for doggies, birdies and eagles.

9. Lost Ball / OB / Unplayable / Penalty Area

If at any point you lose your ball in an unmarked area, beyond white stakes, in a penalty area, or need to take an unplayable, your options under a penalty of one stroke are as follows:

  1. Drop at the point of entry, two club lengths no closer to the hole (max 25 yards back for your point of entry)
  2. Keep the point of entry and pin in line and go back up to approximately 25 yards
The intention behind this rule is to avoid “walking back” too far. There are situations where you may need to go up to see if your ball is playable or if you can obtain a closer “drop”. In these cases, play a quick “penalty area provisional” and continue to move forward. For unplayable, you also have the option of dropping within 2 club lengths from where your ball is.

10. Play While Others are Searching

One player must be hitting while others are searching for a lost ball. When searching for a ball, please be as quiet as possible so the person hitting will not be disrupted.

11. Chipping and Putting Order

The Group Captain should announce the hitting-order when close to the green, if it's not obvious.

12. Honours

The Slammer with honours is first up on the next tee and is NOT permitted to mark the score until he/she has hit. Anyone can tee off first as long as the Slammer with honours agrees. If the Slammer with honours is slow getting to the tee, ready-golf kicks in. If there are multiple tee boxes in play then those the furthest back tee off first. Be ready! Going from the last hole to the next tee shot is where you can save a lot of time.

13. Leaving the Pin In

Under the new Rules of Golf, players are be permitted to leave the flagstick in the hole while playing a shot from the green, and there is no penalty if the ball strikes the flagstick. The Slammer Tour strongly encourages players to keep the pin out once it’s out but are permitted to put it back in for their putt as long as it does not affect pace of play.


D - Special Course Rules

Updated March 18, 2019

1. Course Tee Blocks

Some courses have holes where tee blocks are in different orders, with different pars based on tee blocks or gender. Please refer to our Course Tee Block Mapping document to verify the situation at each course.

2. Stake-to-Stake vs. Cutline

For red and yellow staked areas not marked with a line, use the cutline or contour to establish the start/finish point of the hazard. For white stakes (out-of-bounds), although this is played laterally on the Slammer Tour, stake-to-stake is still used to determine if the ball is in play or not.

3. Mountain Creek

To the left of hole #8 and hole#9 there are out of bounds stakes. This will not be in play for Slammer Tour events. They are often knocked down and discoloured and sometimes not present at all so for consistency we will pretend these stakes don't exist. Please avoid cutting the corner if possible for safety issues but there is no penalty if you do.


E - Other Rules

Updated April 29, 2023

1. Tee-Block Assignments

All Slammers have a Tee-Block Assignment (T1–T7) based on scoring median and average driver distance after a good drive is hit under normal conditions.

2. Rule Priority

Golf Canada rules of match-play golf apply, except for local course rules and Slammer Tour rules. Slammer rules take precedence, followed by local course rules and then Golf Canada rules.

3. Making Rulings on the Course (playing two balls)

No one has the authority to "make a ruling" on the course and it is up to the individual player to determine how he or she will proceed if an issue comes up. You may ask for opinions on what the proper course of action might be but it is ultimately up to you to make a decision. You may NOT play two balls. If an opponent disagrees with your course of action, said opponent must tell you, respectfully, that he/she is filing a claim. This announcement must be made before teeing off on the next hole (or in the case of the 18th hole, before leaving the green). Once the round is complete, the claim must be emailed to rulings@slammertour.com with a description of the situation and the players involved. The Slammer Tour Rules Committee will follow up and make a ruling, and the decision will be posted on the Decisions Page. Claims must be emailed within 24 hours of event completion or they will not be considered for the outcome of the match. Non-claim rulings are still encouraged to be emailed in for review and for the benefit of all Tour members.

If a player’s score on an individual hole is in question, the player must sign off on the scorecard with an asterisk on the hole in question, and a note must be mentioned on the group summary form. All players are still required to sign the group summary form as it stands with the player’s decision.

Note: Skins, doggies, matches, rankings, and star selection may change on the event website after a decision has been made.

4. Official Skins

There must be at least seven Slammers entered into the skins game at an event for skins to count in the stats. Skins will still be played but will not count towards the season long stats if there are less than seven entered into the skins game. Note: There is no minimum number of players required for official indoor skins.

5. The Leaf Rule

The Leaf Rule automatically goes into effect September 15th every year, unless otherwise stated by the OC.

If your ball is lost in an area that is normally maintained and you would have normally found it, 99% of the time, and your three opponents agree with you, then you may drop a ball closest to the point where you think it was - without penalty. If you feel the leaf rule applies but one or more of your opponents do not, then play it and score it as you choose. Your opponents can file a claim if they disagree.

  • Definition: Normally Maintained. Any area where the grass is regularly cut.

6. Bunkers

You may remove stones, leaves, sticks and other debris from all bunkers. You may also lift your ball out of footprints and other spots that are poorly maintained or in abnormally bad condition. Either place your ball as near as possible to the original spot so the shot is virtually the same or rake the sand and place your ball back in the same spot. If anyone in your group disagrees with your relief then they have the option to file a claim.

Note that relief is not provided for fried egg lies or unfortunate bad lies near the edge of the bunker. The intent of this rule is to minimize bad lies because of poor maintenance.

7. Preferred Lies

The default rule is that you can roll your ball with with your clubhead 12 inches in your own fairway, and no closer to the hole. You must never touch your ball anywhere else (i.e., rough, fringe or collar) unless the event has been declared lift-clean-and-place (LCP) by the Onsite Coordinator. You may take a preferred lie in unmaintained bunkers or if your ball is in an un-raked footprint. NOTE: All Ottawa-Gatineau events from November 1st to April 30th are designated as lift, clean and place.

8. Spike Marks

You MAY tap down or fix spike marks or any other marks on the green. (Please fix a few ball marks while you're at it!)

9. Range Finders & GPS Devices

Yes, any type of distance measuring device is permitted on the Slammer Tour, including those that measure slope.

10. Non-Conforming Clubs

It is preferred that such clubs are NOT used; however, there will not be any "policing" on this issue. It's just an issue of good sportsmanship.

11. Cancellations

The fee for bailing within 48 hours of an event is 50% of the event fee. The fee for bailing after the event closes at 10pm the night before is 100% of the event fee.

  • If the event is cancelled or deemed to be an ‘extreme weather event’, cancellation fees will not apply.
  • There are exceptions for cancellation fees which are at the discretion of Slammer Tour Management; email info@slammertour.golf if you have to bail.
  • If someone in your group bails after 10pm the night before and they had a higher ranking than you, then you automatically take their ranking but no other stats.

12. Event Cancellations

Although rare, sometimes an event has to be cancelled at the last minute or even during play due to weather conditions, or for other unexpected reasons. Slammer Tour events continue in all weather conditions, except when lightning is in the immediate area, or when the golf course decides to officially close. In the event of a weather delay, Slammers are expected to wait up to one hour for continuation of the event. If play cannot resume after one hour, the Tour event is cancelled. This delay can be before or during the event. In the event of frost, the delay increases up to two hours.

If an event is cancelled after play begins, the following applies:

  1. First group does not complete nine holes (full refund and no stats are posted)
  2. Last group completes eight holes or more (50% refund of the event fee and no stats are posted)
  3. Last group completes 14 holes or more (Slammers are charged full event fee and stats are posted with remaining holes given equal scores amongst each group based on group skill level — determined by ST Committee)

If a Slammer Tour event is cancelled with less than 14 holes completed by the last group, and the delay lasts more than one hour in which case some players may have left, doggie and skin money is returned. Players who wish to stay and wait longer do have the option to continue with a new Slammer Tour event in which case the OC re-arranges the group(s) and re-collects dog and skin money.

13. Top-Five Inactivity

If you are ranked in the top-five of your division you must play within a 10-day period to avoid being moved out of the top-five. For example, if you make it into the top-five on a Saturday, you must play an event by the Tuesday 10-days later. Please note that if an event that you're registered for is cancelled and you don't get your event in within the 10-day timeframe, you will still be moved out of the top-five. The Commish's Cup counts as an event played. Inactivity adjustments are done before the start of each event no matter when or where the event is played.

14. Junior Clause

Juniors play for stats, not bones - unless authorized by their guardians (applies to Slammers 18 years of age and under).

15. Temporary Greens

If your ball is within a flagstick length of the hole, it is an automatic gimme, even if it is for birdie.

16. Changing Groups

Groups cannot be changed at the course unless the Onsite Coordinator deems it is necessary.

17. Embedded Ball

If your ball is embedded in its own pitch mark in an area that is normally maintained, you may take relief with no penalty (relief is as close to its original spot, no nearer to the hole). From October 15 to April 15, if your ball is lost in an area that is normally maintained, because it is likely embedded and you would normally find it 99% of the time, and your three opponents agree with you, then you may drop a ball closest to the point where you think it was without penalty. If you feel the embedded lost ball applies but one or more of your opponents do not, then play it and score it as you choose. Your opponents can file a claim if they disagree. Definition: Normally Maintained. Any area where the grass is regularly cut. This can be in the trees, like at Rockland, for example.

18. Official Slammers

To be eligible for year-end Slammies Statistical Awards, a Slammer must have played a minimum of 20 events during the outdoor season.

19. Locked Groups

Occasionally people will be locked together and this trumps regular challenges for making groups. When locks are in place then no challenges can be entered and locks may not be used to provide advantages to climb the rankings. You may only be locked together in the following situations:

  1. New Slammers in their first five events may be locked with a friend or with a Slammer Tour rep who is helping them become familiar
  2. Large ClubEG tournaments may be designated to have an optional locked pair
  3. Special requests for a special occasions
  4. Option for GolfAways include one locked group per two days or two locked groups per three days
  5. Slammer Tour or ClubEG reps may use locks for development reasons

20. Last Minute Registrations

Once an event is closed for registration, you may still enter the event as a 'last minute registration'. Send your entry via Messenger or to info@SlammerTour.golf specifying your preference of group. If possible, groups will be re-arranged to honour challenges and to optimize divisional play. Changes are made at the discretion of the Slammer Tour Committee.

21. Indoor Slammer Tour

The Slammer Tour moves indoors during the off-season with weekly events on Sunday evenings at GOLFOMAX. Most rules/format apply to indoor but a few differences:

  • Season: First Sunday in Nov to last Sunday in March
  • Indoor Slammer Tour results and stats are separate from outdoor; divisions for indoor are separate from divisions for outdoor
  • Tee Blocks: T7=Back, T6=Back+boost10, T5=middle, T4=middle+boost10, T3=front, T3=front+boost10
  • GOLFOMAX: T7 Champ, T6 Champ +10% boost, T5 Amateur, T4 Amateur +10% boost, T3 Junior, T2 Junior +10% boost
  • Indoor Points Leaders: top 5 awarded at the last event (best 7 events count)
  • The Indoor Run for Number One will end on the Sunday before ClubEG's annual Bingo GolfAway with prizes awarded for the Number One in each division (you need to have played a minimum of five events before the last event in order to qualify)
  • If you make it to Number One on the 3rd last week them your ranking is protected; once Number One is protected then second can be protected, then 3rd and so on
  • The top 4 ranked in attendance at the last event will play for Number One
  • Inactivity: miss 2 weeks in a row, lose 3 spots in the rankings
  • One 'friend' challenge per week permitted; both Slammers must enter name in Comment field (but you cannot challenge anyone else)
  • 10-foot gimmes at GOLFOMAX
  • If there is a glitch with the sim while making a shot, the player may opt to use the mulligan button, but he/she must let their opponents know — and if any opponent disagrees, they can file a claim before the next hole begins.

22. COVID Holes

All shots are played by the standard rules with regards to holing out. But, if you think your shot stayed out because of the device then all the others in your group must agree for your shot to count. There will be some occurances where there is disagreement but this will fall under 'rub of the green'.

Please let us know if you think we've missed anything important.