Your First Event

You’ll get your tee time and pairing at least 36 hours before the event, through the APT app, the Tournament Information Page, and by email or text.

Most players arrive 30 to 60 minutes early to check in at the APT registration table, enter any optional side games, and warm up. You need to be at your assigned starting hole no later than ten minutes before your time.

You’ll receive a scorecard and a rules sheet listing the local rules in effect that day. One player in each group keeps live scoring in the app so friends and family can follow the leaderboard, but the paper scorecard is the official record. At the end of the round you’ll review your hole-by-hole scores, and both you and your marker sign the card.

Awards are presented after play, and prizes are processed within 24 to 48 hours.

Plan on a half day.

Most players arrive 30 to 60 minutes before their tee time to check in, enter side games, and warm up. Awards are presented at the course after play. Whether that’s a morning or an afternoon depends on your tee time, which you’ll have at least 36 hours in advance so you can plan around it.

We take pace of play seriously and have a published pace of play policy.

You’ll be fine, and you won’t be alone.

Every player receives a printed Notice to Competitors and rules sheet with the local rules for that day. APT staff are on site throughout the event. If a situation comes up you’re unsure about, play two balls and bring the question to the committee before you sign your card – that’s the correct procedure, and nobody will think less of you for using it.

A few things worth knowing in advance: you can carry a maximum of 14 clubs, rangefinders and GPS watches are permitted including slope, and caddies aren’t allowed except at select events where the host course provides them.

Collared shirts, including blade and mock collars. No jeans, denim, or cutoff shorts of any kind.

Individual host facilities may add their own requirements, so check the Tournament Information Page for your specific event.

Yes, spectators are welcome at every event, subject to each host facility’s policies.

A few ground rules: carts are limited to two per group and players have priority, so spectators should plan to walk. Spectators are the responsibility of the player they’re with. And spectators may not give advice to a player at any point – doing so disqualifies the player.

APT events are played under the USGA Rules of Golf, with a set of APT Conditions of Competition always in effect. A link to the Conditions of Competition appears on every Tournament Information Page.

Local rules for the day are printed on the Notice to Competitors and handed to you with your scorecard. Don’t assume a local rule the golf course normally uses will be in effect for tournament play – including drop zones.