Welcome to the Gentlemen’s Tour: Rules and Qualifying Information

Welcome to the Gentlemen’s Tour!

We’re excited to have you join us! The Gentlemen’s Tour is invite-only, and at this point, you’re stepping into a special group. Our group is built on friendship, competition, and tradition, and we’re thrilled to welcome you into the fold.

The Gentlemen’s Tour began in 2015 with a close-knit group of friends who have known each other for over 30 years. What started as a few buddies playing golf has evolved into a large community of over 40 players. We’re here for great golf, shared traditions, and plenty of laughs. You’re stepping into a league where camaraderie and good times are more important then game itself.

Disclaimer: We’re all about enjoying the game and each other’s company. Our group is built on long-standing friendships, where respect and good sportsmanship are at the core of everything we do. If you’re planning to drink, please ensure you have a designated driver or use a ride service. The Gentlemen’s Tour isn’t responsible for your behavior on or off the course, so let’s make sure everyone stays safe and has a good time.


Qualifying:

To get started, you’ll need to complete 3 singles qualifying rounds. This helps us understand your game and ensure you’re a good fit for the tour. We do this purposely to ensure you are dedicated to the group before being eligible to win. Once you’re in, there’s a $40 annual fee that covers:

  • Trophies and engraving
  • Challenge hole prizes
  • Website and app fees

A detailed, itemized list of all expenses covered by your annual dues can be found here –https://gentlemenstourlv.com/expenses/ and is regularly updated, so you’ll always know exactly where your contributions are going. If, for any reason, you’re unable to pay the annual fee, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.


Handicaps:

We DO NOT use existing GHIN handicaps here. Instead, you’ll need to establish a Gentlemen’s Tour (GT) handicap. This ensures fairness and keeps the playing field level. To get your GT handicap, you need to complete 3 singles rounds (over 6–9 months).

  • We use the Group Handicap app by Info Talk Golf, based on the World Handicap System. It might take 5–7 singles rounds (1–2 years) for your GT handicap to align with your GHIN handicap, but this process helps keep everything fair and consistent.

For more info, check out the USGA Handicap Guide our app follows standard USGA rules for handicapping so if you have an issue with your handicap that was generated please take it up with the USGA!


Reliability and Participation:

We appreciate your commitment to the tour and expect players to attend most events. Last-minute cancellations can disrupt plans, especially for team events. We use a 3-strike system: if you cancel three times without proper notice (1 week minimun), you’ll be removed from the list.

When you receive an event text, please respond with “in” or “out” as soon as possible to help us stay organized. We understand that some guys can only make a few events each year, and that’s fine as long as we know in advance.


Tour Cup Championship:

The Tour Cup Championship is our season’s marquee event, featuring the top 25 players based on points earned throughout the year. Points come from both singles and team events. Tour standings can be found here: https://gentlemenstourlv.com/24-tour-standings/

We have 8 regular season events per year the FULL schedule can be found here: https://gentlemenstourlv.com/2021-schedule/

  • Singles Events (4 per year):
    • The Masters
    • The Open
    • The U.S. Open
    • The Gentlemen’s Tour Championship
  • Team Events (4 per year):
    • Ryder Cup
    • 666 Tournament
    • Goblin Goblet
    • Santa Scramble


Gentlemen’s Cup Playoff:

Points from events will give you stroke advantages in the final 27-hole playoff for the Gentlemen’s Cup belt. This is the final event of the season, the more events you participate in the more points you will earn. Top place finishing in events will give you more points.


Gentlemen’s Rules:

We keep things simple with the B.L.E.N.D. Rules – a set of guidelines designed to maintain the spirit of the tour. Whether you’re a seasoned member or a newcomer, these rules ensure everyone plays on a level field. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Breakfast BallOnly on hole #1
    One free mulligan to start the round, but that’s it!
  • Lateral DropsWith normal stroke penalties for OB
    If you go out of bounds, drop laterally and take the penalty. For example, if you hit your tee shot OB, take the drop where it went out and your hitting 3. No need to re-tee.
  • Every Putt Counts No gimmies
    You must putt everything – no gimmies to keep consistent no matter who you play with.
  • Normal RulesFollow standard hazard and golf rules for everything else
    Stick to the usual rules for hazards and anything else not covered here. If there is a question during the match get a consensus from all 4 players and move on.
  • Don’t Cheat – We’re all friends, and there’s no money involved. Play fair and enjoy the game. There’s nothing better than winning outright after a hard-fought round, knowing you didn’t give yourself a stroke or two.

We’re excited to have you with us. Let’s hit the links, enjoy some fantastic rounds of golf, and enjoy new friendships. Welcome to the Gentlemen’s Tour!