This Fan Code of Conduct for USGA Championships (“Code of Conduct”) applies to all fans and spectators of USGA Championships (including qualifiers), including player guests, player support and any other fans and attendees. Fans are expected to conduct themselves and interact with others in a respectful and courteous manner, with consideration for the physical and emotional well-being of others, and to treat all individuals with a sense of dignity and respect.
Fans and attendees are required to obey all Championship policies including, but not limited to, those provided on any attendance ticket or credential, including the USGA Ticket and Credential License Agreement, all posted signage, and any instructions from Championship marshals and officials, USGA staff and volunteers, club staff and volunteers, law enforcement, and security. Fans and attendees are prohibited from engaging in inappropriate behavior (whether on or off the course) towards any players, caddies, marshals, officials, volunteers, fans, USGA or club staff or vendors, or championship guests. Inappropriate behavior may include, but is not limited to:
- Physical abuse or harassment of any nature
- Verbal or emotional abuse or harassment, threats, vulgar language, or taunting or shouting insults
- Blatant or excessive profanity
- Derogatory, rude, or aggressive conduct or obscene gestures
- Damage to the golf course, club facilities, other structures, amenities, signage or equipment
- Failure to adhere to the Mobile Device Policy
- Failing to stay behind gallery rope lines
- Conduct which is disruptive to competition or distracting to a player, including, but not limited to, loud conversations, yelling during play, fighting, or throwing objects
- Conduct which could result in an unfair advantage to a player or disadvantage to another player
- Conduct that would unduly influence the outcome of competition
- Accessing or attempting to access restricted areas without proper authorization.
- Impairment or intoxication due to consumption of alcohol or other substances, or any consumption of alcohol by underage fans or assisting in purchasing or supplying alcohol to underage fans
- Refusal to follow Championship policies/signage or the instructions of championship officials, volunteers, law enforcement, or security
Mobile Device Policy
The USGA encourages fans to capture their favorite moments at our championships and stay connected with family and friends while onsite. We have set guidelines on mobile device usage to ensure our players and other fans are not distracted or disrupted during the championship.
- Fans may carry mobile devices smaller than 7” in length and/or height.
- Device volume controls must be set to “silent” or “vibrate” and flash photography must be disabled.
- Phone calls should be limited to areas away from play and not in any area that may disrupt play, including grandstands.
- Photography, video, and audio recording are permitted throughout the course, but content must not be used for commercial purposes.
- Live streaming or shot-by-shot coverage of any player (with or without video) for any purpose (including, but not limited to, for betting/gambling purposes), is not permitted at any time throughout the championship.
- All posted signage and instructions from championship staff and volunteers must be observed.
In addition, any photographs or videos captured during a USGA Championship should be tactful and appropriate and should not compromise any person’s privacy, including any players, caddies, fans or other attendees.
Violation of this Code of Conduct may result in immediate removal from the Championship premises, cancellation of a Championship admission ticket(s) or credential(s) without refund, and/or prohibition from attending future USGA Championships, as determined by USGA in its sole discretion. USGA expressly reserves all rights and available under this Code of Conduct, its policies or under the law.