Tour FAQ's
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What is the Global Amateur Golf Tour?
What is the Global Amateur Golf Tour
The Tour is a series of professionally organised events which provide an opportunity for amateur club golfers to play competitively in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere on some of the most renowned championship courses in the UK and around the world.
Since its launch in 1997 the Tour has visited 5 different continents and 23 different countries from the West Coast of the USA to Japan in the East and from Sweden to Australia. The Tour has five orders of merit. The Worldwide OoM, the Senior OoM for golfers of 60+ and the ladies OoM all of which include every event on the schedule. The UK OoM which includes those events in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the International OoM which includes events outside the UK.
Competitors can qualify via the OoMs for the annual Tour Final in October which is staged at a prestigious venue over 3/4 rounds.
"Absolutely the best golfing events to attend as someone who wants great golf, no bandits, an efficiently run event and very friendly reception" -
Who can play on the Tour?
Who can play on the Tour?
All golfers, male and female of all levels of ability are welcome to play in the events. Every competitor must have an official WHS Handicap Index. We accept entries from iGolf members and they can win prizes but will only be eligible for Order of Merit points and GAGT membership after completing four rounds on the GAGT schedule.
The maximum Playing Handicaps will be 24 for men and 36 for ladies. If your Handicap Index is higher you can still enter but must play off these maximum Playing Handicap limits.
You can enter as an individual or with friends and we will match you up with golfers of a similar handicap and ability. Competitors under the age of 18 are welcome to take part but must be accompanied by an adult. -
Are the events handicap qualifiers?
Are the events handicap qualifiers?
Yes. Since the introduction of the World Handicap System (WHS) in 2020 all the events, both UK and worldwide, will count towards a competitor’s Handicap Index.
Exceptions may occur due to inclement weather affecting the course conditions.
Under WHS rules a competitor’s Playing Handicap will be 95% stroke allowance of their Course Handicap from the tees to be used. The maximum Playing Handicap is 24 for men and 36 for ladies. -
Can I play in the events as a non member of the Tour?
Can I play in the events as a non member of the Tour?
Yes, you can play as a non Tour member but if you wish to be included in the Order of Merit you must join the Tour for an annual subscription of £40 which runs for 12 months from the date you join.
A competitor new to the Tour must join the Tour before he / she plays their first event to be eligible for merit points in their first event. Merit points will not be issued retrospectively. -
How do I enter the events / join the Tour?
How do I enter the events / join the Tour?
- Click the ‘ENTER’ button on the above menu
- Email info@eagt.co.uk
- Call the Tournament Office on 0345 466 2222
The Competitor’s Information is published online at www.eagt.co.uk 5/7 days before each event and the draw is issued 2/3 days before the event -
Which tees do you generally play from?
Which tees do you generally play from?
Which tees do you generally play from? For men we generally try to play the course at around 6500 yds which is usually from the white tees. However, this can vary depending on the nature of the course, links or parkland, the weather conditions on the day and permission from the club to use white tees.
Ladies will generally play from the red tees.
With the introduction of the WHS and Slope Rating and Course Rating for each set of tees we will offer the opportunity to play from different tees at certain events. -
What does a typical day include?
What does a typical day include?
Coffee and bacon rolls are served on arrival at the golf club. The first match usually tees off from about 10am. The golf is followed by a lunch / dinner and prize presentation at approximately 5.00pm and the day winds up at about 6.30pm.
Players can request a late or early tee time depending on their journey time.
On a day when we play 36 holes the am round starts at approximately 8.00am. A light lunch or carvery, depending on the club, is served between rounds and play starts again at approx. 1.30pm. Dinner or afternoon tea is served on a rolling basis and there’s no obligation to stay for the presentation as we appreciate some people have long journeys.
"very well organised events, friendly atmosphere with none of the stuffiness you can experience at a lot of golf clubs" -
What is the playing format?
Play is either in three or fourballs and the format is always individual Stableford.
Under WHS rules a competitor’s Playing Handicap will be 95% stroke allowance of their Course Handicap from the tees to be used. The maximum Playing Handicap is 24 for men and 36 for ladies.
"I play cricket - but I cannot play at Lords, I play tennis but I cannot play at Wimbledon, I play golf and on the Tour I can play the best courses" -
Can I invite friends to play?
Can I invite friends to play?
Yes Tour Members are welcome to invite guests and we can put you in the same match. It is popular for business people to entertain colleagues and clients on a great day out.
"a brilliant day out, I look forward to every event" -
What kind of prizes can you win?
For full details of prizes click on ‘Prizes’ under Tour Info.
Approximately 44 competitors qualify for the Global Amateur Golf Tour Final which is normally staged in October at a prestigious overseas venue and typically includes three nights in a four-star hotel and three rounds on a premier course/s – see Tour Schedule for details. -
How do the Orders of Merit Work?
The Tour has five Orders of Merit, the Global OoM, the International OoM, the UK OoM, the Senior OoM and the Ladies OoM.
Every event on the schedule counts towards the Global OoM, the Senior OoM and the Ladies OoM. Only those events outside the UK count towards the International OoM and only those events in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland count towards the UK OoM.
Merit points are awarded on the basis of 100 to the winner of each event, 99 for 2nd place, 98 for third and so on. Any tied scores will be decided by a card play off over the last nine holes as they appear on the scorecard. Merit points will then be issued based on finishing position.
A competitor's OoM position is determined by the total merit points accumulated in his/her best nine results throughout the season. On a day when there are two rounds, both rounds count as two of the nine events.
Competitors can play in as few or as many events as they wish but it is only their best nine results that count on the OoM so that no one can buy their way to the top of the table.
Competitors must be a member of the GAGT to be eligible for merit points. The annual membership fee is £40 for 12 months from the date of joining. -
How are the final positions in the OoM decided?
A competitor’s final OoM position is determined by the total merit points accumulated in his/her best eleven results throughout the season which may include the three rounds in the Tour Final.
Any tied positions in any of the Orders of Merit following the last round of the Tour Final will be decided by taking into account the competitor’s fourteenth best merit point score and so on. -
What is a Championship Event?
Certain events are designated Championship Events and these are denoted by a trophy image on the schedule.
The prizes will be upgraded at the Championship Events. -
Who organises the Tour?
Who organises the Tour?
The GMM team is headed by David Hughes who is a former professional golfer and an ex PGA and Ladies European Tour Tournament Director with responsibility for managing in excess of 70 professional tournaments throughout Europe. There is usually a minimum of two staff at each event with a wealth of experience and knowledge about golf and event management.