Rules &
Eligibility

Divisions, rules, and formats

• Divisions: the NCHSDG will use the PDGA's MSV, FSV, MSJV, and FSJV divisions: 

  • MSV*:  Mixed Scholastic Varsity - Open to all students in any grade level. 

  • FSV*: Female Scholastic - Open to all female students in any grade level. 

  • MSJV: Mixed Scholastic Junior Varsity - Open to all students in 9th or 10th grade only. 

  • FSJV: Female Scholastic Junior Varsity - Open to all female students in 9th or 10th grade only.  

*The NCHSDG State Championship will include only the MSV and FSV divisions

• NCHSDG leagues, standalone events, and championships will use the most current ruleset and guidelines from the PDGA with the following alterations:

  • Violations: during unsanctioned regular season league play, players are encouraged to help cardmates with any and all unintentional violations and award as many warnings (in lieu of penalty strokes) as is appropriate. 

    • Common mistakes in league play include:

      • The lie and marking the lie [802.05][802.06]

      • Completing the hole [807]

      • Courtesy (playing out of order, etc.) [812]
        
        
        

• Substance use is not permitted at NCHSDG events (including but not limited to): 

  • Players, caddies, and/or spectators are not permitted at any time during competition or at any NCHSDG event to use or be under the influence of alcohol. 

  • Players, caddies, and/or spectators are not permitted at any time during competition or at any NCHSDG event to smoke or use vaping devices.  

• Formats for each event (leagues, regional championships, state championship) can be found on the event formats page. Event formats may vary from region to region, and participants should double check with their local coordinators for specifics. 

Eligibility Requirements

All high school aged players are invited and encouraged to play in regional leagues and championships, but must meet the following requirements for eligibility: 

• Players must be actively enrolled and/or participating in a high school (or equivalent) academic institution in the state of North Carolina. This may include (but is not limited to): 

  • Public schools

  • Private schools

  • Charter (public or private) schools

  • Technical/ trade schools (not post-secondary)

  • Home school programs

    • Home school students' permanent residence must be in North Carolina
      
      

• Players who have graduated (including mid-year graduates) may no longer participate in NCHSDG leagues unless that graduation occurred during the current season (i.e. spring graduation took place shortly before the the conclusion of a player's senior year season).* 

• Players are ineligible for competition if their 19th birthday occurs prior to August 31st of the applicable school year (i.e. Aug 31st 2026 for the spring 2027 season).*

• Players are only eligible to participate in four consecutive spring seasons, beginning with the student's initial entry into grade 9.*
  
  

• While NCHSDG does not currently have the ability to enforce academic standing as a participation requirement, parents and school coaches are strongly encougaged to enforce academic standing requirements for their players. For reference, the NCHSAA requires players to be passing 70% of their current courses to be eligible for atheletic participation.
  
  

Any question about rules or a player's eligibility should be directed to that player's regional coordinator or the NCHSDG director. 

* - These rules are consistent with the eligibility rules established and enforced by the NCHSAA for high school competition.

While NCHSDG does not currently collect verification of these requirements, we ask that participants respect and abide by the regulations in place. If players are found to be in purposeful violation of any requirements, they are subject to removal from events without refund, and/or removal of titles, and/or banning from future events.