Why is Cheating a Big Deal?
Cheating in golf violates the sport's core principles of self-regulation, honesty, and integrity. Cheating creates an unfair advantage for one at the expense of others. Cheating undermines trust, damages the integrity of the school, the Harriton Golf Program, and all of its players and coaches. Cheating can also lead to a students' disqualification, ban, or even damage to their own personal reputation and character. Competing honestly is paramount to upholding the integrity of competition, and the reputation of our school, golf program, and success.
Some Common Ways Cheating Happens
-Posting false hole scores because your playing partners aren't paying close attention.
-Knowingly signing a scorecard with false hole scores on it.
-Not calling a penalty on yourself
-Moving a ball or dropping a ball to your advantage when nobody is looking.
-Not being able to find your ball but finding another ball and playing it as yours.
-Not abiding by all USGA Rules of Golf (Click HERE to download the USGA Rules of Golf app)
When are these rules in effect?
These rules are in effect for qualifying rounds, practices, matches, and PIAA post-season events.
Who should I go to, to report an incident?
Varsity players should report it to the Varsity Head Coach; Junior Varsity players should report it to the Junior Varsity Head Coach.
Consequences for Cheating
There is a distinction between accusations and being caught cheating. Being "caught cheating" means there is proof or evidence of cheating occurring. "Accusations" don't always come with evidence or proof and are more difficult to make a judgement call on. When accusations mount consistently, it means cheating could be happening, and the consequences are distributed accordingly. So the following penalties are in effect in our program based on these distinctions:
Accusations
First accusation = 2 week probation in-season (you will be closely monitored)
Second accusation = 1 match suspension
Third accusation = 2 match suspension
Fourth accusation = 3 match suspension
Fifth accusation = 4 match suspension
Caught Cheating - "Two Strike" Policy"
First Offense = 2 match suspension
Second Offense = Expulsion from the golf program
*All players have two strikes during their time in the program, NOT two strikes per year.
Due Process
Step 1: The accuser must first approach the accused and they must discuss the situation together.
Step 2: The accuser, in conjunction with the accused, must bring the situation to the Head Coach.
- No player in another group is allowed to make an accusation against somebody else in a different group. All accusations must come from within the group the accused is in. If you are accusing somebody of cheating but you are not in their group, do not make the accusation. Accusations must be confined within the group the alleged infraction occurred.
- An opposing coach making an accusation doesn't warrant as an accusation, it must come from a player within the group you are in.
- Steps 1 and 2 must be made the day of the alleged infraction. Accusations become null and void if not made within 24 hours of the incident.
Step 3: In cooperation, the Varsity and Junior Varsity coaches will take the necessary time, typically within 24 hours, to make decisions fairly and judiciously to the very best of their ability based on all of the information they have. The decisions of coaches are final and are not disputable by students or parents.
Important Things to Remember
- You are always the one responsible for your scores and your scorecard, nobody else. Protect your score and your reputation by "owning" your scores and scorecard.
- You are responsible for tracking the score of the player you're scoring for .
- Don't ask them, "What did you make there?" Rather, "I have you for a four, is that correct?"
- Always use a scorecard, don't rely on others to know your scores for you.
- Calling penalties and calling out cheating is your duty to protect the field.
- Violations can be avoided by asking fellow players for a ruling, playing a second ball or calling an official (coach, etc.) for a ruling.
- All parties, accusers and the accused, must exercise respect for one another in their communication.
