US Park Golf Federation
Official Rules & Regulations
The official code for competitive, recreational, municipal, and simulator Park Golf in North America — establishing the equipment specifications, course standards, and rules of play enforced across every USPGF-sanctioned facility.
Article I — Governance, Authority & Philosophy
One National Governing Body, One Hybrid Standard
1.1 Governing Body Authority
The United States Park Golf Federation (USPGF) is the sole national governing body for Park Golf within the United States. Operating independently of international associations such as Japan's NPGA or Korea's KPA, the USPGF establishes, maintains, and enforces all official rules, equipment specifications, player certifications, and tournament sanctioning across North America.
1.2 The Hybrid Philosophy
The USPGF rules architecture synthesizes USA PGA and USGA into a modern framework tailored for the American market:
- American Innovation: Expanding access by adapting existing U.S. Executive and Par-3 golf courses, public park spaces, and high-precision digital simulator systems.
Article II — Official Equipment Regulations
USPGF Certified Equipment Standards
| Equipment Type | Specifications & Loft Profile | Target Play Format |
|---|---|---|
| PGC-1 (Driver) | 15° Loft | 40" Shaft | Tee Shots (100 Yds) |
| PGC-5 | 25° Loft | 62° Lie | 35.5" Shaft | Fairway & Long Approach |
| PGC-7 | 25° Loft | 63° Lie | 35.5" Shaft | Mid-Range Approach |
| PGC-9 | 35° Loft | 64° Lie | 35.5" Shaft | Short Approach |
| PG-500 T (Putter) | 0–5° Lie | 33.5" Shaft (Two-Way) | Green / Hole-Out |
| Official Ball | Patented 50mm / 60mm Resin | All Formats |
Multi-Club System
Players may use approved multi-club sets — PGC-1 Driver, PGC-5, PGC-7, PGC-9, and the PG-500 T Two-Way Putter — or standardized PG66 series clubs.
Club Construction
Shafts must use a standard .037 tip iron shaft with a 1.5-inch insertion depth. Carbon face plates are prohibited; solid impact faces engineered for turf preservation are required.
Ball Integrity & Certification
Balls must not be modified, weighed, or altered in shape or density. All equipment used in official leagues or tournaments must display the USPGF Official Certified Stamp.
Article III — Course Layout & Adaptation Standards
Built for Existing Par-3, Executive & Municipal Courses
Dedicated & Adapted Facilities
USPGF play occurs across dedicated municipal Park Golf courses as well as adapted U.S. Par-3 and Executive golf courses. When adapting a standard course, distances are scaled down by 50%, keeping max hole lengths under 150 yards.
Hole Cup & Feature Modifications
Official hole cups must measure 140 mm in diameter to properly accommodate the larger 50mm/60mm Park Golf balls and flagstick.
Bunker Adjustments
Deep sand bunkers must be flattened with smooth, gradual edges to enable zero-degree or low-loft clubheads to roll the ball out smoothly.
Article IV & VII — Rules of Play & Green Etiquette
Stroke Execution, Pace of Play & the Green
The Clean Strike Rule
Every stroke must be a clear, continuous, rhythmic pendulum swing. “Pushing,” “scooping,” or “pulling” the ball are forbidden — a 2-stroke penalty.
Uniform 2-Stroke Penalty
To simplify scoring and keep competition fair across skill levels, USPGF operates on a uniform 2-stroke penalty structure for rule infractions.
Order of Play & Ready Golf
The first tee order is set by draw or lot; after that, the lowest score on the previous hole plays first (“The Honor”). Ready Golf is encouraged in recreational play.
Flagstick Standard
The flagstick must remain inside the 140mm hole cup at all times. Removing it during play or putting results in a 2-stroke penalty.
Line of Putt Protection
Players must not step on or cross another player's line of putt on the green.
Article V — Safety & On-Course Etiquette
Safety Is the Highest Operational Priority
2-Meter Safety Perimeter
No player, spectator, or official may stand within 2 meters (approx. 6.5 ft) of a player preparing to strike. Safety is the highest priority at USPGF facilities.
Audible Warning Requirement
If a struck ball travels unexpectedly toward another player, group, or bystander, the striker must immediately shout “Stay!” or give a clear, audible warning.
Footwear Standards
Flat-soled athletic shoes or specialized Park Golf footwear are mandatory. Metal spikes and dress shoes are prohibited to protect the turf.
Pace of Play
Groups must maintain pace with the group ahead. Falling more than two holes behind may result in group pace-of-play penalties.
Article VI — Specific Situations & Relief Regulations
Relief & Placement Procedures
| Game Situation | Penalty | Relief & Placement Procedure |
|---|---|---|
| Out of Bounds (OB) | 2 Strokes | Place the ball within 2 club-lengths of the boundary crossing point, not nearer the hole. |
| Unplayable Ball | 2 Strokes | Declare unplayable; place the ball within 2 club-lengths of the current lie, not nearer the hole. |
| Bunker Play | No Penalty | The sole of the club may rest on the sand; no smoothing or improving the lie prior to the stroke. |
| Casual Water / Obstructions | 0 Strokes (Free Relief) | Place the ball at the nearest point of full relief, not nearer the hole. |
Article VIII — Digital, Simulator & Global Ranking Integration
Sanctioned Play, On the Course or On a Simulator
Cloud Infrastructure
Official USPGF events may be conducted virtually or as hybrid multi-site tournaments using the Cloud Infrastructure.
World Global Ranking System (WGRS)
Registered members receive a dynamically calculated international handicap based on course difficulty, environmental factors, and historical telemetry. Official online scores are verified through camera sensor telemetry and biometric smartwatch integration.
Digital Simulator Calibration
Simulator systems hosting sanctioned USPGF play must set physics calibrations to a 60mm ball diameter and a 140mm cup size, and auto-assign proper club selection based on distance.
Ready to Play USPGF-Certified Park Golf?
Join a nationally governed sport built for competitive, recreational, municipal, and simulator play.