Coaches rule

A refereeing committee consists at least of one head referee and two referees, preferably from three different provinces at national tournaments or three different Minigolf clubs at national tournaments. If there are several tournament groups, additional refereeing committees must be set up. 

Members of the refereeing committee must remain completely neutral when carrying out their functions on the competition course. 

If possible, members of the refereeing committee should not actively participate in the competition as player or coaches. Head referees and referees of National and Provincial Championships, Provincial Cups may not take part at the tournament as player or coaches. 

The refereeing committee must be easy to recognize. In addition, a notice listing the referees must be posted at the official tournament board. 

Members of the refereeing committee can decide all issues concerning rules and regulations, if these issues are not reserved for other bodies. They are allowed to give penalties as laid down in the rules. They must make decisions quickly and firmly. In case of doubt or uncertainty, the head referee has to be consulted. 

In case of disagreements about the course of incidence, all players of the pairing concerned have to be consulted before a decision is taken. Any further witnesses may also be consulted, but decisions are made alone by the referees.

During the tournament, at least two members of the refereeing committee should be on the course at any time to supervise the tournament (during National and Provincial Championships, Provincial Cups two members must be on the courses). If a member of the refereeing committee notices an infringement, he/she must intervene immediately. 

The head referee must be in attendance no later than 30 minutes before play commences. The other referees must follow instructions given by the head referee. The refereeing committee has completed its duties 30 minutes after the play has finished or after protests have been dealt with finally. 

The head referee supervises the whole competition. He can intervene when he considers it necessary. He takes the chair at meetings of the refereeing committee. He alone is responsible that following duties and decisions have been carried out: 

    - Before play commences dirty lanes must be cleaned. Very strict standards must be imposed. The lanes and the obstacles should if possible be dry. Any water in the target holes must be removed. 

    - Movable obstacles must be correctly placed within their markings. If one of the lanes includes a net, it must be checked that it is correctly installed and that there are no incorrect holes in it. 

    - The teeing-off area, repositioning and border line markings must be complete and clearly visible. 

    - Defects must be dealt with immediately, whereas the competition organizers must call for help if needed. Incorrect markings on or next to the lane must be removed or made unrecognizable. 

    - It must be ensured that all the necessary and stipulated notices are posted. 

    - In the case of changes in the weather conditions, a decision must be taken if and when the tournament is going to begin. 

    - Decisions on general competition interruptions and changes in the timetable. 

    - He can have lane referees appointed, to whom he can assign duties but not can take a role of a referee. 

The head referee can delegate duties to other members of the refereeing committee. During short periods of absence he must name a replacement. This, however, does not relieve him of his responsibility. 

Defects observed must be reported to the head referee without delay. If they have not been eliminated, a player may protest to the head referee before the tournament begins. If this does not happen, the facilities are considered to be acceptable for the tournament. 

Special care must be taken to ensure that the last players of a tournament group are able to complete the tournament undisturbed. 

The members of the refereeing committee must wear sports clothing