All members are required to observe the rules and etiquette of golf. Adherence to these rules ensures that members do not suffer through lack of consideration.
Special attention is drawn to the following:
- Adhere strictly to the time sheets and be on the tee seven minutes before your time.
- Kindly keep your place in the field.
- All golfers are required to carry a sandbag/bottle with them when playing. Divots must be filled with material provided by the Club in conveniently-placed containers at various tees.
- All bunkers must be repaired after playing your shots. Leave rakes outside the bunkers, preferably positioned ‘out of play’.
- No-one should move or talk or stand directly behind the ball or the hole when a player is making a stroke.
- Lost golf ball – 3 minutes is the only allowed time in a golf match.
- Walk around the greens and tees, not over them. Park your golf cart behind the green and to the side nearest to the next teeing ground.
- Leave the green immediately after the hole has been completed.
- Do not practice on the fairways. Golfers play 1 ball only.
- Help keep the course clean, do not litter.
- Remember to repair pitch marks on the greens and stamp down spike marks after everyone has putted out.
Bad weather
When the lightning siren sounds, immediately leave the course and return to the clubhouse, halfway house or rain shelters. Play may only continue when the lightning siren sounds twice.
The spirit of the game
Unlike many sports, golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.
No disturbance or distraction
- Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making unnecessary noise.
- Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players.
- On the teeing ground, players should not tee their balls until it is their turn to play.
On the putting green
Players should not stand on another player’s line of putt or, when the player is making a stroke, cast a shadow over the line of putt. Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out.
Scoring
In stroke play, a player who is acting as a marker should, if necessary, on the way to the next tee, check the score with the player concerned and record it.
Be ready to play
Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to play. (Players may choose ‘ready golf’ if they so decide amongst their fourball/group.) When playing on or near the putting green, they or their caddies should leave their bags, carts or trolleys in such a position as will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.
Lost ball
If a player believes their ball may be lost outside a water hazard or they are out of bounds, to save time, they should play a provisional ball. In each case, the player must inform their marker that the ball being played is a provisional ball. Players have only 3 (three) minutes to search for a ball at the site it is presumed lost. If not found within the 3 minutes allowed, then the provisional ball becomes the ball in play, failing which the player has the option to return to the last stroke position and to reload. Any delayed players behind this group should be allowed to play through.
Priority on the course
Unless otherwise determined by the committee, priority on the course is determined by a group’s pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round.
Safety
Players should ensure that no-one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing. Players should not play until the players in front are out of range. Players should always alert players nearby or ahead when they are about to make a stroke that might endanger them.
If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, a warning should immediately be shouted. The traditional word of warning in such situations is ‘fore’.
All players take individual full responsibility for any damages caused by any errant golf shot, anywhere on the course. This includes the responsibility for any damages by a golf ball played by them that lands off the golf course.
Lightning rule: updated
As per the rule book issued by the R&A.
When play is suspended by the committee for a dangerous situation, if the players in a match or group are between the play of two holes, they must not resume play until the committee has ordered a resumption of play. If they are in the process of playing a hole, they must discontinue play immediately and not resume play until the committee has ordered a resumption of play. If players fail to discontinue play immediately, they are disqualified unless circumstances warrant waiving the penalty as provided in Rule 33-7.
The signal for suspending play due to a dangerous situation will be a prolonged note of the siren.
Play may only continue when the siren sounds twice.
Sandbags
Sandbags are compulsory at all times