Etiquette

Introduction

To ensure that you and others enjoy the game as much as possible you need good golfing etiquette and to understand the spirit of the game.  In short, consideration should be shown to others on the course at all times.

The Spirit of the Game

Unlike many sports, golf is generally played without the supervision of a referee or umpire.  The game relies on the integrity of the individual.  All players should behave in a disciplined manner,

showing courtesy and sportsmanship at all times.  This is the spirit of the game of golf.

Before the First Tee

1. Arrive at the club in plenty of time.
2. Know your handicap.
3. Be aware of the format of play.
4. Know the order of play in your group.
5. Put an identification mark on the ball you are going to play with.
6. Pay attention to the instructions given by the starter.

The First Tee

1. Arrive at the first tee at least five minutes ahead of your scheduled starting time.
2. If not already known to you, introduce yourself to the players with whom you are playing.
3. Wish the players in your group a good game.
4. Advise the players in your group of the type of ball you are playing and your identification mark.
5. Play from the tees indicated by the starter or, if you have a choice, select the tees appropriately for the ability of your group.

Safety

1. Ensure that no one is standing in a position to be hit by your club, the ball or any other object when you make a practice swing or stroke.
2. Do not play until the players in front are out of range.
3. Alert green staff nearby or ahead when you are about to play a stroke that might endanger them.  Please remember greens staff have priority when maintaining the course.
4. Shout “fore” if there is the slightest chance that your ball will hit anyone.
5. Seek shelter early from lightning.  The Rules of Golf allow you to stop play and take shelter any time you feel threatened by lightning.  In the event of lightning a klaxon will be sounded and all players must immediately leave the course.

Pace of Play

1. Slow play affects everyone’s enjoyment of the game.  Players should make a real effort to play at a good pace.  Priority on the course is determined by a group’s pace of play.  It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front.  If a group loses a clear hole, it is expected to invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in either group.
   Avoid excessive practice swings.
2. Be ready to play as soon as it is your turn, for example, have your gloves on.
3. Proceed to your ball as soon as it is safe to do so.
4. If you wish to determine yardages, do so while walking to your ball.
5. At the putting green, leave bags or carts in a position that will allow quick and easy movement off the green to the next tee.
6. Study your line of putt while others are putting, avoiding any distraction to other players.
7. When the hole is finished, leave the putting green immediately.
8. Mark scores on the way to the next tee.
9. If there is any chance of your ball being lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds, play a provisional ball.
10. If you have to search for a ball, signal immediately to the group behind to play through.
11. Having allowed a group to play through, don’t continue play until the group has passed and is out of range.

Serious Breach of Etiquette

Be aware that the Committee may disqualify a player for a serious breach of etiquette such as behaviour, which is deliberately intended to distract other players, is offensive, or shows a serious disregard for some aspect of the etiquette of the game.

Consideration for others

1. Do not disturb the play of others by moving, talking or making unnecessary noise.
2. On the teeing ground, don’t tee your ball until it is your turn to play.
3. Don’t stand close to or directly behind the ball, or the hole, when a player is about to play.
4. Avoid standing on another player’s line of putt or casting a shadow over another player’s line.
5. Remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in your group have holed out.
6. If you are marking a card, record the player’s score after each hole.  Check it with the player if necessary.
7. Avoid taking electronic devices onto the course if possible.  If the device is essential, ensure that it does not distract other players.

Care of the Course

It is the responsibility of all players to make sure that they do nothing to spoil the condition of the course.  Players should try to leave the course as they find it and should, for example, avoid hitting the head of the club into the ground, whether in anger or for any other reason.

Teeing Ground

1. Avoid taking divots from tees with practice swings.  If possible, practice swing away from the teeing area.
2. It is not advisable to replace divots on tees as they should be filled by the greenkeeper on a regular basis.
3. If there is a fill mixture by the tee, fill any divot holes with the mixture to ground level.
4. Avoid taking trolleys on tees.

Fairway and Rough

1. Avoid taking divots with practice swings; replace them if you do.
2. Carefully repair divot holes, either by replacing the divot or filling the hole with soil.

Bunkers

1. Do not jump into bunkers; always enter and exit from the low side of the bunker.
2. Before leaving the bunker, carefully fill up and smooth over any holes or footprints made by you or other players.
3. Upon leaving please rake the bunker.
4. Place the rake in accordance with any guidelines issued by the club.  If there are no guidelines, place the rake inside the bunker at the nearest spot where it is least likely to affect the movement of a ball.

Putting Green

1. Place bags off the putting green.
2. Look to see whether you have made a pitch-mark on the green and repair it.
3. Repair one other pitch-mark on each green in addition to your own.
4. Avoid causing damage to the putting green by dragging your feet.
5. Don’t walk on another player’s line of putt.
6. Avoid standing too close to the hole.
7. Do not use the head of the club for removing a ball from the hole.
8. Clubs should not be leaned on, particularly when removing a ball from the hole.
9. Handle the flagstick carefully and replace it properly in the hole before leaving the green.

Pitch-Marks

Pitch-marks on the green that are repaired quickly and properly will ensure that long-term damage is kept to a minimum.  A pitch-mark repaired within five minutes recovers within 24 hours, whereas a ten minute delay means the green will take 15 days to recover.

Trolleys and Carts

1. Observe any club regulations for movement of trolleys and carts.
2. Avoid taking a trolley or driving a cart on, or too close to, a putting green or green banks.
3. Single carts only are permitted.  Permission must be sought prior to using.
4. When driving a cart, proceed with caution, especially on hills and turns.
5. Always set the parking brake when leaving the cart.
6. Do not exceed the regulations on the number of passengers in a cart.
7. Trolleys must not be taken into any part of the Clubhouse.

Use of Mobile Phones

With the exception of medical emergencies, the use of mobile phones is permitted only in the following areas:

1. The Car Park
2. The Cloakroom
3. The Locker Room
4. The Professional’s Shop

Mobile phones that are switched on must be set on ‘silent’.  Under no circumstances should a mobile phone ring out anywhere in the club.

Golf Buggies

Not permitted without prior approval of Green’s Committee.