Course Etiquette

Golfer’s General Responsibilities

  • All Members and Guests must observe the Etiquette of Golf.
  • Players should at all times PLAY WITHOUT DELAY and READY GOLF is encouraged.
  • No player should hit until the players in front are out of range or are called upon to do so
  • No person should move, talk or stand close to or directly behind the ball or the hole when a player is making a stroke.
  • Players should move briskly between strokes and vacate the green promptly after completion of each hole.
  • Players should leave the green in a direction so as not to interfere with play of the following group.
  • Players must not mark score cards or discuss the score on the green.
  • Players should record their scores at the next tee while waiting to tee off.
  • The player with the honour on the tee should mark the score card after teeing off.
  • Players should leave buggies/carts as near as possible to the next tee.
  • Players must replace all divots, repair plug marks and must ensure that the bunker is raked after the ball has been played.
  • When a ball is lost the players following must be called through immediately.
  • A MAXIMUM OF 3 MINUTES IS ALLOWED TO SEARCH FOR A BALL (when in any doubt, play a provisional ball).
  • Any group which falls one clear hole behind, impedes the remainder of the field and must call the following group through.
  • All players are encouraged to complete the round barring illness, injury or emergency.
  • Golf carts should not be driven up to or past players during the course of their stroke making.
  • The lowest marker in each group is responsible to see that the rules and etiquette of Golf are strictly adhered to.

PRIOR TO PLAYING

  • Check-in with the ‘starter’ at least 15 minutes prior to your allocated tee time.
  • Players should read the local rules board prior to teeing off.
  • Be prepared to have other members or guests join you if there are less than 4 in your group.
  • Be ready to play 5 minutes prior to your time to tee off.
  • Before play commences, mobile phones should be turned off or set to silent mode. Calls should be as brief as possible and MUST NOT delay play or disrupt other players.

ON THE TEE

  • READY Golf is encouraged.
  • Mark your ball clearly to ensure that you can identify it.
  • Take your shot, ONLY when golfers ahead of you are out of range.
  • Ensure you are standing still and watching other golfers while they are hitting.
  • Watch where all balls go to avoid time spent looking for lost balls.
  • Yell the warning “FORE!” if your ball is heading toward another golfer.
  • Do not move, talk or stand close to or directly behind the ball when a player is making a stroke.

THE FAIRWAY

  • Walk directly to your ball unless you reach someone else’s ball first.
  • Minimise your pre-shot routine by not taking more than one practice swing.
  • READY Golf is encouraged when players ahead are out of range.
  • Walk briskly between shots and be ready to play when it’s your turn.
  • Keep pace with the group in front of you at all times.
  • Assist playing partners when needed by bringing clubs, finding lost balls, etc.
  • Follow posted cart-use rules.

IN THE BUNKER

  • Golf carts should not be brought within 10 meters of a bunker or within cart no-go zone lines.
  • Enter the bunker from the lowest side nearest your ball.
  • Be careful when entering bunker to avoid displacing sand near the face or the edge of the bunker.
  • After you hit, rake the area you played from as well as footprints and any other abnormal indentations such as kangaroo tracks/marks within reach.
  • If the divot and/or footprints are deep, use the back (smooth) side of the rake to fill them in, then use the front (with the tines) side of the rake to smooth out the area.
  • Rake your footprints as you back out of the bunker, so when you leave the hazard, the entire area is clean.
  • Leave the rake in in the lowest part of the bunker with the handle parallel to the fairway.

ON THE GREEN

  • NO carts are to be pulled across the green.
  • Place your bag or cart between the green and the next tee box.
  • Golf carts should not be brought within 10 metres of the green or within cart no-go zone lines.
  • Take all the clubs you may need.
  • Repair your ball marks and one or more others.
  • Avoid stepping on another player’s putting line.
  • Study your line on the putting green while others are putting.
  • Do not stand directly behind the ball or the hole when a player is making a stroke.
  • Record all scores at the next tee box.