Checking in prior to play
All members and guests are required to ‘check in’ at the Golf Shop prior to play. On competition days you are expected to arrive at least 15 mins prior to your tee time.
Cancel your tee time as early as possible if unable to play
The following are some basic courtesy and respect for others points, that if followed will make golf enjoyable for all.
The lowest marker in each group is responsible to see that the rules and etiquette of golf are strictly adhered to.
No one should move, talk or stand close to or directly behind the ball or the hole when a player is making a stroke.
No players should hit until the players in front are out of range or are called upon to do so
Mobile phones should be turned off or set to the lowest possible ring volume or if available to vibrate mode. Calls should be as brief as possible and MUST NOT delay play or disrupt other players.No players should hit until the players in front are out of range or are called upon to do so
Players should not leave their bag, buggy or golf cart at or near the front of the green and if possible they should be left on or near the path to the next tee.
Players should leave the green in a direction so as not to interfere with play for the following group.
Players searching for a ball should call the following players up as soon as it is obvious the ball cannot be found or utilize the local rule on a lost or out of bounds ball. ·
As specified in the rules of golf, A MAXIMUM OF 3 MINUTES IS ALLOWED TO SEARCH FOR A BALL.
In interest of all, players should PLAY WITHOUT DELAY – READY GOLF.
The Committee is concerned about the pace of play and has developed some simple and practical solutions to address this problem. Slow play is the bane of all golfers and ultimately is a result of either poor on course awareness or attitude or both. Accordingly, members are asked to adhere to the following guidelines to ensure that all players enjoy their golf.
The maximum time for 18 holes in single stableford and par events is 4 hrs 5 minutes and 4 hrs 15 minutes for stroke events, inclusive of a stop at the half way house.
Be ready at the tee at least five minutes prior to your scheduled tee time.
Before teeing off determine the lowest marker who is responsible for etiquette and pace of play of the group. Select your playing partner and swap cards.
The key responsibility is to KEEP UP WITH THE GROUP IN FRONT – READY GOLF.
Play a provisional ball when in doubt or utilize the local rule on a lost or out of bounds ball.
If a player in your group has lost their ball, hit your ball first, where practicable, then join the search for the missing ball.
Move promptly between shots.
Be ready to hit or putt as soon as it is your turn. Study your line on the putting green while others are putting.
Mark your card on the next tee.
Particularly on the tee, play out of turn if necessary – READY GOLF.
“Pick up” immediately if you cannot score on the hole.
If falling behind the group in front, the first two players to putt out should proceed to the next tee and hit off – READY GOLF.
If you have lost your place in the field, i.e. you have a full clear fairway in front, have respect for the rest of the field and speed up your play. Or for your enjoyment and not feel pressured to rush, call the following players through.
For more information: click here to visit Rules and Amateur Status website
General Conditions Of Play
All competitions are under the control of the Match Committee and are governed in accordance with the R & A Rules of Golf.
The player on the lowest handicap in any match or competition automatically becomes captain of his match. He shall ensure that etiquette, the Rules of Golf and general conditions of play are strictly observed.
Each player must have a separate set of golf clubs.
There is to be a maximum of 4 players in any one group during a round of golf at any given time.
Unauthorised rearrangement of the time sheet is not permitted under any circumstances.
Excepting reasonable circumstances no scorecard will be accepted beyond 5.30pm for any club competition.
General Conduct
Members are responsible for the conduct of their guests whilst on club premises
Members and guests are required to maintain a high standard of conduct while in the club.
Conduct prejudicial to the interest of the Club or golf could lead to suspension.
Members and guests intoxicated or unsuitably dressed will be requested to leave the premises.
Sand Buckets and Divots
All players, regardless of driving, pulling or carrying golf clubs, must carry and use a sand bucket. At all times of the year, divot holes must be filled with sand. This includes divots taken in the rough. Do not replace the divot.
Pitch Marks
Pitch marks on greens must be repaired. Not only your own but any others you see.
Bunkers
Enter bunkers from the lowest point and exit via the same route. Rake and smooth all footprints and divots.
Replace rakes in the holders or where no holder, position in the lowest part of the bunker with the handle facing back down the fairway.
Leave the bunker how you would like to find it.
Motorised Golf Carts (including motor bikes)
Users are required to obey cart signage directions, and not drive or park these vehicles within 5 meters of any green, bunker or surrounds.
No motorised vehicle is to be driven between the greens and bunkers.
Please stay on paths where provided
be aware of the noise they create and as such they should not drive up to or past players during the course of their stroke making.
must protect tee blocks by parking off the tee blocks.
carts are NOT permitted on fairways during winter or on fairways under maintenance
Foot Traffic
> All players are encouraged to pull buggies away from greens to minimise damage to the greens and surrounds.
> Please refrain from constantly using the same path around greens and bunkers.
> DO NOT walk buggies across greens.
Golfers Practice Conditions
>All players MUST report to the Pro Shop before starting practice rounds.
>A maximum of two balls only may be played on the course proper.
>All clubs can be used in the practice nets.
>On the practice fairway care must be taken not to hit down on other players.
>Players must play from markers as set out by the course staff. Blue markers are for competition days only.
Conditions of Play
Safety
The Occupational Health and Safety Act require the employer to maintain a safe working environment.
The Mount Gambier Golf Club has adopted a safe working practice. Procedures to prevent injury to staff from golf balls are as follows:
> Green Maintenance - When the flag has been removed the green is out of play and golfers are NOT to hit towards the green until the flag is replaced.
> Fairway and Rough Maintenance - Golfers MUST wait for an approaching vehicle or mower to pass behind, or out of range before playing their shots. Alternatively golfers may be called upon to take their shots by the operator. Other Situations - In all other situations golfers MUST receive acknowledgement from ground-staff who are in charge before playing a shot.
Failure to comply with the above procedures could result in a prosecution under the Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare Act.
Hot Weather Policy
As an affiliated member of Golf Australia, the Mount Gambier Golf Club has chosen to run competitions in line with the Hot Weather Guidelines as adopted by Golf Australia. Whilst in most cases scheduled competitions will be held, they will be rescheduled to an appropriate time in the event of an extreme weather event.
The Mount Gambier Golf Club Management Committee expects that all players carefully consider the conditions, as well as their own personal health and circumstances, before choosing to play in one of the golf club’s competitions. Members are also to take appropriate precautions and actions both before, during and after their game to ensure their own personal safety.
Rescheduled Policy
When the BOM forecast temperature at 5:00pm on the day prior is forecast to be 35o for women and 38o for men the following applies.
“The course is closed from 9:30am due to extreme weather condition. Players who choose to play prior to or after this time do so at their own risk”
Thursday and Saturday Competitions:
• Morning tee times only
• Tee times 6:00am – 8:00am
Morning tee times are moved back 1 hour. At this late notice the tee booking sheet will not be adjusted and players are to adjust accordingly. For example if pre-booked at 7:30am hit-off will now be 6:30am.
Bookings after 9:00am are no longer applicable and players are to rebook between 7:00am – 9:00am and adjust back the 1 hour as outlined above.
• Hit off on the 1st and 10th tees only
LADIES – Wednesday
• the course will be closed at 8:00 am for the commencement of any 18 hole competition.
• Players must start from the first tee before this time
• All play is at the players discretion, after consulting the range of forecast temperatures for the day.
• The Ladies Committee may run a 9 hole competition in conjunction, if numbers warrant, where players must hit off no later than 9 am after the 18 hole competition players, also from the first tee.
• Social play after these times is allowed, but not advised, and all play is again at the discretion of the individual.
• The Club does not accept liability for any related personal injury.
OTHER EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS (Electrical Storms, Flooding Rain or Gale Force Winds) In the case of an electrical storm players will be called from the course when the siren sounds:
• mark your ball
• return to the clubhouse immediately
• wait in the clubhouse until the storm has passed and play resumes indicated by three blasts of the siren.
OR if you feel your safety is compromised follow the above process.
If the greens are unplayable due to flooding rain:
• mark your ball (use a tee if a marker is unsuitable) and wait or come into the clubhouse until the weather clears and greens are playable.
If conditions do not improve with time left to complete the round, the match committee has the right to cancel the round and replay it at a later date.