General Guidelines To Enhance Your Golfing Experience

To enjoy the game of golf, we should know and abide by the rules of the game. However, there are also "rules" for behaviour expected before, during and after our round of golf. This guide is to assist you in understanding the unwritten rules of golf etiquette.

These guidelines should be observed in conjunction with the Rules of Golf and any applicable local rules.

General Etiquette

Good golf etiquette should be practiced on the course, in the clubhouse and at all other areas of the facility.

• Do not swing your club until you know others in your group are at a safe distance. Likewise, keep your distance when others are swinging.
• When practising your swing, never swing in the direction of another player or spectator. Loose impediments may strike and injure people on this line.
• Assure others are out of range before hitting the ball.
• Yell "fore" if there is the slightest chance your shot will hit someone.
• Observe and respect any dress code.
• Check to see if "soft spikes" are required for your golf shoes.
• Learn the rules and play by them.
• Be courteous to other golfers and the staff.
• Never offer instructions or tips unless they are specifically asked for.
• Play only one ball and leave experimentation for the practice range.
• Always stand still and be quiet when another player is ready to hit.
• Control your temper! Golf clubs are not helicopters.

Before Tee Time

• Arriving early will allow plenty of time for changing shoes, changing clothes and checking in with registration or at the pro shop.
• Allow plenty of time for your warm up and practice on the driving range.
• Decide the format of golf you are playing before you are scheduled to tee off.
• Decide the order of play among your group.

The First Tee

• Be on time. Arrive at your starting hole five minutes in advance of your scheduled tee time.
• Select the tee that is equal with your ability.
• Be ready to hit when it is your turn.

Slow Play

Slow play affects everyone playing behind you. A conscious effort to play in a timely manner will make golf more enjoyable for everyone.

• Minimise your practice swings.
• Take your practice swings in advance of your turn to hit the ball.
• Be ready to hit when it is your turn.
• Proceed to your ball as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Study the line of your putt while others are putting.
• Mark your score after arriving at the next tee.
• Be aware that if there is a hole open in front of you, you may be playing too slowly.

Speed of Play

To keep play flowing, please observe the following:

• Your correct position on the golf course is immediately behind the group in front, not immediately in front of the group behind.
• Player putting out first and second to make their way to next tee to tee off, if all players in the group in front are clear.
• Signal following group through immediately when it becomes apparent that a ball will not be easily found.
• The lowest handicap player in your group is designated as Leader to ensure your group is conforming to the above points.

The Course

• Leave the course as you found it.
• Be nice to foliage and kind to animals.
• Please do not litter, and pick up the litter others may have left behind.

Fairways, Roughs and Fringes

• Do not spend an unreasonable amount of time to determine the yardage.
• Try to visualise your next shot and how you are going to play it before you get to your ball.
• Minimise the damage you do to the course with your practice shots.
• Replace any divots you have made.
• Respect the property of others. Balls hit out of bounds and landing on someone else's property should stay there.
• Do not pick up apparently "unattended" balls found on the course. They may have just lost their owner temporarily.
• Report any damage that you may have caused.
• Allow any golfer who may have hit into your fairway to take their next shot before you do.
• Observe the rules designated for golf carts.
• Never use a golf cart to search for a lost ball. This will minimise cart damage to fairways and roughs.

Lost Ball

• The rules allow you five minutes to search for a lost ball.
• Allow the group behind you to go through if your search for a lost ball is holding them up.

Bunkers

• Do not jump into bunkers - enter from the low side.
• Take only one club into the bunker and rake your footsteps upon leaving.
• Leave the rake behind, beside or in the bunker and parallel to the fairway — but never in front of it.

Greens

• The player whose ball is closest to the pin should tend it while others putt.
• The player whose ball is farthest from the pin plays first regardless if the ball is on the green or not.
• Fix your ball mark and any others that may have been left by other players.
• Do not drag your feet — spike marks can cause damage to the greens.
• Do not walk on the line of other players' putts.
• Bags or buggies should never be placed on the green.
• Leave the green once you have holed the putt and mark your score at the next tee.
• Without interfering with other players, attempt to align your putt while others are aligning theirs.
• Remain as still and quiet as possible while other players are putting.
• Replace the flagstick securely in the hole before leaving the green.

Golf Carts

• Become familiar with the warning and instruction labels on the cart.
• No more than two people on any cart at any time.
• Do not allow minors to drive a cart.
• Never drive a cart on or near a putting green.
• Never leave the fairway or cart path with a cart.
• Use extreme caution and proceed slowly on severe hills and turns.
• Always set the parking brake when leaving the cart.

Lightning and Thunder

• Lightning can kill so extreme caution is warranted when lightning is sighted.
• The Rules of Golf give you the right to stop play and seek shelter at any time you think lightning threatens you.

Course Marshals

Course Marshals are there to assure your round of golf is playing safely and in a timely manner.

• Respect their decisions.
• Don't argue with them.
• Register any complaints about groups with the marshall, not the other players.

Play safe and enjoy!!!