GUIDE TO ‘ON COURSE’ CONDUCT.
The golfer wants to play without interruption and the greenkeepers want to get on with the job free
of ‘Hazards’. These two objectives can be in conflict, hence these guidelines.
St Clements Golf & Sports Centre (SCGSC) owes a duty of care to its staff, which means that the
working environment must be as risk free as possible.
ON THE GREEN.
Golfers:
It only takes a few minutes to cut a green so please be patient. You should only be held up once.
Greenkeepers:
If a green is started, then finish it.
Do not start if there is a golfer waiting.
Ensure the golfer is held up once only. If close to golfers, please switch off running machinery.
ON THE FAIRWAYS:
Golfers:
Will not play any shot that ‘chases’ the greenkeepers
Give time to complete a ‘run’ (there and back on the fairways)
Only play a shot after the greenkeepers have ‘stepped’ aside.
On longer fairways only play your shot if working greenkeepers are well out of reach.
Do not play a shot if greenkeepers are approaching; wait until they are behind or have pulled to one
side.
Greenkeepers:
By your behavior do not tempt golfers to play a shot at you.
Complete a ‘run’ (there & back) and then stop on the side whilst the shot is played.
On longer fairways, golfers can play towards you if you are well out of range.
When cutting towards golfers they will wait until you have passed them or have pulled to one side.
If close to golfers about to play, switch off running machinery.
IN THE ROUGH.
Golfers:
Allow the greenkeepers time to finish a breed of cut.
Be tolerant, the greenkeepers will be concentrating on a line and may not see your golf ball.
Greenkeepers:
Be tolerant and watchful where golfers may be in the trees.
GENERAL.
Golfers:
For safety reasons greenkeepers have priority on the golf course and to get the job done in a
reasonable time.
Where the course is being set up for a competition the greenkeepers will work in the direction of play.
The golfer will give the customary respect to the greenkeepers who are members of SCGSC.
The golfer should make it clear what their intentions are.
Greenkeepers:
Priority on the Course is a responsibility not to be abused but treasured. It is given to make the working
environment safer and so that the job can be done.
Unless being set up for a competition, greenkeepers will work in directions which minimize disruption
of ordinary play.
Greenkeepers will always conduct themselves in a quiet and courteous manner
Greenskeepers should make it clear what their intentions are.
COMPLAINTS.
No golfer shall reprimand or instruct the greenkeepers
Golfers:
Golfer’s complaints will be made in writing to the Manager.
Greenkeepers:
Greenkeeper’s complaints will be made to the head greenkeeper who will report the matter to the
Manager.
GUIDELINES TO THE PACE OF PLAY.
‘Play at a good pace and Keep Up!
SCGSC has established pace of play guidelines that all players should follow.
It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying
the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of
players in that group.
‘Ready golf!’ is a term which indicates that players should play when they are ready to do so and
applies EVERYWHERE on the golf course – on the tees, on the fairways and on the greens.
When playing on or near the putting green, you should leave your bags and carts in such a position as
will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the hole has been
completed, players should immediately leave the putting green before marking the scores.
LOST BALL.
If a player believes the ball may be lost, to save time, they should play a provisional ball.
A ball is lost if not found in three minutes after the player begins to search for it. If a ball is lost, the
player must take a stroke and distance relief by adding one penalty stroke and playing another ball
from where the previous stroke was made (even if this means walking back to the tee box!)
If a player/players consistently disregards these guidelines, SCGSC will take appropriate action against
the offending player/ players. This is considered justifiable in terms of protecting the interests of the
majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance with these guidelines.
DRESS CODE:
• Tailored shorts, trousers or skirts are all acceptable.
• Soft spiked shoes. Note: In the event of a player not having golf shoes, smart trainers will be accepted
at the Rangers discretion.
• Collared, polo and round necked T shirts will be acceptable and must be worn at all times.
• Mobile phones may only be taken on the course in ‘silent’ mode.
• Green fee members to show their green fee membership card.
INSURANCE:
All golfers must ensure that they are adequately insured in respect of the risks involved with the playing of golf. It is recommended that golfers should be insured against the unlikely event of them being injured or causing injury or damage to someone else’s property as a result of an errant shot. Every golfer needs insurance and everyone should remember that it is a golf course and never take on a shot that may endanger someone/something. Players are held responsible if their wayward shot hits someone else and causes injury or damage to someones property. It is recommended that golfers should be insured against the unlikely event of them being injured or causing injury or damage to someone else’s property because of an errant shot