Etiquette
- No-one should move, talk or stand close to or directly behind the ball or the hole when a player is addressing the ball or making a stroke.
- The player who has the honour should be allowed to play before his opponent or fellow competitor tees his ball.
- No player should play until the players in front are out of range.
- In the interest of all, players should play without delay. If it is your honour, tee off before marking your card.
- When searching for a lost ball, don't hold up players behind. Remember the time allowed to search for a lost ball is three minutes which does not mean you should hold up following players for this time.
- If you are unable to keep up with the group ahead, call the following players through and do not continue until those players have passed and are out of range.
- Through the green ensure that any turf cut or displaced is immediately preplaced and pressed down and that any damage to the putting green by the ball (pitch marks) or the player is carefully repaired. Smooth over footprints and club marks in all bunkers and place the rake inside the bunker.
- Players should ensure that when removing the flagstick, no damages is done to the putting green. The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before leaving the putting green.
- When the result of a hole has been determined, the players should immediately leave the putting green.
- Trundlers, motorised carts and scooters should be kept away from the front of the greens, i.e. taken to the side of the green nearest to the next teeing ground and also keep off all tees.
- Two ball matches take precedence over three or four ball matches.
- Allow the player who is ahead on the course to play if s/he happens to be on your fairway - it keeps the field moving.
- All competition cards to be handed to the Starter at completion of Match. Players are responsible for the correctness of gross scores and handicaps entered on cards and the player and marker must sign all cards. Ensure computer number is on card. Incorrect card will be DISQUALIFIED.
Slow Play
The regular occurrence of 'Slow Play' is discussed consistently among players and with the thought that almost every playing member of a club has at some time expressed concern about the effects of slow play on their enjoyment of the game, we publish the following ten suggestions which could be of assistance in overcoming the problem.
The regular occurrence of 'Slow Play' is discussed consistently among players and with the thought that almost every playing member of a club has at some time expressed concern about the effects of slow play on their enjoyment of the game, we publish the following ten suggestions which could be of assistance in overcoming the problem.
- Not being ready on time:
Select club and ball while other players are having their shot. - Delays on tees or greens while marking card:
Always mark the card while waiting your turn at the tee. - Players wait with others until all have played their shot, then walk to their own ball:
Walk directly to your ball or leave with same; and select clube to be used while waiting for others to play their shots. - Unnecessary number of practice swings:
It is agreed that each player has his own preference in this matter, but practice swings should be limited by discretion. - Delays in locating lost balls:
If after a reasonable period, it is apparent you are holding up play, call the next group through. - Lack of discretion in going through a team that has lost a ball:
If called through as in (5) but immediately afterwards the team ahead locates their ball and it is evident that play will proceed faster if they continue; you should signal them to go ahead. NOTE; The discretion is in the hands of the team called through and not the players who were looking for the lost ball. - On the putting green unnecessary marking of balls and players not continuing to putt out:
On reaching the green and your ball, study the line of your putt immediately. When it is your turn to putt and wherever possible, putt right out. Marking the ball is sometimes necessary, but not always and should be avoided. - Players not using the time on the green, while waiting their turn, to assess their own putt;
Whenever possible, a player should have assessed his own putt for direction and speed while the other players are putting, providing doing so, no interference is caused to the other play. - Incorrect handling of the flag, on the green:
The player nearest the hole should attend the flage and then pass to the first player to hole out, then appraise his own putt. - BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE IS BRIEF:
Each player walks directly to or adjacent to his/her ball at all times and waits there for the player furthest from the hole to play his shot. S/he will use that time to assess his own shot.
We ask you all to get into the habit of playing this way and if you see anybody NOT playing this way, this is why you are having a slow round.