The Spirit of the Game

Golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner,demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be.

This is the spirit of the game of golf.

Safety

Players should ensure that no-one is standing close buy or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball, or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing.

Players should not play until the players in front are out of range.

Players should always alert green keeping staff nearby or ahead when they are about to make a stroke that might endanger them.

If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, he should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such situations is “fore”.

People using the public footpaths which cross the Course have priority at all times, and before playing a shot, players must ensure that such people are out of range of the shot being played.

Consideration for Other Players

Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making unnecessary noise.

Players should ensure that any electronic device taken on to the Course does not distract other players.

On the teeing ground, a player should not tee his or her ball until it is his or her turn to play.

Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.

Players should not ‘cut in’ unless there is a clear hole behind the one where they wish to cut in.

On the Putting Green

Players should not stand on another player’s line of putt or, when he or she is making a stroke, cast a shadow over his or her line of putt.

Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out.

Scoring:In stroke play, a player who is acting as a marker should, if necessary, on the way to the next tee,check the score with the player concerned and record it.

Pace of Play

Players should always play at a good pace. It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If a group loses a clear hole and is delaying the group behind, it should invite that group to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group. Where a group has not lost a clear hole, but it is apparent that the group behind is playing faster, it should invite the faster moving group to play through.

Players can play much quicker if they leave their golf equipment in thoughtful locations between shots. For instance, leaving your golfbag / trolley between the green and the shortest route to the next tee will mean faster play.

Priority on the Course

Priority on the Course is determined by a group’s pace of play. In general,any group playing 18 holes is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round. The term “group” includes single players.

Where 18-hole and 9-hole competitions are run in parallel, priority on the15thtee is determined on a “first come, first served” basis.

Group Sizes

In general, the maximum number of players in a group is 4. A maximum of 5 players may make up a group when the Course is not busy. However,in this situation the group must be conscious of any groups following and catching up, at which stage the following group or groups must be invited to play through or the 5-player group should split into a 3 and a 2 – and maintain a good pace of play!

Lost Ball

Where a player believes his or her ball may be out of bounds, he or she should play a provisional ball.

Be Ready to Play

Instroke playplayers are encouraged to play “ready golf” in a safe and responsible way.

Taking Care of the Course

Players should repair any divot holes made by them, using divot anchors if necessary. Players are encouraged to repair unrepaired divots made by others.

Players should repair any damage to the putting greens made by the impact of a ball, whether or not made by the player. It is recommended that each player carries a pitch mark repairer.

Before leaving a bunker, players should fill up and smooth over all holes made by them and any nearby made by others.

Players should avoid causing damage to the course by removing divots taking practice swings, or by hitting the head of a club into the ground,whether in anger or for any other reason.

Players should take care when removing the flag stick from the hole in order not to cause any damage to the hole, and it should not be dropped from any height where it could cause damage to the green.

Players should not lean on their clubs when on the putting green,particularly when removing the ball from the hole.

The head of a club must not be used to remove the ball from the hole.

Golf trollies and bags must not be taken on to the putting greens.

Local notices regulating the movement of golf trollies and buggies must be strictly adhered to.

The Management Board