Rules & Etiquette

1. Slow Play

To be avoided at all costs, following measures to be effected:
a) The captains of all teams must encourage slow players to speed up their game and keep up with the flow
b) If a player has already scratched a hole, he should pick up the ball.
c) For lost or wavered shots – see below.
d) Quicken up your routine – club selection, practice swings, lining up etc, and ensure trolley always in the right position near the green.
e) Do not worry about the honours on the shots, if ready play your shot.

In the event that the slow play should continue, due to reasons beyond the group’s and the captain’s control, then they should invite the group behind to play through.

If after allowing the group behind to play through the slow play still continues, then there will be a 1 point penalty imposed on each member of the group, unless the individuals are identified by the captain, in which case 2 penalty points will be imposed on each member.

Remember: stay behind the group in front and not in front of the group behind.

2. Ball Identification and Marking

Every player should mark their golf balls with their own individual marking. This will help to confirm that the ball found is that of the player.

Each player should identify his golf ball with its individual marking to the rest of the group before tee-off on the 1st tee.

Should a provisional ball need to be played, it should be of a different make and/or a different number to the original. This should also be identified to the rest of the group before the shot is played.

A ball can be changed at any time during a round, as long as it is declared and changed only on the tee and not during a hole in play.

3. Lost Ball/Wayword Shot

If a player hits a shot off line, a provisional ball should always be played if in any doubt. Then only two players should look for the ball whilst the other two players keep the game moving by playing their shots and looking after each others’ golf shots.

Once they have played their shots, they can help look for the wavered shot. However discretion should be used on how long one looks before declaring it as a lost ball. A time of five minutes is set by the R&A. However, the captain of the team should use his/her discretion on the time taken, possibly limit to three minutes.

4. Registration and Late Arrivals

Registration will take place 1 hour before the first tee time.

Players are allowed 30 minutes grace for any unforeseen circumstances, (i.e. traffic etc)

Any player arriving after the 30 minutes grace has passed, will be awarded a two-point penalty.

If a player in unable = to tee-off with the group on the 1 st tee, then that player will lose the amount of holes that it will take for him to catch up with his group. (i.e. if the player catches up with his group on the 2nd tee, he will then have scratched the first hole).

5. Tee-Off Procedures

The Captain of each group will have the responsibility to get his group on the tee at least ten minutes before the tee time. A starter will be allocated to ensure that the groups tee-off on time.
The players will be briefed on the club’s local rules and the day’s format. This will be undertaken by a club official or committee member.

6. Card Signing/Disqualification

A player will be disqualified if an unsigned card is handed in or a card is not handed in at all. Should the card be lost, then the player has the opportunity to get another card to fill in and get it signed. This should be done off the 18th Green. All cards should be handed in to the scorer by the team captain before going to the shower to avoid time wastage.

7. Mobile Phones

All mobile phones should be switched off on the course. Any member found to be using this on the course will be awarded a two point penalty. The group members should identify the offenders.
Use of mobile phones is also forbidden inside the clubhouse (unless the club allows the use). Failure to follow this ruling results in the society getting a very bad name.

8. Summary of Team Captain’s Role

a) Avoid slow play
Encourage slow players to speed up.
Stay behind the group in front.
Do not worry about honours. (if ready, play on)
If looking for a lost ball, it only needs two, the others carry on.
Always play a provisional ball, if in doubt.
Always watch each other’s shots.
Remember, each of you gets a one point penalty if your team is slow.

b) Please guide all new players with good golf etiquette. i.e.
Buggies and trolleys to be parked near the next tee.
Do not wait on the green for the others when they are obviously not near, start putting if you can get a partner to hold the flag.
Please make everyone repair pitch-marks.

c) Ensure team members are recording each other’s score. As an option, keep scores of all your team members.

d) Don’t forget to record the time the group behind finishes. This may help to identify any slow group.

e) Keep the game flowing so the whole of the society enjoys the day.

Notes:

• The first named player (on top) has home advantage and choice of venue for the match, and is responsible for organising the match.
• The provisional round 1 to start in April or earlier, and the finals to be played by the date set out by the Knockout Committee.
• Starting from 2016, the competition is open to all members who have played at least 3 society games in the previous year.
• Once a player has confirmed to play, he is committed to the Society to abide by these rules.
• Winner must notify their results to the Knockout Committee immediately after the game and before the end of month.

The draw for all rounds will be made before the end of February each year.

• For the provisional or Round 1, the handicap to be used will be either from your club or the Society, which ever is lower.
• During the season the handicap to be used shall be the one published on the website after the the latest society competition results, prior to playing the knock-out match, have been made available. If a player has not participated in a Society game, handicap to be used will be either from your club or the Society, which ever is lower.
• It is the player’s responsibility to ensure that he is playing off the correct handicap. If in doubt, the player must check with the handicap committee. Any player knowingly or unknowingly plays off a higher handicap will be automatically disqualified.
• All matches to be played with 3/4 difference of full handicaps.
• Maximum handicap will be 22.
• Matches to be played off yellow tees (unless both participants mutually agree otherwise).
• Play-off holes to be decided by the players prior to the commencement of the match.
• Matches will be played by the deadline dates as indicated by the Knockout secretary. Any requests for extension due to unforeseen circumstances will be at the discretion of the Knockout committee. An extension will only be granted in exceptional circumstances and as long as the extension is for no more than 5 days after the deadline by which the match is due to be played. The decision by the committee on extensions shall be final.
• Winner shall notify the Knockout committee the result after the match has been completed by telephone or email (see link above).
• Members should check their and the opponents handicap at least 7 days before the game. If there are any objections, this to be lodged in writing with the handicap and knockout committee one week prior to the match. The handicap committee to resolve the objection 3 days before the match. No queries on handicap to be raised on the day of the game.
• The semi-final and final to be played at neutral club as decided by the knockout committee and the Captain.
  Members to ensure that the play-off holes are agreed before the game. They should be from the 1 st hole unless not practical at the club.
• On the day of the final, a neutral player accompanies (either playing or non-playing) the finalists to act as an independent referee. The knockout chairman to advise of the referee 10 days before the final and any objection to the chosen referee to be lodged with the knockout Chairman within 5 days. Only one person to act as referee and his decision to be final.

• Top player A (highlighted) to contact opponent at least 4 weeks (where possible) before the deadline or soon after a prior round has been played and arrange the match at his choice of venue. If player A is member of the venue club, then the green fees for player B is to be shared by both players.
• He must offer three dates, one of which must be taken or an alternative date fixed there and then. If after 2 attempts Player A is unable to arrange the match, he should contact the chairman of the Knockout committee and advise him of the problem.
• The chairman of the knockout committee will make 1 more attempt to fix a convenient date. If Player B does not respond, the chairman of the Knockout competition will ask the Captain and Secretary to approve the withdrawal of Player B from the competition.
• If Player A does not communicate in the stipulated time, Bottom player (Player B) to make the call and arrange the match at his choice of venue. He must also offer three dates, one of which must be taken or an alternative fixed there and then. If after 2 attempts he is not able to arrange the match the same rule as above will apply and it could lead to Player A being withdrawn from the competition.
• If after agreeing a date to play the match, one of the players’ cannot play on the agreed date, the players must attempt to arrange a new date. If this cannot be agreed, then the player requesting the change of date must give a bye to his opponent.
• If neither player has made any attempt to arrange the match at least 2 weeks before the deadline, the Knockout chairman will ask the Captain and Secretary to approve the withdrawal of both players from the competition.
• In event of any disagreement , the knockout chairman’s decision will be final.