Dear members,
With the increase of patronage within the club, the golf committee is looking to initiate a “Code of conduct” policy. The aim of this is to encourage a baseline standard of behaviour while out on the course.
Amongst his regular reports, the course superintendent has encouraged all members to repair their pitch marks, divots and rake the bunkers after use. During the level 3 lockdown, where only members had use of the course, it became apparent that this was a local issue and not one generated by green fee players. Therefore, it is our intent to seek feedback from the club membership to introduce a code of conduct which will cover amongst other things, the following:
Pitch Marks/Divots/Bunkers
All players are to make a reasonable effort to repair pitch marks and fill in divots that have been caused through that players shot, before taking - in the case of a fairway shot, their next stroke, or proceeding or straight after putting
The playing partners should help to locate the pitch mark on the green
If a player is seen to have not made a reasonable effort, members of that group will encourage the individual to do so
If it is deemed by the group, that a player is not making a reasonable effort, the group may issue the individual with a 1 shot penalty per instance
The penalty should be issued before the hole has concluded, and recorded on the hole that it has been issued
If the individual feels that it has been unfairly issued, they should raise this with a member of the golf committee as soon as is practical
Raking of bunkers
All players are to make a reasonable effort of raking any bunker that they have entered
If a player is seen to have not made a reasonable effort, members of that group will encourage the individual to do so
If a player exits the bunker without attempting to rake the bunker, members of the group will notify the individual of the requirement
If the player chooses to ignore this request, the group may issue the individual with a 1 shot penalty per instance
The penalty should be issued before the hole has concluded, and recorded on the hole that it has been issued
If the individual feels that it has been unfairly issued, they should raise this with a member of the golf committee as soon as is practical
Reasonable Effort - to comply with the obligation as promptly as possible.
Once the code of conduct has been completed, we will send this to all members. However with the above having the biggest impact, we now ask members to submit any feedback that they may have around these proposed inclusions.
Kindest regards,
RPGC Golf committee.