Course Etiquette

Pace of Play – READY GOLF

Ready Golf is a term used in stroke play, which indicates that players should play when they are ready to do so, rather than strictly following the procedure of “farthest from the hole should play first” in the Rules of Golf.

There is no official definition of the term, but examples of “ready golf” in action are:

Hitting a shot when safe to do so if a player farther away faces a challenging shot and is taking time to assess their options
Shorter hitters playing first from the tee or fairway if longer hitters have to wait
Hitting a tee shot if the person with the honour is delayed in being ready to play
Hitting a shot before helping someone to look for a lost ball
Putting out even if it means standing close to someone else’s line
Hitting a shot if a person who has just played from a bunker is still farthest from the hole but is delayed due to raking the bunker
When a player’s ball has gone over the back of a green, any player closer to the hole but chipping from the front of the green should play while the other player is having to walk to their ball and assess their shot
Marking scores upon immediate arrival at the next tee, except that the first player to tee off marks their card immediately after teeing off

Etiquette

Respect for fellow players and the course is paramount, it is one of the central principles of the game of golf that players play by the Rules and in the spirit of the game.

All players are expected to play in the spirit of the game by:

Acting with integrity – e.g. by following the Rules, applying all penalties, and being honest in all aspects of play.
Showing consideration to others – e.g. by playing at a prompt pace, looking out for the safety of others, and not distracting the play of another player.
Taking good care of the course – e.g. by replacing divots, smoothing bunkers, repairing ball-marks, and not causing unnecessary damage to the course.

Before you play:

Always utilise the electronic time sheets to book a social game or competition.
Arrive at least fifteen minutes early to check-in at the proshop. The competition fee must be paid prior to starting any competition play.
Have no more than four in a group unless previously discussed and approved.
Be prepared to have others join you if have less than 4 in your group.
Be ready to play when it is your time to tee off.