Golf Etiquette

Course Etiquette
  • No one should move, talk or stand close to or directly behind the ball when a player is addressing the ball or making a stroke.
  • All players are required to report to the Pro Shop before teeing off. Players are to be at the tee 10 minutes before hitting-off time in competitions.
  • If unable to take your place in the field, where practicable please remove yourself from the booking sheet or notify the Club at least three hours before tee off. Non-notification causes disruption to other members’ games of golf and will not be tolerated by the Club.
  • The player with the lowest handicap is responsible for the observance of the Rules of Golf, Local Rules and Course Etiquette e.g. keeping up the pace of play, filling divots, raking bunkers.
  • Players are to carry a bucket of sand to fill all divot holes including players with carry bags. In winter, divots are to be replaced and lightly sanded. At all other times, sand only should be used in divot holes.
  • Ball marks in greens are to be repaired before leaving to play the next hole.
  • Foot and club marks are to be raked out before leaving a bunker. Players should refrain from walking up the faces of bunkers, except when playing the ball. The rake is to be left in line of play near as practical to the middle of the bunker.
  • Care should be taken not to damage the edge of the hole or the green surface when removing and replacing the flagstick or with shoe sprigs. The putter head MUST NOT be used to remove the ball from the hole.
  • Mobile phones should be on silent and are not to be used in a manner that is distracting to other members.
  • Push buggies are prohibited on any green on the course.
Calling Up and Going Through Procedure

When a group is looking for a ball that may be lost or has not yet been spotted, they shall immediately call the following group up. The called up group will then play their shots without delay. If the front group are still not ready to play when the called up group reaches them, the called up group shall proceed to go through. However, if the front group are ready to play before the called up group reaches them, they shall proceed without delay and the going through procedure will lapse. (NOTE: The only purpose of calling up and going through is to save time and keep the field moving. It must never be used as a penalty against the group that may be lost or a bonus for the group called up. Common sense shall prevail in the interpretation of this rule.)
Please pick up the ball when strokes are exhausted in Par and Stableford competitions.

Course Safety Requirements

Blackwood Golf Club is committed to provide a safe working environment for its Staff and Members following the guidelines of The Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act.
Procedures to prevent injury to staff from golf balls are as follows:

  1. Green Maintenance. When the flag has been removed, the green is out of play and golfers are not to hit to the green until the flag is replaced.
  2. Fairway and Rough Maintenance. Golfers must wait for an approaching vehicle or mower to pass behind or out of range before playing their shots. Alternatively, golfers may be called on to play their shots by the operator.
  3. Other Situations. In all other situations, golfers must receive acknowledgment from course staff that are in range before playing a shot.

Players who fail to comply with the above procedures could result in disciplinary actions under the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act.

Slow Play

Your position in the field is just behind the group in front of you, not just in front of the group behind you.

With the large number of players to be accommodated on the course, it is imperative that slow play does not impede the field. The Match Committee is concerned at the effect slow play can have on the comfort of members’ games.  The following time saving measures will be taken:

  • Walk immediately to your ball and play if there is no danger of personal injury.
  • Always play your own ball where practical before looking for any fellow competitor’s ball thus minimising slow play.
  • If held up in front, use this time to make club selection and practice swings.
  • When reaching the green, leave your bag handily placed for immediate movement to the next tee.
  • If you have putted out on the green and the next tee is free, then move to the tee and hit off if safe to do so.
  • Always play ready golf.

Players habitually offending by slow play will be placed at the end of the field by the Match Committee on competition days and on such other occasions as the circumstances may require.

7 Biggest Etiquette Mistakes!!