Course Etiquette
Course etiquette relates to the minimum expected behaviour of all visitors and members to the Wantima Country Club, both on the Golf course and within the Club House. These conditions are in place to ensure:
- the course is presented in it’s best condition for the enjoyment of all,
- knowledge of who is on the course for safety and insurance reasons, and
- the speed of play
All players, (Visitors and Members) are to check into the Pro Shop prior to play, this is both a safety issue and an insurance issue to cover injury and accidental damage. All players are to report any damage they have or suspect they may have caused to:
- passing vehicles,
- pedestrians,
- houses along the sides of the course,
- hired equipment from the Club,
- Club properity/facilities, and
- parked vehicles.
This is to ensure a record of the event is recorded for insurance purposes.
All players must carry a sand bucket and repair divots and pitch marks caused by the player. Rakes are provided and players must repair bunkers of all play and foot marks and leave the bunkers in a smooth condition.
At no time is anyone to practice on the course, that is to hit multiple balls, from a tee or position on the course to a green. Practice rounds, or playing a few holes is acceptable, keeping in mind the conditions of a single player above. As are the conditions of play within specific competitions eg: Match Play
Maximum of four (4) players per group, unless otherwise stipulated by event or Official direction.
For the safety of others, if you hit a ball in the direction of other players or suspect other players may be in that direction your are to call “FORE” in a voice loud enough that they will hear. It is also advisable to include direction (eg: Fore left, fore green/tee).
If you have hit a wayward shot and your ball is on another fairway, you are to wait for the players playing that hole prior to playing your shot, it is at the discretion of the players playing that hole to allow you to play first.
If your group falls behind the group in front (see Slow Play below), and you are holding up the group behind, call them through.
Single players on the course are to give way (allow to play through) to all other group players. If a single player catches another single player, the faster player is to be let (play) through. If a single player is playing multiple balls (Maximum of two (2)) and is caught by another single player, they are to stand aside and let the player through or cease playing multiple balls.
Slow Play
Please avoid play by keeping up with the group in front, that is staying one shot behind. Where possible allow shorter length players to hit first. If you are ready to play your shot and can play it safely do so, regardless of your turn to play. Locate your ball, prior to helping to look for another players ball, if you can play your shot safely do so. If you are falling behind, send one or two of your group forward once they have finished the hole, to tee off, while the other two put out.
How to improve your slow play – can you find 15 seconds?