Millport Golf Club

Local Rules Etiquette Golf Club Rules

Local Rules

Out of Bounds (Rule 27-1)
► Beyond any wall or fence bounding the course or beyond areas marked with white stakes within the course.
► Within the fence surrounding the reservoir.
► The practice ground.
► Between the fences in front of the 3rd tee.
► The outer line of the path surrounding the Clubhouse and the Clubhouse.
Integral Part of the Course (Rule 24)

►

 All roads, paths and bridges are integral parts of the course.   The ball must be played as it lies or declared unplayable.
Ground under  Repair (Rule 25-1)
► Areas marked with closed white lines or signed.
► Areas of seeded ground.
► Drainage ditches filled with small stones.
► Drainage holes on putting green.
Note: Relief must be taken – no penalty stroke.
Water Hazards (Rule 26)

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 Hazards marked with yellow stakes or unmarked ditches are water hazards.
 Immovable Obstructions (Rule 24-2)

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All All fixed sprinkler heads are immovable obstructions and relief from interference by them may be obtained under rule 24-2.   In addition, if such an obstruction on, or within two club lengths of the putting green of the hole being played intervenes on the line of play between the ball and the hole, the player may obtain relief, without penalty as follows:

If the ball lies off the putting green, but not in a hazard and is within two club lengths of the  intervening obstruction, it may be lifted, cleaned and dropped at the nearest point to where the ball lay, which:

  1. is not nearer the hole

  2. avoids such intervention and

  3. is not in a hazard or on a  putting green.
► Paths defined by blue stakes.
► Young trees defined by stakes or growing tubes.
Note: Relief may be taken under Rule 24-2
Stones in bunkers (Rule 24)

►

 Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions.
 

Penalty for breach of local rules:

Etiquette of the Game of Golf

Courtesy on the Course
► The Player who has the honour should be allowed to play before their opponent or fellow competitor tees their ball.
► No one should move, talk or stand close to or directly behind the ball or the hole when a player is addressing the ball or making a stroke.
► In the interest of all, players should play without delay. No player should play until the players in front are out of range.
► Players searching for a ball should signal players behind them to pass as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found. They should not search for five minutes before doing so. They should not continue play until the players following them have passed and are out of range.
► When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.
Priority on the Course
► In the absence of special rules, two-ball matches should take precedence over and be entitled to pass a three or four-ball match.
► A single player has no standing and should give way to a match of any kind.
► Any match playing a whole round is entitled to pass a match playing a shorter round.
► If a match fails to keep its place on the course and loses more than one clear hole on the players in front, it should allow the match following to pass.
Care of the Course
► Before leaving a bunker, a player should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints.
► Through the green, a player should ensure that any turf cut or displaced is replaced at once and pressed down and that any damage to the putting green caused by golf shoe spikes should be repaired on completion of the hole.
► Players should ensure that when putting down bags or the flagsticks, no damage is done to the putting green and that neither they nor their caddies damage the hole by standing close to it, in handling the flagstick or in removing the ball from the hole. The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before the players leave the putting green.
► Players should not damage the putting green by leaning on their putters, particularly when removing the ball from the hole.
► Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be strictly observed.
► In taking practice swings, players should avoid causing damage to the Course, particularly the tees, by removing divots.

Golf Club Rules

1. The Rules of Golf as they may from time to time be fixed by The Royal and Ancient Club, St. Andrews, shall be the rules of play, except in so far as they may be modified by any local rules fixed by the Committee.
2. Any members acting in contravention of these Rules render themselves liable to be dealt with in accordance with Clause XVIII of the Constitution, and that member shall be liable for any breach committed by their guest or their own or their guest’s caddie.
3. The Committee shall on application by members allot them club lockers, if available at such charge as may be fixed from time to time.
4. Any member changing their address shall notify same in writing to the Secretary. Failing such notification all notices etc., sent by the Secretary to the address of the member shall be held as delivered.
5. The Committee shall have power to defray reasonable expenses of any member representing the Club in any match or competition.
6. No dogs shall be allowed on the course.
7. The Club fixtures for the year shall be arranged by the Committee at the beginning of the year, and notice given thereof to each member. The Committee shall have power to arrange other competitions in the course of the year, and notice of such shall be included in the fixtures or posted in the Clubhouse.
8. In all Club Competitions where a ballot is taken to determine partners and order of starting, in the event of two players being left in the ballot they shall be entitled to play in a two-ball game.
9. Except in a three-ball game in a competition those playing three or more balls must allow two-ball matches to pass on request.
10. The Committee shall have power to reserve the tee, due notice being given, for any competition or match.
11. Any dispute at the first tee as to precedence shall be referred to the starting officer whose decision shall be final.
12. During all ordinary competitions, competitors shall have precedence of start over other players.
13. There shall be no practice play to or on the HOME GREEN.
14.
a) An Ordinary Member may be permitted to introduce to the privileges of the Course and Clubhouse on payment of an amount to be determined annually by the Committee up to six guests per year of which not more than three may be introduced at any one time subject to certain restrictions.
b) A Member shall only be permitted to introduce guests on their Member Card into which the name of each guest must be entered in the space provided and on signing the visitor’s book.
c) All guests so introduced must be in the company of the introducing members.
d) Introduction to the Course shall be for one day only.
e) The same individual may not be introduced more than twice a year whether by the same members or by any other member.
f) These concessions will not apply where the member or guests are part of a visiting party.
g) Except as provided by Clause XXIII of the foregoing Constitution, guests shall not be supplied with any excisable liquor.
h) Guests shall have no power of introduction to the Clubhouse and the privilege of introducing guests may be withdrawn by the Committee at any time.
i) No Person shall be eligible to be introduced as a guest who has been rejected as a member of the Club or has ceased to be a member under Clause XVIII of the Constitution.
15. The Clubhouse shall open for the use of members at such time and hours as the Committee may determine.
16.
a) The hours during which excisable liquors shall be sold or supplied in the Clubhouse shall be as may be fixed by the Committee in accordance with the Licensing Acts.
b) The Clubhouse is to be clear half an hour after closing down for sales.
c) A notice stating the hours during which excisable liquors are to be sold or supplied shall be displayed in a conspicuous place in the Clubhouse. A tariff of charges for the guidance of members shall be placed in the Clubhouse.
17 Guests and visitors may be introduced into the Clubhouse subject to the provisions of Rule 15 but no member shall entertain in the Clubhouse at the same time more than three guests or visitors unless with the written permission of the Secretary.
18 Any two members who shall consider that any member has behaved in an offensive manner in the Clubhouse, may bring the matter in writing before the Committee who may call for a Special General Meeting of the Club for the expulsion of such member as provided by Clause XVIII.
19. Members shall defray whatever expenses they may incur before leaving the Clubhouse and credit shall be refused.