Competition and Local Rules

Competition and Local Rules

The Spirit of the Game

 

Golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, within The Cambridgeshire Golf Club’s framework of fair and equal opportunities for all.

The Rules of Golf apply at all times.

 

The Club Competitions Group

 

This Group is responsible for organising and running Club Competitions. It works to provide the membership with a comprehensive calendar of events to improve the enjoyment of playing golf within the confines of the R&A, CONGU and The Cambridgeshire Golf Club Rules and to deal with breaches of these Rules in a fair and honest manner.  Equally, the co-operation and integrity of members is essential to ensure that competitions are played within the spirit of the game and to assist in the production of results and handicap records by returning their cards and entering scores into the IG App or PSI system when required.

The Competitions Group has the power to impose penalties against any member who disregards the Rules of Golf and/or these Local Competition Rules. Disputes and grievances by members MUST be referred to the Competitions Group in writing. A decision will be made and given in writing within (twenty eight) 28 days. Members are entitled to appeal and should do so in writing to the Club Secretary for the attention of the Club’s Appeal’s Committee within (seven) 7 days from receipt of the decision.

 

Local/Competition Rules

 

Copies of the Local/Competition Rules are available from the Competitions Group and are also displayed on the notice board and Club website http//www.thecambridgeshiregolfclubbarhill.co.uk. They are reviewed annually in March but may be amended or added to at any time by the Club Competitions Group. Implementation follows immediately after ratification by the Club Committee.

 

General Information

 

Green and white stakes are positioned at the side of the fairway at 150 yards from centre of the green. There are also coloured discs positioned in the centre of the fairway. (White at 200 yards, yellow at 150 yards and red at 100 yards from the centre of the green.)

 

Tee Markers

  • White – Men’s Championship Tees, Club Competitions/individual male members only. 
  • Yellow – Men’s Daily Tees.
  • Blue – Men’s Winter Tees.
  • Red  – Ladies Tees.

Soft Spikes only.

 

Dress Code

 

Appropriate golfing attire MUST be worn at all times. The following items of clothing are NOT considered by the Club to be appropriate; Jeans, T-shirts, Tracksuits, Vests, Rugby/Football shirts.

 

Local Rules

 

Within the Rules of Golf, Local Rules may be implemented for local abnormal conditions. They are specific to The Cambridgeshire Golf Club and are published on the scorecards.

Players are strongly recommended to read the R&A Rules of Golf booklet available free from the Golf Shop.

 

Doubt as to Procedure – Rule 20.1c

In stroke play a player may hole out with two balls after announcing to fellow competitors if uncertain of the procedure from the situation of the first ball. The intention to do this must be announced to the other competitors.  The competitor must return their card to the Golf Shop with a note explaining the facts and marked for the attention of the Competitions’ Group. Failure to do so is disqualification.

 

Fixed Sprinkler Heads – Rule 10.9

All fixed sprinkler heads are immovable obstructions and relief from interference by them may be obtained under Rule 10.9. In addition, if such an obstruction is on or within two club lengths of the putting green of the hole being played or intervenes on the line of play between the ball and the hole, the player may obtain relief without penalty. But not be nearer to the hole or dropped on the putting green. The ball may be cleaned.

 

Ground Under Repair – Rule 16

Includes: Area marked by GUR signs and/or white lines, tractor tyre marks, all drainage areas, all footpaths including all synthetic grass areas (EXCEPT those as part of a bridge) and the gravelled road to the left of the 1st hole adjacent to the houses and watering systems (repair/maintenance) damage including drainage lines. Players must lift the ball and drop it without penalty within one club length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief. The ball may be cleaned.

 

Bridges – Rule 16

Note 1: If a ball is in a water penalty area (including a lateral water penalty area), the player may not take relief from interference by an immovable obstruction. The player must play the ball as it lies or proceed under Rule 16.  A bridge is an immovable obstruction and part of a penalty area

 

Out of Bounds – Rule 18.2

In, or over any ditches, hedges, roads or fences bordering the course. The ditches to the left of the 4th, 5th (to the junction of the ditches) and the 17th are boundary ditches.  Beyond white posts denoting the boundaries of the course at various points.

 

Overhead Power Cables at 14th Hole.

A ball striking overhead power cables may be replayed without penalty.

 

Protection of Young Trees

A young tree is defined by a stake, plastic spiral or less than (forty-three) 43 inches high (standard men’s driver length). If such a tree interferes with a player’s stance or the area of intended swing, the ball must be lifted without penalty and dropped in accordance with rule 24-2.  The ball may be cleaned.

Winter Rules – Appendix I

When in force;

1. A ball lying on closely mown areas through the green, may be marked and lifted without penalty, and cleaned. Before lifting the ball, the player must mark its position. Having lifted the ball, it must be placed on a spot within (six) 6 inches of and not nearer the hole than where it originally lay, that is not in a hazard and not on a putting green.  Once placed, the ball is in play. This excludes practice areas to the left of the 2nd and between 11th and 12th holes. If a player fails to mark the position of the ball before lifting it or moves the ball in any other manner, such as rolling it with a club, they incur a PENALTY of (one) 1 stroke.

 

2. Temporary Tees are designated as the “Teeing Area” and MUST be used. Teeing off from outside the “Designated Teeing Area” is an infringement of rule 6. In stroke play the player incurs a penalty of (two) 2 strokes and must then play the ball from within the teeing area. In match play there is no penalty but the opponent may request the stroke to be cancelled and to play again.

 

3. A plugged ball in any closely mown area through the green may be lifted, cleaned and placed within (six) 6 inches not nearer the hole without penalty. A ball plugged in the rough may be lifted, but not cleaned, and dropped within (one) 1 club length not nearer the hole.

 

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULES Stroke Play-(Two) 2 Strokes, Match Play-Loss of Hole.

 

Competition Rules

  1. 7 Day, 5 Day, Student, Junior and Honorary members with an official CONGU handicap may enter club competitions. Conditions that apply for a particular competition are
  2. Competitions that are ‘Acceptable for Handicaps purpose’ include individual medals, Fourball Better Ball or Stableford competitions, played off 95% of the Course Handicap, which qualify for handicap adjustment.
  3. Alternative Day Competitions: When players have a choice between alternative day participation for a single stroke play competition, in terms of Rule 7-1b of the Rules of Golf, any player who elects to play on the second day of the competition is permitted to play on the competition course on the first day.
  4. A member may only win one prize in any competition. Winners of overall and divisional prize in medals will be awarded the overall prize.
  5. New members with an active CONGU competition handicap from a previous club must provide documented evidence of their competition handicap and playing history to the Competitions Group before playing in Club competitions. Consideration will be given to previous handicaps held however, depending on their playing history during the previous twelve (12) months, it will be at the discretion of the Competitions Group as to whether or not they will be eligible to play in competitions straight away and be able to win a prize or be required to submit three (3) cards.
  6. New members without an active CONGU competition handicap or lapsed competition handicap may obtain or re-activate one by submitting three (3) cards marked and signed by a member with an official competition handicap to the Competitions Group. They may play in individual singles competitions as these can be counted for qualifying purposes but cannot win a prize until they have an active CONGU competition handicap.
  7. To be eligible a member must hold an active CONGU competition handicap throughout the competition as per CONGU rules.
  8. In drawn competitions members enter their names on the competition entry form or in an appropriate zone on the IG App or PSI system prior to the draw being made.
  9. In non-drawn competitions, members enter their names on the competition entry form or in an appropriate time slot on the IG App or PSI system.
  10. Members may enter competitions up to commencement of play providing that there are spaces available, but they must ensure that the Start Sheet is updated by the Competition Group or the Golf Shop staff.
  11. Members may only play in tee slots allocated for the competition unless agreed with the organiser of the competition. If played outside the allocated tee times, cards must be marked by a Club member.
  12. Once allotted a start time, a member must not move their name, withdraw or fail to turn up without good reason. This is monitored by the Competitions Group.
  13. Entries on behalf of others may only be made with their prior approval and then become the responsibility of the player.
  14. If a player in a team competition needs to withdraw they must inform their fellow competitors in advance as far as reasonably practicable and endeavour to find a replacement. Fellow competitors must not be left in a position where they are unable to play.
  15. For Competition Entry fees, an account must be set up with the Men’s Section treasurer, and have a positive balance prior to the commencement of the competition entered. If any player has a negative balance, which is not topped-up in reasonable time, they will be excluded from entering club competitions until they have a positive balance in their account.
  16. Competitors must conform to the competition entry rules stated on the competition IG Appr/PSI.
  17. Ride on buggies are only permitted for competitors who are 60 years of age or over, or have a doctor’s certificate.
  18. Juniors must have one adult in their group, if playing in competitions.
  19. Any non-competition player(s) joining a competition flight must follow the format of that competition, unless acting as a single marker for a pair.
  20. In all competitions, players are to be at the FIRST TEE, ready to play, at least (five) 5 minutes before the time allocated. As per R&A Rule 2.1, in a stroke play competition a (two) 2 shot penalty will be applied to the score on the first hole of a player arriving up to (five) 5 minutes past the tee time (loss of first hole in match play), after that time the player will be disqualified.
  21. Cancellation of a competition is the responsibility of the Competitions Group, with input from the Golf Shop and will only happen if for any reason, the course is unplayable.
  22. All players whether playing in singles or pairs competitions must have a marker. They must also ensure that their cards are correctly completed and signed (including no returns) and submitted in accordance with the specific competition guidelines. This includes clear identification of competition, competitor, playing handicap, tees used, scores/points per hole, their signature and marker signature and name before putting in the appropriate RESULTS box by the PSI. They are to be submitted immediately after a competition and failure to do so will result in disqualification. All scores, unless otherwise stipulated, must be entered into the IG App (with a photo of the fully signed scorecard) or the PSI (with a photo of the fully signed scorecard emailed to TCGC007@outlook.com).
  23. In match play it is the responsibility of both players/teams to arrange dates for knock–out competitions with a minimum of (three) 3 dates to be given by each side at least (one) 1 week prior to the competition. Should a date not be arranged the match will be played at 1.30pm on the last day permitted for play of that round. If only (one) 1 player/team arrives to play, they shall be declared the winner(s) but are to report to the Golf Shop for verification of arrival to play. If neither player/team arrives to play both are disqualified.
  24. Extensions to knock-out play by dates will only be allowed by the organiser of the competition if on the last two days the course is deemed unplayable or in exceptional circumstances (such as sustained course closure, or health issues). Any disputes in arranging matches should be discussed with the organiser of the competition whose decision is final.

 

27.  Distance-Measuring Devices (Rule 4.3a)

 

A player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect their play (e.g. gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc), the player is in breach of Rule 4.3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.

 

28. a) Trolleys with a distance-measuring capability may be used provided any other features, which are non-conforming, are disabled (e.g. ‘taped over’ or switched off).

b) Multi-functional devices such as mobile phones with a distance-measuring application may be used, providing the application is restricted to “distance only” and the device does not have any other “non-conforming” features or applications.

 

29.  Mobile Phones (including pagers and similar devices), MAY be carried in golf bags but MAY NOT be used on the course (including practice days) by players or caddies for making/sending or receiving calls or texts except in cases of emergency or to contact the Golf Shop.