Gordon Golf Club

The Board, through the Golf Committee, shall arrange and control all competitions and matches and their decision on all points connected therewith shall be final. The Rules of the game of Golf as adopted from time to time by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, except insofar as they are or may be modified by the relevant bodies controlling for the time being the game of golf in New South Wales, and by the By-Laws and Local Rules of the Club shall be the Golf Rules of this Club.

Time sheets are available 2 Weeks in advance for all events for Members and will be posted online via the clubs website or in the clubhouse via the members computer kiosk. Members are only entitled to enter their own name and 3 other names on the sheet. Members must not alter names without approval of said players.
Telephone Bookings will not be taken until the following day.

All players MUST report to the starter at least 15 MINUTES prior to hit off time. Times are planned to afford everyone the chance of a comfortable round, but slow play creates delays in the field and deprives your fellow players of this comfort. Avoid slow play at all times.
To monitor pace of play, start and finish times must be recorded on your scorecard.

Members are reminded that the Golf Committee is authorized to monitor slow play. Slow Play or Late Arrivals on the tee will be dealt with in accordance with the rules of golf.
Slow Play - Rule 6-7
Late Arrivals - Rule 6-3

As soon as members are aware that they will be unable to play at a time booked in a competition they should ensure that their name is erased from the time sheet.

All players must notify the starter AT LEAST 1 HOUR BEFORE THEIR HIT OFF TIME. Failure to adhere to the above rules will require an explanation to the Golf Committee.Members are reminded that our Professional is the Official Starter for the Club. For cancellations or additional times on day of play contact the Professional Shop on 9498 1277

The nature of a competition set down for a particular day may be altered by the Golf Committee without notice, but where possible, due notice shall be given.

For competition purposes a visitor must be a financial member of a Golf Club and hold a current Australian Golf Union Handicap or a recognised affiliated golf handicap. Members are reminded that, on other than invitation and Open Days, permission must be obtained from Captain or Secretary/Manager for visiting golfers to play on that day.

During competition and championships, junior pairings are restricted to no more than two (2) juniors in any one group. Additionally, juniors cannot mark each other’s cards, which should be recorded and signed by an adult member. The only exception to the above is when drawn in Match play or when the Golf Committee grants permission.

For a competition to be run a minimum of six (6) players is required.

It is the Player’s responsibility to ensure that their scorecard is correctly marked.
The return of an incorrectly marked scorecard may render the competitor liable for disqualification.
Members are reminded to acquaint themselves with Rule-32 which governs the correct keeping of card and scores.
Members’ attention is drawn to the fact that their marker should endorse any alteration made on their scorecard before the scorecards are placed in the card box.
All cards must be lodged at the competition box within 10 minutes of completion of round.
The competition will be declared after the last competitor’s card has been checked. Members who fail to return their cards before the declaration of a competition will be disqualified.
All handicaps are reviewed per Golf Link. Always check your handicap before collecting your scorecard for each round.
It is the responsibility of all Members to notify the office of scores, which may result in an alteration to handicap. Failure to do so may lead to a disqualification.

Players are requested to take an interest in the course and repair any damage done to the greens, bunkers, fairways or rough.
All players must carry a bucket of soil for the repair of damage to the course, and a pitch mark repairer to repair lob marks on the greens.
Divots must be replaced whenever possible and, if not replaceable, efforts should be made to level the divot mark with soil.
Bunkers – Players must rake smooth all footmarks and replace rakes in bunkers.
Litter – All litter should be placed in rubbish bins provided.

ECLECTIC Half stroke handicap on last day of play.
FOURSOMES STROKE Half the combined handicaps.
SINGLES MATCH Higher handicap player plays off the difference between the stroke handicaps.
CANADIAN FOURSOMES STROKE Half the combined handicaps.
AMBROSE 2 BALL 1/4 combined handicaps
3 BALL 1/6 combined handicaps.
4 BALL 1/8 combined handicaps.
AMERICAN FOURSOMES 3/8 combined handicaps.

For men to obtain an AGU handicap a player must submit 5 cards – at least 3 of the cards must be from the home club.
For women to obtain a WGA handicap, a player must submit 3 cards.
For all players to retain their handicaps, they must have at least 5 live cards at 1st January, each year.

Handicap Grades for Men:
A Grade 0-9 Inclusive
A Reserve 10-13 Inclusive
B Grade 14-19 Inclusive
C Grade 20-27 Inclusive

Domestic Handicaps (27 Plus) - Members may apply in writing to the Golf Committee for domestic handicaps. Certain criteria must be fulfilled before a handicap is approved.

Handicap Categories for Women:
Division I 0-28 Inclusive
Division II 29-36 Inclusive
Division III 37-45 Inclusive

For Men:

The recording of scores shall be kept by differentials that are the amount by which the player’s gross score was above or below the Calculated Course Rating. If a player’s differential equals his handicap or is within the “buffer zone” stipulated for each handicap category (see table below), no change is made to his exact handicap.

If the player submits a score with a differential that is greater than his handicap plus the appropriate buffer, his exact handicap shall be increased by 0.1, irrespective of the extent to which his differential was beyond the buffer zone.

For example, a player on a handicap of 17 who records a differential of 17, 18 or 19 will not have his exact handicap adjusted. A player on a handicap of 3 who records a differential of 4, or more will have 0.1 added to his exact handicap.

If a player submits a score with the differential less than this handicap, his exact handicap is reduced by an amount per stroke that his differential was below his handicap, the amount per stroke being determined by his handicap category (see table below):
Handicap Buffer Zone Add 0.1 If differential is above handicap by at least If differential is below handicap subtract for each stroke under
Up to 4 0 1 0.1
5-12 1 2 0.2
13-19 2 3 0.3
20-27 3 4 0.4
Over 27 3 4 0.5

Additionally, in handicap category A (up to 4.4), if a player submits a score with a differential more than 5 strokes higher than his handicap, his exact handicap shall be increased by 0.2, instead of the 0.1 as listed in the above table. A non-returned card (unapproved) in category A shall also attract a 0.2 increase

For Women:

For calculation of handicap all players will have a buffer zone of 2 strokes above the CCR – Players will only receive 0.1 adjustment out, if they play 3 or more strokes over their handicap.
For reduction, if a player’s score is below her handicap subtract the following for each stroke under:
Handicap Reduction
Scratch - 3 0.1
4-9 0.2
10-18 0.3
19-27 0.4
28-36 0.5
37-45 1.0

** Players are responsible for their own handicaps.
Increases and Decreases of handicap become effective immediately.

Proposed use of a player’s own vehicle must be approved by the Board before purchase with reasons (e.g. Medical Certificate) and must not be used after periods of heavy rain (as decided by Golf Committee or Professional Starter). Vehicles must be insured for public risk at owner’s expense before use on course and evidence of such be provided to the Secretary Manager.

The regular occurrence of ‘Slow Play’ is discussed consistently among members. Almost every player/member of the club has at some time expressed concern about the effects of Slow Play on their enjoyment of the game. We publish the following suggestions, which should be of assistance in overcoming the problem.

Not being ready on time.
Select club and ball while other players are having their shots.
Delays on tees or greens while marking cards
Always mark the card while waiting your turn at the next tee.
Players wait with others until they have played their shot, then walk to their own ball
Walk directly to your own ball, or level with same, and select club to be used while waiting for others to play their shot.
Unnecessary number of practice swings
It is agreed that each player has their own preference in this matter, but practice swings should be limited by discretion.
Delays in locating lost balls
If, after a reasonable period it is apparent you are holding up play, call the next group through.
Lack of discretion in going through a team that has lost a ball
If called ahead as in (5) but immediately afterwards the team ahead locate their ball and it is evident that play will proceed faster if they continue, you should signal them to go ahead.
Note: The discretion is in the hands of the team called through and not in the players who were looking for the lost ball.
On the putting green, unnecessary marking of balls, and players not putting out.
On reaching the green and your ball, study the line of your putt immediately. When it is your turn to putt, and wherever possible putt right out. Marking the ball is sometimes necessary but not always, and should be avoided whenever practicable.
Players not using the time on the green, while waiting their turn, to assess their own putt.
Whenever possible, a player should have assessed his own putt for direction and speed while the other players are putting, provided that in doing so, no interference is caused.
Losing distance on the group in front.
When any group falls behind the group in front the first two players to putt out on the green must then proceed to the next tee and hit-off.
Incorrect handling of the flag on the green
The player nearest the hole should attend the flag, then pass to the first player to hole out, and then appraise his own putt.
Leaving buggies around and in front of the green or the wrong side of the next tee.
Always place your buggy adjacent to the approach to the next tee.
BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE
Remember to keep up with group in front, not just in front of the group behind.

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.

The player who has the honour should be allowed to play before his opponent or fellow competitor tees his ball.

No player should play until the players in front are out of range.

In the interest of all, players should play without delay.

Players searching for a ball should allow other players coming up to pass them; they should signal to the players following them to pass, and should not continue their play until those players are out of range. (Refer also to comments under “Slow Play”).

Before leaving a bunker, a player must rake smooth all holes and imprints and replace the rake at the side in the bunker.

Through the green, a player should ensure that any turf cut or displaced by him is replaced. Lob marks on putting green should be carefully repaired.

Players should ensure that, when dropping bags or the flagstick, no damage is done to the putting green and that neither they nor any caddies damage the hole by standing close to the hole or in handling the flagstick. The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole and any sprig and scuff marks repaired before the players leave the putting green. When the result of a hole has been determined, players should immediately leave the putting green.

All major events will be played in Club times, with exception of knock out events, when play may be arranged otherwise through Golf Committee within time frame for the competition.

There is no time allowed for latecomers. If you fail to arrive on the tee when called you may be disqualified in accordance with Rule 6-3.

Motorised carts: Motorised carts are not permitted during Club Championship rounds, unless medical reasons permit otherwise. A Medical Certificate must be furnished for approval to the Board.

COUNT BACKS: Australian Golf Union procedure is applied.

Only Full Playing, Senior, Junior and Life members of Gordon Golf Club Ltd are eligible to win the following Championships and Trophies.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS:
A, A Reserve, B & C Grades.
Qualifying rounds 36 holes gross stroke. First 8 in each grade to qualify for knockout matchplay, with countbacks for ties for last place. Players NOT wishing to qualify, should put NTQ on their scorecard on either qualifying round. A grade 36 holes matchplay, all other grades 18 holes matchplay.
JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP:
36 holes gross stroke over two stroke rounds. In the event of a tie there will be an 18 hole play-off on date set by Golf Committee.
SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP:
For members over 55 years of age prior to first round. 36 holes gross over two stroke rounds. In the event of a tie, an 18 hole play-off on date set by Golf Committee.
FOURSOMES CHAMPIONSHIPS:
18 Hole Stroke event on nominated day; A Grade, A Reserve, B & C Grades. In the event of a tie, an 18 Hole Play-off will decide the winner. The play-off date will be decided by the Golf Committee and announced on the day of the tied round. The lower handicapped player decides grade entered.
SINGLES KNOCKOUT:
Open to the first 32 qualifiers from nett stroke scores of February Medal Day, who will then proceed according to draw onto knockout Match Play. Rounds may be played at any time as might be mutually arranged, provided the Match is completed before the date stipulated. All rounds will be over 18 holes. Nominations must be made before qualifying round hit off. Ties will be decided by sudden death play-off and handicaps will be those on the day of play.
4BBB KNOCKOUT:
Open to the first 16 pairs to qualify from a 4BBB event, who will then proceed according to draw onto knockout Match Play. Rounds may be played at any time as might be mutually arranged, provided the Match is completed before the date stipulated. All rounds will be over 18 holes. Nominations must be made before qualifying round hit off. Ties will be decided by sudden death play-off and handicaps will be those on the day of play.
PRESIDENT’S TROPHY:
Best nett 36 holes stroke score over two (2) nominated rounds of Club Championships. A tie will be decided by 18 holes nett stroke play-off, on the next Medal Day using handicap of final round.
CAPTAIN’S TROPHY:
Best nett 36 holes stroke score over two (2) nominated 18 holes stroke rounds. A tie will be decided by 18 holes nett stroke play-off, on the next Medal Day using handicap of final round.
MONTHLY CLUB MEDAL:
Best nett 18 hole stroke score on day of listed fixture. A tie will be decided by count back. Club Medals A, A Reserve, B & C Grade each month.

Stableford - Handicap of 2 Strokes on Hole
3 over Actual Par 1 point
2 over Actual Par 2 points
1 over Actual Par 3 points
Actual Par 4 points
1 under Actual Par (Birdie) 5 points

Stableford - Handicap of 1 Stroke on Hole
2 over Actual Par 1 points
1 over Actual Par 2 points
Actual Par 3 points
1 under Actual Par (Birdie) 4 points

Par Events - Handicap of 2 Strokes on Hole
3 over Actual Par - minus
2 over Actual Par 0 half
1 over or Actual Par + plus

Par Events - Handicap of 1 Stroke on Hole
2 over Actual Par - minus
1 over Actual Par 0 half
Actual Par or under + plus

Any Prizes awarded from 1st July 2009 as vouchers to members accounts must be used within 12 months of the date of issue.

Please note that under Rules of Amateur Status (Rule 3 Prizes) vouchers must not be exchanged for cash.