rules and regulations

These may make it sound that we take the golf days too seriously. This is not the case but the English Golf Union stipulate that we have to set up these rules. The only really important aspects are the rules regarding dress and etiquette, which must be adhered to at all times. 

We also have a code of conduct to cover any unlikely eventuality where a BUNGS member is guilty of cheating.  There are also rules and penalties for players guilty of slow play.  Slow play is a problem, not only within the golf society, but within the game of golf in general. There are many things that people can do to improve the speed of play, and some guidelines are detailed in the etiquette/slow play tips below.

MEMBERSHIP FEES & STRUCTURE
The first years membership will be free of charge to try and encourage new members to join. This gives them the opportunity to come along to a few golf days to see what the society is all about without having to pay a registration fee in advance.

The annual subscription fee for subsequent years will be approximately £15 which goes towards the running costs of the society which include registration fees with the English Golf Union, stationery, postage etc.

Ideally, we would like a total of 70 people registered to the society and we currently have approximately 60 members so places are still available. Should anyone be interested in joining the society, they are entitled to play one golf day as a guest but if they want to play again, they must complete an application form and join the society officially.

Anyone wishing to resign from the society may do so at any time but membership fees for that current year will not be refunded.

In the unlikely event of a complaint being received from any golf club we have visited due to a member misbehaving either on the course or in the clubhouse, one warning will be given about his behaviour. If the society receives another complaint about the same member, he will be ejected from the society. If any member is ejected, the current years membership fee will be refunded.

The society membership is limited to adult golfers and juniors under 18 are not allowed to events. The only exception to this rule relates to the August golf day, where a junior golfer will be allowed as a guest as long as they have a playing handicap of 28 or less.

DRESS RULES
Most golf courses have a strict code about clothing both on the course and in the clubhouse.

It is essential that members should wear trousers, a collared shirt/polo shirt a smart jumper (depending on the weather) and correct golfing shoes. If it is required to wear jacket, shirt and tie when dining in the evening in any particular clubhouse, members will be notified beforehand.

Under no circumstances should jeans, tracksuits, shell suits or collarless t-shirts be worn either on the course or in the clubhouse. It is expected that a change of clothes should be worn when dining in the evening.

BUNGS CODE OF CONDUCT

Although we don't like the society taking things too seriously and want to keep the relaxed atmosphere we have always enjoyed, we felt it was time to set-up a code of conduct in the unlikely event that one of the members is guilty of a serious infringement of the rules (cheating.
 

Rule infringements
Unlike many sports, 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, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.
 

If any player witnesses or suspects a fellow competitor of a serious rule infringement, you should challenge this person at the time of the incident and then report the matter to a committee member at the end of the round.

If a serious misconduct or a serious breach of the rules is substantiated, the guilty member will receive a written warning. Any future misconduct by that member will lead to expulsion from the society.

Minor offences (due to ignorance of the rules) are not to be dealt with so severely, but we must try and cut down on these incidents and persistent offending may result in further action.
 

All members should have received a copy of the new rules of golf which I would hope that you read and keep in your golf bag in case any rule issues arise. It is in every golfers interest to have a good knowledge of the rules, and ignorance is no defence for any rule infringements.  If you don't have a copy of the rules, ask Steve for a copy.
 

Penalties for slow play
There is a slow play problem that can easily be resolved, and that is by having penalties for those people who don't get to the first tee on time. In future, all tee times must be strictly adhered to.

If any player is not on the first tee and ready to play at his groups allotted tee-time, his partners will tee-off (assuming the group in front is clear) and the guilty party will have to walk the first hole, or as many holes as he needs to catch-up his playing partners. Even if a player has just rushed onto the tee, if he is not ready to play after his partners have already teed-off, he must walk the hole.

Once his playing partners have left the tee, he must not play that particular hole and will therefore receive no points for that hole.

It is advised that you should be in the vicinity of the first tee at least ten minutes before your start time.

It is in everyone's interest to speed-up play, so if one of your group is messing around and holding you up, please have a polite word asking them to get a move on. If they are breaking one of the etiquette rules/tips detailed below, please let them know in a polite way.

Future rounds will also be monitored and those players persistently guilty of slow play will be penalised.

Other disciplinary issues
In the unlikely event of a complaint being received from any golf club we have visited due to a member misbehaving either on the course or in the clubhouse, one warning will be given about his behaviour. If the society receives another complaint about the same member, he will be ejected from the society.
 

Mobile phones
The most likely complaint we would receive from a golf club is regarding the use of mobile phones. Most clubs have now banned mobile phones from the golf course and clubhouse. Unless it is needed for emergency reasons, all mobile phones must be switched off.
 

TIPS TO AVOID SLOW PLAY
 

If every person could play each hole just 20 seconds quicker, then we could probably save half an hour in time, meaning everyone gets home that little bit earlier.  Tips to avoid slow play are as follows:

It is essential that everyone plays quickly, without delay and PICKS THEIR BALL UP when they can no longer score any stableford points on a hole. Know how many shots you have taken at all times, don't finish the hole then add up your strokes. This is the easiest and simplest way to speed things up.

It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses ground on the group in front and is delaying the group behind, it must invite them to play through.

Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to do so. When playing on or near the putting green, they should leave their bags or carts in such a position as will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. If you are not sure where the next tee is, simply watch the group in front and see the direction they walk.

When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green. You should not mark your scorecard until you reach the next tee. If you are the first to play, mark the card after you have teed-off.

If a player believes his ball may be lost or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball. Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found. They should not search for five minutes before doing so.

Keep an extra ball in your pocket so you don't have to walk back to your bag if you need to hit a provisional.

When on the green, putt out whenever possible instead of marking the ball. The first person that putts out should tend and replace the pin for other players.

Watch other shots, as well as your own, to help pinpoint the position of their ball and try to 'mark' the finishing position by using a nearby tree or landmark.

If one of your partners has played from a bunker but is still further away from the hole than you, offer to rake the bunker for him, so he can play his next shot quickly.

Reserve giving instruction for the driving range, not on the course.

If you are one of the later starters, please shower and change as quickly as possible. Don't spend 20 minutes chatting or making phone calls before entering the showers.

ETIQUETTE; BEHAVIOUR ON THE COURSE

(As printed in the Rules of Golf 2004-2007)

Introduction
This section provides guidelines on the manner in which the game of golf should be played. If they are followed, all players will gain maximum enjoyment from the game. The overriding
principle is that consideration should be shown to others on the course at all times.

The Spirit of the Game
Unlike many sports, 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, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.

Safety
Players should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing.
Players should not play until the players in front are out of range.
 

Players should always alert greenstaff nearby or ahead when they are about to make a stroke that might endanger them.
 

If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, he should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such situations is “fore”.

Consideration for Other Players

No Disturbance or Distraction
Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making unnecessary noise.
 

Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players.

On the teeing ground, a player should not tee his ball until it is his turn to play.
 

Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.
 

On the Putting Green
On the putting green, players should not stand on another player's line of putt or, when he is making a stroke, cast a shadow over his line of putt.
 

Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out.
 

Scoring
In stroke play, a player who is acting as a marker should, if necessary, on the way to the next tee, check the score with the player concerned and record it.

Pace of Play
 

Play at Good Pace and Keep Up
Players should play at a good pace. The Committee may establish pace of play guidelines that all players should follow.
 

It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of
the number of players in that group.
 

Be Ready to Play
Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to play. When playing on or near the putting green, they should leave their bags or carts in such a position as will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.
 

Lost Ball
If a player believes his ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball.
 

Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found. They should not search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they should not continue play until that group has passed and is out of range.
 

Priority on the Course
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group's pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a
shorter round.

Care of the Course
 

Bunkers
Before leaving a bunker, players should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by them and any nearby made by others. If a rake is within reasonable
proximity of the bunker, the rake should be used for this purpose.
 

Repair of Divots, Ball-Marks and Damage by Shoes
Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them and any damage to the putting green made by the impact of a ball (whether or not made by the player himself). On completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoes should be repaired.

Preventing Unnecessary Damage
Players should avoid causing damage to the course by removing divots when taking practice swings or by hitting the head of a club into the ground, whether in anger or for any
other reason.
 

Players should ensure that no damage is done to the putting green when putting down bags or the flagstick.
 

In order to avoid damaging the hole, players and caddies should not stand too close to the hole and should take care during the handling of the flagstick and the removal of a ball from the hole. The head of a club should not be used to remove a ball from the hole.
 

Players should not lean on their clubs when on the putting green, particularly when removing the ball from the hole.
 

The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before the players leave the putting green.
 

Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be strictly observed.

Conclusion; Penalties for Breach
 

If players follow the guidelines in this section, it will make the game more enjoyable for everyone.
 

If a player consistently disregards these guidelines during around or over a period of time to the detriment of others, it is recommended that the Committee considers taking appropriate disciplinary action against the offending player.  Such action may, for example, include prohibiting play for a limited time on the course or in a certain number of competitions. This is considered to be justifiable in terms of protecting the interest of the majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance with these guidelines.
 

In the case of a serious breach of etiquette, the Committee may disqualify a player under Rule 33-7.