Golf Rules
GOLF RULES
1. Etiquette
A. Pace of Play
To maximize the enjoyment of all members and their guests, the Board of Directors for Richland Country Club have adopted a pace of 4 hours 10 minutes when golf cars are permitted off the paths and a pace of 4 hours 30 minutes when golf cars are restricted to the paths as the maximum time allowed to complete an 18-hole round. Groups are subject to being timed at any point during their round to ensure this time expectation is met. Whenever a group shall for any reason fall more than one clear hole behind the players ahead, it is expected to invite the following group through.
B. Care of the Course
Proper care of the golf course is expected by members and their guests at all times. Greens, fairways, and bunkers should be restored to their original condition after play in consideration for other members and their guests who follow.
C. Golf Car Traffic
When permitted off the path, golf cars are to enter and exit the fairway at points designated by the Golf Course Superintendent.
Failure to adhere to Golf Car Policies may result in a suspension of golf car privileges for an amount of time designated by the Board of Directors.
D. Golf Car Rules
If you choose to operate a golf car, you do so at your own risk. A person must have a valid driver’s license to operate a golf car. Members are responsible for the care and condition of golf cars driven by them. Any damage to golf cars must be reported to the Golf Professional Staff. Members are responsible for repair or replacement of golf cars due to damage incurred during their use.
E. Dress Code
Appropriate golf apparel must be worn at all times when using the practice facility, putting green, and golf course. The following dress is inappropriate:
Tennis and/or running apparel
Halter, jersey or tank top shirts
Denim shorts, slacks or jeans
Cargo shorts or pants that have side pockets with flaps
Unhemmed shorts or slacks
T-shirts and men’s shirts without collars
(Mock turtlenecks with a substantial collar are acceptable)
Bathing suits
Gentlemen are expected to keep shirttails tucked in and caps worn bill forward.
F. Fivesomes
Groups with five (5) or more players are not permitted until after 2:00 p.m. on any day from March 1 through October 31. Groups must be given permission by the Golf Professional Staff to play with 5 (5) or more players during the times permitted.
G. Cellular Telephones
While using the practice facility, putting green, and golf course, Cellular Telephones are to be set on silent or vibrating mode. Courtesy should be given to everyone around you if you choose to use your cell phone in any of these areas.
2. Starting Play and Registration
A. Tee Times
Starting times for weekdays may be reserved by contacting the golf shop up to one week in advance. Weekend tee times are assigned by the Golf Professional Staff each week in an effort to make sure everyone gets as close as possible to the time requested. Tee Time Requests may be submitted prior to 5:00 pm on the Wednesday prior to the weekend. Tee times are assigned by the Golf Professional Staff to ensure equity while also managing pace of play.
B. Friday and Saturday Play
Starting times prior to 9:00 a.m. on Fridays and 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays are reserved for Equity, Emeritus, Intermediate, Honorary, and Non-Resident Golf Members. Associate members, spouse, family members and guests are not permitted to play prior to 9:00 a.m. on Fridays and 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays.
C. Guest Play
All Guests are limited to playing Richland twice per month. Immediate family members are permitted to play as a family guest at a reduced rate while playing with the related member. All guests must be registered in the Golf Shop prior to play.
D. Junior Play
Parents are responsible for the appearance, supervision and actions of their children when using the practice areas, putting green, and golf course. A junior is anyone 17 years of age and younger. Juniors may play when accompanied by an adult at anytime except for Friday morning prior to 9:00 a.m. and Saturday morning prior to 11:00 a.m. A Certified Junior is permitted to play unaccompanied by an adult once he/she has been certified by the Golf Professional for completion of the Richland Junior Golf
Program, passing of a playing ability test and a written test concerning the USGA Rules of Golf and the Golf Rules of Richland Country Club. When playing unaccompanied by an adult, Certified Juniors and their guests may use Richland’s Golf Facilities with the permission of the Golf Staff during the following times:
1. Tuesday-Thursday from 8:00 am to 10:00 am and after 2:00 pm.
2. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays after 1:00 pm.
Juniors not certified by the Golf Professional must be accompanied by an adult at all times when using the practice facility, putting green, and golf course. When using the putting green and practice areas, juniors must step aside when adult members or their guests are waiting. Certified Juniors with a handicap of 10 or less may play under adult rules. However, juniors are not permitted to play on Friday prior to 9:00 a.m. and Saturday prior to 11:00 am.
E. Dependent Family Golf Privileges
Family members of Equity, Emeritus, Intermediate, Honorary, Non-Resident and Associate Golf Members currently living at home that are 22 years of age and younger are eligible to play during permitted times as stated for family members with golf privileges.
F. Caddies
Caddies are available upon request to either carry or forecaddie for a group of players. A limited number of caddies are available. Advanced notice is preferred to help ensure one will be available for the time requested. Groups with two or more guests may be requested to take a forecaddie should one be available.
Please contact the golf shop to request a caddy.
Only caddies approved by the Golf Professional Staff are permitted. All caddies will be required to adhere to all policies set forth by the Board of Directors for Richland Country Club.
3. Tournament Eligibility
A. Equity, Intermediate, Emeritus, Honorary and Non-Resident Golf
Members
1. Tee Party
2. RCC Club Championship (Open to Members and Spouses)
3. Jack Nicklaus Cup Matches
Associate Golf Members may play in the following events on a space available basis.
4. The Commemorative
5. Alternate Shot Championship
6. President’s Cup
7. Fall Member Guest
B. Equity, Intermediate, Emeritus, Honorary, Non-Resident, Associate Golf
Members and Spouses
1. Memorial Day Tournament
2. Independence Day Tournament
3. Labor Day Tournament
4. Couples Golf
4. Fees
The following is the fee structure for daily golf related activities:
Golf Car Rental Fee (18 holes) $20 per person
Golf Car Rental Fee (9 holes) $10 per person
Push Cart Rental Fee $10
Member Accompanied Guest Fee $100
Member Accompanied Family Guest Fee $30
Member Accompanied Junior Guest Fee $10
Unaccompanied Guest Fee $125
Rental Club Fee $25 per set
5. Handicaps
A. Purpose
The purpose of the USGA Handicap System is to make the game of
golf more enjoyable by enabling golfers of different abilities to
compete on an equitable basis.
A basic premise underlies the USGA Handicap System, namely that
every player will try to make the best score he/she can at each hole in
every round he/she plays, regardless of where the round is played, and
that he/she will post every acceptable round for peer review.
For information on posting scores, please contact a member of the Golf Professional Staff.
B. Handicap Committee
Duties and Responsibilities
The Handicap Committee shall verify that all acceptable scores
are reported for handicap purposes, and that recorded scores
are available for peer review.
Handicap Index Adjustment by Handicap Committee
The Handicap Committee has the responsibility of making certain
that a player’s USGA Handicap Index reflects his/her ability.
Failure to Post
If a player fails to post an acceptable score, the Handicap Committee may post the score or a penalty score and ratings equal to the lowest handicap differential in the player’s scoring record. However, if the score not returned is unusually high, the Handicap Committee may enter the score or a penalty score and ratings equal to the highest differential in the player’s scoring record.
C. Internet Score Posting
Scores may be posted on the internet by logging on to www.ghin.com and clicking on “Post Online”. You will need to enter your GHIN number and your last name in order to post. Internet score posting will be reviewed by the Handicap Committee and is also subject to peer review. Contact a member of the Golf Staff if you need assistance.
6. Safety
A. Stone Walls
The playing of a golf ball behind or adjacent to a stone wall poses a
danger to the golfer who strikes the ball, as well as others playing
the golf course.
B. Lightning
Lightning causes many deaths and injuries on golf courses every year.
Players, caddies, spectators, officials and sponsors of golf events need
to take every precaution for the protection of persons against lightning.
Richland Country Club has a lightning prediction device. When significant lightning activity is predicted in the area, a horn will be sounded continuously for 15 seconds. When the horn sounds, discontinue play and seek shelter! It is mandatory to discontinue play when the horn sounds. Anyone who does not take shelter after the horn has sounded does so at his/her own risk. The USGA emphasizes that players should be made aware that they have the right to stop play if they think lightning threatens them, even though the committee may not have specifically authorized it by signal. [Rules 6-8 and 33-2D]
C. Taking Shelter
Grounded shelter on #13 tee
Grounded shelter near #6
Maintenance barn near #17 and #7
Return to the Clubhouse
When one of the above is not available, seek:
Dense woods, not isolated trees
Low lying areas, not hilltops or high places
Automobiles with metal tops and bodies
Avoid:
Wire fences and overhead wires
Isolated trees
Tractors and golf course maintenance machinery
Raising clubs or umbrellas above the head
Golf cars or any other vehicle
Play may resume when the horn sounds with three consecutive five second blows.