Golf Rules

  1. THE RULES OF THE GAME

    The rules of the Royal Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews shall be strictly observed.

    The Committee shall have the power to make Local Rules to meet the requirements of Alsager Golf & Country Club and where such Local Rules shall differ from the St Andrews Rules the Local Rules shall prevail.

  2. MEMBERSHIP

    Classes of Membership

    There shall be four main classes of membership:

    1. Full Membership Male
    2. Full Membership Female
    3. Junior Membership Male & Female
  3. LADY MEMBERS

    The Lady Members shall be entitled to elect their own Captain, Honorary Officers and Committee, and to make their own regulations for the conduct of their Competitions and for any other matters not provided for elsewhere in the Club Rules and Regulations.

  4. JUNIOR MEMBERS

    Junior Members are persons under the age of eighteen years on the due date for subscriptions. On attaining the age of eighteen years, juniors shall become eligible for full membership.

  5. HANDICAPS

    Obtaining a Handicap

    A Handicap must be earned. No member has the right to a handicap without providing full evidence of their ability. To obtain a handicap in the first instance a player must either have an official written handicap from another club or must return 3 cards marked as for stroke play from yellow tees or in the case of Ladies 3 cards from the red tees.

    Note: The cards will not qualify if forward tees or temporary greens are in use. Cards must be marked by a player with a recognised handicap and at least two different markers are required per set of cards submitted.

  6. COMPETITION
    1. Medal Competitions
      1. Medal Competitions are open to all Male Members who have been awarded a handicap and also to Junior Male Members (who fulfill the criteria for entry, as stated in the rules for Juniors). The medals shall be played in three divisions. Regulations concerning entry fees, handicap divisions and prizes shall be determined by the Committee from time to time and posted on the Notice Board.
      2. Medal Competitions will be played in 2 or 3 ball groups (Penalty for breach of Rule - Disqualification).
    2. Major Competitions
      1. To qualify for entry into a Major Competition you must have been awarded a Handicap. Major Competitions are open only to full Members and Junior Members on attaining the age of 18 or who fulfill the criteria for entry as stated in the Rules for Juniors.
      2. Unless otherwise specified by a Trophy donor maximum handicap in all Major Competitions is 18.
      3. Other competitions will be controlled according to Regulations posted on the Notice Board.
      4. New Members, joining from other clubs with official handicaps will be eligible for entry upon acceptance of their handicap certificate by the Competition Committee.
      5. Members of less than 12 months standing must return 3 medal cards before being eligible for entry to a Major Competition.
    3. Conditions Governing Competitions
      1. All competitions will be played from the Competition Tees.
      2. Cards taken out for competitions shall be returned whether completed or not.
      3. Entry fees for Major Competitions shall be placed in the Competition Box at the time of entry under penalty of elimination from the draw.
      4. Members owing entry fees for any competition shall be ineligible for entry in any other competition until such fees are paid.
      5. Failure to turn up for a competition without prior apology will lead to disqualification from the next three competitions.
      6. Tee times for competitions when drawn and posted can only be changed with prior authorisation of the Competition Secretary. (Penalty for breach of rule - Disqualification).
      7. Club Knockout Competitions - in the event of a game being all square after the stipulated round a sudden death play off will be played and strokes will again be taken as per the Stroke Index.
      8. In the event of a dispute or complaint relating to a competition the complaint should consult immediately with the Competition Secretary, Captain or other members of the Club Council on the day of the competition.
  7. VISITORS

    The introducing member is responsible for payment of the Green Fee and conduct of the visitor. A member must also accompany the visitor on the course.

    A member may sign in no more than 3 visitors at any one time.

    No visitors are allowed on Medal and Competition days while the Competition is in progress.

  8. CONDUCT OF MEMBERS

    Complaints regarding the behaviour of members must be submitted in writing and addressed to the Captain.

    Complaints concerning incidents during competitions must be received within 24 hours, a copy of the complaint must be sent to the Competition Secretary. Additionally the complaint must be registered verbally with a Council Member on the day of the competition. Complaints other than for incidents during competitions, must be received with 7 days of the incident taking place.

  9. STARTING TEES

    Two-ball matches may start from either the first or tenth tees (9th must be clear when starting from the 10th).

    Three and four ball matches may only start from the tenth tee unless express permission to the contrary is given by the Professional or a member of the Committee.

    Matches coming from the 18th green having completed 9 holes should be allowed to alternate on the first tee.

  10. PRIORITY ON THE COURSE

    Unless Regulations are posted by the Committee varying priorities for whatever reason the following rules shall apply.

    1. Two-ball games have priority at all times on the course over all other games
    2. Three-ball and four-ball games shall have equal priority.
    3. Single players have no standing on the course but should be treated with consideration.