HANDBOOK
Incorporating
GENERAL INFORMATION & COURSE RULES
2021
(10th Revision October 2021)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Sharnbrook Golf Club is a 9-hole course, with narrow fairways running close to each other. It is important for the safety and enjoyment of everyone on the course that the Rules and Etiquette of Golf and the Sharnbrook Golf Club rules are fully observed.
Any member found breaking these rules may be asked to leave the course and may have their membership revoked.
The Sharnbrook Golf Club course is owned by Unilever PLC. The Greenkeepers are employed by Unilever. They are NOT employed by the Golf Club.
Greenkeepers and volunteers working on the course have priority; play is not allowed if they are at risk of being hit.
The club officers and Committee members are all honorary and unpaid.
Club Information is posted on the noticeboards inside and outside Kester’s Cabin and on the website www.sharnbrookgolfclub.co.uk
Competition entry is primarily through bookings made via the HowDidiDo app but may occasionally be supported by notices placed inside Kester’s Cabin.
All club members are also members of Colworth Club and are allowed to use the bar, changing rooms and showers when they are open. The bar is staffed by volunteers.
Members are also able to join other sections of the Club e.g. tennis, croquet, squash etc.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Insurance: Included in the annual subscription (and guest membership fee) is comprehensive personal accident/public liability insurance. Members are also covered when playing on other UK golf courses and up to 120 days per year worldwide,
Full details are available in Kester’s Cabin, and on the Golfguard website www.golfguard.com
First Aid: A small first aid kit and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) are available for emergency use in Kester’s Cabin. A notice with concise instructions is attached. In the event of an emergency these are available for your use. The AED is simple to use with audible instruction given as you use it. You cannot cause harm and may save a life.The on site security officers are trained first aiders and carry an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and oxygen. They can be called in an emergency on 01234 222999.Within the club house foyer is another AED and a First Aid box.
On site security should be informed of any incident (Phone – 01234 222264).
Please also inform any Club Officer or Committee Member.
Self Help Working: Club members are permitted to undertake (Unilever approved) tasks on the course to assist the professional greenkeepers, subject to the following conditions:-
• members must have completed the Unilever H&S Contractors Safety e-learning module prior to any work being undertaken.
• the Chair of the Course committee must approve all works and notify the Head Greenkeeper before members start work on the course.
• members are not permitted to work alone on the course at any time.
N.B. any breach of these rules could lead to the member being excluded from the club.
Club facilities: The changing rooms, toilets etc are open all day and there is a kitchen with facilities for tea making etc.
The bar is usually open at lunchtime and early evening, with a range of drinks and snacks.
Toilets and tea making facilities are also available in Kester’s Cabin. (Charges apply.)
COURSE RULES
Only members and their guests are entitled to use the golf course.
A member may bring up to 3 guests at any one time and is fully responsible for their behaviour whilst on the course. The appropriate Guest Membership Fee, levied at the time must be paid for each guest before play commences. Payment is made direct to the treasurer via bank transfer or an agreed alternative. Failure to do so may result in members and their guests being asked to leave the course.
Golf bags/clubs may not be shared by players.
Any member found not displaying a current membership bag tag and year sticker may be asked to leave the course.
It is in the interest of safety that junior members under the age of 14 are accompanied by a parent or guardian, who is responsible for their safety and behaviour. Players under 16 are not allowed without adult supervision. (This is a requirement for insurance cover purposes and general safeguarding.)
No more than 4 people may play together unless approved by a Committee member in advance.
Members are asked to play a maximum of 2 balls only when playing the course for recreation/practice.
Dogs are not permitted on the course.
The use of mobile phones is not permitted on the course (except in an emergency).
Dress standards:
No denim jeans.
No T shirts or sleeveless shirts (ladies proper golf wear excluded.)
No football type shirts or shorts.
No clothing with offensive logos or any type of written messages upon them.
Suitable golfing footwear should be worn.
CONSIDERATION FOR OTHER PLAYERS
Playing from any hole other than the official starting hole is only permitted if the previous hole is clear and other players will not be held up.
In the interest of all, players should play without delay.
No player should play until all other players are out of range.
Players searching for a ball should signal the players behind them to pass as soon as it is apparent that the ball will not be easily found. They should not continue play until the players following have passed through and are out of range.
If a match fails to keep its place on the course and loses more than one hole on the players in front, it should allow the the match following to pass.
When the play of a hole is completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.
PRIORITY ON THE COURSE
Club Matches and members playing in official club competitions have priority over social golfers.
The white tees may only be used by members playing in official club competitions, matches and when submitting a casual round record for handicap purposes.
The yellow tees are for general play.
The red tees are primarily for the use of ladies and juniors.
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. The term group includes a single player.
Players teeing off from the 8th tee have precedence over those teeing off from the 1st tee.
Players who have completed nine holes and are just moving off the 9th green shall have precedence over players about to start their round. If more than one properly constituted match is ready to commence they must alternate with those coming off the 9th green.
CARE OF THE COURSE
Through the green, a player must ensure that any turf cut or displaced is replaced at once and pressed down, and that any damage to the putting surface, especially pitch marks, is carefully repaired.
Divots taken on the tee must not be replaced but any damage should be repaired using the divot mix provided. Practice swings on the tee are discouraged.
Before leaving a bunker, a player must carefully rake through the whole bunker and fill up any holes.Rakes must be replaced in their holders.
The side of the bunker furthest from the green must be used to enter and leave bunkers.
Trolleys must NOT be taken onto tees, greens, collars around the greens and between green-side bunkers and the greens.
COURSE CLOSURE AND USE OF TROLLEYS
When club competitions/matches are taking place the course may be closed to non participants.
The Committee or green staff’s decision to close the course for any reason is final and must be observed.
There is a telephone message service for members to use to find out if the course is open/closed. It is updated as necessary.
To protect the course the use of trolleys may be prohibited.
Phone 07393 468059 for the latest information.
LOCAL RULES
Local Rules are printed on every scorecard available in the cabin. They must all be followed. In particular for security and safety reasons:-
NO attempt must be made to retrieve balls that have gone over the security fence to the left of the 1st fairway.
Do NOT play from the 9th tee if cars are passing along the road to the left of the 9th fairway.
Do NOT play an approach shot to the 8th green if cars are passing on the road behind it.
You are responsible for the safety of all other players when taking any shot. A misdirected shot which could endanger anyone should be accompanied by the cry of ‘FORE!!”
You are liable for any injury or damage caused.
The area designated by blue posts to the right of the first tee is an environmentally sensitive area. This rule applies to any ball finishing in this area and is in line with Rule 16 of the R&A’s ‘Rules of Golf’. The area is considered to be an ‘Abnormal Ground Condition’.
Rule clarification: –
1) A ball entering this area and found within 3 minutes must be dropped, from knee height, within one club length of the nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole, without penalty.
2) A ball entering this area and not found must be dropped at the point deemed to be where it first crossed the margin of the Abnormal Ground Condition, from knee height, within one club length of that point, no nearer the hole, without penalty.
3) To prevent a delay being caused by not finding the ball within the 3 minute time limit and then walking back to comply with 2) it is recommended that a provisional ball be played prior to searching which would then become the ball in play if the original ball in not found.
4) This rule applies throughout the full year subject to the additional note below.
Note: Seasonal ‘Do Not Enter’ signs may, from time to time, be placed by the Greens Staff to protect the plant population. Entry to this area must respect local signs at ALL times. Where entry to this area is not permitted then players must proceed as per 2) above.
Compliance with these simple codes of conduct will make the Sharnbrook Golf Course enjoyable for everyone.
COMPETITIONS
Competition entry: In order to enter a competition you must have an official WHS handicap. For new starters this can be obtained by submitting cards for any combination of 9 or 18 hole rounds (total 54 holes), played off the yellow tees and marked by a player with an official handicap. In order to play in club matches and competitions a player must have an ‘active’ handicap.
Rules of Golf:All competitions must be played to the Rules of Golf. Members are advised to make themselves acquainted with these rules. (Free copies are available in the cabin and on line). If whilst playing in a competition, you break a rule either by ignorance or intent, the appropriate penalty must be applied. Do not waive any rule in friendly games to help your partner or yourself. This is always wrong and means disqualification in any competition for
both sides in match play and those competitors concerned in stroke play.
Marking of Cards: No card marked for a competition is valid unless signed by both marker and competitor.
Order of Play: In club competitions, competitors shall start from the first tee unless specified by the organiser