KINGST

 

 

KINGSTON GOLF SOCIETY RULEBOOK

 

 

Membership

 

·         The size of the KGS membership shall be determined each season by the elected Committee. Presently (2005) membership is restricted to 48 playing members and Committee has determined this number will not increase.

·         The season commences on the 1st January each year and annual subscriptions must be paid by the 31st January. Members who do not pay in full by this date should consider their membership will not be renewed for the forthcoming season. If the Committee decides to extend the payment date for any reason, members will be duly advised.

·         Members who have not played the minimum number of league games (as specified each year, currently 9) will be required to re-apply for continuation of membership. Committee will review each case on merit (taking account of reasons for not completing minimum games, attendance at golf days/weekends/social events).

·         New membership applications must be made in writing using the standard KGS form. Sponsorship must come from an existing full member who has confirmed his intention to renew his membership in the current season.

·         Priority of new applications will not be determined solely by the date of application but Committee will take account of all relevant information in reaching its decision.

·         New members will:

  1. be given membership on a provisional basis for 12 months following which full membership will be confirmed or refused depending on performance (games played/ events attended etc)
  2. be given a provisional handicap for the first 3 league matches played, which will then be reviewed with scores adjusted appropriately.
  3. pay, by the end of February, the full membership fee (as advised) plus a non-refundable joining premium (currently £20 but subject to review each year).

·         Minimum membership age is 18 years. Members should not bring guests under this age to play in competitive matches eg. on league weekends or golf days.

 

General

 

·         An Annual General Meeting will be held each year (normally in February), the main purpose being to elect the Committee and confirm/review the financial position of KGS.

·         All Committee positions are to be re-elected each year. A Committee member wishing to continue will be automatically re-elected if no alternative nomination has come forward prior to commencement of the AGM.

·         Members will only be allowed to vote at the AGM if their membership fees have been paid in full for the forthcoming season.

·         A member standing for election to the Committee must have been a full member of KGS for at least one year.

·         Voting at the AGM will be by show of hands or by written ballot (determined on the night by the Chair) and results will be determined on a simple majority basis.

·         The Committee will comprise a minimum of 5 positions including Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary, and will ordinarily include the Club Captain and a Social Secretary.

·         A Captain’s Fund will be agreed by Committee each year, the primary purpose being to support golf day events including the Captain’s Day.

·         Season prizes (apart from those given at golf days or matchplay weekends) will be distributed at the end of season (Presentation Night). Fortnightly league winners will qualify for a winners medal and members finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd in their respective leagues will receive a trophy; Committee will decide each year what form these trophies take.

·         A Hole-in–One prize fund of £250 (fixed) is available each season and is applicable to league matches played at Hartswood. The prize will be shared if there are more than one claimants in any season. An appropriate signed scorecard must be submitted.

·         Any fine received from/on behalf of Hartswood GC will be paid by KGS and payment will then be requested of the relevant member(s). If a member is in disagreement with a fine he should notify the Committee without delay. Fines would also include the cost of any green fees charged to KGS where members have booked golf days but failed to turn up, and not provided sufficient notice of their non-attendance (normally at least 48 hours).  If you are unable to make a golf time it would be courteous to advise your playing partners. 

·         Any formal complaint by any member of KGS must be submitted in writing to the Secretary.

 

KGS Rules     

 

KGS IS A FRIENDLY SOCIETY AND WE RELY ON THE INTEGRITY OF ALL OUR MEMBERS TO ENSURE THE SCORES/SCORECARDS SUBMITTED ACCURATELY REFLECT EVENTS ON THE COURSE. THIS RESPOSNIBILITY APPLIES EQUALLY TO PLAYERS AND SCORERS.

 

·         The playing season will ordinarily run between March and October, comprising a maximum 16 league matches.

·         League matches will be played on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday of the pre-designated weekend. Tee-times will be booked for mornings only and afternoon matches outside these times will not be allowed.

·         All league weekends will be based on the Stableford points scoring system using members full playing KGS handicaps (not actual) as updated after each game.

·         Players best 10 scores will determine their aggregate score for the season.

·         Ordinarily there will be 3 promotion and relegation positions in each league (no relegation from division 3!) unless members are notified otherwise prior to the commencement of the new season. However, Committee has the discretion to adjust the numbers of any leagues prior to the start of a new season in light of membership renewals.

·         A league weekend will be considered void if less than 50% of booked-in members fail to complete their games or submit completed scorecards. Normally this would arise only in extremely adverse weather conditions. If any weekend is cancelled Committee will decide whether a replacement is to be agreed; members will be advised accordingly. Any change to the minimum games requirement will be notified.

·         On league weekends, members must play on their allotted times unless otherwise agreed on the day by a committee member or by all members affected by the change.

·         Tee-time booking arrangements will be advised before the start of each season. Multiple bookings will not be accepted.

·         A scorecard must be signed by the member/player and countersigned by the marker (another KGS member) and submitted to the Handicap Secretary no later than the Thursday following the weekend. It is the responsibility of each member to ensure his card is submitted on time and late delivery will result in no score for that week. Cards should not be left with Nukar for onward transmission.

·         In the event that weekly highest scores are tied, each player will be allocated a1st place ie a countback mechanism will not apply.

·         In the event that end of season aggregate (best 10) scores are tied – whether for top 3 of bottom 3 positions – then final places will be determined using countback. This will involved looking at the next highest card submitted (ie the 11th), or subsequent cards if necessary, until there is a difference. The player with the next best card will take preference.

·         New members will automatically join the 3rd division. Their handicap will be assessed after 3 league games with scores adjusted as necessary.

·         All members handicaps will be reassessed after each league game, using the handicap system currently adopted.

·         Members must play a minimum of 9 league games, or other amount as advised by Committee each season, otherwise membership will be lapsed. If through injury or ill health members are unable to meet the minimum requirement they should advise the Committee in writing as soon as possible.      

 

Playing Rules

 

·         In view of the poor quality of the Hartswood bunkers it is acceptable for members to lift, rake and replace their ball when it has come to rest in a footprint (human). Before doing so, however, agreement should be obtained from at least one other player.

·         When winter conditions apply and temporary holes are in play, the course should be played according to the card.

·         When temporary greens are in play, putts within one standard putters length can be conceded (but remember this still counts as one shot!)

·         The Conversation Area (CA) to the left of the 6th fairway should not be entered. If your ball enters this area players should take a free drop from the designated Dropping Zone. If this Zone is not clearly marked then a free is allowed within 2 club lengths of the agreed point of entry, no nearer the hole.

·         Playing the wrong ball can result in a 2 shot penalty. You are allowed to inspect your ball in order to ensure it is yours, except when it is in a hazard, and if this involves moving the ball it should be marked before doing so. If the wrong ball is played in a hazard the error should be corrected but if the original ball cannot be found it should be considered lost.

·         The ball should be played as it lies subject to application of winter rules when players are allowed to pick and replace (provided it came to rest on the fairway) within 1 club length, no nearer the hole.

·         Players should not flatten the ground behind their ball in order to improve the lie. A 2 shot penalty will apply if in breach.

·         Relief can be taken – without penalty – from anything artificial on the course eg footpaths, roads etc and the ball should be dropped within 1 club length from the nearest point of relief.

·         When taking a drop from an unplayable lie (under penalty of 1 stroke) you can either:

  1. play again from the original spot
  2. drop within 2 club lengths but no nearer the hole
  3. go back as far as you like on the same line between where the ball stopped and the hole (so keeping the same obstacles between you and the hole).

·         A ball should be dropped from shoulder height and at arms length. It should be redropped if it rolls:

  1. more than 2 club lengths away from its original position or nearer to the hole
  2. into or out of a hazard
  3. onto the green, or out of bounds, of into GUR.

·         A player can lift and move his ball without penalty if it comes to rest in:

  1. an animal burrow (other than caused by a dog)
  2. casual water
  3. Ground Under Repair

·         Out of Bounds and/or Lost Ball incurs a 1 stroke penalty provided a provisional ball is played from where the original shot was taken. If you move forward to then find your ball is OB or lost, and you cannot return  to play a provisional ball from the original position, then a replacement ball should be dropped at the point where OB or determined lost. This requires a further stroke to be added to your score ie stroke/distance rule. The simple rule is: count all shots played, add 1 stroke penalty, add a further stroke if you have not played from the original position. When in doubt about what lies ahead it is advisable to play a provisional ball  before moving forward.

·         Normal Water Hazard (Yellow Stakes)

  1. stakes can be removed without penalty if they would otherwise interfere with stroke
  2. entire area within stakes is the hazard (not just the water) so club cannot be grounded
  3. if ball is unplayable, drop behind hazard or return to spot of original shot (both incur 1 stroke penalty)

·         Lateral Water Hazard (Red Stakes)

  1. same rules as above or
  2. drop ball within 2 club lengths of where it crossed the hazard, and on either side of the hazard provided no nearer the hole

·         Grounding the club in a bunker/hazard is a 2 stroke penalty

·         Accidental movement of the ball carries a 1 shot penalty

·         Etiquette. There are too many ‘rules’ to list but the 2 principles are (i) respect for the course and (ii) respect for your fellow golfers.

 

 

 

JdL/KGS Secretary/January 2005.