Induction Information for New Junior Members
Table of Contents:
Introduction:
The following information was compiled in an attempt to pre-empt and answer some of the many questions that tend to arise relating to the game of golf and requirements of club membership. It is not all encompassing and a golfer will also need to refer to information from other sources including:
- The rules of golf booklet.
- Local rules as shown on:
- The back of the scorecard.
- The notice board in the clubhouse.
While it is hoped that the information contained herein may be of some benefit to all, any suggestions for further improvement would be much appreciated.
If accepted for membership each junior member and his/her parent/guardian will be required to agree to be bound by the rules of the club.
Behavioural requirements
You will be expected to behave in a courteous manner at all times. You should respect others and you may expect to be treated with mutual respect unless your behaviour should warrant otherwise.
Dress code:
Proper golf shoes must be worn at all times when playing on the course. No metal spikes are acceptable. Neat dress is expected at all times:
- No blue denims.
- No football jerseys
- No football shorts
- No tracksuits
Club rules applying
Local rules are displayed on a notice board in the clubhouse. You are expected to be familiar with those currently applying. Mobile phones are not permitted on course.
Basic equipment required:
All juniors will be expected to obtain the following as a minimum requirement:
- A wood or long iron
- A mid iron (6-8)
- A short iron (9, pitching or sand wedge)
- A putter
- A golf bag (with shoulder strap or trolley)
- Golf balls (Not pitch & putt balls)
- Tees
- A pitch mark repair tool.
- Ball markers: for marking position of ball on green (a small coin)
- Pen or pencil
Self care & protection
Remember that when on a golf course you could be out for a number of hours. It is important to be prepared for various weather types.
When Sunny:
It is important to ensure exposed skin is protected with adequate sun block. Wear a hat. Ensure that you carry enough water or other liquid to ensure that you do not become dehydrated, and maybe a snack bar or fruit.
When Wet/windy:
You will need suitable rain resistant clothing. This will need to be loose enough not to restrict your swing but not so loose that it will be flapping heavily. A wool hat is good for winter. An umbrella is good for casting rain provided it is not windy. (Remember when taking a shot, it is not allowed to have someone hold a brolly over you – no assistance!)
Restrictions/Entitlements
A junior member wishing to play on the golf course must comply with of one of the following requirements:
The Junior Member is accompanied by a senior club member. or
The Junior Member has achieved a maximum of 28 handicap and passed the club’s ‘Junior Golf Licence’ or
The Junior Member is accompanied by a bona-fide GUI or ILGU affiliated senior member. or
The Junior Member is participating in activities as arranged and supervised by the junior committee.
In the event of a junior member not being able to comply with one of the requirements as listed herein, facilities access will be restricted to the following:
- Clubhouse
- Pitching green
- Putting green
- Driving range
- Coaching sessions
A junior member must take consideration of the fact that the monetary cost to him/her is far less than that invested by full members of the club. Likewise large financial support accrues from visiting societies, green fees and the like. Therefore general access to club facilities for juniors must be restricted to quiet times when imposition is least.
As is required of full members, juniors are expected to contact the clubhouse steward/ess before making use of the facilities.
Course availability access/ usage
Junior members are not allowed to bring guests to play the course unless they are bone fide GUI or ILGU members. It is expected that varying competency levels will exist among the cohort of new applicants. Access to and use of the facilities will be restricted according to competency levels displayed. Before playing on the course it will be required that all junior members demonstrate a minimum acceptable level of competence. A junior member of greater than 28 handicap and who has not achieved an acceptable competency level as set out by the Junior committee will not be allowed to play the course without adult accompaniment. New members are required to enlist for a golf accreditation scheme as provided. This scheme will test competency in the following components:
Etiquette:
- Order of play
- Where to stand
- Acceptable/unacceptable interactions
- Care of course
- Care of greens
- Care of fairways
- Care of tee boxes
- Care of bunkers
- Golf Rules
Golf Skills:
- Putting
- Short game: pitching, chipping & bunker shots.
- Long game: long irons, woods, driver
Types of play
- Stroke play
- Stableford
- Match play
The designated coach will accredit success in each component.
Coaching:
Group coaching sessions will be organised. After initial assessment, varying levels of competency will be catered for at such coaching sessions. Attendance at such sessions is a requirement of membership and failure to participate may lead to renewal of membership being denied. A small fee is likely to be necessary towards the cost of the PGA coach. If the cost were to be shared by all juniors (parents) it should be covered by individual costs of circa €5 per session. Obviously the frequency of such coaching sessions would depend upon funding being available.
Competitions
Club competitions will be organised to cater for the varying levels of ability in various aspects of the game as appropriate. In the future, as the junior section develops, it is envisaged that the club will engage in interclub competitions.
Handicapping system
Once on course play is initiated juniors will be expected to participate in a handicapping scheme.
Provisional – non GUI / ILGU Juniors, new to club golf, playing a shorter course than the senior members, will be allocated non-GUI handicaps as appropriate to their skill levels. As skills develop progression to play from the senior tees is expected. On achievement of ability to play to the maximum GUI / ILGU handicap, registration with the appropriate union will be progressed. (Currently, the absence of a “Ladies Club” presently prevents registration of girls with the ILGU).
GUI / ILGU handicaps:
Registration of juniors with the appropriate union will be progressed in cooperation with the club handicap secretaries as applicable (Appendix ‘L’ of the SSS & the ILGU regulations applying)
Etiquette:
Etiquette refers to how we behave towards others and is dealt with in Section 1 of the “Rules of Golf”. Shake hands with the other members of the group and introduce yourself before the start of play. Order of play: The player with the lowest handicap hits first. After the first shots are taken, the player whose ball is furthest from the hole plays first and so on. When a player is about to make a stroke you should not: Move Talk Stand close to or Stand directly behind either the ball or the hole. Neither should you play a shot before the players ahead are out of range. If in doubt wait.
On the Green:
When on the green, never walk on the line of another players putt. This might seem silly but new footmarks, most visible when the sun is low, can cause deflection of a putt. A large amount of recovery will have taken place by the time the next playing group arrives.
If asked to attend the flag for the long putt of another, stand at arms length from the hole so that your shadow is not cast across the hole. Ensure the flag is not jammed before taking your position. When removed from the hole, always ensure that the flag is placed in a position that will not interfere with any shot e.g. behind the hole in a players line of sight or play. Always be conscious of others, even those playing other holes near you. Your actions should not infringe on their enjoyment of the game.
Shake hands with and thank the other members of your group after play has finished regardless of results.
Pace of play:
It is expected that the game of golf should be played without undue delay. If playing between groups, you find a gap (one clear hole) opening between you and the group ahead, while the following group are being held up by you, please call the group through.
If it becomes apparent that a ball will not easily be found, call the following group through. Do not wait 5 minutes before deciding to do so.
Priority:
An individual junior member, playing alone has no standing on the course and should not expect any group ahead to call him/her through. As a junior member, one must remember that ones contribution to the club is usually far outweighed by the benefits received. As a junior member, one should always endeavour to treat senior members with respect and courtesy, even if there appears to be good reason for the contrary.
If you have a complaint regarding the behaviour or interaction of another, bring it to the attention of the junior coordinator.
Course Care:
A golf course requires many hours of care and maintenance to keep it in good order. Damage caused be general play requires constant attention. Such damage includes divot marks to tee boxes, fairways etc., pitch marks to greens, spike marks to greens and sand displaced in bunkers.
Tee Boxes
Practice swings on tee boxes should not be made unless one is quite certain that a divot will not be removed from the surface and even then limited to one swing. Engage in warm up swings away from the tee box. If a divot is removed from a tee box when the ball is struck do not replace it. If a sand/seed box is provided, as there usually is on a par 3 hole, fill the mark with sand from the box.
Fairways, semi rough and the like:
Divots removed from fairways and the like should be recovered and replaced, ensuring to embed them firmly with the foot.
Bunkers:
Stay out of bunkers unless your shot requires otherwise. After you have played your shot, it is required that you rake all marks made by you, including club and foot prints – even if others before you have not done so. (Don’t stoop to the poor level of others.)
Greens:
The greens at Millicent are some of the finest around and great care is required to maintain them as such. Do not bring bags and/or carts onto greens.
Damage can also be caused by the following means:
- A ball landing. (Make a habit of ensuring that you carry a pitch mark repair fork with you and that you know how to use it so that you will not cause greater damage by a poor repair attempt.)
- Leaning on the flag or a club Walking on the lip of the hole.
- Spike marks caused by
Twisting a foot while it is on the ground or
Dragging a foot on the surface.
(Only repairable when play at the green is complete – not before a shot!)