Welcome to Georges River Golf Club

Club Rules & Information

Rules of the Game of Golf

Each member is asked to give close attention to:

1. The Rules of Golf
2. The etiquette of the game
3. The Local Rules

General Competition Rules

1. Play - at all times - must commence from the tee and time shown on the MiClub timesheet, unless advised otherwise by the starter.
2. Members are expected to report to the starter a minimum of 15 minutes prior to their allocated tee time.
3. Players who cannot meet their allocated tee times are expected to cancel their bookings on-line or - if this is not possible – advise the course at least one hour prior to their booked time. Failure to do so may result in the player incurring a penalty of the competition fee, and suspension until that fee has been paid.
4. The minimum field size that will constitute a competition is eight players per division.
5. All members/visitors are responsible for their own conduct and etiquette on and off the course. The lowest marker in the group is expected to make every effort to ensure that all members of the group comply.
6. Players are expected to complete each 18 holes within 4 hours and 30 minutes.
7. All players must carry and use a sand bucket.
8. 'Calling up' on par 3 holes is not permitted on this course.
9. Should a player or marker be in doubt re a Rule of Golf or a local rule applicable to a particular incident during play, he/she must immediately at completion of the round report the facts to the captain or a member of the Match Committee for a ruling. The card/score should not be submitted until this ruling has been given.

Local Rules

1. Temporary Local Rules will - on occasion - be displayed on the Notice Board, outside the Pro Shop, on MiClub, and in the 'Local Rules' section of the MiScore phone app.
2. All fairway distance markers are to the centre of the green.
3. Course Markers
   1. Out of Bounds - white pegs with black tops, marked concrete paths, boundary fences.
   2. Red Penalty Areas - Red pegs.
   3. Yellow Penalty Areas - Yellow pegs.
   4. Ground Under Repair - White pegs, white broken or unbroken lines (ALL greenkeeper or ground staff work in progress is also considered GUR).
4. A pathway is an area defined as a thoroughfare for carts and players. Bare ground or soil does not necessarily constitute a pathway. A pathway is identified as 'being constructed of materials such as concrete, crushed gravel, bitumen, brick or tile residue, bark/mulch or any other man-made materials' , or 'an area which is defined by ropes markers or timber edge board, which defines the direction and boundary of the pathway.' A ball resting on a pathway, i.e. in abnormal ground conditions, can be lifted and dropped under the provisions of Rule 16.1a.                                                                                              
5. A ball resting on a bare patch, other than on the green (see rule 16.1d), is to be played as it lies UNLESS the bare patch is on the fairway or closely mown portion and is 30cm or more along any dimension. The ball can then be lifted and dropped under the provisions of Rule 16.1b.

   N.B. This rule does not provide relief from divots, regardless of whether or not they have been filled with sand.

6. Any bare or damaged area on the putting surface may be considered to be Ground Under Repair (GUR).  As such, any ball coming to rest ON THE GREEN in such an area, or where a bare area is on the players line of putt, can be dealt with under Rule 16.1d.

7. All garden areas, other than those marked as Red Penalty Areas, are IN PLAY, i.e. if a ball comes to rest in an area containing a garden and/or wood chips, the ball is to be played as it lies. No free relief will be given. If the ball is unplayable, the player must proceed as per the options outlined in Rule 17, under penalty of one stroke. Concrete garden borders should be treated as Immovable Obstructions.

Etiquette

1. Slow Play - It is the responsibility of all players to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group. The low handicapper in the group is responsible for maintaining the position of the group in the field. If a written complaint is received, the group in question may receive a warning. If there is a second complaint, a penalty may be imposed at the discretion of the match committee.
2. Players should at all times show consideration to all others using the course. Although the following points are not rules as such, they are an important part of the game:
   1. Don't play until the group in front is out of range;
   2. Shout a warning if there is a chance that your ball may strike someone;
   3. Don't move, speak or stand close to a player making a stroke, or in the line of their putt;
3. All players are encouraged to repair any damage (divots, pitch marks, etc.) - either their own or that caused by other players - on tees, fairways, greens, in the rough, and in bunkers. Remember - damage caused by practice swings is no different to that caused by actual shots.
4. Upon reaching the green, leave bags, carts or buggies at the point of exit of the green, i.e. alongside or behind the green, never in front.
5. Don’t drop clubs or the flagstick on greens or lean on your putter.
6. Don’t use the head of your putter to remove your ball from the hole.
7. Replace the flagstick carefully.
8. Players should exercise discretion in the number of practice swings taken.
9. Players should enter and leave bunkers by the lowest access point.
10. Players should carefully rake all marks made in a bunker and leave the rake inside, at the outer edge of the bunker, parallel with the line of play, head of rake away from the tee.
11. Players should – at all times – co-operate courteously with the Pro Shop and ground staff as they perform their duties.
12. A player who has lost a ball may immediately call the following players through, and then three minutes only is allowed to look for the ball.
13. Players should pick up immediately they are unable to score in Stableford and Par events, i.e. where the next stroke will result in a ‘wipe’ or ‘minus’ respectively.
14. When all players have completed a hole, they should immediately leave the green. Scores should be recorded at the next tee.
15. Mobile phones are NOT to be used to make or receive calls during competition, and if a phone is used as a GPS or scoring device it should be switched to silent. By preference, players should wait until the end of each nine holes and use their phones well away from teeing and putting areas.
16. Extended breaks during competition rounds are not permitted. A maximum of five minutes is allowed after nine holes for pro shop purchases. Your place in the field must be maintained.

In the case of a serious breach of etiquette, the Committee has the authority to disqualify a player under the Rules of Golf.

Dress

General appearance is expected to be neat, clean, and tidy at all times. The Committee reserves the right to inform any player whose dress is considered unsuitable.

Game Bookings

• Saturdays – A Draw Night is held for members on a monthly basis, and is advertised along with the MiClub fixtures. The Wednesday night sign-up generally covers four weeks, which is spread across two draws held on the night. Spare spots are usually available, and may be booked online via MiClub, or via the kiosk in the pro shop. Where no spots are available, players are encouraged to use the 'Waiting List' facility within MiClub. If a spot becomes available, MiClub automatically allocates it to the next player in line. If the tee time is unsuitable, players are requested to cancel the booking immediately so that the next player on the Waiting List has the opportunity to take advantage of the booking. 

• Upcoming Draw Nights 

• • 2nd July 2025
  • 30th July 2025
  • 27th August 2025
  • 24th September 2025
  • 22nd October 2025
  • 19th November 2025
  • 17th December 2025

• Wednesdays – Booking sheets are available on-line four weeks before the respective event.

 Handicaps

1. Grading for all players (Saturday):
   1. A Grade - daily handicap up to 12
   2. B Grade - daily handicap of 13 to 19
   3. C Grade - daily handicap pf 20 to 54
2. Grading for men (Wednesday):
   1. Division 1 - daily handicap up to 18
   2. Division 2 - daily handicap of 19 to 45
3. The Committee may approve the alteration of a members handicap if - in its absolute discretion and having regard to all of the circumstances, including the member’s results in any form of competition – it considers that the change is warranted under the handicap system that the Club uses.
4. The member shall have no right to make any representation to the Committee or the Match Committee in relation to any proposed alteration to the member’s handicap unless they request to do so – in writing – to the Secretary.

 Handicaps Used in Various Events

Handicaps will be applied as follows:

1. Stroke - full daily handicap
2. Par - full daily handicap
3. Stableford - full daily handicap
4. Handicap Matchplay - long handicapper receives the difference between daily handicaps
5. Foursomes - half combined daily handicaps
6. American Foursomes - handicaps as allocated by MiClub
7. Canadian Foursomes - half combined daily handicaps
8. Ambrose (two person) - one quarter combined daily handicaps
9. Ambrose (three person) - one sixth combined daily handicaps
10. Ambrose (four person) - one eighth combined daily handicaps
11. Novelty events - as determined by the Match Committee

Marking and Returning of Scorecards

1. All scores must be returned for all competitions. Failure to return scores may result in a handicap adjustment, or suspension.
2. Cards/MiScore must be signed by the marker and countersigned by the player. It is the player’s sole responsibility to ensure that their correct score is recorded.
3. It is the player's responsibility to ensure that their card is entered into MiClub, and corrections - where necessary - made. Where the MiScore ap is being used, the responsibility remains with the player.
4. In 4-person team events, MiClub will determine the handicaps to be put on a team card. ALL players should sign the card. The marker should sign the card as marker.
5. Hole by hole scores must be recorded on both sides of the scorecard, i.e. numbers or a dash on the left-hand side, and corresponding dots on the right-hand side. The placement of dots on the right side is purely for ease and speed of scorecard scanning at the completion of the round, and not an acceptable method of recording a score. A legitimate scorecard must show a hole by hole numeric summary. Scorecards submitted with just dots will be rejected and subject to disqualification.

Motorised Carts & Other Ride-Ons

1. Carts and ride-ons are NOT permitted within five metres of green or tees, unless on a pathway.
2. Players using carts and ride-ons must maintain their place in the field, and have no special priority within the field.
3. Restrictions on the use of carts and ride-ons (inclement weather, ground conditions, etc.) may be implemented at any time. These restrictions will apply equally to course hire carts and privately owned carts and ride-ons.

Championship and Honour Board Events

1. The following general rules apply to Championship events:
   
   1. During the Club Championship events, players will remain on the same handicap under which they qualified.
   2. Any member wishing to play in a Championship or honour board event should place a ‘Q’ on their scorecard in either the qualifying round (e.g. Matchplay, Georges River Bowl), or the first round (Club Championships). The 'Q' on your card indicates that you intend to play all rounds of the event (as applicable), and acknowledge that you may be allocated a tee time based on your seeding. Users of MiScore wishing to qualify must lodge a scorecard with their name and handicap only needed on the scorecard.
   3. It is the player’s responsibility to determine if they have qualified for the event, and the tee time allocated to them. Failure to meet the allocated tee times will result in disqualification.
   4. A member must have completed 5 single handicap competition rounds at Georges River Golf Course in the previous 12-months to be eligible for any championship event. These 5 rounds are exclusive of the previous year's Club Championships.
   5. Where separate scratch and nett sections of a Championship event are held, the same player may win both events.
   6. The Match Committee will determine – as appropriate – the number of players, pairs or teams required for each event to be played.
2. Club Championships
   1. The Club Championships are contested as a medley event over four rounds of stroke play, with scratch and nett winners in all grades, and a separate lady’s event played on Thursday.
   2. The players with the four best scratch scores in each grade, will be seeded after each round, and notified of their tee times via MiClub.
   3. The Mid Week Club Championships are contested over four rounds of stroke play, with scratch and nett winners in both grades. Players will be seeded after each round, and notified of their tee times via MiClub..
3. Matchplay Championships
   1. The Saturday Matchplay Championships will be contested by the best eight (8) scratch qualifiers in each grade of the last round of the Club Championships. ‘MQ’ must be recorded on the scorecard if you wish to qualify (Users of MiScore should lodge a scorecard with their name and handicap only). All subsequent matches are played off scratch.
   2. The Mid-Week Matchplay Championships will be contested by the best eight (8) net qualifiers in each division over the full four rounds of the event. 'MQ' must be recorded on the last round scorecard if you wish to qualify (Users of MiScore should lodge a scorecard with their name and handicap only). All subsequent matches are played off handicap.
   3. The Ladies championship will be contested by the eight (8) best scratch qualifiers in the last round of their Club Championships. If there are insufficient players for eight qualifiers, the field will be the four best qualifiers.
   4. The initial draw will be determined by the finishing order after qualifying for the respective Club and Mid-Week championship, i.e. 1st v. 8th, 2nd v. 7th, 3rd v 6th and 4th v 5th.
   5. The respective matches will be published prior to the event.
4. Handicap Matchplay (Cock and Chick of the Walk)
   1. The qualifying round is a single Stableford event.
   2. Men’s event will be contested by the 16 best qualifiers.
   3. Ladies event will be contested by the eight best qualifiers. If there are less than eight starters, it will be the best four qualifiers.
   4. The qualifiers will play match play off handicap.
   5. Players will use the lower of their handicap current on the day of the match or their qualifying handicap.
5. Georges River Bowl
   1. Qualifying is two-ball Stableford event. Partners are arranged by mutual consent. Teams must place Q on their card to indicate desire to contest.
   2. The event will be contested by the 8 best qualifying pairs, with the draw being published prior to each round.
   3. The qualifiers will play a two-ball match play event off handicap.
   4. Players will use their qualifying handicap or their handicap current on the day whichever is the lower.
6. Gold Medal (Saturday and Mid-Week)
   1. Played in conjunction with the Monthly Medal rounds in December each year.
   2. Individual Monthly Medal winners in each grade from the previous December to November are eligible to participate.
   3. If a player moves from one grade to another as their handicap changes, they must play within the correct division where they qualified for the Monthly Medal for the Gold Medal round and use their qualifying handicap or their current handicap whichever is the lowest. This must be reviewed manually.
   4. Lowest nett score in each grade/division will win the Gold Medal.
   5. In the event of a tie, the MiClub countback calculation will determine the winner.

Representative Events

Georges River Golf Club competes in a number of representative events each year, and all members are encouraged to participate. Details of competitions and registration forms will be placed on the Notice Board from time to time, and players are responsible for recording their interest in participation. Selection trials maybe required for some events, so players should take this into consideration when registering their availability.

 The main events in which members may play are:

1. Major Pennant (A Grade)
2. T. L. Warren Trophy (B Grade Pennant)
3. W. Gibson Trophy (C Grade Pennant) 
4. Metropolitan Mixed Pennant 
5. Masters Pennant

 A team manager will be appointed for each team, and their duties will include:

• Team selection
• Lodging of necessary paperwork
• Notification of results
• Liaising with opponents re venues, dates and times.

 The rules which apply to each event are determined year by year by Golf NSW, and advertised on their website .

Miscellaneous

Personal Property and Insurance

1. Neither the golf course nor the golf club will not be liable for any loss or injury to the property or person of any member or visitor.
2. Neither the golf course nor the golf club provide personal accident insurance to members or guests whilst on the property, including whilst playing golf.
3. Members should report any incident involving damage or theft to the Course Management
4. If any accident occurs on the course, it must be reported to the Pro Shop.

Complaints and Suggestions

1. All complaints, suggestions and points of contention must be directed in writing to the Secretary or any other Committee person, who shall bring the matter before the Committee at its next meeting.
2. Complaints must not be made directly to a member of the Committee whilst they are playing their competition round, or to an employee of the course.