Etiquette

General
Willingdon Golf Club prides itself on being progressive and as such club house attire is generally smart casual with jeans (not ripped) allowed. Golf shoes may not be worn in the restaurant or upstairs lounge bar. Golf shoes may only be worn in the locker room and upstairs spike bar which is denoted by the green carpeted area and is accessed by the outside staircase. No caps or hats should be worn in the clubhouse.
On the course, though, we do ask that golf clothing is worn, polo shirts should have collars (we do realise that some golf attire does not have collars but these need to be branded as golf wear) and be tucked in to shorts or trousers. Shorts and trousers should be tailored (Cargo shorts are not acceptable) and no tracksuits. Golf shoes should be worn with socks. Ladies should wear appropriate golf attire

Consideration for other players
• In the interest of all, players should play without delay – Ready Golf
• No player should play until the players in front are out of range.
• When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.
• When out on the course, Mobile phones should always be on silent and only be answered in emergencies. When you are in the club house, please keep the phone on silent and if you need to take / make a call, please try do so outside.
• Whilst the Board members are always available for help and advice, we do ask that you do not approach them whilst they are playing golf. They are all volunteers and golf is to be considered their social time. Please hold your questions /points until an appropriate time in the club house.

Behaviour during play
• When your group are not playing, please talk quietly and be aware of other players on nearby holes
• In general play, there is no necessity now to afford “the honour” to a player on the tee or on any shot and in all cases “Ready Golf” should be the rule for speed of play.

In Competitions:
• In stroke play, play “Ready Golf” in a safe and responsible way.
• In match play, you and your opponent may agree that one of you will play out of turn to save time (Rule 6.4a).

Priority on the course
• Priority is all about speed of play, any game moving quicker than the one in front should be called through.
• If a game fails to keep its place on the course and loses more than one clear hole on the players in front, it should allow the game following to pass.
• At all times players further around the course should have priority over those behind them to enhance the speed of play

Care of the course
Tees
• The white tees should only be used for competition golf, unless specific authorisation has been given. Our tee areas are small, and this is to protect the area from excessive use.
Bunkers
• Before leaving a bunker, a player should carefully rake over club marks and footprints made by him/her.
Greens
• Through the green, a player should ensure that any turf cut or displaced (DIVOTS) are replaced at once and pressed down, and that any damage to the putting green made by the ball (PITCHMARKS) are carefully repaired, damage to the putting green by golf shoe spikes should also be repaired and these repairs may now be done at any time.
• Players should ensure that when laying down the flagstick, no damage is done to the putting green, Do not stand too close to the hole when removing the flag. The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before the players leave the putting green. Players should not damage the putting green by leaning on their putters, particularly when removing the ball from the hole.

Golf buggies
• Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be strictly observed. Please drive, if possible, on paths or in the rough and ensure there is no damage to the fairways. This is especially true when driving up and down the hills at Willingdon.
• Buggies must not be driven by persons under the age of 18 years