LOCAL RECIPROCAL ARRANGEMENTS

Reciprocal playing rights are only available when your course is closed to you for the day. They are not available as of right, but only where the other Club can provide times.

We have a private arrangement with one other Christchurch Club which applies when our course is closed for one of our own events. Arrangements for such rights MUST be made through the General Manager, NOT direct to the Club concerned.

NATIONAL OR PROVINCIAL EVENTS

For events conducted by either of NZG or the CGA at our course, reciprocal rights are available from all other clubs in the CGA district where the programme of the other club allows. Arrangements MUST be made through the General Manager, NOT direct to the other club. Members should allow reasonable time beforehand for bookings to be made as not all clubs are staffed full time.

VISITORS

Green Fees are payable by all visitors, and rates are subject to change without notice.

Members are requested to sign their guests into the Visitors Book held in the Professional Shop. Visitors may play a maximum of three rounds per year. Additional games require the approval of the General Manager.

ALL PLAYERS/VISITORS MUST PRESENT A STANDARD OF DRESS THAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE CHRISTCHURCH GOLF CLUB.

PLAYING RIGHTS

Players in the competition of the day have precedence over all other play.

SATURDAYS – With the following exception, only full playing men members have playing rights:

(a) Guests of members where permission has been granted by the General Manager or the Men’s Captain.

(b) Women members who are prevented from playing in weekday competitions by business, professional, scholastic or other commitments over which the member has no control and who have sought and received permission from the Women’s Committee to play on Saturdays. Their teeing times shall be between 8.30 a.m. and 9.00 a.m. during September to April inclusive and between 9.30 a.m. and 10 a.m. otherwise.

(c) Men and women have equal rights after 2 p.m.

 SUNDAYS, MONDAYS & FRIDAYS – Equal rights for men and women

 TUESDAYS & WEDNESDAYS – Where women’s matches are scheduled, women have priority from 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and men have priority from 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

 THURSDAYS  – Men have priority from 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 pm. Women and men have equal rights at all other times.

NOTE: Playing rights apply only to the first tee. Should members start on another tee they have no precedence when arriving at the first tee unless they have been started from Number 16 as part of the competition.

STARTING TIME AND DRAWS

Except where draws are made by the Committee, players must arrange their own starting times and markers (and partners where necessary).

In shotgun start events, players may practice on the course prior to commencement of the competition.

Where a match is drawn the Committee reserves the right to exclude from the competition those players who do not compete within the drawn field.

STARTING TIME SHEET

Starting time sheets are used for ALL DAYS and are available in the Professionals Shop for direct or telephone bookings a week in advance.    To be included in the men’s competition of the day players must have their name on the start sheet and start no later than 1.06 pm. except during daylight saving when this time will be extended to 2 p.m. and during June and July when the last time will be 12.45 p.m

CANCELLATIONS

In case of weather conditions affecting the playing of any Club event, the Committee will endeavour to have this announced over the Newstalk ZB cancellation service. The Professional will also be notified and members, when in doubt, should make enquiry there. Please do not telephone the Course Superintendent. 

Women – For cancellations or delayed start times on competition days please phone the Women’s office – (03) 385 8275.

 During winter months, in order to protect the course, the current policy in the event of a severe frost is for the course to be closed until 9.30 a.m.

 COURTESY ON AND CARE OF THE COURSE

It is COMPULSORY for all members to take a bucket of sand with them except those who find it physically difficult to do so.

Only wide wheeled trundlers will be allowed on the course.

In the interest of all members and staff PLEASE

           Repair all pitch marks and divots.

           Rake bunkers.

Please refrain from:

          Removing or crossing barriers.

          Wheeling trundlers on greens.

          Doing anything to inhibit other members’ enjoyment on the course.

Note that the greens staff conducting routine course maintenance have right of way. Golfers must wait for a call from the greens staff before hitting up.

THE COURSE IS FOR PLAYING A ROUND OF GOLF NOT FOR PRACTISING ON.

PLEASE CONFINE PRACTISING TO THE FAIRWAY PROVIDED

GOLF CARTS

Care must be taken when using these carts that the correct bridges are used and that soft or very steep areas are avoided. There may be days when electric carts cannot be used on the course due to weather conditions. Golf carts may be used in Club events at the discretion of the Committee.

PRACTICE FACILITIES

The practice putting green is for putting only. A separate green is available for small chips NOT pitch shots. No pitch marks should ever be made on these greens. The practice net is to be used as a “warm up” only – maximum use at any one time is restricted to 10 minutes and/or 20 balls.

When using the practice fairway balls should only be hit from the south end towards the safety net. It is most important that our neighbours are not troubled by balls being hit in their direction.

PERSONAL EFFECTS & CARS

Personal effects left in the Clubhouse or in lockers and golf equipment stored in the trundler room are the member’s own responsibility.

The Club will not be liable for any loss to the property or injury to the person of any member or nonmember on the Club’s premises.

The Club accepts no liability for cars parked on the Club premises, though accidental damage to cars from a golf ball may in some circumstances be claimable. Cars should always be locked when unattended.

CELLPHONES

The use of cellphones on the course can be distracting and offend other members and does not comply with the traditional etiquette of the game. Members and their visitors are therefore strongly discouraged from cellphone use whilst playing the course. If phone use is vital then your fellow competitors/playing partners’ agreement must be obtained and the effect on other members not in your group must be considered.

DRESS CODE

In matters of dress Members are expected to observe good taste and maintain a high standard. The following rules apply:

COMMON ROOM

The dress code is smart casual. Jacket and tie are not required. 

Men must wear a collared or crew neck shirt and either tailored trousers, walk shorts or three-quarter pants with socks and shoes. Boat shoes may be worn without socks. 

No hats, jeans, track suits, waterproof clothing, training shoes or jandals are permitted. 

Golf shoes including soft spikes are only permitted in the Locker Room. 

Stocking clad feet are not allowed. 

Women must wear shirts with a collar or crew neck and either tailored trousers, dress shorts or skirts.

COURSE

Men must wear a collared or crew neck shirt and either tailored trousers, walk shorts or three-quarter trousers with socks and golf shoes. 

Women must wear shirts with a collar or crew neck, and either tailored trousers, dress shorts or skirts with socks and golf shoes. 

Jeans, track suits, beach or rugby shorts, jandals and shirts without a collar or crew neck are unacceptable on either men or women. 

Men are requested to keep shirts tucked in. 

These dress requirements apply to all the Club properties e.g. a visit to put your name on the start sheet, a visit to the Professional Shop, a call to the Office and the use of the golf practice area. 

It will be for the Board or Management to decide on the acceptability of any clothing worn.

GOLF SHOES

Members are encouraged to wear soft spike golf shoes in preference to metal spike shoes when playing. Socks must be worn.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

These are invoiced at the beginning of December each year, are due on 1st January following and MUST be paid by 31st January.

Where the payment by instalments option is chosen, the Automatic Payment Authority has to be in place prior to the first date for payment i.e. 1st January.

MEMBERS ARE WARNED that Rule 34.9 states ‘No member shall compete in any competition until he or she has paid his subscription or instalment within one month of due date, except by leave of the Board.’

RESIGNATION OR TRANSFER OF CLASS

Resignations or applications to transfer to another class are to be in writing to the General Manager, and MUST BE MADE BEFORE 31st DECEMBER, otherwise the member is still liable for the full subscription invoiced at the beginning of that December.

COMPLAINTS

Any complaints should be made in writing to the General Manager. At no time should staff be approached directly.

HOLE-IN-ONE INSURANCE FUND

Active Financial Members holing out in one at any golf club will be paid $200 by the General Manager on presentation of the Scorecard authorised by a Committee member. The premium for this fund is included in the annual subscription.

PROFESSIONAL AND SHIRLEY LINKS GOLF SHOP

The golf professional is appointed to provide the following services -

Golfing lessons by appointment, preparation of clubs for play and their cleaning after play (for which service the member pays a fee), sale of golf clubs, equipment and clothing, repair of clubs, hire of golf clubs and trundlers and hire of electric golf carts.

Members are urged to support the professional for all their golfing requirements.

DINING ROOM, BAR AND FUNCTIONS

Members are encouraged to use the catering services available for both normal and special functions. Bar and catering facilities are available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. except at holiday times when these hours may vary.

The use of the Clubhouse facilities for members’ private functions is encouraged and arrangements can be made either with the Caterer or the General Manager.

SMOKING

Is not permitted in any enclosed area of the Clubhouse.

SOCIAL FUNCTIONS

Members are urged to support these occasions.

CLUB BUILDINGS

All buildings will be closed on Christmas Day.

NEW MEMBERS

It is the responsibility of the proposer and seconder immediately a member is elected to see that such new member is introduced to the Captain, President, Committee Members and to the General Manager. The new member should be advised of all rules governing the conduct of the Club and should be sufficiently advanced in the knowledge of the Rules of Golf to be competent to perform the duties of marker for a fellow competitor.

The sponsors should ensure that new members are also assisted in the arranging of games and the meeting of members of the Club.

1.      For 18 hole events the best score for the last 9 holes will be used. If there is still a tie, the  last 6 holes or if still tied, the last 3 holes. If a tie persists, then hole by hole from the     18th.

2.       In 36 and 72 hole events, the last 18 holes shall be used and if still tied, count-back as        above.

3.       In handicap events, the relevant handicap or fraction thereof shall be applied.

REQUESTS DRAWN EVENTS

Requests for special pairings or particular times or tees should not be made for drawn events as they are not in the spirit of the event.

STARTER MEMBERS

Starter members are not entitled to play in any competitions except for twilights, and can play in Mixed Events but are not eligible to win prizes.

DEFINITIONS OF COMPETITIONS

These notes must be read in conjunction with the Rules of Golf and the conditions of play which the Committee has laid down.

Stroke (Medal)

The total number of strokes taken plus any penalty strokes are entered on the scorecard, totalled at the end of the round and the player’s full handicap deducted. The competition will be for gross score or for net score after handicap has been deducted.

Par

Entered on the scorecard the same way as for Stroke play, but the result of each hole is marked in the column provided with a “+” sign for a win, an “O” for a half and a “–” for a loss after allowing for handicap stroke (if the player is in receipt of one as shown by the stroke index on the card). Where the handicap is more than 18, two strokes will be allowed on the number of holes that the handicap exceeds 18. These strokes will be taken in the same order as followed for the first 18 holes. At the end of the round the plus and minus signs are added and the nett result written down as so many “up” or “down” or “square”.

Stableford

Score for the hole is entered on the card in the same way as for stroke, then stableford points are entered in the column provided for the NETT score on the hole after allowing for handicap strokes (if the player is in receipt of one or more as shown by the stroke index on the card). Points awarded on the net score are: 1 for one over par, 2 for par, 3 for one under par, 4 for two under par, 5 for three under par. At the end of the round points are totaled to give the player’s score for the round.

Bisque

A Par or Stableford competition where strokes may be taken up to the limit of the player’s handicap at any hole, at the players discretion before teeing off at the next hole.

Four-Ball v Par

Two players play as partners each taking strokes at holes as in a par competition. If one of the partners wins a hole and the other halves it only the win is counted. If one halves a hole and the other loses it only the half is counted and so on. Plus, half and minus signs are recorded as in an ordinary par competition and added at the end of the round to get the total score. When in a Four-Ball Handicap event care must be taken to mark the scores of each player in separate columns headed with the player’s initials. If this is not done and the Committee is unable to check the card players will be disqualified.

Four-Ball Stableford

Played in exactly the same manner as v Par except that the better ball of the partnership is credited with points in place of plus, minus or half.

Four-Ball Match

Same as Four-Ball v Par except play is against another pair of players and plus, minus or square sign are recorded for each hole as a result of the scores between the two teams. In a handicap match, after the lowest handicapped player has gone back to scratch and the other players have reduced their handicaps by the same amount, the other players take strokes at holes as indicated by the stroke index.

Foursome

Two players play as partners and use one ball. The Partners strike off alternately from the tee and thereafter strike the ball alternately during the play at each hole. Scoring is done as for a stroke round and the total subject to deduction of half the partners combined handicaps. Note: if either player incurs a penalty stroke it does not alter the rotation of play.

Foursome Match Play

In foursomes match play, two play against two and each side plays one ball. During any stipulated round the partners play alternatively from the teeing grounds and alternately during the play of each hole (Rules of Golf, Rules 29, 29-1 and Definitions.)

Allow the higher-handicapped side 50% of the difference between the combined Course Handicaps of the members of each side.

Mixed Four-Ball v par or Stableford or Match

The same conditions as described above with strokes taken according to the Women’s card. Care must be taken in recording scores so they can be checked by the Committee.

Mixed Foursomes

Play is as for Foursome described above except that women shall tee off at the even numbered holes and men at the odd numbered holes, unless otherwise advertised.

Canadian Foursome

Played as for Foursome except that both players play tee shots at every hole and afterwards continue with whichever ball they nominate, playing alternate shots. Handicap is 40% of the combined handicap of the two players.

Greensome Two Stroke

Both partners tee off at each hole and play a second shot with their own ball after which alternate play with the ball they nominate as for Foursomes. Handicap is 3/8 (37.5%) of combined handicap.

American Foursome

As for Greensome above except that the second shot is played with partners ball. Handicap is 1/2 (50%) of combined handicap.

Flag Competition

The score taken at each hole is entered on a card as in a stroke round. When a player has completed a number of strokes equal to the par of the course (as shown on the scorecard) plus his stroke handicap he will have finished his round. The first player to start will carry a flag and plant it in the ground at the spot where his ball lay at the finish of his round. If a later player has not finished his round when he reaches the flag he carries it with him and plants it when he reaches the end of his strokes. The winner is the player who carries the flag to the furthest point from the first tee.

Eclectic (or Ringers)

Competitors play two or more rounds and the eclectic score is the sum of the lowest score obtained at each hole on the rounds. Scoring is subject to various handicap stroke allocation methods.

Ambrose Teams Stroke

Usually teams of four. Each player plays a tee shot at each hole. The best drive is then selected by the team captain and played by its owner. The other members then retrieve their balls and drop them within one club length of the position of the selected ball and play their second shots. This procedure continues until a ball is holed. When on the green balls are placed on the selected spot. Handicap is 1/4 (25%) of combined handicaps. There are a number of variations of rules for an Ambrose so please check carefully before play.

Shoot Out

The men’s competition has up to sixteen qualifying opportunities programmed for the year, and the best nineteen qualifiers on stableford points of two scores play off in the Shoot Out. Play during the Shoot Out is stroke net.

All nineteen players tee off in one group, starting at the first hole and the player with the highest net score for the hole drops out of the field. As there are frequently ties for the highest net score a Shoot Out is held to decide who drops out, and this can be by the players having to chip or putt to the hole, the furthest from the hole being the player to drop out.

Play continues in this form with one player dropping out at each hole, so there are only two players teeing off at the eighteenth.

The women’s competition will operate under similar rules and the play off will be amongst twelve players over eleven holes.

TIES

In all events Ties will be decided in such manner and at such time as the Committee shall direct.

SCORECARDS

Members should always complete cards correctly with name, date, handicap competition, Club ID No. 136 and Member Number for the Handicapper. (Don’t forget to sign the card.)

All competition scorecards must be returned to the committee immediately after the completion of the round. Rule 6-6b Rules of Golf.

This sheet is posted outside the Pro Shop and is to be completed if a Member’s card is to be recognised in the competition of the day.

Twos must be recorded on result sheet and scorecard returned or they will NOT be recognised.

GRADES

Where stipulated in the programme, Men’s competitions will be played in three grades:

A Grade         Handicaps 9 and under

B Grade         Handicaps 10 to 15 inclusive

C Grade         Handicaps 16 to 36 inclusive

ALL MATCHES ARE TO BE PLAYED ON CURRENT COURSE HANDICAPS

Women’s LGU competitions will be played in the following grades, determined by the Handicap Index.

Silver                      0 – 18.4

Bronze I                  18.5 – 25.0

Bronze II                 25.1 – 29.9

Bronze III                30.0 – 40.4

Local Handicap         40.5 +

GRADING

Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, the grading of individuals participating in any Championship event will be determined by the handicap showing for the first qualifying round.

WHERE MATCHPLAY IS ON HANDICAP, THE CURRENT HANDICAP IS TO BE USED, NOT THAT WHICH ESTABLISHED THE PLAYER’S GRADING.

MATCHPLAY

1 Members are requested to check the dates for Match Play and those unable to participate please mark qualifying cards and result sheets NOT AVAILABLE (N.A.)

2 First round matches must be played on the date that is specified and at the time on the draw, where one is issued.

    Where dates for matches are “on or before” those matches cannot be played after that date without a PRIOR APPROVAL having been given by the Committee.

All Championship event rounds must be played on the day and time specified.

3 Stroke, Stableford, Par and Bogey matches are NOT PERMITTED to be played in conjunction with MATCH PLAY (Rule 33-1).

MONTHLY CALENDAR

This is posted on the noticeboards in the Common Room and Locker Rooms so that members can be aware of Club events and bookings during the month. It is best to regularly check this calendar and to always telephone the Professional before coming to the course to avoid delays getting on to the tee.

GOLF SHOP NOTICE BOARD

This board is used to state the match of the day and to draw attention to any local rules in force.

MUTUAL ASSISTANCE PLAN

New Zealand Golf conducts this plan which is provided as a “last resort” cover for loss or damage to golfing equipment or clothing, and as a supplement to any personal insurances a member may have. The Plan does not provide replacement cover and depreciation is applied at the rate of 5% p.a. for golf equipment and 20% p.a. for golf apparel and shoes. There is also a limit of $1,000 (less the excess of $15) payable on any one claim. 

Forms for making claims against the scheme are available from the General Manager.

When members are making claims they must attach a receipted invoice for the repair or replacement cost involved to the claim form. 

The General Manager is required to sign the claim form to certify that the claimant is a Club Member covered by the scheme.