Etiquette

On arrival

The Proserpine Golf Club encourages common sense etiquette, in the interest of clarity…

Be sure to arrive at the Club at least 15min before your tee time.
Ensure you have a sand bucket.
Exchange scorecards (make sure name, date and handicap are recorded).
Please be considerate when others are teeing off, keep noise to a minimum and watch where your ball goes and that of the player whose card you are marking.

Missing ball

If you have hit your ball and think it may be either out of bounds (white and black stakes) or lost outside of a water hazard, then declare that you will hit a provisional ball. A provisional ball cannot be played if the first ball played is definitely in a water hazard, or the player has gone forward to search for the ball. It is not possible to go back to play a provisional ball. If the original ball is found, it must be played, whether desired or not, and the provisional ball ceases to exist (with no penalty). If the original ball is not found, the provisional ball is the ball in play and results in the player recording three strokes (one for original ball, penalty for loss of ball, and one for next stroke).
Note: You are allowed only 5 minutes to search for a missing ball.

Time Saving

Be aware of the important, albeit small, time saving methods to ensure a timely round of golf.

If you have the honour, hit your tee shot before marking your card.
Walk quickly to your ball and use that time to assess your next shot.
Place your golf bag beside you, so after you hit you can grab and walk off.
Limit yourself to one practice swing only. (If you feel the need to have more, do so whilst you are waiting your turn to hit).
Usually person furthest from green hits first, however if you get to your ball first and the others are still walking/looking for their ball, providing it is safe, hit your ball and then help look for other ball.
After you hit, and when safe, start walking to your ball.
Keep count of your score and the person whose card you are marking.
After bunker shots, rake sand.
Pick up your ball if you are out of shots eg. Stableford and par competitions.
Keep up with the group in front of you

Green Etiquette:

Position your buggy at the side/back of green for a quick exit (at no time are you to leave your buggy at the front of the green) and at least 10m from the green.
Once everyone is on the green, the furthest from the hole putts first.
Person closest to the hole, tends the flag. Check if other player wants the flag held or taken out.
Do not talk or make unnecessary noise whilst player is putting.
Do not walk across other people’s putting line.
Do not stand directly behind or in front of the person who is putting.
Line up your putt before it is your turn to putt to save some time.
Putt out (start walking towards your ball once you have putted, do not stand there and watch the ball).
Once that person putts out, they take the flag so the rest can putt out.

General Etiquette:

Maximum of 4 players to a group.
You must keep up with the group in front. (ie have them in your sight and be approximately one shot behind them).
Be mindful of the time you are taking – for a group of four approximately 2 hours for 9 holes and 4 hours for 18 holes.
For a group of three players, the time taken for 18 holes should be 3.5 to 3.75 hours.
If you lose a half or full fairway from the group in front, try catching up by:

           -walking faster between shots.
           – limiting practice swings to one only.
           -on the green, have two people putt out. They can then move onto the next tee and tee off, whilst the others finish putting, before joining them.