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GOLF COURSE RULES

MNGC, as other private country clubs, is comprised of ladies and gentlemen. The essence of good behavior on the course is to play and to maintain our facility so that everyone will derive maximum pleasure and pride on its condition and use. Such behavior includes counting scores correctly, raking bunkers, repairing divots and ball marks, keeping up with the group in front of you, or permitting faster groups to play through, and carefully observing the established rules and etiquette of the game of golf.
1. Hours
The golf course will be open Monday through Sunday. For hours as scheduled, see posted monthly calendar in the Club News. The course is off limits 40 minutes after dusk and until 40 minutes before sunrise.

2. Players
All players wishing to play must check in with the golf shop. They must obtain and possess a receipt to play whether walking or riding in a cart. Each player must have his or her own set of clubs.

3. Schedule of Play
The Golf Operations Committee from time to time will designate specific courses and times for restricted play. This may include, but is not limited to Ladies Day/Evening, Couples Twilight, special Club weekend tournament and Wednesday Evening Scrambles. The courses and scheduled times will be posted on the monthly calendar in the Club News.

4. Local Rules Pertaining to Play
  • Except as modified by local rules, the rules of the United States Golf Association shall govern play on the courses.
  • All fences wooden, iron or barbed wire will be treated as out of bounds (O.B) and should be treated as such. (Rule 24)
  • All roads separating holes and golf courses are defined as O.B. #’S 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 17, 18 on Legends. #’S 1, 9, & cart pad behind #18 on Champions.
  • All lakes and ditches shall be played as water hazards.
  • Any staked trees or flowers beds must be played as immovable obstruction and will require that you take a free drop nearest point of relief no closer to the hole. (Rule 24) ex. #9 on Legends to the left of the fairway by parking lot. Pampas Grass is not considered a flowering plant.
  • The Head Golf Professional will post any changes to the local rules conspicuously in the pro shop and clubhouse.
5. Pace of Play
  • Four hours and fifteen minutes is the maximum time, which should be required to complete 18 holes. Marshals will be responsible to speed up a group that is playing too slow. In some cases a group may be directed to advance to the next hole to speed up play. All players will use the equitable stroke index in determining when to pick their ball up and proceed to the next hole if they are creating a slow circumstance.
  •  All play that started on the first tee and has finished nine holes shall have precedence over play starting on the 10th tee. Players making the turn that stop for more than the equivalent of one tee time (normally 8-10 minutes) to purchase provisions and use facilities will lose their spot in play and must give other players the option of playing through.
6. Basic Etiquette

  • Respect other members and always allow them to play through, if there is an open hole in front of you.
  • No loud and abusive language
  • Yell “Fore” decisively if you have hit an errant shot.
  • Repair all ball marks on greens.
  • Replace or repair divots made on course.
  • Never throw or slam the rakes.
  • Rake the bunkers, leaving the rakes in bunkers where they may be reached without entering the bunker.
  • Keep up with the group in front of you to maintain speed of play.
  • No wading in lakes and ditches for golf balls.
  • Refrain from arguing with Golf Professionals, Starters, and Marshals regarding golf course decisions. Such behavior is regarded as unacceptable.
7. Reserved Tee Times
For play during the week, you may make starting tee times 7 days in advance. For upcoming weekend and holiday play, the golf shop will take tee time reservation Tuesday mornings beginning at 9:00 am to 11:00 am by phone only. Walk-ins may make tee times after 11:00am on Tuesday. All legal holidays and the day after Thanksgiving have been designated as Holiday Play days. Each member may make a maximum of two (2) tee times per round (morning & afternoon). Tee times will be scheduled normally every 8 minutes and will start promptly at 7:00am in season (daylight savings time) and 8:00am in the off-season. Tee times govern all play and take priority over walk-ons. It is recommended that you make tee times even during the week. When making tee times please give the day, name, member #, and number of players in the group.

8. Starting Procedures
  • Sequence of starting will be the responsibility of the Starter or his representatives. Tee times will normally be in the time order as listed on the tee sheets unless there is a delay for weather, frost, or fog.
  • When players are present and ready to play, they will register in the Golf Shop and then proceed to the starter with receipt. The Starter will instruct the group as to when they can approach the 1st tee box as well as provide information regarding specific regulations, course conditions, rules of play, and the importance of good player conduct/etiquette. PLAYERS MUST BE READY TO TEE OFF WHEN THEIR TEE TIME IS CALLED. Players who have missed their tee time, or do not have a reserved tee time (walk-on’s), will loose their order of play position and will be placed at the next available time on the tee sheet. The Golf Shop may also authorize players to start on the back nine in the event play will be expedited thereby. Golf operations reserve the right to audit all players on the courses at anytime.
9. Unit of Play
Four-somes will be the primary unit of play on the course during weekend/holiday operations. Singles, two-somes, and five-somes may be authorized to play by the on duty Golf Professional. Their decision will be determined in the best interest of players using or waiting to use the course.

a) There will be no singles or two-somes allowed on the golf course before 11:00 am on weekends and holidays without permission from the on duty Golf Professional. The starter is responsible for pairing up singles and two-somes to keep the pace of play flowing smoothly.
b) Fivesomes may be allowed to play ONLY under the following conditions:
 
  • Any group wishing to play in a fivesome must check-in with the Golf Shop staff and gain GM/Head Golf Professional approval.
  • The decision to allow fivesomes is at the sole discretion of the GM/Head Golf Professional, or in his absence, a designated Assistant Golf Professional.
  • All fivesomes must yield to any groups behind and let said groups play through if there is adequate room ahead of them.
  • If conditions warrant and the fivesome is asked by the Marshal and/or Golf Shop to split up, they must do so.
10. Marshalling
Marshalling play on the golf course is the responsibility of the Head Golf Professional, or his designee. In cooperation with the Golf Operations Committee, Marshals will insure that members/guests conduct themselves and utilize the course in the appropriate manner. In addition, they will insure that all rules/regulations are followed and that play proceeds as rapidly as circumstances permit. Willful or flagrant violations of rules/regulations, player conduct, or course etiquette will be reported to the Board through the Golf Operations Committee for appropriate action.

11. Driving Range
The driving range is available for members and allows for unlimited use. Member’s guest may use the facility on their particular day of play only. Driving range hours change from time to time dependent on daylight savings time and weather conditions. Please ask the Golf Shop or consult the posted schedule. Players hitting down #1 fairway and entering the driving range have the right of way and hitting must stop when they are present on or near the range. Range balls must be hit from the designated tee area. During the course of a round, playing with range balls on the golf course is prohibited.

12. Practicing
Practicing or playing more than one ball is permitted on the golf course only at times of abnormally open play. The practice putting areas, driving range, and the practice bunker are available most of the time baring any bad weather, frost, snow or maintenance to such areas. Pitching or chipping to the practice putting greens is permitted in designated areas only. Shag bags used for practice are prohibited on the course at all times.

13. Scores/Handicaps
Each member participating in a member event is required to have an established handicap that is recorded and maintained by the club. For each round played, every member is responsible for turning in his or her scores and applying Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) where needed. Scores and handicaps may be reviewed and/or adjusted at any time by the Handicap Chairperson. Any member who has failed to comply with the Handicapping System may be declared ineligible to compete in a Club Tournament at the discretion of the Golf Operations Committee and/or Tournament Committee and is subject to standard penalty procedures of the Handicapping System.

14. Reciprocal Play
Arnold Palmer Management Group has several courses all over the country and with your membership comes the ability to reciprocate with these other courses. If you wish to travel to one of these other courses please contact the golf shop or general manager and we will be glad to make a tee time for you. If you need a list of courses that are managed by the Palmer Group please contact the golf shop or membership director.