General Manager's July Journal

This includes walkers, personal cart owners, members, and guests. Please remember tee times are required every day of the week. Any group not prepared to tee off at its reserved time can forfeit their position. The golf shop will attempt to provide you with an alternate time but there is no guarantee. In addition, no group can tee off #10 tee unless approved by the Pro Shop. Tee times may be made 6 days in advance.

After checking in, paying cart fees etc…

Before you clamber into that golf cart and speed off to the first tee, make sure that you know what the cart rules are for the day. Are you allowed to drive the cart onto the fairway or does the course have restrictions in place? Golf cart rules can change day-to-day, depending on conditions. Remember that these rules are not up to your discretion to be followed. They are in place to protect the course so that you can have great Fairways, Tees and Greens to play on.

Here are a few reminders of things you should never do in a golf cart:

1. Never drive a cart within hazard boundary lines, or within about ten yards (that’s thirty feet) of water hazards or within about 50 yards of greens (unless you are on a designated cart path, of course). These areas are especially susceptible to damage by the wheels of golf carts.

2. Never drive onto or close to tee boxes, unless on the cart path.

3. Never drive the cart through mud, on or off the fairway. Fixing a rut made by a golf cart is expensive and takes weeks to heal.

4. Never drive through casual water on any part of the golf course (unless on a cart path).

5. Never go joyriding in the golf carts. In other words, don’t act stupid! People do get injured in cart accidents.

Now, as mentioned above, golf courses may post notices about specific golf cart rules depending on conditions at the course that day. These notices may be posted in the club house; sometimes courses use small signs they stick in the ground alongside the cart path on the route to the first tee. You should always ask when you check in what the course standard golf cart rules are, then also be alert for any signage. What might the signage specify? If you do not see a sign and we have had bad weather, it is fine to ask about cart path only conditions before you tee off. Don’t assume.

Cart Path Only

A “Cart Path Only Rule” is exactly what it says: KEEP YOUR CART ON THE DESIGNATED CART PATH AT ALL TIMES. IN OTHER WORDS, DO NOT DRIVE ON THE GRASS. This means all four tires on the cart path at all times.

When this rule is in effect, it’s a requirement FOR EVERYONE. And that means personal cart owners too. When the “Cart Path Only Rule” is in effect, drive the cart along the designated path until you are parallel to where your ball rests on the course. STOP THE CART, get out, pull out 2 -3 clubs (so you will have some options when you reach your ball), and walk out to the ball.

90-Degree Rule

The “90-Degree Rule” means that the golf course is allowing golf carts onto the grass- but it’s only at a 90-degree angle from the cart path. In other words, don’t drive the up the middle of the fairway from the tee box to your golf ball. Stay on the cart path until you are at the same distance as your golf ball, then turn off the cart path and drive straight to the ball. The “90-Degree Rule” minimizes the time a golf carts spends rolling over the grass, while still allowing convenience for golfers.

Cart Path Only On Holes X and X

We may post signs that designate certain holes off-limits to carts, for example, “Cart path only on 7 and 14 today.” In this situation, the courses regular golf cart rules apply (remember, ask when checking in), but on the specified holes you are required to keep the cart on the designed cart path. The reason is usually moisture which make those holes too wet for carts.

So, those are the signs regarding cart usage that you are mostly likely to see on our golf course. Observe the signs – and don’t forget to ask about golf cart rules when you check in.

A few more bits of golf cart etiquette:

Always stay on designated cart paths on Par-3 holes. Even if the course allows carts onto the fairway on par-4s and par-5s, STAY OFF THE GRASS ON ALL PAR-3s.

Observe common sense driving rules, just as you do in your car on the road. Be especially careful at any intersections and in areas where bottlenecks occur.

If you need to drive the cart quickly around the course (Maybe you left a club a few holes back, maybe you badly need to find a restroom, etc..), be aware of golfers you are passing by. If a golfer is about to swing or attempt a putt, slow down as you approach and stop the cart until the golfer has completed his or her stroke. Carts are noisy. Be courteous. You wouldn’t want someone else making a noise during your backswing, don’t do it to others with your cart.

Along those same lines, our golf carts beep when you put them in reverse, be aware of any golfers close to you and whether they are about to begin a stroke.

When you finish a hole, walk off the green, get into your cart and move to the next teeing area before marking your scorecard. In this way, you won’t hold up any group behind you that is waiting for the green to clear.

Now let’s talk about some other policies regarding Play.

It is customary for golf courses to give priority to four-somes and five-somes. Two-somes (or less) have no standing on the golf course and do not have priority of playing through. Groups of less than four will be paired up when possible. When making a tee time give all the players’ names so that the Golf Shop can pair incomplete foursomes. This will open up additional times for the rest of the membership. All golfers must have a set of clubs to play golf. More than one golfer playing from one bag is not allowed. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent on the golf course and/or practice facilities, unless otherwise approved in advance by the Pro Shop.

Other Golf Cart Rules

Club-owned and private golf carts are to be driven by licensed drivers age 16 or older only. Members and guests are requested to use cart paths and observe the 90-degree rule as much as possible to protect the golf course. Golfers should pair up in golf carts so there are only two carts per foursome and three carts for a five-some. If golfers refuse to pair up then each golfer in the group will be assessed an additional cart fee. Any member who owns a private cart will be charged a cart fee when that member uses a club owned cart. Playing guests of members will be charged a cart fee regardless of whether the guests ride in a club owned cart or a private cart. The member is personally responsible for any damage caused to a cart, property or personal injury caused to any person.

Guest Policy

No person may be the guest of any member more than one time per 90 days. 

Pace of Play

Both golf courses at Southern Pines Golf Club are maintained for the enjoyment of the members. It is the consensus of Management/Owners that unduly slow or fast play does not enhance the enjoyment of the course for the membership as a whole. All rounds, regardless of group size should be played in a timely manner (less than 4 ½ hours). It is always a good practice to stay up with the group in front of you. If they are getting well ahead it is a good sign your group is playing slow. To ensure the timely completion of a round of golf, management has directed the pro shop to marshal the course during heavy periods of play to enforce our rules and keep play moving at an accepted speed.

Avoiding Slow Play:

Make the game more enjoyable by picking up the pace. Here are a few suggestions to keep your group moving.

1. Be prepared to hit when it’s your turn. Make your club selection while others are hitting.

2. Groups are encouraged to play “ready golf”. This means the player who is “ready” to hit should do so regardless of whose “turn” it is. This will definitely speed up play.

3. To minimize time spent on the green, survey your putt as you walk up on the green to determine direction and speed.

4. Be ready to putt when it’s your turn.

5. Be courteous about waving faster playing groups through, if spacing permits. Minimize the time spent over the ball with unnecessary waggles and practice swings.

6. Do not waste time at the turn. If delayed, we will allow other groups behind you to take your position.

7. Be observant of your group and the others around you. Are you falling behind? Are you making the next group wait? If you notice someone in your group playing slow, ask him/her to pick up the pace.

Course care

Players should take special care to fill divots with sand provided on the golf carts, repair all ball marks on the greens, and rake the bunkers as you leave them. Those members with private carts are to carry sand on their cart to fill divots. Each member should take great pride in our courses and do their part to keep it enjoyable for the players that follow.

Pets are not allowed on club property at any time.

If you want great playing conditions, make it a personal policy to…

Repair your ball mark +one more on the green.

Sand your divots with sand from the golf carts.

Rake the sand trap after hitting your ball and place the rake in the trap.

IN SUMMARY

These rules shall be adhered to by all members and guests of Southern Pines Golf Club. Infractions should be reported to the Golf Professional or Management. Infractions of any of the rules are subject to the following: 1st Offense; Written or verbal warning. 2nd Offense; $50.00 fine. 3rd Offense; $100.00 fine. 4th Offense; Action will be at the discretion of the Owners. 

Following the rules and taking care of the course is everyone’s responsibility. Please do your part. Golf is a sport for Life, so let’s make it enjoyable for everyone.