Playing with us
Local rules
We play by the Rules of Golf, with the local additions below. These keep our games moving and our scoring consistent.
On the course
Pace of play
Players must maintain playing speed. Ready golf is encouraged.
Double par pick up
When the number of strokes equals twice the par for a hole, players must pick up the ball and record double par plus one.
Putting
Players within one foot of the hole need not putt out. This counts as one stroke.
Course handicap
The course handicap is capped at a maximum of 40.
Lost balls
Two-stroke penalty, with play resuming from the point of entry.
Scoring
Scorecards
Each team receives two sets of scorecards plus fun game cards. Players must check their scores for accuracy before signing.
Missing your tee time
Green fees apply regardless. Any holes skipped are scored as double par plus one.
Queries
Circle any questionable score on the card and play two balls if needed, then report to the Scoring Committee after the round.
Holes not played
This covers holes missed through no fault of the player — typically when a marshal asks a group to skip a hole, or to move ahead and catch up with the group in front.
The score for that hole is par plus any handicap strokes the player is entitled to receive on it, written with an X in front. The Scoring Committee makes the adjustment.
A maximum of three holes may be treated this way — exceeding this results in disqualification. Any other incomplete holes must be reported to the Scoring Committee for review and approval.
Worked example
Say your course handicap is 24, and you were sent past a par 4 without playing it.
- Spread your handicap over the 18 holes. 24 strokes across 18 holes is one stroke on every hole, with 6 strokes left over.
- Give the 6 spare strokes to the hardest holes. They go to the holes ranked 1 to 6 in the handicap row of the scorecard — so those six holes get 2 strokes each, and the other twelve get 1.
- Look up the hole you missed. Find its rank in that same handicap row.
- Add your strokes to par.
| Rank of the hole you missed | Strokes you receive | Write on the card |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 6 (the six hardest) | 2 | 4 + 2 = X6 |
| 7 – 18 | 1 | 4 + 1 = X5 |
Same hole, same player — the score differs only because one hole is harder than the other. A par 3 missed at rank 5 would be 3 + 2 = X5, and a par 5 at rank 12 would be 5 + 1 = X6.
The rule for any handicap
Divide your course handicap by 18. You receive the whole number on every hole, and the remainder goes to the hardest holes in ranking order. A handicap of 30 is one stroke everywhere with 12 left over, so the holes ranked 1 to 12 receive two strokes and the rest receive one.
Above 36 the remainder comes round a second time. At the club maximum of 40, every hole receives two strokes and the four hardest receive three — so a missed par 4 ranked 3 is scored 4 + 3 = X7.
Read next
- ChLGA Handicap — how your index is established and calculated
- Equitable Stroke Control — adjusting hole scores before posting
- Golf Etiquette — dress code and conduct on the course
- House Rules and Regulations — membership, fees, and association policy
- Quick Reference — common stroke play situations and penalties