Information for New Members
Golf Etiquette
These guidelines are primarily to ensure the game is enjoyable for all and many of them relate to the safety of players, the pace of the game and maintaining the quality of the golf course,
Welcome to Newtownstewart Golf Club.
We are delighted that you have chosen to become a member of this well established club.
This guide sets out the information you need to know about how we operate,
the rules and etiquette of the club, our competition fixtures and social events.
The club offers an excellent bar and restaurant service.
These facilities are also available for private functions and availability can be discussed with the Office Manager, Lorraine.
A snooker room is also available as well as access to a fully stocked, club run golf shop.
Members’ are encouraged to make full use of these facilities.
If you require to make contact with any Club committee members or
Convenors you will find full details on our website.
The Office Manager, Lorraine Donnell, will also be available to assist you at the Golf Club on 028 8166 1466 Ext 2.
The Office opening hours are Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm and Fridays 9am to 2pm.
Happy golfing!
Keep it Safe
Do not swing your club until you know that others in your group are at a safe distance.
Likewise, keep your distance when others are swinging. Be aware to steer clear of any trouble.
When practising your swing, never swing in the direction of another player.
There may be pebbles or twigs or other matter in the grass that could fly up and injure other players.
Do not hit the ball until you are certain that the group ahead of you is out of range.
If your ball appears headed toward another player or players give them the recognised warning by shouting ‘FORE!’.
Your shout must be loud enough to be heard by the person in danger and early enough for them to react to the warning.
Observe the safety regulations suggested in golf buggies and drive carefully.
Never throw clubs in anger. In addition to being childish, it could also be dangerous.
Consider Other Players
Quiet please! Stay still and never talk during another player’s swing.
Do not yell out following a shot. Even if boisterous behaviour doesn’t bother your playing partners, there are other people on the course who may be within earshot.
Be aware of your shadow on the putting green. Don’t stand in a place that makes a shadow across another player’s putting line or distracts them in any way.
Never walk through another player’s putting line. Step over the putting line, or walk around behind the ball or ball marker.
When another player is about to putt remain quiet and don’t move until the ball is on its way.
Maintain a good pace
Keep the round moving by being prepared to hit your shot when it is your turn. You probably don’t like waiting on other groups — don’t make other groups wait on you.
The player who is away hits first in a group. However, in friendly matches (as opposed to tournament play), this rule can be ignored in favour of ‘ready golf’- players hit as they are ready. All players should agree to ready golf before it is put into effect.
Do not spend too much time looking for a lost ball, particularly if there is a group behind you ready to play. If you insist on taking the three full minutes allotted in the rule book to look for each ball, golf etiquette says to wave up the group behind and allow them to play through.
Always try to keep pace with the group ahead of you. If space opens up ahead of you, allow a faster group to play through.
Always leave the putting green as soon as your group has finished putting. Do not update scorecards or look for something in you bag while the group behind may be waiting to play.
When two players in a buggy hit to opposite sides of a hole, drive to the first ball and drop off the player with the club, then drive to the second ball. After both players hit, meet up further down the hole.
When walking from your buggy to the ball, take a couple of clubs with you. Taking only one club, then having to return to the buggy to retrieve a different club, is a huge time waster.
Be Kind to the Course
Repair your divots in the fairway.
Repair your ball marks on the green and any others that you come across.
Always rake sand bunkers after hitting to erase your footprints and damage to the area where your ball was.
Avoid taking a divot on a practice swing especially on tee boxes.
Never drop litter on the course and lift any rubbish you find.
Observe buggy rules. Some courses will post ‘cart path only’ rules and others will ask you to follow the course signs.
Keep buggies away from greens and hazards. The wheels on buggies can do damage to sensitive areas.
Know the Rules
Golf is unique in that the players must regulate themselves – you will not be followed around by a rules official.
The onus is on the player to know and to honour the rules. You should know the basic rules of golf or else you must play with someone who does.
There are free rulebooks available in the shop and the R&A Rules of Golf app can be downloaded free on to your phone.
Study the rules and test yourself from time to time.
Anything that can happen on a golf course will eventually happen and sometimes even the most well-versed golfer
may not know which rule to apply. Make a note and query the situation at the shop or
with a Competitions Committee member BEFORE you sign your card.
And a few more things . . .
Entertainment Guide
The Club has a strong social dimension, a Snooker Club, Bridge Club and a range of functions are held throughout the year.
These include Captain’s Night, Lady Captain’s Night,
Christmas, New Years Eve and Burns Night. Details Of these events are posted in the clubhouse and on our Club Website.
As this is a social club we rely on members’ support. In addition to attending the events you could consider supporting
Our fundraising draws, assisting to obtain sponsorship or contributing to the success of the club in kind.
All of this is required to develop the quality of the course and clubhouse for the greater enjoyment of Members.
Annual Membership Subscription
Please contact our Office Manager for current rates, renewals and further information.
Payment Terms
You may pay your annual subscription by any Of the following methods:
Cheque
Bank Card/Transfer
Cash
Monthly Direct Debit – Form Available from Office (Premium Credit Ltd)
Membership Application
A Membership application form for all categories is available from the Office or Club Website.
Members Identification
When your Membership has been accepted and you have been interviewed you will be
issued with a bag tag and Golf Ireland handicap card. These should be available for
inspection by club officials at all times.
Club Handicap system
Your golf handicap should reflect your true ability. New players will be required to return three 18 hole scorecards,
marked by a Golf Ireland handicap holder. These should be returned in an envelope marked ‘For Handicap’ to the Club office.
If you have previously been a Member of another club we will seek evidence of the playing handicap held at this time.
Once your handicap has been set, it will be subject to the World Handicap System and will be automatically updated and adjusted
each time you submit a score in a club competition. It is also possible to submit a score outside a competition. I
n some limited circumstances the Club can adjust your handicap e.g. after serious illness.
Golf Tee booking times
A daily timesheet for main competitions and charity fundraising events is available on our online Booking System (BRS).
Entry fees will vary depending on the event. Should you need to cancel your time slot this should be done at the
earliest opportunity to allow other users to be accommodated.
Practice Range & Short Skills Area
The practice range and Golf Academy is available for use all year round. The dress code also applies to users of the practice green.
Access may be restricted at certain times to accommodate the Junior & Ladies Golf coaching programmes and Other such programmes.
Locker and Bag storage
Lockers are available for rent (currently £16 per year). Please advise the Office Manager if you would like to be allocated a locker.
Partner Golf Club arrangements
The neighbouring golf clubs, Omagh, Strabane and Fintona offer reduced rates to club members of Newtownstewart Golf club.
Details are available on request.
Local Rules
Local rules are detailed on the Competition scorecards and may be posted on notice boards as required – for example if conditions are
particularly wet then lift, clean and place may be allowed. Members should always check these before play.
Professional Golf Coach
A PGA coaching service is available at the practice ground. Individual and group lessons to improve technique
and course play can be booked with PGA Coach Noel Callan.
Junior Programme
The club runs a junior golf programme. This usually operates from May to September each year for children from 9 years upwards.
Details of the annual programme are available from the Junior Convenor Karen Ballantine and from the Office.
Useful Links
These web addresses are useful starting points to find further information you will need.
Our club’s own Homepage
https://www.newtownstewartgolfclub.com/
Our Homepage on Facebook – you may need an account
https://m.facebook.com/newtownstewartgolfclub/
Golf Ireland is the single governing body for golf on this island.
You will need the Golf Ireland app to access your Handicap information and calculate your playing handicap on any given day and course.
Elsewhere on their website you can find articles like this one about the new World Handicap System.
https://www.golfireland.ie/handicap-system
The definitive Rules of Golf are here:
https://www.randa.org/Rog/2019/Pages/The-Rules-of-Golf
You can download the R&A Rules of Golf app from the Apple or Google store.
YouTube is full of short training videos for golfers. Beware though – it will suggest loads of other
relevant and often very irrelevant videos to watch. Here’s one about chipping.
What NOT to wear
We respectfully draw your attention to our DRESS CODE
The following items are Not Acceptable on the course or in the clubhouse:
- Denims or jeans with patches, holes, frayed hems, split knees.
- Tracksuits or leisure suits.
- Sleeveless tee shirts or singlets.
- Football shirts with or without team logos, football shorts and jackets representing other sports clubs unless Golf related.
- Combat Trousers or Shorts
Persons wearing any of the above items will not be permitted to gain access to the course, the bar or the restaurant
PLEASE NOTE
Proper footwear is to be worn on the course at all times for reasons of health and safety.
Footwear worn on the course must not be worn in the clubhouse except in the locker rooms.
Tailored shorts are allowed on the course and in the clubhouse.
Members and visitors attending any presentation functions to receive a prize are expected to be smartly dressed.
The members of Council & the golf shop proprietor will strictly enforce the above
MEMBERS AND VISITORS ARE ASKED TO COMPLY FULLY WITH THIS DRESS CODE
IN ORDER TO AVOID EMBARRASSMENT