CODE OF GOOD CONDUCT AND THE RULES
1. Preamble
Golf is in many ways different from other Sporting Codes
Golf is played without supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the
integrity of the individual to show consideration of other players and abide by the
rules. All players are to conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating
integrity, courtesy, sportsmanship and professionalism at all times irrespective of how
competitive they may be.
Golf is a traditional game, played to a set of rules and good conduct that can be found
on your neighbourhood public course as well as the professional golf tours. While
rules allow for fair competition, they also help protect the course itself and in turn
make the golfing experience fun for everyone.
This is the spirit of the game of golf.
2. Rules of Play
2.1. Members shall observe the rules of golf and etiquette as determined by the Royal
and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews,
2.2. Members shall wear the official uniform of the club, as directed by the Captain
from time to time,
2.3. Members shall report to the table of the Captain or designated member of the
Captain’s committee thirty (30) minutes before their off times,
2.4. Members shall observe the tee off times given by the Captain or designated
member of the Captain’s committee and the rules of the competition for that day
including local rules applying at the course,
2.5. Members shall ensure that their official competition scorecard(s) are properly
marked or written out, signed and submitted to the captain or a designated member of
the Captain’s committee immediately after playing the last hole of the match,
2.6. All members shall attend the official closing meeting, which shall be held thirty (30)
minutes after the last players have submitted their scorecards,
2.7. Visitors will only be allowed to play on Tour Games and not on Major Games of the
club (Tour games are the ‘IPS’ games and Major games are the ‘Medal’ games).
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3. Definition of a Member in Good Standing.
A member in good standing shall be defined as follows:
3.1. Must have his/her annual subscription fees fully paid up on time as directed by the
Management Board,
3.2. Must play at least 80% of the official club games per year as stipulated in the club’s
constitution,
3.3. A member must confirm attendance of the game timeously as directed in the
notification of such a game or submit a written apology to the captain at least 48 hours
prior to the date of the game.
3.4. A member must not owe the club any green fees or fines money for more than 60
days at any given time,
3.5. A member must belong to a recognized Golf Course/Club and must have an official
handicap with an official card from Handicaps Network Africa.
3.6. Must be up to date with the payment of his/her green fees at all times,
3.7. A member must adhere to the rules and the code of conduct of our club and the
local rules of the hosting Golf course.
NB: Any member who fails to pay any monies owed to the club, 30 days after the due
date shall not be allowed to play until such time that the outstanding fees have been
paid (except where appropriate payment arrangements have been made with the club
Treasurer). This situation may jeopardise his/her membership in good standing status.
4. Penalties and Fines
4.1. Any member who fails to wear a proper uniform as directed by the Club’s Captain
or a designated member of the Captain’s committee from time to time, shall be liable
for a fine of R100.00 per item of which will be payable on the spot, failing which he/she
will not be allowed to play, (unless arrangements are made to pay such a fine on or
before the next official game).
4.2. Any member who arrives late for the game and arrives later than 10 minutes
before Tee-Off Time shall be liable for a fine of R250.00 and will be disqualified if
his/her 4 ball has already left the T box.
4.3. Any member who fails to show up at the Club’s game after having confirmed to
play shall be liable for a fine of up to five hundred rand (R500.00).
4.4. Any member who fails to attend at least fifty percent (50%) of the games played in
that season without valid reasons shall appear before the DC and this may lead to
his/her club membership being cancelled.
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5. Conduct Guidelines.
Any conduct that is deemed detrimental to the Ambassadors Golf Club will not be
tolerated. Such conduct includes but is not limited to the following:
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Consumption of any alcoholic beverages (during play)
Non medical drug use
Not wearing appropriate uniform during club games
Abusive language or profanity
Club throwing or excessive emotional outburst
Damage or abuse of host facility/ property or golf course
disrespect for other individuals
Bringing Ambassadors Golf Club into disrepute
Threatening order, unity and sustainability of the club
Consistently acting in a manner that diminishes the enjoyment of other
members (nuisance factor)
Misrepresentation of Ambassadors on and off the field of play
6. Official procedure for withdrawal from the game
Members shall notify Ambassadors Golf Club Captain at least 48 hours in advance of
the game from which they intend to withdraw either by email, sms, fax or
telephone. This is the only acceptable procedure for official withdrawal. Failing to
properly withdraw from a game and/or failing to show up, will result in members liable
for the green fees for that particular game and a possible fine as per 4.3 above.
7. Care for the Golf Course and Caddies.
Members shall maintain as well as improve the conditions of the golf course by
replacing divots, repairing ball marks, raking bunkers, picking up and properly
disposing of trash or debris left on the course. Leave the golf course better than you
found it.
No member of Ambassadors Golf Club shall be allowed to play at the club’s official
game without a Caddie. Caddies are to be treated and respected as they are an integral
part of this game. Any abuse of Caddies shall not be tolerated in the club and the club
reserves the right to take disciplinary action against any transgressing member.
8. Cheating.
Members shall subscribe to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Cheating of
any type will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action.
Members are encouraged at all times to discourage and report any contraventions and
non compliance to the Captain or any designated member of the Captain’s committee.
9. Disciplinary Matters
9.1. An independent Disciplinary Committee of 3 members (with quorum of 2), shall
conduct all normal grievance and disciplinary hearings on behalf of the club.
9.2. The Disciplinary committee (DC) shall elect a Chairperson from the 3 member
committee.
9.3. The term of office of the DC shall be aligned to that of the Management Board.
9.4. The Disciplinary committee shall at all times maintain the highest possible
standard in dealing with issues related to discipline in the club.
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9.5. The DC shall at all times carry out its duty with full regard to fairness and justice.
9.6. All members shall respect, abide and accept the outcome of the Disciplinary
Committee.
9.7. Members may exercise their right to appeal against decisions of the DC to the
Management Board in writing to the Secretary within 14 days of receiving the decision
of the DC.
9.8. In the case where the Management Board is the complainant, the Board shall
constitute an Appeals Committee of 5 (with quorum of 3) which will conduct the
hearing for the appeal.
9.9. The Appeals Committee shall appoint its own Chairperson from the committee
members.
9.10. The Appeals Committee shall dissolve immediately after making its findings
known to all affected parties.
9.11. The decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final and binding without any
further right of appeal.
10. Disciplinary Procedure
10.1. All matters of a grievance and disciplinary nature requiring a hearing shall be
referred to the Chairman of the DC by the Management Board.
10.2. Any member can initiate or be a subject of a disciplinary process.
10.3. The Chairman of the DC shall acknowledge receipt of such referral within 3
working days.
10.4. The DC Chairman shall notify the Management Board and the member allegedly in
breach of the code of conduct and rules of the club, of at least 2 possible dates and
venue where the hearing will be conducted.
10.5. Witnesses and evidence relevant to the matter must be brought to the hearing.
10.6. Members have a right to bring along a fellow Ambassadors member as his/her
representative to the case, but cannot bring an external party for this purpose.
10.7. Should a member fail to appear before the DC when ordered to do so, such a
member shall forfeit the right of defence and the DC shall make its findings in his/her
absence.
10.8. The Management Board shall ensure at all times that, the person representing it
at the hearing is duly authorised or mandated.
10.9. The DC shall make its findings known, in writing, to the Management Board and
the affected party or parties within 7 days of conclusion of the hearing.
10.10. The DC shall endeavour to conclude any grievance or disciplinary matter within
30 days of referral by the Management Board.
10.11. The decision of the DC shall be effective and implemented immediately after all
affected parties have been informed, unless the decision is a subject of an appeal as
provided for by the constitution.
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11. Possible sanctions.
The DC shall have full discretion within reason to recommend one or more of the
following:
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f.
Expulsion
Suspension
Monetary fine
Warning
Reduction of some of the members’ rights in the club
Reduction or forfeiture of points, title or prize
NB: The Management Board or any member or committee of the board authorised by
it, is mandated by both the constitution and these rules to ensure compliance.
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