Starting Times

  1. All players must report to the starter at least (10) ten minutes before hit off time. Players not on the tee at the starting time will play as directed by the starter, the late player to receive (2) two-shot penalty on their first hole.
  2. The 10th tee will be reserved for the competition from 07:30 to 13:00 on Mondays.
  3. The 1st and 10th tees will be reserved for Member’s competition from 07:30 to 15:00 on Saturdays.
  4. The 1st or 10th tee (varies) will be reserved for the Women’s competition from 09:00 to 10:30 (08:00 – 09:30 DST) on Wednesdays.

Membership and Competition Fees

  1. Club membership fees are due on 1st July.
  2. Competition fees are charged for each event. 
  3. In order to enter an event, the entrant must be a current financial member.

Resources

The following resources are available to members:

  1. Golf West Gippsland  – www.golfwestgippsland.org.au
  2. Golf Australia – www.golf.org.au
  3. Handicap record – www.golf.org.au

Code of Conduct

The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to provide members, guests, visitors and staff with guidance on the standards of behavior expected of them whilst they are on the Club premises.  This is to ensure everyone can enjoy the amenities provided by the Club in a safe and responsible manner.

This also applies to commentary and posts on public forums such as Facebook.

All are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which:

  1. Creates an environment that is reflective of integrity, honesty, good sportsmanship and respect.
  2. Acknowledges the Club as a friendly environment and, therefore, refrains from using obscenities, indecent and loud boisterous behaviour.
  3. Observes the standard of etiquette required by By-Laws both on and off the golf course as well as in and around the Club House.
  4. Shows respect and dignity to all.
  5. Treats everyone in a considerate and courteous manner.
  6. Recognises and abides with the smoking areas.
  7. Reports real or perceived safety hazards to staff.
  8. Complies with the decisions made by the Board.
  9. Complies with the decisions made by the Match & Play and/or Captains.

Etiquette of the Game of Golf

  1. A player who has the honour should be allowed to play before an opponent or fellow competitor tees their ball, subject to ‘ready golf’. No one should move, talk or stand close to or directly behind the ball or the hole when a player is addressing the ball or making a stroke.
  2. In the interest of all, players should play without delay. Members are encouraged to play ‘ready golf’.
  3. No player should play until the players in front are out of range.
  4. When a group has lost one clear hole in front, the players behind are entitled to come through.
  5. Players searching for a ball should signal the players behind them to pass as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not be easily found. The ball is lost if not found within three minutes. The players should not continue to play until the players following them have passed and are out of range.
  6. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.
  7. After having played out of a bunker, a player should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by them.
  8. Through the green, a player should ensure that any turf cut or displaced by them is replaced at once and that any damage to the putting green made by a ball is carefully repaired.
  9. It is the duty and responsibility of the lowest handicapped player in the match to see their fellow competitors replace all divots, smooth out all footmarks in bunkers and observe the etiquette and rules of the game.

Conditions of Play

The following rules of entry must be observed in conjunction with the “Rules of Golf”.

  1. The scorecard for any competition will be accepted for handicap, but no trophy can be taken out unless the competitor has correctly entered the competition, paid, and the score card is correctly completed with the correct handicap and signatures.
  2. The competitor’s name is to be listed on the entry sheet or starting book, and entry fees are paid before commencement of play to the applicable person if they are available, or paid immediately after completion of play.
  3. The daily handicap must be shown on the completed card, along with the signatures of the player and marker. Any card wrongly marked will be disqualified. The scorecard must be posted before 17:30 or such time as nominated by the Match & Play Committee.
  4. Each Competitor is responsible for playing off their correct handicap.
  5. Play will be in groups as determined by the Match & Play Committee.
  6. Players not in event must give way to competitors at all times.
  7. Competitors are expected to return cards after every competition game, whether played at Morwell or any other course, with cards from other courses indicating the Course Rating.
  8. Local rules, additional to those on the scorecard, will be placed on the notice boards.
  9. Only “Match Committee Approved” juniors will be permitted to play in club events. No more than two approved juniors under 18 years of age may play in any group of four.
  10. To be eligible for competition, a player must be financial.
  11. The Presidents and Captains are to be given precedence throughout the course.
  12. Practice with more than (2) two balls must be confined to practice areas. Course practice is not permitted when it interferes with a competition or special event.

Visitors and Guests

Guests:

  1. Guests are persons invited by a Member and accompanied by that Member, usually to play in a Morwell event. 
  2. A Member may introduce not more than 3 Guests at one time to the privileges of playing golf or to utilise the Club’s facilities. The Guests shall be accompanied by the Member at all times.
  3. The permission of the Captain or President is required.
  4. Competitions open to Morwell Golf Club Members only – Guests can play and shall pay fees of one half of the current green fee plus the appropriate competition fee.
  5. When playing a social round, Guests shall pay fees of one half of the current green fee.
  6. A golfer can be a Guest for a maximum of 4 times per calendar year.
  7. The Guest must register in the Visitors Book, along with the name of the Member.
  8. All fees must be paid before play.

Visitors:

  1. Visitors are playing Members of other Golf Clubs.
  2. Open competitions – Visitors can play and shall pay the competition fee-only – no green fees are payable.

Social Clubs / Non-affiliated Golf Clubs

  1. Members of Social Clubs / non-affiliated Golf Clubs (such as Future, RACV) are not entitled to Visitor status. 
  2. As they have a Golf Australia handicap they are eligible to play in the Club Open competitions but must pay the full Green Fees plus the Competition Fee.

Buggies / Motorised Carts

  1. Members are advised that slicks or wide wheels are compulsory all year.
  2. The use of motorised buggies/carts may be restricted during wet weather.
  3. Motorised buggies/carts are to be at least 10m from the greens.
  4. Those members who wish to purchase a motorised course vehicle other than purpose-built vehicles must check with the Match & Play Committee to ascertain vehicle types allowed on the course.

Dress Rules

  1. All members are requested to take pride in their club.
  2. A reasonable standard in their attire in the Club House and on course is required.
  3. Playing in singlets or without a shirt is prohibited.
  4. Shoes with closed-in toes must be worn on the course.
  5. When representing the Club at events, members are requested to wear Morwell Golf Club logo attire.

Children

All children on the club’s property must be under strict parental and /or guardian control.

Liquor

  1. No Liquor shall be sold or supplied to any person under the age of 18.
  2. Consumption of liquor in any part of the Club House or within the course boundaries after legal trading hours is not permitted.

Safety in Extreme Weather

In the event of current or forecast extreme weather, including lightning, strong winds, heavy rain, hail or extreme heat, golfer should re-consider their need to play.

Disclaimer

The Club is not responsible for the loss or damage to property or person, of any member or visitor in or about the premises and golf course.

Protests and Complaints

  1. All protests relating to an event or to the Rules of Golf are to be made immediately after play to the Captain.
  2. All complaints or breaches of the By-Laws shall be made to the President or Secretary, and if not satisfied, must be submitted in writing to the Secretary.
  3. No employee of the Club shall be directly criticised by an individual member.

Course Staff

Course staff have right of way at all times. Golfers MUST WAIT AND
GIVE WAY to maintenance vehicles or mowers to pass or be safely out of range before playing a stroke.

Trophy Donors

The Club wishes to express its appreciation to all trophy donors and Monthly Medal sponsors.

New Members

It is the responsibility of members to “genuinely” propose and second new members, and when accepted, ensue the following:

  1. They are suitably introduced to the President, Captain, Secretary and other Committee Members.
  2. Acquaint them with the club rules, competitions, entry etc., the rules of golf and all course etiquette and care i.e. soil pots, divots and plug mark repairs.
  3. If new starters – arrange games for the return of cards for handicap.

By-Laws

The full contents of the General By-Laws, Membership, Code of Conduct, Privacy Policy and Sub-Committees can be full in the By-Laws available at the Club House.