Rules and Etiquette

All golfers at Pittwater Golf Club must follow the Official Rules of Golf as mandated by the R&A. The Rules of Golf (last updated in 2023) can be found below, or alternatively you can download the Rules of Golf app.

Rules of Golf

Local Rules

Pittwater Golf Club has local rules (which should be read in conjunction with the Official Rules of Golf). These can be found on the back of scorecard, and are as follows:

  • 1. OUT OF BOUNDS: (a) Those areas beyond the course boundary fences (b) Those areas beyond any line of white stakes with black tops (c) Within recycled water dam fences marked with black and white post tops.
  • 2. IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS:
    • (a) All penalty area pegs, distance markers, power poles/stay wires and advertising boards
    • (b) All buildings, sheds and shelters
    • (c) All artificially surfaced areas
    • (d) Tree guards
    • (e) Taps and watering points including hoses/sprinklers
    • (f) Cart signage
    • (g) Rake holders
  • 3. FIXED SPRINKLER HEADS: All fixed sprinkler heads are immovable obstructions and relief from interference by them may be obtained inder Rule 16.1. Rule 16.1b applies to immovable obstructions close to putting greens. In addition to the types of interference described in Rule 16.1a, interference also exists if an immovable obstruction is on the player’s line of play, and is within two club-lengths of the putting green, and is also witin two club-lengths of the ball. (Exception – There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.)
  • 4. Staked trees and staked shrubs are no play zones and ground under repair (the GUR includes the stake and any wrapping).
  • 5. If it is known or virtually certain that a player’s ball hit a power line during the play of the 9th and 18th holes, the stroke does not count. The player must play a ball without penalty from where the previous rule was made (see Rule 14.6 for what to do).
  • 6. FOR OTHER LOCAL RULES PLEASE SEE THE NOTICE BOARD
  • PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULES: Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for a breach of a Local Rules is the general penalty (stroke play – two strokes, match play – loss of hole).
  • The lowest Marker is the Captain of each Match and should ensure all players observe the Rules and Etiquette of Golf.

Dress Code

All players/visitors to Pittwater Golf Club are required to follow the dress code as provided by the committee (updated December 2023):

In the Clubhouse

  • Dress Code in all areas of the Clubhouse is smart casual attire.
  • Golfers/visitors are not permitted to wear track pants, football or board shorts, tank tops, t shirts, rubber thongs or plastic shoes.
  • Lady members and lady visitors are requested to use fashion discretion in the Clubhouse.
  • Golf shoes/hats are not permitted.

On the Course

  • Club policy requires all players to be neatly dressed.
  • Slacks, jeans or shorts are required.
  • Shirts must have a collar.
  • Players & guests are not permitted to wear track pants, football or board shorts, tank tops, t shirts or rubber thongs.
  • Golf shoes or flat-soled shoes only to be worn on course.

Golf Etiquette

  • 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.
  • In match play, the player who has the honour should be allowed to play before his opponent or fellow competitor tees his ball. In all other modes of play, ready golf is preferred for pace of play.
  • No player should play until the players in front are out of range.
  • In the interest of all, players should play without delay. If you cannot reach the green, you should hit up.
  • Players searching for a ball should allow other players coming up to pass them. They should signal to the players following them to pass, and should not continue their play until those players have passed and are out of range.
  • Before leaving a bunker, a player must rake their foot marks and any other disturbance of the sand. Rakes must be placed WITHIN the bunker, on the line of play.
  • All divots must be repaired by replacing the divot, and spreading sand over the divot, ensuring it is level with the ground surrounding. Sand buckets are provided and must be carried by all golfers. Pitch marks on greens and surrounds must be repaired by all players.
  • Players should ensure that, when dropping bags or the flagstick, no damage is caused to the putting green, and that neither they or their caddies damage the hole by standing close to the hole when handling the flagstick or in removing the ball from the hole. The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before the player leaves the putting green.
  • When the play of a hole has been completed, players must immediately leave the putting green. All scorecards should be marked on the next tee.