CLUB RULES & REGULATIONS
We are very excited about Huntsville Golf Club. We have a golf course designed by Rees Jones, which has both the greatness as well as the capacity for enjoyment by players of all levels of skill. It is the centerpiece of the Huntsville Golf Club.
Huntsville Golf Club is committed to golf. The game, with all its allure, mysteries and traditions, is the reason for our existence, and the very foundation on which we have built this Club. Huntsville provides a place for those who love the game to gather to play and to enjoy all that is golf with others who share the same love of the game.
Huntsville Golf Club derives its personality in its formative years from its founders and charter members. Understatement, civility, camaraderie and reverence for the game are the hallmarks of Huntsville, and the governing principle of the Club is a universal recognition of that which is reasonable and appropriate.
We welcome you to enjoy this special place and we are pleased to introduce you to golf at Huntsville and our Golf Director through this booklet. We know that this will be the beginning of a tradition of excellence in the teaching and service available to our members. We believe the presence of a Golf Professional is as important as any aspect of the game of golf at our Club.
We trust that you will seek the services and assistance of our Golf Director and his staff so that you can better enjoy this wonderful game of golf.
- Board of Governors
GOLF BOOKLET CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
The object of this booklet is to acquaint you with the various programs, rules and benefits available to you at Huntsville. Our main purpose is to keep you informed and provide the best opportunity for you to enjoy your time at the club. Your thoughts and suggestions are always welcome.
PLAY AT HUNTSVILLE
We require all players to register at the Golf Shop before beginning play, and play will begin on the first tee unless authorized by the Golf Professionals.
It is our intention to avoid starting times on weekends and holidays. Prior to 12:00 Noon, play will be limited to golfers who have demonstrated the ability to play 18 holes of golf at an efficient pace. (NOTE: All club members, their spouses and eligible children are encouraged to play enough rounds to establish an official U.S.G.A. Handicap.) Throughout the season, during weekends and holidays, twosomes are urged to tee off before 8:30 A.M. or after 11:00 A.M. Every effort will be made to pair up twosomes to make for smoother travel on the golf course. Foursomes may include the following:
- One member and 3 guests
- Two junior members who have been certified by the Golf Professional Staff (Juniors are those over the age of 12 and under the age of 18) and two adult members
- Four intermediate players who have been certified by the Golf Professional Staff (ages 17 to 23)
PACE OF PLAY
Golf is much more enjoyable when a round proceeds without delay. Four-hour rounds are commonplace at many clubs and to a large extent we are accomplishing this goal at Huntsville. The Professional Staff is always happy to assist you in learning how to play and enjoy the game at that pace.
TOURNAMENTS
A members’ tournament schedule has been designed to offer a variety of competition. There is no better way to meet other members. Our goal is to offer a very competitive and entertaining program with plenty of time set aside for open tournament-free play. The “Major Events” portion of our schedule is very special and the entire membership has the opportunity to either participate by playing, volunteering to assist, or merely spectating. Our hope is to get everyone involved in an area in which they are most comfortable. The Professional Staff will make all rules decisions. Any appeals will be made to the Golf Committee.
HANDICAPS
The United States Golf Association (U.S.G.A.) has created a handicap system, which we have implemented. As a member, you are assigned a Golf Handicap Index Number (GHIN) that provides you with a handicap for all club competition. All club events require an official handicap. All disputes regarding handicaps are settled by the Golf Committee. Please post all scores. New members who have not played enough rounds to qualify for an official handicap may play in club events after being assigned a temporary figure by the Professional Staff.
RULES OF PLAY
All play is governed by the U.S.G.A. Most of the time we play “summer rules” which means that from “tee to green” your ball in play may not be touched. On the occasions where we post a notice of “preferred lies,” our club policy allows for the player to mark the spot where the ball lies with a tee and then move that ball no more than one club length and no closer to the hole.
GOLF CARTS
Golf carts are available to any golfer, 16 or over with a valid driver’s license. It is required that you sign a golf cart waiver slip prior to each use. Please be considerate of all signs directing golf cart traffic. Fees are listed in the Golf Shop.
CADDIES/FORECADDIES
Every effort is made to offer caddies to those golfers who care to walk. Youngsters from the surrounding areas are recruited and trained to carry one bag and/or to act as a forecaddie. A forecaddie is assigned whenever there are two or more guests in a group. On occasion, a caddie may carry two bags. Fees for this service can be obtained from the Golf Professional Staff. These rates do not include a gratuity. Caddies are a significant component of our growth as a club. Not only do caddies improve the quality of a round of golf, but also by supporting the caddie program, we will have a positive influence on their development as young girls and boys. Additionally, many of our caddies are eligible to apply for a caddie scholarship.
WALKING
After 4:00 P.M. each day and Mondays at any time after 12:00 Noon, members are allowed to walk and carry their own clubs. Certified juniors can walk without a caddie or the use of a golf cart anytime.
PRACTICE FIELDS
Our practice fields are very special and get a lot of use. All practice balls are available daily for members and guests. Please respect the designated areas that are designed for your practice. All balls are regularly cleaned. Practice on the golf course is something we do not encourage. An extra chip or pitch is not anything serious, but please refrain from continuous activity in any one play area. The posted times for the practice fields, weather permitting, are as follows: Mondays – after 12:00 P.M. All other days – 7:30 A.M. until dusk.
CLUB STORAGE
The storage and golf cart building is our shelter for storing your club equipment. The convenience of leaving your clubs with us is a natural way to begin your round. All clubs are thoroughly cleaned each time they go out and if you call ahead of time, we will gladly have your bag and clubs placed on the golf cart for a speedy start. Insurance on your equipment is generally covered by your homeowner’s policy. For your annual storage fee, you will receive the following services:
- Clubs will be cleaned after each use.
- Each club and bag will be provided a name identification label.
- Your bag will be brought out by the golf staff. Please allow our personnel to load your clubs on the golf carts.
- Minor repairs will be done as needed.
- Your equipment will be inspected at the conclusion of the season and recommendations for refurbishing will be suggested.
GRATUITIES
Caddies and forecaddies receive a basic rate, plus an appropriate tip. Commonsense should prevail, and we will be pleased to advise you of the proper amount. All other golf personnel in the service area will pool their tips and split evenly based on their hours of service. The Golf Supervisor is responsible for the assigning of golf carts, the upkeep of the bag room, and the control of the caddie program, as well as much of the interaction between member and guests.
The Assistant Professionals and Golf Shop sales people do not expect to be compensated for any extra services rendered. Incentives for these individuals are derived through private lessons and group instructions.
GOLF PRIVILEGES
The popularity of playing Huntsville attracts many guests. Non-members may be invited to play as guests at the club a maximum of twice per month, with the exception of Field Days and the Annual Member Guest, which is not included in the monthly count. The guest rate fee is reduced by 50% for the following: Father, Father-in-Law, Mother, Mother-in-Law, Daughter, Daughter-in-Law, Son, Son-in-Law, Grandfather, Grandmother, Grandson, and Granddaughter. All other fees remain the same. Houseguests are afforded special consideration.
THE GOLF SHOP
The Golf Shop is the focal point of the golfing activity. The support of the Golf Shop and Golf Staff is an important ingredient in building a successful club. We expect to earn your respect through quality service, fashionable merchandise and reasonable pricing. There are always items on display that have reduced prices. Purchases are generally billed directly to your account. Your guests may use cash or major credit cards for their purchases.
HOLE-IN-ONE POLICY
Each time a member makes a Hole-in-One, the entire membership is billed $1.00. This fund is rewarded to the ace shooter in the form of a gift certificate to be used for merchandise purchases. It is customary that the recipient of such a reward offers to buy a drink for those individuals present at the time of the Hole-in-One. This fund is replenished each time an ace is made.
DRESS AND ETIQUETTE
The Board of Governors wishes to include some other pertinent information concerning golf at Huntsville. Members, their families and guests, are asked to wear proper golf attire when playing the course or using the practice fields. Softspikes are recommended, but not required. Men are asked to wear shirts with collars and sleeves. Both men and women may wear Bermuda shorts.
The following rules of etiquette have developed over the approximately 200-year history of golf. Please be mindful of these suggestions.
- Don’t move, talk or stand close to or directly behind a player making a stroke.
- Don’t play until the group ahead is safely out of the way.
- Always play without delay. Leave the putting green and record all scores for the current hole on the following tee.
- Invite faster, more experienced golfers to play through.
- Replace divots and smooth out footprints in bunkers.
- Do not step on the line of another’s putt.
- Do not place clubs or the flagstick on the putting surface.
- Replace the flagstick carefully in an upright position.
- Leave the golf course in the condition in which you would like to find it.
CONCLUSION
There is a spirit that all great golf clubs in this country share. We are hopeful that with our outstanding golf course and a membership that respects the game of golf, a tradition will evolve that will place our club in that special category.