AUSTRALIA'S PREMIER NAVAL GOLF COURSE
CLUB RULES
Regular Competition Schedule
Saturdays 18-Hole Competition from 0630 to 1630 – Open to all 7-Day Members and their Guests
Tuesdays 18-Hole Competition from 0830 to 1230 – Open to all 6-Day and 7-Day Members and their Guests
Thursdays 9 or 18-Hole Competition from 0800 to 1700 – Open to all 6-Day and 7-Day Members and their Guests
Mixed Competitions normally held Sundays or Public Holidays and starting times determined by the committee organising the event.
Members may invite a small number of guests during competitions with prior approval from the President, Captain or Vice-Captain.
Members may invite guests without prior approval during ‘Guest Days’.
The Duty Committee person has the authority to place the ‘Çourse Closed’ sign when competitions are running.
How to Decide Ties in Events
MATCH PLAY
A match that ends all square shall be continued hole by hole from the hole at which the match commenced, until one side wins a hole.
STROKE, STABLEFORD and PAR EVENTS
In NETT events, a competition which ends in a tie shall be decided by count0back in the following manner:
The best total score for the last 9 holes.
Should there still be a tie, the best total score for the last 6 holes.
Should there still be a tie, the best total score for the last 3 holes.
Should there still be a tie, the hole by hole score shall be taken from the 18th.
Eligibility
To be eligible to compete in the Club Championship, a member must have played at least 10 Individual Club Events during the preceding year. Under exceptional circumstances, this ruling may be waived at the discretion of the Match Committee.
To be eligible to compete in the Seniors Trophy, a member must be 55 years of age or over.
To enable the Junior Encouragement Trophy to be played for, there must be 2 or more juniors entered to play.
Club Rules
Members are provided access to ONEGolf to book starting times. Members are to be ready to play 10 minutes prior to their appointed tee-off time.
The Rules of Golf prohibit practice on the course on the day of a competition. On non-competition days, players may practice on the course with a maximum of 2 balls.
All handicaps will be adjusted through official Golflink events.
Dress of members shall at all times conform to the accepted standard of the Club. The Committee shall have the power to require the offender in the matter of dress to leave the Club until such dress is rectified. Members are responsible for the standard of dress for their guests.
The Club shall not be responsible for the loss or damage to personal property or for personal injury in or about the Club premises.
All complaints shall be made in writing and addressed to the Secretary of the Club within 7 days of the occasion of the complaint subject.
It is the custom of all golf members to yield to the Patron, President and Captain of the Club the ‘Rights of the Course’at all times. Apart from this, precedence on the course accords with the Rules of Golf.
LOCAL RULES
All golfers and patrons must be fully vaccinated (COVID-19). Proof at check-in required. If you are bringing and using your own private golf cart, please send a copy of the Certificate of Insurance of your golf cart to the Club upon booking.
To be read in conjunction with the Rules of Golf
Out of Bounds
- On and beyond the formed roadways adjacent to all holes.
- The Cemetery, Kindergarten Playgrounds and the Married Quarters
Drains
The concrete drain crossing holes 1, 9, 10 and 18 is classified Ground-Under-Repair (GUR) and relief must be taken.
Staked Trees
If a staked tree interferes with a player’s stance or area of intended swing, the ball must be lifted, without penalty and dropped in accordance with procedures prescribed under Rule 24-2b(1) [immovable obstruction]. The ball may be cleaned when so lifted.
Note: Stakes or wire protecting young trees are classified as immovable obstructions.
Wheel Marks
Wheel marks and scars made by tractors and associated equipment are classified as GUR.
Watering Equipment
Hoses, sprinklers and valve hoses are immovable obstructions and must not be touched or altered. These are to be treated as GUR and relief taken.
Penalty for Breach of Local Rules
Stroke Play: 2 Strokes
Match Play: Loss of Hole
STAKES
Lateral Water Hazard
GUR
Out of Bounds
PACE OF PLAY
Slow play can detract from all players enjoying their round of golf. Each player should recognise that his or her pace of play is likely to affect how long it will take others to play their rounds.
Rule 6-7 states: “The player shall play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines which may be laid down by the Committee.“
A round of golf at the Cerberus Golf Club is expected to take a group of four golfers on average four hours to play eighteen holes. The low marker of the group is responsible for the pace of play of their group and should endeavour to keep up with the group in front.
Ready golf is designed to make each round quicker to play and be more enjoyable for all players. Ready golf allows players to play out of turn when it is safe to do so and without compromising golfing etiquette. The following should be incorporated during a round:
- Walk throughout the course and between greens and tees at a good pace.
- If you have the honour on the tee, play your shot then mark the scorecard.
- Be ready with your club selected and glove on as soon as it is your turn to play.
- Keep pre-shot routines to a minimum.
- Play a provisional ball if you believe your ball may be lost or have gone out of bounds.
- When arriving at a green, position your bag ready to exit towards the next tee.
- Line up your ball and be ready to putt whilst your fellow competitors are playing.
- Putt out whenever possible.
The following Rules of Golf will also be implemented during club competition rounds to support this Pace of Play Policy:
Rule 5.6b: It is recommended a player make their stroke in no more than 40 seconds after they are able to play without interference or distraction.
Rule 18.2: A ball is deemed lost if not found within three minutes after the player begins to search for it.
Rule 21.2b: In stroke play (except Club Championships), when a player has reached the maximum score for the hole (at Cerberus this is 10 shots), the player is to pick up their ball and record the maximum score.
The Committee are also helping to improve the pace of play by managing the length of the rough areas thereby reducing the amount of time looking for a ball; reducing low hanging foliage to make it easier to play shots from the rough area; and managing groups during competition play to ensure a more enjoyable round of golf is experienced by all players.
EMERGENCY AND EXTREME WEATHER POLICY
This direction is to inform staff, members of committee and the members of Cerberus Golf Club (CGC) their responsibilities in the event of an emergency or an extreme weather event and the actions that must be taken. An emergency or extreme weather event may occur without warning. Therefore all golf club staff, committee and members should be properly prepared and familiar with this direction.
Should an emergency occur and either fire, medical or police services be required, then those first on the scene as appropriate should render first aid, and or initiate a call to emergency number 000. A call should also be made to alert the respective response services located at HMAS Cerberus: Fire services – 03 5931 5555; Medical 03 5953 6245; Security: 03 5931 5700;
PERSONS IN CHARGE DURING AN EVENT
During normal business hours of the club, the Club Manager, in consultation with the President, or Captain in his/her absence, is to assume control of the course and club facilities, aided by members of committee and staff as necessary.
On Saturdays and Tuesdays and other periods when the Manager is not in attendance, members of committee are to assume control keeping the President and the Club Captain informed.
The Club Manager, Club President, Club Captain or designated committee person has the authority to suspend all play on the course when necessary.
Course Closed signage is to be placed on the 1st tee and tee markers to be removed.
Weather conditions are to be monitored and re-assessed throughout an event and where feasible the course reopened for play, otherwise play should be abandoned as appropriate.
Course reopening should only occur if the applicable hazard/danger to persons no longer exists.
Emergency Evacuation Point: The Emergency Evacuation Point for the CGC is in the main carpark adjacent the front doors to the club house. Should a fire or other emergency occur, all persons should muster together at the designated muster point, or if appropriate somewhere else that is removed from danger, or leave the club/course precincts.
Extreme Weather Events
Incidents of extreme weather although relatively rare have the potential to cause serious injury or the loss of life. Incidents of extreme weather have the potential to force the temporary closure of the golf course including practice facilities. Examples of weather events may include: fog, lightning, bushfires, extreme heat and high winds.
It is important that emergency actions are initiated quickly by golf club staff, members of committee or members at the scene. All members of the golf club and members of the general public present on the course or at the club must conform with given directions including directions to suspend play and leave the golf course, and or leave the CGC precincts.
Any club member failing to comply with given directions during extreme weather events will be requested to justify their non-compliance to committee. Any member failing to follow a direction to leave the course during competition play will be disqualified.
Depending on individual circumstances, the committee may request affected members to appear before committee to explain their actions and non-compliance. Suspension of play will normally be indicated by signage posted at the first tee; through the directions of staff or a member of committee designated to clear the course and or facilities; and by an audible warning.
Actions to be Taken by Players on the Course
Players on the golf course once directed to suspend play and leave the course must mark their ball appropriately and return to the clubhouse to await further direction.
SPECIFIC EVENTS
Fog Policy:
In the event of visibility being restricted so that players in the preceding group are not visible out to 250m in front. When standing on the first tee as example the group/players in front are not visible out to 250m. In that instance all play is to cease until visibility clears and there is no real danger of balls striking players in front.
Players on the course are not to recommence play until the relevant staff member or member of committee has deemed it appropriate. During instances of fog, this would not occur until fog is lifted sufficiently across the course.
Bush Fire Policy:
On days when the declared Fire Danger Rating at HMAS Cerberus is CATASTROPHIC, the golf course is to be closed. On days when the Fire Danger Rating is HIGH to EXTREME, prevailing conditions are to be closely monitored by the Club Manager and President/Captain/Committee as applicable. Should warning advice from either the local CFA or HMAS Cerberus Fire Staff dictate the course be closed, any personnel on the course are to be cleared immediately by the Club Manager, staff or committee present.
In the event of a bushfire on or in the vicinity of the golf course, the golf course is to be closed and all persons are to proceed initially to the Emergency Evacuation Point. If safe to do so, all persons are to leave the club area and depart HMAS Cerberus. Should conditions not permit total evacuation, the advice of CFA or HMAS Cerberus Fire Staff as applicable should be followed.
Heat Policy:
On days when the Bureau of Meteorology forecast promulgated at 5pm the preceding day, is for the temperature to reach 37 degrees or more, this policy is to apply:
Manager or relevant Captain is to consider the postponement or cancellation of the day’s competition and or social play. Club Manager or Match Committee to reschedule as appropriate.
Wind Policy:
The Bureau of Meteorology wind speed readings for HMAS Cerberus are to be used as the appropriate gauge. Play is not to commence or be suspended following three consecutive readings — each 10 minutes apart – of wind speed exceeding 65kms per hour.
In circumstances where wind speeds are below 65kms per hour, prevailing conditions are to be assessed as safe for personnel by the relevant staff member and or member of committee before any play can be commenced or resumed.
Lightning Policy:
Instances of lightening are quite common during certain weather conditions. Should lightning strikes be detected within 10km of the course all play including practice is to be suspended. Play must not resume until all lightning strikes within 10kms have ceased for a minimum period of 30 minutes.
UPDATED: 23 August 2023
CODE OF 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.
The player who has the honour should be allowed to play before the opponent or fellow competitor(s) tees his/her ball. However, in the interest of a faster pace of play, if the fairway is clear ahead, players who are ready to tee off may do so out of turn. Our aim is to play ready golf and improve the pace of play.
No player should play until the players in the group ahead are out of range.
If your ball lands on the fairway of an adjacent hole, you must check for golfers teeing off or playing on the fairway of the adjacent hole and wait until they have played through before approaching your ball.
In the interest of all, players should play without delay in accordance with the Club’s pace of play policy. The player with the lowest handicap in the group is responsible for the group’s position in the field.
Players searching for a ball are allowed three minutes to find his/her ball.
Before leaving a bunker, a player should carefully rake the sand smooth and ensure that the rake is placed on the rake holders provided or the marked area for rakes.
Through the green, a player should ensure that any divots are filled with sand then pressed down.
On the putting greens, players should carefully repair all plug marks, spike marks or other damage. This may be done at any time that the player occupies the green.
When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.
Those teeing off on the 1st tee shall yield to those teeing off the 10th tee.
Dress of golfers shall at all times conform to the accepted standard of the Club. The Club manager or staff shall have the power to require the offender in the matter of dress to leave the Club until such dress is rectified. Members are responsible for the standard of dress for their guests.
The Club shall not be responsible for the loss or damage to personal property or for personal injury in or about the Club premises.
All complaints shall be made in writing and addressed to the Secretary of the Club within 7 days of the occasion of the complaint subject.
It is the custom of all golf members to yield to the Patron, President and Captain of the Club the ‘Rights of the Course’ at all times. Apart from this, precedence on the course accords with the Rules of Golf.
It is the duty of the player with the lowest handicap to see that this Code is observed.
Attention to the Rules of Golf and the etiquette of the game will ensure that you avoid disqualification and make the game pleasant for all.
Mobile Phones are not to be used on the course unless the Match Committee has granted prior approval.
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