Course Rules & Regulations |
LINCOLN COUNTRY CLUB I.
FEES A. Cart Rates 1.
18 holes $20.00 per person 2. 9 holes $10.00
per person 3. Additional bag $4.00 B. Guest Fees 1.
Weekdays before 4 PM $35.00 - 18 holes $20.00
- 9 holes 2.
Weekends/Holidays before 4 PM $40.00 - 18 holes $25.00
- 9 holes 3.
Weekdays after 4 PM $20.00 4.
Weekends after 4 PM $25.00 II.
PLAY AND RESTRICTIONS A. Guests 1. The number of guests is limited to one
(1) prior to 3:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays unless special authorization is
granted by the Board of Governors. On
weekdays and weekends after 3:00 p.m., the number of guests is limited to three
(3) per member. 2. All guests must register at the Pro
Shop and be verified by a sponsoring member. 3. The sponsoring member must accompany the guest at all times and is responsible for
the conduct of his/her guest(s). 4. Former members who owe money to the
club are not permitted to play as a guest.
Upon payment of the outstanding debt in its entirety, the former member
will be precluded from playing as a guest for a period equal to the number of
days the debt was past due in excess of thirty (30) days. This penalty will be assessed during the
period from April 1st through October 31st. (For example: A person resigns effective
9/1/05 and owes dues for August. The
payment is due by 10/1/05, but no payment is made until 2/1/06. The penalty period is the number of days from
11/1/05 to 2/1/06. The former member
cannot play as a guest from 4/1/06 through 6/30/06.) 5. Guests are limited to playing five (5)
times in any given month; except that a guest who lives more than 150 miles
from the club for the majority of the year may play in excess of five (5) times
in any given month. In any given month,
guests may not play more than 3 times on a weekend or holiday. Tournaments where guests are allowed are not
counted as a round toward the monthly maximum.
6. No guests are allowed between DECEMBER
1st and APRIL 1st unless the Pro Shop is open to collect
guest fees. 7. A Social Member is eligible to play as
a guest under the guest policy 8. Members of Lincoln Country Club can
bring unlimited guests on any Non Outing Monday or Non
Holiday Monday. The member would be charged for their cart and their guest
greens fees with the guest getting a free cart for 18 holes. All charges will
be billed to the member's LCC account, no cash or credit cards accepted, the
member can collect fees from their guests. Example:
Member with 7 guest would be billed $20 for their cart
and $245 for their guest (7 x $35) for a total of $265, a savings of $140 (7 x
$20). This
unlimited Guest Rate applies to 18-hole rounds on Mondays only! Monday
Special Guest doesn't count towards the 5 rounds
referenced in section 5. All
members are responsible for informing their guest of our dress code beforehand,
please make sure guest adhere to this policy. B.
Restricted Play Rules 1. The course will be closed until the end
of play for certain tournaments as permitted by the Board of Governors. Notice of these occasions will be provided in
the tournament schedule and in the Pro Shop. 2. The course will be closed for the
Holiday Mixed Scotch tournaments at 12:30 PM so long as at least thirty-six
(36) people are playing in the tournament. 3. “B” members may not begin play on
Saturdays prior to 12:30 and Sundays and holidays prior to 12:00 PM with the exception of the Ladies’ Member/Guest, and such
other tournaments as permitted by the Board of Governors. Senior members may not begin play on weekends
and holidays prior to 3:00 PM. Junior
members and children under the age of sixteen (16) who are part of a family
membership may not begin play on weekends and holidays prior to 4:00. During the period from November 1st
to April 1st these restrictions on play shall be suspended. 4. All employees of Lincoln Country Club and
kitchen personnel shall be allowed to play the course at any time on weekdays
and after 4:00 PM on weekends and holidays at the discretion of the Pro. Employees and kitchen personnel must
check in with the Pro prior to teeing off.
Any abuse of these privileges will result in a suspension of the
privilege for a period determined by the Board of Governors. Employees and kitchen personnel are not
permitted to bring guests on the course. 5. Any male player 65 or older can tee off
from the red and/or gold tees if they wish to. These are the ladies
tees but are also rated by the RIGA as senior tees. If playing these tees, post
scores as men's red and/or gold. C. Conduct and Attire of Members and Guests 1. Children under the age of twelve (12)
years are not allowed on the course unless under the direct supervision of a
parent and at the discretion of the Pro and Rules Committee. 2. Lincoln Country Club depends on all of its members to dress in an appropriate fashion. Members are responsible for informing their
guests of the dress code prior to play.
For male members and guests, shirts with a collar or mock neck are
required and MUST be tucked into their shorts/pants, unless the style is
shorter and is specifically designed to be worn outside of the individuals’ pants/shorts. Undershirts, “T” shirts, tank tops, muscle
shirts, “blue” jeans, CARGO pants/shorts, sweatpants, cut-off shorts, gym
shorts or tennis shorts are NOT allowed on the course. Hats or visors MUST be properly worn (not
sideways or backwards). The Pro will be
required to monitor this rule. Anyone in
violations of this rule may be subject to disciplinary action by the Board of
Governors. During
the period from November 1st though March 31st, members
will be permitted to wear jeans on the golf course; however, all other
restrictions as to attire shall remain in effect. Appropriate attire is also required in the
clubhouse. 3. No bare feet or street shoes are
allowed on the course or the putting green or other practice areas. Golf shoes with soft spikes, sneakers or
spikeless golf shoes are required on the course. 4. Members and guests must observe all
parking regulations and restrictions. 5. Any form of threatening, abusive,
harassing, or profane language or gesture, or physical assault directed toward
any member, guest, club employee, personnel of the Pro Shop or kitchen or other
vendor personnel or employees of outside contractors hired by the club, is a
heinous breach of etiquette and will not be tolerated. The offending party is subject to discipline
by the Board of Governors pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article I,
Section 6 of the By-Laws. 6. All parties must be pre-approved by the
Board or the Board’s designee. Under no
circumstances and at no time shall a member or guest bring alcoholic beverages
on club property. All food and alcoholic
beverages must be purchased from our vendor.
Any member found leaving the property of Lincoln Country Club with an
alcoholic beverage, other than as permitted by the Rhode Island General Laws,
shall be subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Governors, up to and
including expulsion. D. Playing the Course 1. Only practice areas designated by the
Board may be utilized for practicing; players cannot practice on the
course. The putting green is for putting
only 2. On weekends and holidays play is
limited to threesomes and foursomes. Twosomes
may begin play during these hours only upon specified instructions from the Pro
or his representative 3. On weekends and holidays from April 1st
to November 1st, the earliest tee off shall be 6:45 AM. There will be no alternating when making the
turn before 8:30 AM. 4. On weekends and holidays, order of
tee-off will be governed by numbered score cards issued by the Pro Shop. Cards will only be issued when at least three
(3) members of your group have personally registered in the Pro Shop. If your number comes up and you are waiting
for the fourth player, you must either tee off or relinquish your number and be
placed at the end of the list. If you
choose to tee off with three (3) players, the Pro has the right to put a single
player with your group if there is one waiting to play. Switching of cards is not
permitted. The Pro will maintain a list
with one (1) name from your group next to the number that coincides with the
number on your card. 5. If the Pro Shop is open, all members
and guests are required to sign in before play.
If the Pro Shop is closed at the time of tee-off, they must sign in
before leaving the course. 6. The Pro has COMPLETE AUTHORITY to
regulate and control play on the course.
Play MUST start on the first tee unless specific permission is given by
the Pro or his representative. Under
supervision of the Pro or his representative, players coming from the 9th
green will alternate at the 1st tee with players just starting
play. Any disputes shall be reported to
the Pro Committee. 7. All players must use their own
clubs. Playing from someone else’s bag
is not allowed. 8.
A local rule will override the new USGA rule regarding
replacement of a damaged club during play:
A player MAY replace a damaged club if it is “unfit for play” and was
damaged in the “normal course of play.” 9. All completed rounds must be attested
and turned in at the Pro Shop. III. CARTS 1. Carts cannot be reserved. All carts will be distributed by the Pro Shop
on a first come/first served basis. 2. Two (2) carts will not be allowed in a
group with only one (1) rider per cart. 3. A child of any age who is playing the
course is permitted to ride in a motorized cart only if a member of the club
over the age of 21 is the driver of the cart.
The member shall be responsible for the conduct of the child on the course. IV. CADDIES 1. Caddies must be familiar with club rules
and golf etiquette before being assigned to the golf course at the discretion
of the Pro. A member or guest may not
employ their own caddy without prior approval from the Pro. V. COURSE ETIQUETTE It
is important for each golfer to learn and follow the basic code of golf
etiquette. This will make your round and
that of others more enjoyable. It is
suggested before going on the course that you read and follow these simple rules. 1. Be at your ball with club in hand,
ready to play when it is your honor. On
the tee, the honor belongs to the team or player with the lowest score on the
most recent hole, which was not halved or tied.
The other players follow in order.
In keeping with the USGA modernized rules players are encouraged to play
“ready golf” in stroke play. 2. If your group falls behind the group
ahead, or is delayed while looking for a ball, signal the group behind to play
through. 3. The time allowed for searching for a
ball is THREE MINUTES. After this time,
the ball is deemed lost and the shot must be replayed. 4. Do not talk or move about while others
are preparing to swing or are in the process of swinging. 5. Do not stand in a spot where you or
your shadow may distract a player who is preparing to swing or putt. 6. Replace and step down on any turf you
may dislodge in making a shot. Remember,
for the benefit of all players, to REPLACE YOUR DIVOTS! 7. Always carefully smooth out any marks
you make in a sand bunker. You will find
a rake at each bunker. 8. Repair any marks your ball makes in
landing on a green. For the benefit of
all players, REPAIR YOUR MARK AND ONE OTHER! 9. Never walk on a part of the green that
is between another player’s ball and the hole. 10. Avoid any unnecessary delays be always
setting your bag, or parking your cart, on the side of the green nearest the
next tee. To preserve the course,
observe all cart signs. 11. Never drive or pull your golf cart into
a sand bunker or onto a green, tee or fringe area. 12. Place any trash you may have (cans,
papers, etc.) in the trash receptacles, which are positioned at the various
tees. Do not throw your trash in the
woods or on the course. VI. ENFORCING THE RULES 1. The rules that govern play on the
course are designed for the benefit of all members and to assure everyone of an
enjoyable round of golf on a well-conditioned course. Any rule violation noticed by a member should
be brought to the attention of the Pro or a member of the Rules Committee. 2. In the event of a violation by a guest,
the member responsible for the guest should be informed of the violation, as
well as the Pro and a member of the Rules Committee. 3. Any violation of the rules regarding
play on the golf course, playing restrictions, the dress code, and course
etiquette by a member may result in a verbal or written warning by the Rules
Committee which will also be reported to the Board. If the member is dissatisfied with the action
of the Rules Committee, he/she may petition the Board for review of the action
in accordance with Article I, Section 6 of the By-Laws. Repeat infractions will be brought to the
Board of Governors for disciplinary action. VII.
LOCAL COURSE RULES U.S.G.A.
rules govern all play on the course. A
rules book should be available in the Pro Shop. U.S.G.A.
Rule 24-2b provides how a player obtains relief from an immovable obstruction
(i.e., a cart path with an artificial surface).
A player is allowed a one (1) club length free drop from the nearest
(not necessarily the best) point of relief.
Do not drop onto a green or into a hazard. Most of the following local rules are
printed on the back of the scorecard. 1. All cart paths will be a free drop
whether they are paved or not. If a
paved cart path has a gravel area at the end of it, this will be considered a
continuation of the cart path and will be a free drop. 2. The gravel road between holes #4 and #5
will be a free drop (i.e., cart path relief). 3. Free drop from all rocks in your own
fairway only. 4. Hole #8/17 Yellow
Stakes behind green - If your ball enters the hazard between yellow stakes you
have 3 options: 1.
You
can play from the Hazard as it lies. 2.
You
can go back to the original place where you hit your last shot and drop as
close as possible to the same spot with a 1 stroke penalty. If you had hit from
the tee you have the option to re tee the ball. 3.
You
can drop in the Drop Circle to the right side of the green with a 1 stroke
penalty. Red
Stakes left of green - If your ball enters the hazard to the left side of the
green where the red stakes are you have 3 options. The 3 options you have are: 1.
Play
the ball as it lies in the hazard. 2.
Go
back to the place where you hit your last shot from and drop as close as
possible with a 1 stroke penalty. If you hit from the tee you have the option
to re tee it again. 3.
Drop
the ball within 2 club lengths from the point of entry no nearer the hole with
a 1 stroke penalty. If
your ball enters the Hazard beyond the last yellow stake to the right near the
cart path you have the option to either take the Lateral Hazard rule or go to
the drop area to the right of the green.
If you choose the drop circle to the right of the green (please note the
following). Make
sure when you drop the ball it hits the ground within the circle. Your ball
does not have to come to rest within the circle. Your ball is
allowed to roll no more than 2 club lengths from the point where it hits
the ground. If your ball rolls in any direction, even if it is closer to the
hole or rolls out of the circle it is in play as long as
it is within the 2 club lengths. If it rolls more than the 2 club lengths you will have to drop it again. If it rolls more
than 2 club lengths on the 2nd drop you will be allowed to place the ball on
the spot where it hit the ground on the 2nd drop. 5. A ball hit against the wall to the left
of the cart path behind the green on hole #6 must be played as it lies or the
player may proceed under the unplayable lie rule, unless the ball lies within
the perimeter of the white stakes. Additionally,
any ball lying within the flower bed area behind the green is entitled to a
free drop at the nearest point of relief on either side of the bed. The player will be allowed a free drop no
nearer the hole without penalty. 6. Stones in bunkers cannot be moved or
touched. The ball must be played as it lies. 7. A ball hit into the club parking lot is
out of bounds. If the logs that line the
boundary of the parking interfere with your play on the course side, you may
take a free drop (one club length). 8. If any garden areas that have been
created around the course interfere with your play, you may take a free drop
(one club length, no closer to the hole). 9. The stone wall on the left side of the
6th fairway will define out of bounds. Any ball hit over the wall is out of
bounds. If a player’s ball is on the
wall or against it, that player can either play the ball as it lies or proceed
under the unplayable lie rule. 10. The
ball will be played down (i.e., cannot lift, clean and place) from the date the
GHIN system begins accepting scores until it stops accepting scores, unless
otherwise noted by the Rules Committee. Damaged areas and areas under repair
will be marked as necessary. 11. REMEMBER: A “free” drop is within one (1) club length,
no closer to the hole. All other drops,
involving the assessment of a penalty stroke, are within two (2) club lengths,
no closer to the hole. VIII. TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP (See Membership
Application for full details of each membership)
H. OTHER
PROVISIONS REGARDING MEMBERSHIP 1.
Assessments
– Family memberships shall be assessed at a rate of 1.4 times the individual
assessment for all assessments except the standard kitchen and bar assessment. 2.
A
child of a member of Lincoln Country Club cannot purchase a Junior
Membership. The member must purchase a
Family Membership to include the child. 3.
The
adult members of a family membership which terminates in divorce may both apply
for immediate membership within sixty (60) days of the entry of the final
decree of divorce. 4.
If
a member in good standing is called to active duty during a military conflict,
the Board, in its discretion, may waive the dues of the member for such period
as the Board deems appropriate. The
member shall remain responsible for payment of the monthly kitchen and bar
assessment and assessments which may come due during the waiver period. If the member has a family membership, the
other family members may retain their playing privileges during the waiver
period. IX. CHANGES IN MEMBERSHIP 1. A fully vested member in good standing
who takes a leave of absence, or becomes a social member for (1) year, will be
placed at the top of the waiting list upon approval by the Board of his or her
written request for reinstatement to full membership. A member who is not fully vested will be
placed at the bottom of the waiting list.
Those members requesting return to full membership who are placed on the
waiting list shall be offered limited playing privileges at a reduced dues in accordance with the following provisions: Annual dues shall be billed at the rate of
85% of the annual dues for the type of voting membership requested. Members on the waiting list will be
responsible for all assessments and the payment of the minimum monthly food and
beverage assessment for the type of voting membership requested. Playing
privileges shall be equivalent to those of the type of voting membership
requested, with the following exceptions and restrictions: 1.
A
returning member on the waiting list is not permitted to tee off until 1:30 PM
on Saturdays and holidays. 2.
A
returning member on the waiting list is not permitted to tee off after 12:00 PM
on Fridays. 3.
A
returning member on the waiting list is not permitted to play as a guest in a
club tournament. 4.
Participation
in club twilight leagues is permitted subject to availability of openings. Members
with full playing privileges (Individuals, Family, Senior Individuals, Senior
Family, Junior Executive, and Executive) have priority for available slots over
Social memberships. 5.
Participation
in tournaments is permitted subject to availability of openings and subject to
the playing restrictions noted above.
Voting members have priority for tournament play openings over those on
the waiting list. Members on the waiting list are not eligible for a locker or for bag storage. Members on the waiting list have not voting rights and no right to hold office. A returning member on the waiting list who accepts the limited playing privileges must accept full membership when it is offered or the limited playing privileges will be terminated and his/her name removed from the waiting list. The returning member must indicate in
his/her request for reinstatement to full membership that he/she accepts the
offer of limited playing privileges at reduced dues while he/she is on the
waiting list 1. Any request for a change in membership
shall be in writing and can only be acted upon at the next Board meeting
following receipt of the request. Any
action taken by the Board shall take effect on the first day of the next month. 2. A family member who is a current vested
member in good standing and reaches the age of eighteen (18), or is over
eighteen (18) years of age but no longer in school, may apply for an individual
membership and will be placed at the top of the waiting list. Said member will be allowed a grace period of
sixty (60) days from his/her eighteenth (18th) birthday, or sixty
(60) days from the date the member is no longer in school, to apply for an
individual membership while retaining the playing privileges of a family
member. Until there is an opening, the
family membership must remain current and in good standing and the family
member can continue to play under that membership. When there is an opening, the member will be
offered an individual membership and the initiation fee will be waived. 3. A junior member who has been a member
for five (5) years or more and reaches the age of 18, or is over eighteen (18)
but no longer in school may apply for an individual membership so long as he or
she is a member in good standing. The
member will be placed second on the waiting list and upon admission, will be
permitted to pay the initiation fee over the course of two (2) years. If there is more than one (1) junior member
in this situation, the next member will be placed fourth on the waiting list
and so on, alternating based upon date of birth. While on the waiting list, the member must
continue to maintain his or her junior membership and the dues will be pro
rated upon admission. 4. A junior member who has been a member
for less than five (5) years and reaches the age of 18, or is over eighteen
(18) but no longer in school may apply for an individual membership and will be
placed at the bottom of the waiting list. 5. A person on the waiting list who has
not accepted the limited playing privileges and is offered full membership may
decline the offer once and will be placed at the bottom of the waiting list
without incurring any additional fee. If
the person is offered membership a second time and declines, his or her name will
be removed from the waiting list. 7.
Any member who is granted a leave of absence after September 1, 2003
shall still be responsible for the payment of any assessments which may come
due during the leave of absence. |