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The R&A supported by Golf Australia and the various State bodies have announced a series of temporary measures that will enable clubs to reduce any hygiene implications related to the Corona Virus (COVID–19) and complying with the Rules of Golf.  

The temporary measures outlined below will take effect from the commencement of the competition on Wednesday (25 March) and remain in place until further notice.  Some changes to the operation of the Pro-shop have already been implemented by Murray Blair, our Golf Professional.  Key among these is payment by card only.  Please be prepared for this.  Murray will advise when arrangements within the Pro-shop are further adjusted. 

As you would be aware, the Ainslie Group has ceased the trading of the Social Clubs until further notice.  In this context, there will be no access to the Spike Bar and/or the seating within this bar area, until the Social Club trading recommences.

If you play with club members who English language skills are not strong, please take some time to talk with them about these new arrangements.  

The new arrangements, as notified below, will apply as Local Rules for the playing of Competition Golf on the Gungahlin Lakes Golf Course. These Local Rules will also be notified on the Local Rules Board outside the door of the Pro-shop and on our Facebook page.

Scorecards

• Players may enter their own hole scores on the scorecard (it is not necessary for a marker to do it).
• Enter your Marker’s score on your card e.g. your scorecard should have both sets of scores recorded.  
• It is not necessary to have a marker physically certify the player’s hole scores, but some form of verbal certification should take place.
• Write your Marker’s name where your Marker would normally sign.
• Scorecards are to be entered into the kiosk as usual.  Please use a pencil or tee when ‘tapping’ the screen.  Doing this will alleviate the need to touch the screen with any part of one’s person. Once the scores have been entered place your cards into the box, as you would normally do.
• Committee members will continue to check the cards while doing ‘closeout’ but will use protective gloves when handling the scorecards to minimise the risk of transmission.

 Flagstick 

• Players MUST leave the flagstick in the hole at all times.
• If over coming days/weeks this rule is not adhered to, the Committee has decided a further Local Rule will be applied where players will incur a Standard Penalty (2 Shots) for breach of the Local Rule.

The Hole

• A device will be placed in each hole to ensure that players can lift their ball easily out of the hole without touching the sides of the cup.  A ball at rest in the hole will be considered to be holed even if it is not entirely below the level of the hole.
• Please do not pick-up another person’s golf ball.

Bunkers 

• Rakes will be removed from all Bunkers.  it is recognised that bunkers may not be smoothed as effectively, as when rakes are on the course but we consider this to be acceptable in mitigating the risk of transmission. Players are requested to smooth bunkers using their feet or a club after their shot.
• Should your ball come to rest in an area that has not been ‘smoothed’ adequately, players my place their ball within a card length of the affected lie.  Good practice would be to consult your playing partner if you deemed it necessary ‘place’ your ball.    
• Bunkers will be machine screed by the Greens’ staff as is done now in the normal course of bunker maintenance.   

Sand Buckets

• Sand buckets should continue to be used to fill divots. Our suggestion to players is that they handle the bucked with their ‘gloved’ hand or using a piece of cloth for added protection.

Carts 

• Due to the risk of transmission, only single-player use of golf carts will be permitted   We cannot afford for there to be a perception that we are not taking the social distancing seriously.
• With single player cart use, it would be sensible to make a cart booking with the Pro-shop.

These measures have been put in place for your safety and the safety of others. We ask you strictly adhere to these changes until further notice.

Richard Oliver/President