General Rules
General Rules
The general rules below apply to the following courses - Belleisle, Lochgreen, Darley, Girvan, Seafield, Dalmilling, Fullarton and Maybole. For all other courses please see individual pages for contact details.
Tee Booking
All golfers are requested to check in 10 minutes before you are due on the tee. If the golf courses are busy and you miss your tee off time you may lose your chance to play on that day and lose your booking deposit.
No refunds of green fees will be given.
Dress Code
South Ayrshire Council's golf courses have a relaxed dress code, but we do ask golfers to dress appropriately for the sport. No vests, sleeveless tee shirts, football shirts, torn denim or dirty work wear permitted. Shoes should not damage the golf greens, golf shoes are preferred although trainers are permitted.
Handicaps
We do not insist on golfers holding handicap certificates before play but we do ask for a reasonable standard of experience and ability. Belleisle, Lochgreen and Darley are championship standard golf courses and should not be played by golfers of insufficient ability. This may cause hold ups and Course Marshals may ask slow players to leave the course. If you are unsure of your ability, Management would advise you to select one of our less demanding courses such as Girvan, Dalmilling, Fullarton, Maybole or Seafield, until you feel confident in your golf game.
Please note that Junior Golfers must have a handicap of 18 for both boys and girls to play on Belleisle and Lochgreen. A Junior golfer wishing to play on Darley must have an official handicap. Handicap certificates must be shown to the Starter on request.
Slow Play
Each golf course has a timed playing standard relating to its length and degree of difficulty. Please note that the standard should be the maximum time allowed for a game of golf under normal conditions for a four ball.
The timed standard is enforced by our Golf Course Marshals who will operate a warning - yellow card - red card system.
If you are 'red carded' you will be causing frustration and delay to the many golfers following your match and you will be asked to leave the courses immediately, without a refund.
Please note that on occasions, due to volume of play at peak times, timed standards may rise.
Time Standards as follows
Lochgreen: 4 hours 5 mins
Darley: 4 hours 5 mins
Fullarton: 3 hours 30 mins
Belleisle: 4 hours 5 mins
Seafield: 3 hours 45 mins
Dalmilling: 3 hours 45 mins
Girvan: 3 hours 30 mins
Please play without delay - be ready
Remember folks your place on the golf course is immediately behind the game in front, not immediately in front of the game behind.
Golf Course Care
Our Green keeping staff take great care in preparing the courses for your enjoyment. It is the duty of all golfers to care for South Ayrshire Golf Courses so future generations will enjoy improving standards of golf.
Most golfers seek recognition as being knowledgeable about their sport; here are some words of advice to follow to earn the respect of your fellow players.
- Always replace and firmly tread down any divots (cut turf) on fairways.
- Always repair ball pitch marks on golf greens.
- Always smoothly rake over any foot or club marks left in a bunker.
- Please replace golf flagsticks carefully to avoid damaging the hole cup.
- Please tap down damage caused by spiked shoes
Ride on Buggies
In order to protect the course these are not permitted on any golf course except on medical grounds.
General Rules for all Courses
- Before play all players must report to the Starter and be in possession of a valid ticket
- All games must commence from the 1st tee.
- Each player must have a golf bag with a minimum of four clubs one of which must be a putter.
- Always keep trolleys away from greens, tees and outside white lined areas.
- Keep golf bags off greens and tees
- Four players is the maximum allowed for each match.
- Play will be under the rules of Golf as laid down by the R & A, Local Course rules and any instructions issued by the golf course Starters and Marshals.
- Single Players have no status on the golf course and must give way to 2, 3 and 4-ball matches at all times. *No single players on Platinum and Darley courses on Saturday or Sunday.
- Single Players must not play more than one ball unless there is a clear hole in front of and behind them, in any case single players must not play any more than 2 golf balls.
- No practising on courses.
- Golf greens must not be used as practice putting greens.
- Always wait until the players in front are out of range before play
- Switch mobile telephones off when playing.
- Foul and or abusive language will not be tolerated on the golf courses or in the clubhouses.
- It is an offence to drink alcohol or be in possession of alcohol in a public place. Players clearly under the influence of alcohol will be asked to leave without a refund. Players arriving under the influence of alcohol will not be permitted on the courses.
- No unsupervised golf for children under 8 years
- Players failing to comply may be denied future use of South Ayrshire Council's golf facilities.
General Advice/Safety
- To warm up by stretching and practice swinging especially on cold days
- To wear a hat and sun block during hot weather and to drink plenty of fluid ideally before becoming thirsty
- Not to shout or distract players
- Not to stand in front of any golfer taking his/her shot
- Not to stand too near to a player taking a shot or practice swinging.
Insurance
All players are covered by South Ayrshire Council golf insurance scheme. Golfers must report any accidents/incidents to the Starter's Office.
