Rules & Information at Bedfordshire Golf Club
This page contains a wide range of documents and guidance on all aspects of golf at Bedfordshire Golf Club. We hope you find them useful.
Please click on the links below to find details on a wide variety of golf advisory information from the Club Rules to Course Etiquette and Staying Safe on the Course, for all users of the golf courses.
Pace of Play Guidelines
Pace of play is a recurring theme for complaints among members. While no member ever believes that they are guilty of slow play, most members are not slow in identifying others as being responsible for holding up their game. These guidelines are intended as a reminder to all members of the basic requirements that should enable all players to complete their rounds within reasonable time.
9 HOLE ACADEMY COURSE
Tee Off Arrangements & Golf Course Etiquette
TEE ARRANGEMENTS (Weekdays Only)
Members are reminded that during weekdays, the following arrangements apply:
07.30 - 09.15
First tee - 3 & 4 ball games/matches only.
Tenth tee - Singles and 2 ball games/matches only.
09.15 - 11.30 the opposite arrangements to those above will apply.
From 11.30 onwards - no tee priorities apply.
COURSE ETIQUETTE
Please ensure that your group keeps up with the pace of play of the group in front. Normal golf etiquette is to call faster groups to play through at the first opportunity (regardless of the number of players in the group), particularly those playing formal Club competitions.
This applies to all members - please adhere to this course etiquette.
The BGC Safeguarding policy documents for both adults and young people can be read online or downloaded via the liks below:
Key Changes to Rules of Golf. How Familiar With Them Are You?
There were a number of key changes to the rules of golf with effect from January 2019, we recommend that all golfers continue to familiarise themselves with the changes, even now. Please download the R&A 2019 rules of golf to your mobile phone or tablet for easy reference and help on understanding the rules. The app is very useful and has an interactive rules quiz for beginners, intermediates and advanced levels which is excellent. In addition, the new BGC Local Rules can be downloaded via the links above.
Some of the key changes are listed below to get you off the mark and be your starter for ten (or 20)!
20 Must Know Rules of Golf Changes
1. Search Time – Reduced from 5 minutes to 3 minutes
2. Ball moving during search – replace (no penalty)
3. Embedded Ball – Free relief anywhere within the General Area
4. Measuring a drop – use longest club
5. Dropping – knee height rather than shoulder
6. Taking Stance on wrong green not permitted
7. Ball hits player or equipment – no penalty
8. Double hit – counts as one stroke
9. Touching sand in bunker incidentally is permitted
10. Loose impediments can be removed anywhere
11. Drop a ball out of a bunker – 2 Penalty strokes
12. Water hazards are now Penalty areas (You’ll see some changes on the course)
13. Touching ground in water / penalty areas acceptable
14. Ball moves on green after being marked – put back without penalty
15. Ball accidentally moved on putting green – replace (no penalty)
16. Can repair all damage on green
17. Positioning a club for alignment not permitted
18. Caddie assisting with alignment not permitted
19. Ball hitting flag stick on putting green allowed
20. Ball wedged against side of hole and flag stick deemed as holed
Changes to Rules Terminology:
Old New
Through the green General Area
Teeing ground Teeing Area
Water/lateral hazard Yellow and red penalty area
Wrong putting green Wrong Green
Outside agency Outside Influence
Abnormal ground conditions Abnormal Course Conditions
Casual Water Temporary Water
Play prohibited No Play Zone
Nearest point of relief Nearest point of complete relief
A helpful video guide on the key changes is available via YouTube at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chPOtfLUHC0
Further reminders will be posted over the coming weeks in advance of the launch as we realise that there is a lot of information to take on board. We encourage Members to watch the video and get a copy of the rule changes from the Clubhouse, so that you can all familiarise yourselves with the rule changes to avoid confusion during play once they have been implemented.
The Competitions Committee
Reminder to all Members - If it's Still Dark - Please Don't Start!
As the days grow shorter, members are reminded that they should not tee-off in the mornings until it is light enough to see well beyond the distance of a drive. On the first hole of the Stagsden Course, this means that unless you can see beyond the first bunker for whatever reason, you should not tee off!
The courses are officially closed until first light as they are when foggy.
The Greens Team have reported incidents recently of 'near-misses' whilst they are preparing the course for play before sunrise. At this time of year, the greens team start work in the dark to prepare the course for members to enjoy their golf from first light.
Also, members must respect the club rule, that the greens team have priority on the course when they are working on it - at any time. Balls should not be played when a shot might reach them. We look forward to your full support on this issue.
Photo for illustration purposes only
