Member's Code of Conduct

Macreddin Golf Club is committed to providing an environment that is free of discrimination, harassment and intimidation for members, employees and guests.

Members, guests and visitors are all reminded that an acceptable standard of behaviour is expected in all areas of the Club and course, at all times and that upon payment of membership or green fees, all members, guests and visitors have given their consent to be bound by both the restrictions and penalties which may be imposed for any breach of the club’s standards or serious misconduct in failing to meet the standards set in this Code of Conduct.

Members will be liable for any breach committed whether by themselves or their guests.

All golfers must:

1. Avoid slow play, apply Ready Golf principles and allow other golfers to play through as appropriate, waving the following group through when searching for lost balls and maintaining the speed of play by keeping up with the group in front
2. Adhere to the dress code and local rules of the course
3. Demonstrate fair play both on and off the course
4. Always follow established golf etiquette respecting the course, such as:
5. Repairing pitch marks, replacing divots, raking bunkers
6. Showing the necessary respect to fellow golfers at all times, which incorporates; no shouting on the course, no misuse of equipment (i.e. throwing clubs in frustration etc.), no aggressive behaviour, or the taking of performance enhancing drugs.
7. Conduct yourself in a sportsmanlike manner and do not knowingly cheat, disrespect employees, officials or fellow players.
8. Mobile phones must be switched to silent on the golf course

Members, guests and visitors are reminded that:

1. Any form of discrimination, harassment or intimidation is regarded as unacceptable behaviour.
2. The use of foul or abusive language such as swearing has no place in the clubhouse and any member heard using unacceptable or offensive language will be asked to either stop or leave the premises. Where someone is noticed to be consistently using bad language after being warned then their continued membership will be reviewed accordingly
3. Smoking or the use of e-cigarettes is not permitted within any of the club buildings
4. The taking of illegal substances will incur immediate suspension and loss of membership.
5. Be considerate towards others when using your mobile phone in the clubhouse

Disciplinary issues will be dealt with in accordance with sections 16 and 17 of the club constitution. Reports and/or complaints should be made to the Management Committee in the first instance, in writing or by email to macreddincommittee@gmail.com. All complaints and charges are to be graded 1 to 3 with 1 being the lightest grading and 3 the most serious. This is done by reference to Appendix 1 and the following notes. The Club Captain is required to determine the grading of the offence. The grading allocated will determine the action to be taken and the potential penalty a player may receive. Therefore, consistency of grading across offences is important and it is a requirement that records are kept supporting the grading process.

Appendix 1

General examples of grading of complaints of conduct likely to bring the game into disrepute (not an exhaustive list)

Grade 1 Offences

• Bad language
• Improper treatment of equipment, including throwing of clubs
• Use of club other than within the intentions of the game e.g. damaging trees with clubs etc.
• Ill-mannered behaviour
• Failure to complete a round when representing the club in any sanctioned tournament/inter-club match

Grade 2 Offences

• Behaviour bringing the club into disrepute
• Theft of minor items
• Excessive or offensive bad language
• Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour to another player
• Breaking clubs

Grade 3 Offences

• Any serious misuse of alcohol or drugs on the course or club premises
• Serious theft
• Assault of a player, official, member, guest or member of the public
• Sexual or verbal harassment

Appendix 2

Grade 1 Offence

If no previous offences any one of the following process will be adopted:

1. Verbal warning with notice on file;
2. Written warning issued to member;
3. Penalty of suspension imposed by Disciplinary Committee;

If the next incident is a Grade 2 offence, then that process will override the above.

Grade 2 Offence

If no previous offences any one of the following process will be adopted depending on the seriousness of the offence:

1. Written warning issued to member;
2. Penalty of suspension imposed by Disciplinary Committee;
3. Penalty of expulsion as determined by the Disciplinary Committee

If the offence is considered serious, or there are other recent offences, then a step can be passed at the discretion of the Disciplinary Committee.

Grade 3 Offence

Depending on the seriousness of the offence any one of the following actions may be adopted;

1. Written warning issued to member;
2. Penalty of suspension imposed by Disciplinary Committee;
3. Penalty of expulsion as determined by the Disciplinary Committee

Step 1 will only be taken if the offence is of a lesser scale otherwise a penalty of suspension will usually be imposed.

A clean slate policy will apply to any offence after a twelve-month period from date of last penalty.

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