Rules Myth - entering the clubhouse?

ShriekingSheet

I've heard this one bandied around since I started golf, a supposed rule where if you go in to the clubhouse at any stage during your round, you're disqualified.

I'm fairly sure this is nowhere to be found in the rules, and as such, there is no issue with say, going in to the proshop for a bottle of water at the 10th, or going to the jacks as you pass by the clubhouse (not talking about slow play here).

Am I wrong in this? Is it in fact DQ if you go in to the clubhouse? Or was this an old rule, now changed?

BillyBoy

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

I've heard this one bandied around since I started golf, a supposed rule where if you go in to the clubhouse at any stage during your round, you're disqualified.

I'm fairly sure this is nowhere to be found in the rules, and as such, there is no issue with say, going in to the proshop for a bottle of water at the 10th, or going to the jacks as you pass by the clubhouse (not talking about slow play here).

Am I wrong in this? Is it in fact DQ if you go in to the clubhouse? Or was this an old rule, now changed?

I happened to be reading the back of my courses score card on Saturday, and it had a piece about going into the clubhouse - it was allowed if it did not hold up play on the course i.e. if you did not lose your position on the course. I don't know if this is a local rule however or a general rule of golf.

Almaviva

I've never heard it even bandied.

Its neither a rule of golf, nor a local rule.

BoardsMember

Almaviva wrote: »

Its neither a rule of golf, nor a local rule.

It's not a local rule? Anywhere? Really? How can you know that?

AGC

Have heard it plenty of times. Presume it would fall under this:
http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Rules-of-Golf.aspx#/search?searchTerm=Leaving%20the%20course%20during%20a%20round

http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Rules-of-Golf.aspx#/rules/?ruleNum=6&subRuleNum=7

ShriekingSheet

AGC wrote: »

Have heard it plenty of times. Presume it would fall under this:
http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Rules-of-Golf.aspx#/search?searchTerm=Leaving%20the%20course%20during%20a%20round

http://www.randa.org/en/Rules-and-Amateur-Status/Rules-of-Golf.aspx#/rules/?ruleNum=6&subRuleNum=7

Thanks for finding that.

Under Rule 6-7 there's an FAQ that specifically states you can go into the clubhouse to "buy a drink or collect an item of clothing" (as examples) without penalty, provided you don't unduly delay play.

The "unduly" bit is subjective, but all I wanted to make sure was that you could go to the jacks or grab suncream/chocolate or whatever without being DQ'd, which you can.

Almaviva

BoardsMember wrote: »

It's not a local rule? Anywhere? Really? How can you know that?

Local rules are only allowed where it is necessary to allow for some abnormal condition in the play and so override a normal rule of golf. You cannot just make local rules with a free hand to modify the rules of golf as you wish and there are guidelines setting them. In what condition could that be necessary about entering a clubhouse? You do occasionally see signs or instructions on cards with unusual 'rules' on them, but these are rules of the club - distinct from 'local rules' of golf. For example, I know one club where there are flower beds on islands in water hazards. To protect them, there are signs saying it is forbidden to enter them. But it not a local rule - so you may enter them without breaking a rule of golf - as some of us have done at times! Unfair or misleading on those who might observe the sign as a local rule - but then, maybe they should know the rules.


Interesting the FAQ reference above, that the R&A has felt the need to clarify this one - even though there is nothing in the rules saying you cant enter the clubhouse! I stand corrected; the myth is out there.

ShriekingSheet

Almaviva wrote: »

Interesting the FAQ reference above, that the R&A has felt the need to clarify this one - even though there is nothing in the rules saying you cant enter the clubhouse! I stand corrected; the myth is out there.

I have heard it a good few times over the years, though never in a capacity where someone tried to do somebody for it in a serious game.

My guess is it either used to be a rule many years ago, or there's an old example of someone getting penalised for sheltering in the clubhouse from poor weather - which is against the rules - just not the situation I was talking about.

These things are easily mangled over the years, usually based on "a guy off single figures told me..." from people who've never opened a rule book.

Cheers for clearing up.