Conditions and Practices of Use at Miramar Links
Introduction:
Welcome to the Miramar Links, the home of the Miramar Golf Club since the initial layout of just eleven holes was ready for play in April 1909, when family and friends staged a gala carnival with special trams hired to bring the people from the city to the course.
We are an incorporated society with the object of providing for members, golf links and grounds in or near the City of Wellington or elsewhere and to lay out, repair and maintain the same for golf and other games. We are a semi-private facility where guests, family and visitors are welcome. Below is key information on the conditions and practices of use at the Miramar Links for all our patrons to read, understand, and adhere to.
Hours of Operation:
- The Clubhouse’ main front doors are open from 7am to 5.30pm daily, except Christmas Day and Good Friday.
- The Member’s door is open from 6am to 9pm every day.
- The Course door is open from 6am to 9pm every day.
- Membership cards provides access to the clubhouse and course.
Car Parking:
The Golf Club’s car park is available to Golf Club Members and visitors ONLY. It is NOT to be used for visiting the Airport.
- Access to the Golf Club car park is through the main Airport barriers. Please take an airport car parking ticket as you enter the airport barrier.
- 300m on the left, turn into the Golf Club car park. The Golf Club car park barrier should lift automatically when it recognises the number plate on your car.
- Park your car. Each vehicle has 12 hours to exit the car park free of charge.
- You will need to validate the parking ticket inside the clubhouse to exit the carpark for free.
- If the barrier does not lift when exiting, insert your parking ticket into the barrier machine.
- Should you have any issues at the car park exit gate, please press the intercom button for assistance.
Membership Cards:
Each member is issued with their membership card. This is valuable as it identifies you as a current member of the Club. It has identity management coding and security to provide member access and loyalty benefits. If you lose your membership card, please advise the administration immediately.
Expectations:
The Miramar Golf Club is a semi-private sports club. There is an expectation that members, guests, and visitors act responsibly, respectfully, and with due regard for fellow members, guests, visitors, and staff.
The behaviour expected within and pertaining to the club applies to all.
- That we act in the best interests of the club.
- That we are courteous, respectful, and show civility to all club officials and employees (contractors), also to all members, their families (including children), their guests, and visitors and members of the general public
- That we always act in good faith with integrity, honesty and tolerance.
- That we display sportsmanship on and off the course
- That we lead by example and maintain high standards of personal behaviour.
- Our dress standard; at a minimum, is smart casual on and off the golf course.
- That the affairs of the club are referred to and handled through the General Manager and the Board of the club, and not by any members directly.
The Rules of The Game have been administered by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. The 1st Rule of Golf states: “Golf is played in a round of 18 (or fewer) holes on a course by striking a ball with a club.
Each hole starts with a stroke from the teeing area and ends when the ball is holed on the putting green (or when the Rules otherwise say the hole is completed).
For each stroke, the player:
- Plays the course as they find it, and
- Plays the ball as it lies.”
Rules of Golf: Each member is asked to refer from time-to-time The Rules of Golf: The Game, Player Conduct and The Rules and to abide by these recommendations for the safety and consideration of other players.
How Golf is operated at Miramar Links:
Every golfer playing a round of golf on the Miramar Links, must report to Golf Operations. Confirmed tees times in the DotGolf booking system provides playing rights to the course. (No tee time; No course rights)
- No. 1 tee is the official starting tee and no play may commence from any other tee without the permission of Golf Operations.
- Tee bookings are open under the direction of Golf Operations and in conjunction with the start sheet which is published and made available for bookings 3 days in advance.
- Tee bookings can be made using the following mechanisms
- Online DotGolf system (www.golf.co.nz)
- Miramar Golf Club website (www.miramargolfclub.co.nz)
- Email golfoperations@miramargolfclub.co.nz
- Phone Golf Operations on 04 801-7649 (press 1 for golf operations)
- In person on the DotGolf Kiosks provided in the clubhouse
Use of tees
Four tee blocks are in use on the golf course. These are based on the ability of the golfer.
Kaha Tees (Strong)
- Recommended for golfers who break 80 regularly
Wero Tees (Challenge)
- Recommended for golfers who break 90 regularly
Pukenga Tees (Skill)
- Recommended for golfers who break 100 regularly
Arearea Tees (Fun)
- Recommended for golfers who struggle to break 100
On any given day, Golf Operations can decide to exclude any given tee.
Group Bookings
Group bookings of more than 8 players must pre-register with Golf Operations at least 3 days prior. This is to respect other members tee time rights and to allow Golf Operations to successfully manage the tee bookings for the day.
Local Rules applicable for playing on the golf course
Local rules are updated as required at the Miramar Links and posted on the local rules board. Please also refer to the golf scorecard.
Speed of Play:
It is expected all golfers keep up with the group in front. The following guidelines will apply:
- Four-Ball games over 9-holes should not take any longer than 2 hours. 18 holes of play should be completed in 4 hours or less.
- In general play, the golfer furthest from the hole, should move quickly into position to play.
- If a group of golfers fails to keep its place on the course and loses a clear hole from the group in front , it should invite the golfers following to pass.
- The marking of cards should not be completed on the green.
- Instead, all players should move quickly after holing out to the next tee and the player with the honour should be ready to hit off without delay. Cards should be marked here. Ready golf is accepted and expected.
- The golfer with the lowest handicap in a group, should manage the group's speed of play.
- At weekends and on Fridays, four-balls shall have precedence on the starting tee over two ball (except two-ball championship and tournament golfers) and three-ball games.
Golf Course Care:
It is expected of all golfers to follow the principles of ‘Links Care’. Primarily:
- Only shoes with Soft Spikes or Moulded Soles should be worn on the Links.
- Please follow all directional signage on the course.
- Electric golf carts, battery operated golf carts and all forms of push / trundler carts should NOT be driven, guided, or pushed on tee blocks and greens. If there is less than 4 metres between bunker and green, they should be taken outside the bunker. Otherwise, they should not be taken within 2 metres of the green.
- All electric golf carts and motorised vehicles are required to transit using the course cart pathways. Failure to do so will result in a caution being issued.
- Electric golf carts and trundlers are available for hire. Golfers wishing to utilise their private motorised (powered) vehicle must seek clearance from the General Manager.
- Rubbish should not be dropped or left on the course but should be carried forward to the next recycling station.
- Cellular and other digital devices when playing golf should be changed to silent mode to avoid inconvenience to other players. If a device needs to be used i.e. a call needs to be made or answered the player should move away from fellow players and, if play is delayed, should walk the hole.
- All golfers must replace fairway divots.
- Golfers are required to make every effort to repair pitch marks on greens.
- After raking a bunker golfers are asked to place the rake carefully in the middle of the bunker with the rake head facing the flagstick.
Golfing Schedule:
The golf course is open for play 365 days a year. Golf Services staff are available to assist throughout the year excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. The Greenkeeping staff determine if the golf course is available for play or not; course closure only occurs in exceptional circumstances due to adverse weather conditions.
Please refer to the Monthly Golf Programme for all scheduled events.
Weekly Schedule (subject to change):
Women’s member day – Tuesdays
- Tee Bookings reserved 8.30am to 12.00pm
Men’s member day – Wednesdays
- Tee Bookings reserved 11.00am to 1.00pm
Member club day (Tournament Day) – Sundays
- Tee Bookings reserved 11.00am to 1.00pm
- Tournaments may utilise multi tee starts
Speed Golf – Daily prior to 7.00am
Welcome to Golf Programmes (She Loves Golf, Junior Programme etc) – as scheduled
Golf Club Competitions:
The Golf Club organises varying golf competitions for members. These include:
- Club Championships
- Trophy Tournaments
- Weekly Competitions
How to enter:
Golfers can register their entry to golf competitions in the following ways:
- Register on the Miramar Golf Club website (www.miramargolfclub.co.nz)
- Email golfoperations@miramargolfclub.co.nz
- Phone Golf Operations on 04 801 7649 (press 1 for Golf Operations)
- On the Club Noticeboards
- Entry to golf competitions closes 3 days prior to the event
Golfers will be notified of their tee time via email from the DotGolf system. Competition rules and conditions will be available on the day and communicated to all participants.
Competitors are required to:
- Pay any entry fee prior to play
- Swap scorecards with another golfer for marking purposes
- Complete the scorecard correctly
- Ensure scorecards are signed by the player and the marker, who is not a playing partner
- The use of digital scorecards is not valid in Miramar competitions
- Golfers wishing to use an electric cart in a competition must apply to the General Manager for dispensation on medical grounds only. (A medical certificate is required for long term use)
All championship matches and trophy events continuing through to a 19th hole shall take precedence over all those waiting on the first tee.
Other Competitions:
Golf Operations provide other competitions for golfers to enter. Eg; Twos, Shootout, Blind holes etc. Entries for these competitions must be made at the DotGolf Kiosk or with Golf Operations before printing your scorecard.
Cancellations / Postponements:
If the Greenkeeping staff determine the golf course is not available for play, the competition will be cancelled, and all participants notified using the DotGolf system. If the golf course is open for play, Golf Services will decide on any cancellation or postponement of the competition and inform participants and tee bookings on the day.
Golf NZ – DotGolf System:
Golf in New Zealand is governed by GolfNZ (www.golf.co.nz). Within GolfNZ’s website, golfers can login to what is commonly known as ‘DotGolf’. You will need your Golf Club membership number to login to DotGolf.
Once a golfer’s scorecard is entered into DotGolf, their golf handicap will be automatically adjusted overnight.
Handicapping:
- Before starting a round, a golfer can choose which tee block they wish to play. The golfer’s course handicap is identified on the scorecard. Availability of tee blocks are subject to change by Golf Operations.
- All printed and digital scorecards must be completed in accordance with the Rules of Golf.
- A golfer is required to return a scorecard for every round or part round of at least 10 holes.
- If a part round is played enter an “assessed” score for each hole not played. The assessed score for a hole is the score that equates to two stableford points, except where only 10-13 holes have been played. In this case the assessed score for the first hole not played equates to 1 stableford point.
- Check the hole scores recorded by the marker and the totals and ensure the scorecard is signed by the marker and the player before being entered into the DotGolf system. Miramar uses the scorecard reader system. Please mark your score in the reader area of the scorecard.
- For handicapping purposes, the only match play cards which need to be returned are Men’s and Women’s Four Ball matches and Women’s Interclub cards.
Golf Measuring Devices:
Officially approved measuring devices that measure distance only may be used in all club / trophy events, including interclub or open competitions at Miramar Links as per the Rules of Golf.
Hole in One:
Miramar’s hole in one policy is:
- Please inform Golf Operations if you score a hole in one.
- Golf Operations will verify your scorecard and provide a $50 bar tab for your playing group / or organise a $50 credit to your member house account.
- To avoid ambiguity, visitors can receive a $50 bar tab for their group, to be used on the day of the hole in one.
- If the bar is closed, a visitor will receive a free round of golf at Miramar Links at a future date.
On Course Practice:
A golfer playing on their own may play two balls during a practice round or part round provided it does not interfere with other golfers. Practice to or on greens is not permitted except as stated as above.
Insurance Liability:
Any accidents or personal injuries incurred while playing golf are covered under the ACC legislation. All personal property, which is used and / or left at the Golf Club is the responsibility of the owner. Golfers are liable for any damage of hire equipment used while playing golf, and damage to Clubhouse property. All visitors, including members, park their vehicles at their own risk.
Disputes and Complaints:
Golf Competitions:
For all golf competitions, including tournaments and championships, any dispute must be made immediately after the completion of the competition to the Club Captain (in writing, email or txt). The dispute will be dealt with and a decision made as soon as possible by the Club Captain or their delegate (i.e. Vice- Captain).
Any decision made by Captains, or their delegates may be protested and escalated to the Golf Committee. The Golf Committee’s decision is final on all golf competition rulings. It is noted that no rule of golf may be waived when deciding on a ruling.
Complaints:
Complaints may be made by any person including a competitor, member, visiting guests, other associated golf club members, employees and members of the public. Complaints must be made in writing to the General Manager of the Miramar Golf Club. Once a complaint is received, the General Manager will determine the warrant nature of the complaint / and or offence, and as required, will take the appropriate action as outlined in the Club’s By-laws.
Appendices:
Golfing Formats:
(a) Match Play:
Singles: If playing from the same tees, the lower handicap player gives the higher handicap player the difference in strokes according to their handicaps.
Four Ball: The lowest handicap player gives strokes to the other players, according to the handicaps of the other players.
Foursomes: Each pairing will reduce their combined course handicap by 50%. The pair with the higher amended handicap shall receive the difference between the amended handicaps. See also notes below.
(b) Stroke (medal) play (includes Par and Stableford formats)
Individual: the player shall receive the full course handicap. See also notes below.
Four-Ball: Each player shall receive the full course handicap. See also notes below.
Foursomes: DotGolf will provide pairings with the appropriate handicap allowance for the various formats of the foursome competition. See also notes below.
(c) Strokes received shall be taken according to the stroke column on the scorecard and if more than 18 strokes are received, the additional strokes shall be taken commencing from the first stroke hole on the card.
Notes: (i) Refer to Rules of Golf No. 21 for further details of par and stableford competitions.
(ii) A par competition and a bogey competition are identical.
(iii) The Rules of Golf use the term “stroke play” in preference to “medal play”. The meanings are identical.
(iv) For all mixed foursome events strokes received shall be off the approved tee.