Mount Vernon Country Club

A. GOLF RULES                                               

There are specific rules and regulations related to the golf program of the Club.  Any questions or concerns shall be brought before the Head Golf Professional, as he or she will have immediate control over this area.

B. GOLF ETIQUETTE

 Golf is a sport in which etiquette is of paramount importance.  Conformity to the rules and regulations is mandatory if Club Members, their Family members and Guests are to enjoy play. The responsibility of all golfers begins on the practice tee and continues through the end of each round. Consideration of others is the most important rule in golf.

C. GOLF REGISTRATION

All Club Members, their Family members and Guests must register in the golf shop before commencing play.  Starting times may be scheduled not more than one week in advance.  A 24-hour cancellation notice is required.  If a Club Member fails to give proper cancellation notice, the Club reserves the right to hold the Club Member responsible for payment of fees for said time. Club Members without tee times will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis. All will be accommodated on the first tee of the course to be played, unless permission is otherwise obtained from the golf shop.

D. GOLF RULES AND REGULATIONS

United States Golf Association Rules of Golf shall govern play at all times except as modified by local rules.

Each player must have a set of golf clubs.

The Club will not be held responsible for any Club Member, or members of his or her Family or Guests whose actions, whether deliberate or by mishap, cause damage to property surrounding the golf course.

It is the duty of each Club Member to diligently assist in keeping the golf course in good condition.  Divots should be carefully replaced or filled with sand provided, ball marks on greens should be repaired and, upon completion of a shot, sand bunkers are to be raked and smoothed.

The Head Golf Professional and other golf shop personnel are there to ensure that Club Members and their Family members and Guests receive maximum enjoyment from the use of the golf course. The Head Golf Professional and other golf shop personnel act on behalf of the Club in administering and enforcing these Club Rules.  Please cooperate.

Comments, suggestions or reports of violations of these rules should be made in writing to the Head Golf Professional. 

The Club Member is responsible for the conduct of his or her Guests, as well as members of his or her Family who have playing privileges. Disorderly, abusive or destructive conduct makes the Club Member subject to discipline as determined by the Board.

E. SLOW PLAY

Golf is more fun when played with dispatch and without delay.  All rounds shall be completed as promptly as possible.  Restrictions may be placed on violators.  When one hole becomes open ahead, the following group promptly shall be allowed to play through.  A single player has no priority in terms of speed of play.

Should any group stop at the Clubhouse and the next hole becomes open, the following groups may go through and the group that stopped must get permission from the golf shop to resume play.    
                                                                                                              
F. USE OF THE GOLF COURSE

Tournament play or scheduled activities shall take precedence over regular play.

G. GOLF CARTS

Golf carts will not be permitted on the golf course when, in the opinion of either the Head Golf Professional and/or the Golf Course Superintendent, the use of golf carts would be detrimental to the course. The decision of one or both of these persons will be final and no exceptions will be granted.

The Club shall maintain a fleet of golf carts for the use of Club Members, their Family members and Guests, in accordance with the terms and conditions of these Club Rules.

Golf carts are not to be used by more than two passengers. Only two golf bags are permitted on a golf cart.

Golf carts are not to be operated within thirty (30) feet of any putting surface or tee.  Golf carts should remain on cart paths wherever possible. Players should obey all car traffic directions. Club Members are urged to avoid soft spots or any area where the operation of a golf cart could disfigure or damage the golf course.

Operation of a golf cart is at the risk of the operator. Club Members will be held responsible for any damage to the golf cart while in their possession, or in the possession of their Family members or Guests, and for any damage to the golf course resulting from such use of the golf cart.

All Club Members and their Family members and Guests, when renting golf carts, agree to exercise good judgment and reasonable care in the operation of the vehicle, and to abide by the rules of the Club governing their use.

The following individuals may operate golf carts:

Persons sixteen (16) and seventeen (17) years of age:  Operation permitted provided operator holds a valid driver’s license and has parental permission.

Persons eighteen (18) and older:  Operation permitted without parental permission, but must hold a valid driver’s license.

For safety and insurance reasons, persons under this age category shall not drive golf carts.  The Club requests strict enforcement of this policy by Club Members.  Those Members who fail to follow this policy will risk loss of privileges.

A Club Member, a Family member or Guest, may not use golf carts without proper assignment and registration in the golf shop.

Club owned golf carts are not to be used off the golf course or within any of the residential areas.

All golf carts must be returned to the cart staging area upon completion of play.

H. PRIVATELY OWNED GOLF CARTS

 The use of privately owned golf carts on the golf course is prohibited, except with the written permission of the Board of Directors.

I. WALKING

Club Members and their Family members, as well as their Guests, who wish to walk and carry their own bag of golf clubs may do so at the discretion of the Director of Golf or professional staff.  Walking is not permitted before noon on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays or when walking could affect a club event.

Club members and guests who wish to walk and carry their own bag of golf clubs may do so at the discretion of the Director of Golf or professional staff.  All walking must first be approved by the golf shop and all check in procedures satisfied.  All club members and guests must register in the golf shop before commencing play.  All will be accommodated on the first tee of the course to be played, unless permission is otherwise obtained from the golf professional staff.  Walkers are required to let players in golf carts play through as soon as they are noticed behind them.  Players walking the course are permitted to use pull/push carts as long as the club guidelines for walking the course are followed. 

J. DRIVING RANGE

All Club members, Family members and Guests must register in the golf shop prior to using the practice facilities.

Only proper golf attire shall be permitted on the driving range. No swim suits, tennis attire, jeans, work out attire, or the like shall be permitted on the driving range.

Complimentary range balls will be available to all Golf Members, their Family and their Guests. Range balls are made available for practice only and must remain on the range. Club Members, their Family or Guests found playing with range balls on the course will be subject to a fine.

Any non-golf privilege Member shall pay an annual fee to use the Driving Range.

K. PROPER GOLFING ATTIRE

Golf attire has become more diverse in recent years, but the intent of the restrictions remains.  Acceptable clothing includes collared shirts for men, shorts of a reasonable length, slacks, sweaters, and other suitable attire.

Jogging, biking, swimming, work out and tennis shorts are not acceptable on the common areas, on the golf Course or Driving Range, or in the Club House.  Blue or colored jeans of any kind will not be permitted.  Tank tops of a reasonable design may only be worn by women.  No halter tops are permitted.

It is the Club Member’s responsibility to inform his or her Guests of the dress code and ensure that proper attire is worn. No player, Club Member or Guest will be permitted to play if not appropriately attired.

L. GUESTS

The Club Member or a Member of the Club Member’s Family must accompany guests while on the golf course.  If the guest residence is within the Knox County limits, they are permitted to play at MVCC up to three times per year.  If living outside of Knox County limits, the guest play is unlimited.  All applicable greens fees and cart fees apply.

M. JUNIOR PLAY

Club Members’ Children under the age of sixteen (16) in order to be qualified to play or practice without being accompanied by an adult must have the approval of the Head Golf Professional and must adhere strictly to the Club rules.  No children under the age of eight (8) will be allowed on the course without the specific permission of the Golf Pro.  Children will not be considered spectators.

N. HANDICAPS

Handicaps are computed under the supervision of the Head Golf Professional in accordance with USGA recommendations.

 Accurate records of scores are to be kept and recorded for all full rounds played.