Code of Conduct for Young Golfers

Code of Conduct for Young Golfers

As a young golfer taking part in a Hertfordshire Golf activity, you should:

• Help create and maintain an environment free of fear and harassment


• Demonstrate fair play and apply golf's standards both on and off the course


• Understand that you have the right to be treated as an individual


• Respect the advice that you receive


• Treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself


• Respect other people and their differences


• Look out for yourself and for the welfare of others


• Speak out (to your parents or a Hertfordshire Golf representative) if you consider that you or others have been poorly treated


• Be organised and on time


• Tell someone in authority if you are leaving the venue


• Accept that these guidelines are in place for the well-being of all concerned


• Treat organisers and coaches with respect


• Observe instructions or restrictions requested by the adults looking after you

You should not take part in any irresponsible, abusive, inappropriate or illegal behaviour which includes:

• Smoking


• Using foul or abusive language


• Publicly using critical or disrespectful descriptions of others either in person or through text, email or social network sites


• Consuming alcohol, illegal performance-enhancing drugs or stimulants

1              Priorities

When a conflict of priorities arises it should be resolved in the following order:  

Country first, then County, then Club, and lastly Self.

2              General Behaviour

a)    Ensure the appropriate authority is told as soon as possible if you are unable to participate in any event you have previously entered, or which you have been invited to attend.

b)    Do not swear audibly or abuse clubs, ball, equipment, course or course furniture in temper.

c)    Smoking is forbidden on the course and in the clubhouse at all junior events.

d)    Playing of fruit machines and the consumption of alcoholic beverages is forbidden at all junior events.

e)    Win or lose, after your round is over come out on the course and support your fellow team members still playing.

3              Dress

a)    At each event find out and obey the dress rules of the Club, both on the course and in the clubhouse.

b)    All county squad members are issued with official County coloured uniform, which should be kept clean and in good order, and only worn for County matches and training sessions.

c)    Players should change their shoes and wet weather clothes before entering the lounge or dining area of a club after completion of their round.

d)    Ensure, if requested, you bring your jacket and county tie to change into for the meal afterwards.

4              Courtesy on the Course

a)    Before making a stroke or practise swing ensure that nobody is in a position to be hit by club, ball or any stones, twigs or the like, which may be moved in making the stroke or practise swing.

b)    Watch where your playing partner's ball lands and help him find it if necessary.

c)    If a putt is conceded hand the ball to your opponent, do not knock it away with your putter or throw it to him.

d)    Always thank the starter before leaving the first tee, and your fellow competitors or opponents after your game is over, and take off your hat when you do so.

5              Care of the Course

a)    Look for and obey any notices governing conduct on the golf course.

b)    In taking practise swings avoid causing damage to the course, particularly the tees, by removing divots.

c)    Do not take trolleys onto greens or tees, or between green side bunkers and greens.

d)    Replace any divots taken immediately and press them down. Make sure you use sand & seed boxes, where provided, to fill your divots on the tees, especially on par 3's.

e)    Rake over holes and footprints made in bunkers and replace the rake in a position similar to that in which you found it, and where it will be least likely to affect play.

f)     Repair pitch marks on the green by levelling with a pitch mark repairer, or tee peg, and tapping down with a putter.

g)    Ensure that neither you nor your caddie causes any damage to the green, or

hole, standing close to it, in handling the flag stick, or in removing the ball from the hole.

h)   After completion of the hole, repair any spike mark damage as a courtesy to those coming behind.

6              Speed of Play

a)    Play without delay. Slow play is one of the game's most undesirable aspects and you may be penalised if you do not keep pace with the game in front of you.

b)    Walk quickly between shots and be ready to play when it is your turn.

c)    Play a provisional ball if there is any chance that your ball may be lost or out of bounds but not in a penalty area.

d)    Be ready to call the following game through as soon as it is apparent that your ball is not going to be found easily.

e)    Leave your bag on the side of the green in the direction of the next tee.

f)     Do not mark your card on the green after the hole is finished, or when it is your turn to drive.

g)    In stroke play try to hole out short putts, unless you will be standing on another players line.

Acting in accordance with document #7 of the Hertfordshire Golf Safeguarding Policy, Managing Challenging Behaviour, should any golfer be found to not be adhering to the agreed Code of Conduct, following may apply at the discretion of the relevant Team Manager or the County Coaching Co-ordinator;

• Asked to leave a County organised activity taking place 

As per Hertfordshire Golf’s disciplinary procedure, a hearing could be called that may lead to one of the following outcomes;

• Serve a period of suspension of County organised activities 


• Withdrawal of any benefits achieved by squad position


• Expulsion from County squad

In all cases the golfer’s parents and Home club (if applicable) will be informed of the situation by the appropriate Hertfordshire Golf representative.

By ticking the box below I understand the Code of Conduct document and agree to adhere to all statements made.