Rules of Play

Commission Resolution #0306-005

  1. All courses will be open 365 days a year.
  2. All courses shall be open for play from sunrise to sundown, with the exception of the Harding Park Complex. Harding will open ½ hour after sunrise and close at sundown.
  3. Holiday rates will be charged on the following days or their officially observed days:
    • New Year’s Day
    • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
    • President’s Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Independence Day
    • Labor Day
    • Thanksgiving Day and the day following
    • Christmas Day
    • When a holiday is officially observed on a different day, the holiday rate will be charged for the observed date only.
  4. No play is allowed on any golf course or portion thereof which has been closed for any reason by the Golf Program Director or his/her designee.
  5. USGA and local rules govern all play.
  6. Non-golfers are not allowed on the course at any time. (If a golfer requires special assistance or if a parent must accompany a younger child, pre-approval must be obtained through the pro shop starter.)
  7. Each player must have a set of clubs and bags. Sharing equipment is prohibited.
  8. All golfers must check in with the pro shop starter prior to teeing off.
  9. All golfers with a reserved tee time must check in with the pro shop starter at least 20 minutes prior to their start time.
  10. All rounds must begin on the first tee unless otherwise specified by the pro shop starter.
  11. All golfers wishing to use a practice area must first check in with pro shop starter as to availability.
  12. No warming up or practicing allowed on first tee or any tee surface.
  13. No chipping allowed on any practice surface or putting green.
  14. No practicing or use of more than one ball is allowed on the course.
  15. Groups of more than four persons are not allowed on the course.
  16. Pace of play must never be slower than 15 minutes per hole. Golfers unable to keep that pace must let others play through.
  17. All golfers must use golf shoes with soft spikes. (Exceptions to this rule will be determined by the Pro Shop Manager.) Tennis or other athletic shoes are an acceptable alternative for golfers 17 years of age and under.
  18. Golfers are required to repair their own divots and ball marks and rake traps. Please utilize divot mix where provided.
  19. Golfers must have a valid driver’s license available at the time of renting a golf cart. All drivers must drive safely and responsibly.
  20. No golf carts are allowed in the parking lot for any reason.
  21. All golf carts must stay on cart paths at all times. “90 degree rule” is applicable only with preapproval from the pro shop starter.
  22. Pull carts and golf bags must be left off greens, collars and tees at all times.
  23. Unauthorized golf instruction on the course is strictly prohibited.
  24. Personal coolers, glass containers and bottles are not allowed on the course at any time.
  25. Dogs or other pets are not allowed on the course or in the clubhouse at any time. Service and support animals are welcome, but must be under the owner’s control at all times, and on a short leash or in a carrier.
  26. Golfers may be refused playing privileges or may be removed from the course for:
    1. Submitting false information for the purpose of securing golfing privileges or discounts;
    2. Playing without paying a green fee or for not registering with the starter;
    3. Obvious inability to play golf;
    4. Failure to comply with existing rules and regulations;
    5. Intentionally hitting balls off the course into park areas or private property adjacent to the course;
    6. Flagrant violation of rules of etiquette, such as obnoxious behavior, intoxication, damaging of courses or failure to follow course design on a hole-to-hole basis.

ADDITIONAL RULES CONCERNING JUNIOR GOLFERS:

  1. Junior fees shall apply to all resident golfers age 17 and under. Junior golfers must present a Resident Card or identification certifying age to the pro shop starter prior to play.
  2. AAA San Francisco public school teams must present a request for scheduled playing times at least 60 days prior to the beginning of the school golf season and that request shall be subject to the course manager’s approval. If approved, team members may have free access after 3pm on weekdays during the school golf season when accompanied by their coach at Sharp, Lincoln, Golden Gate and McLaren golf courses. When not accompanied by their coach, team members shall be granted a $1.00 green fee during the same time period.
  3. All practice range/cage time must be requested of and approved in advance by the course manager on a space-available basis. Standard fees shall apply.