Useful Information

Administration
The club has a president but is run by the chairman and members of the General Committee. There are 3 standing sub-committees to oversee the course (Green), the clubhouse and social events (House) and all the handicaps and club competitions (Golf & Handicap).

The committees meet regularly through the year to steer the club in the best interests of its members. The subscriptions, entry and visitor fees are adjusted annually and take effect on January 1st.

The office is usually open 0900 to 1600 Monday to Friday, except Bank Holidays. The secretary can be available at other times by prior arrangement.

Bar, Catering, & Dress Rules
Peter Curtis is the Steward and he has a small team of staff to help him. The General Committee agree prices and the club keeps any contribution made. Judith Curtis is the Catering Manager. A good choice of well-priced quality food is offered throughout the year. Coffee is on sale from a machine and there is a snack and meal menu. With reasonable notice, catering can be made available outside published hours.

Opening Times

The Professional Shop
Paul Bushell is the Club Pro and he keeps his newly extended facility well stocked. Clearly it is in the club’s best interest for you to support him. As well as full selection of quality equipment, Paul will give experienced counsel on equipment selection, golf and playing lessons and any repairs required. He can be reached on 01453 543878. Paul will play in some PGA West Region Tournaments as well as occasional Pro-AM’s, but his shop will be open.

The Course
Some tee reservations are made for fixtures, matches, bona fide societies etc, otherwise the tee is operated on a first come first served basis, except in winter weekends when, because of the short day, members should book through the Pro shop. Please see the Fixture List, the Notice Boards or the Starting Board by the first tee for reserved times. Always show yourself at the Pro Shop before you commence play. Howard Cowles is the Course Manager.

Club Sections
The Club is one Club but has several sections - Ladies, Seniors, Colts and Juniors. Dursley Golf Club has it’s own clubhouse but shares the course within a specific agreement. The Beavers and Tea and Toast groupings are popular and a good way to meet members on a Saturday morning.

Visitors and Societies
As a member you are entitled to sign in guests at a member’s guest rate, which is generally the cheapest rate on the course. The same guest may only be invited 6 times per annum. If he/she wants more time on The Hill, encourage them to join.

Stinchcombe Hill is popular with visitors and societies. Visitors are encouraged but ask them to telephone for starting time advice. Societies are accepted on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Clearly society and visitor income helps keep members subscription increases to a minimum, so please extend a welcome and respect their presence on the course.

Handicaps & Competitions
If you already hold a handicap then a transfer will suffice, but if you are starting afresh, please hand in 3 signed medal scores as soon as you can. Handicaps are posted in the main corridor. The club runs both serious and fun competitions by section and these are listed in the Fixture List. All styles are catered for and you will find a list of member’s contact numbers under the lounge TV to help you arrange matches. Competitions are posted 3 weeks before and close 2 days before. We also run an ‘A’ and ‘B’ team.

Club Rules
You will find a complete list of all Club Rules and Club ByeLaws pinned to the Notice Board adjacent to the entrance foyer. Please read them.

The Junior Section
There is a committee that runs the Junior Section. Don Harmer is chairman and Rick Jagucki the team manager. Don, with Paul Bushell, is responsible for group tuition as well as competitions and matches. Details about Juniors’ course privileges are within the Club Rules. There are Junior Club Nights held on Tuesdays throughout the summer.

Local Rules (see Score Cards for specifics)   
        Out of Bounds
On the 1st and 18th holes, beyond the white stakes demarcating the road in front of the Clubhouse.
        Integral parts of the Course
All roads, paths, the Public Car Park (unless swing is impeded by a car), and shelters. The greenkeepers sheds are not and there is a dropping zone for balls lying within their white line.
       
Stones in Bunkers
Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions (as are rakes and litter) and may be moved without penalty. If the ball moves in the process, replace it without penalty.    
       
Fixed sprinkler heads
All fixed sprinkler heads are immovable obstructions, and relief may be taken only if swing or stance is affected. Please note that line obstruction does not permit relief.        
       
Ground Under Repair (G.U.R.)   
Staked trees are declared G.U.R. from which play is prohibited and relief must be taken if swing or stance is affected. If a plantation is white marked, the ball must be dropped at the nearest point of relief outside the area  within two club lengths but not nearer the hole.

Winter Rules
Winter Rules apply during times of fairway stress or perhaps during heavy maintenance such as tyning or slitting. Temporary tee mats are sometimes used in winter. Notices will be posted accordingly. Basically, a ball lying on a fairway (or cut section of a Par 3) may be lifted, cleaned and placed within six inches. Not nearer the hole.

Practice Facilities
The Professional has a teaching area, but there is a Practice Range and Bunker to the right of the 18th green. Please practice WITHIN the white lines to help with ground repair operations.

Living with the Public and Walkers
Please note that the Hill is not common land but the Public is permitted to exercise thereon. Furthermore, there is a network of footpaths and bridleways, including the Cotswold Way, so please be courteous by giving walkers priority, but most of all try not to hit them!

For New & Experienced Golfers
The Rules of Golf are laid down by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and free copies are available. It is incumbent on each individual, however, to know or ask and to abide by these Rules. Etiquette is the other great leveller, and for the benefit of all, here are just a few of the most important

Safety
Before making a stroke or practice swing, please ensure no one is standing in range. It’s obvious but occasionally the worst does happen. Also, the landing area of your intended shot should be clear, as well as some possible but less likely areas. Whilst on the subject of practice swings, please, not on the actual tee - taking unnecessary divots is unforgivable, but your spiked shoes do damage as well.

Courtesy and Consideration
•    Please don’t move, talk or stand too close to a player about to take a shot.
•    Please play without delay, but not before others are out of range.
•    We are allowed 5 minutes to find a ball - but are not meant to hold up play at all.
•    Play games ‘through’ if you lose a hole to players in front.
•    Finish the hole and leave the green. Complete score cards on the way to the next tee.

Slow Play
A well documented issue and one that the Royal and Ancient consistently try to eradicate. Possibly Professional influence here is damaging. However, perhaps the best maxim here is:   “Delay others only as you would have them delay you.”       

Priority
•    Normally, 2 ball matches have priority and should be called through.
•    A single player has no standing, and should give way to others.
•    Any match playing a full round may play through a match playing a shortened round.
•    Once again, if we lose a hole, let others play through.
It is not uncommon at Stinchcombe Hill to play a truncated round of 1 to 3, then 14 home. However, this practice is common but not official, so please respect others approaching the 14th tee. So only cut in if you have time to be out of range without delaying anyone.

Care of the Course
•    Always carefully rake a bunker on exiting.
•    Always replace divots, by placing and treading the area.
•    Always repair your (and any other) pitch mark on arrival at the green.
•    Remember that it is against the Rules to repair on line spike marks before putting.
•    Leave bags off the green and fringe - try not to lean on your putter (it may break!)
•    Definitely do not pull trolleys over tees.
       
Temporary Greens and Tees
During the winter and at certain other times, temporary greens are cut for use to protect the main greens from excessive damage. These mown areas are not as good, obviously, and holes may be cut larger, but your patience is appreciated. It is for the good of the Course.
The same applies to tee areas. Please respect the tee marker positions and always tee off between and no more than 2 club lengths behind the markers.