Rules of Operation

Golf
THE PRO REGULATES PLAY ON THE COURSE. Check for the rules of the day outside the pro shop or on the first tee.

Pro Shop Hours:
Monday 12:00 noon to Close (dusk)
Tuesday - Friday 8:00 A.M. to Close (dusk)
Weekends and Holidays 7:00 A.M. to Close (dusk)

Note:
Monday - Tee Closed for outside league between 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. during the summer.
Wednesday - Course Closed during the evening for member scramble.

ALL PLAYERS must register at the pro shop prior to teeing off. GROUPS WILL NOT BE ASSIGNED A TEE SEQUNCE UNTIL ALL MEMBERS OF GROUP ARE PRESENT AND HAVE REGISTERED. Foursomes and threesomes will be given preference on tee.

METAL SPIKES ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Proper golf attire is required on golf course property and in clubhouse at all times during golf season. Collared shirts are required. Bermuda shorts are permitted. (Shorts of tennis length and blue jeans are not permitted)

The use of cell phones and beepers are strongly discouraged. These devices should be carried for emergency purposes only and placed on silent or vibrate mode at all times when on course property.

Carts
Carts are mandatory on weekends and holidays prior to 2:00 P.M. from April 1 to October 31.
Absolutely no one under the age of 18 is permitted to operate a cart at any time. Carts are not to be operated on or near greens or tee banks and are STRICTLY PROHIBITED FROM THE SIDE HILL AREAS ON HOLE #4, #5, #6 AND #7.

Maximum capacity in a cart is two (2) people and two (2) bags.

USE CAUTION
Motor vehicles have the right of way on public roads. Carts must follow the automobile traffic pattern.

Conduct
ALL MEMBERS (AND THEIR GUESTS) ARE EXPECTED TO MAINTAIN THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF NEWTOWN COUNTRY CLUB. ANY MEMBER WHOSE CONDUCT VIOLATES THE STANDARD OF GOOD ORDER AND DECORUM, OR SERIOUSLY INTERFERES WITH THE PERSONAL COMFORT, ENJOYMENT OR SAFETY OF OTHERS MAY BE SUSPENDED OR TERMINATED BY THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

Any member or guest shall make no staff members or employee the subject of personal reprimand. Any complaint must be submitted in writing to the Board of Governors.

Members with privileges suspended for any reason shall not play as a guest of another member.

Members/Guests
Guests are permitted to play on weekends and holidays AFTER 12:00 NOON. No guest shall play more than two (2) times in any calendar month. Guests are required to play with a member unless previously arrange with the pro.

House guests of members shall have unlimited playing privileges with member during a visit (not to exceed two (2) weeks). House guests may also play prior to 12:00 noon.

Members withdrawing from a tournament must do so at least 24 hours prior to the start of the tournament. Failure to do so will require member to pay all associated golf and restaurant fees. Cancellation for the Wednesday night scramble must be done prior to 4:00 P.M.

Weekday members may only play in tournaments held on weekdays.

Junior members may play on weekdays only and are not eligible to play in tournaments. Weekend and holiday play is allowed as a guest of an adult member.

No one under the age of fourteen (14) is permitted to play on weekends and holidays prior to 2:00 P.M.

Prospective members may play one (1) round of golf by paying the appropriate greens fees and are to be accompanied by a member or the pro. These fees will be credited to their account upon approval of their membership application.

Etiquette
Be quite when others are hitting.
Place all garbage in trash receptacles.
Do not throw clubs.
Do not leave burning cigarettes or cigars on greens or carts.
Refrain from using foul language.

Slow Play
Newtown Country Club's policy on rate of play allows for a round of nine holes of golf be played in approximately one hour and forty-five minutes (1:45).

Rule of thumb:

"YOU ARE PLAYING TO SLOWLY"
NCC adheres to the U.S.G.A. rule regarding the maximum number of strokes that may be taken by a player based on handicap.

U.S.G.A. Rules of Golf

Rule #1 Ball out of Bounds: If your ball is out of bounds you must play another from the spot in which you played your last shot. You must add a penalty of one stroke. If your ball is in bounds, but your stance or swing is interfered with by objects marking the out of bounds you are not entitled to free relief.

Rule #2 Ball in Water Hazard: If your ball is inside the margins of a water hazard you have the following options:

1. Play the ball as it lies in the hazard. (Do not ground your club)
2. Play a ball from the spot you hit your last shot.
3. Drop a ball behind the water hazard keeping the point it entered the hazard between the hole and the spot you drop the ball. There is no limit as to how far you can go back. If you choose option #2 or #3, you must add a penalty of one (1) stroke.

Rule #3 Ball on Cart Path: If a cart path interferes with your swing or stance, you are entitled to free relief. Find the nearest point of full relief and drop the ball within one (1) club length of this point no closer to the hole.

Rule #4 Sprinkler Box: If a sprinkler box interferes with you swing or stance (not line of sight) you are entitled to free relief. Find the nearest point of full relief and drop the ball within one (1) club length of this point no closer to the hole.

Rule #5 Drainage Grate or Ditch If a drainage grate or ditch filled with stone interferes with or swing or stance, you are entitled to free relief. Find the nearest point of full relief and drop the ball within one (1) club length of this point no closer to the hole.

Rule #6 Car Ropes If a cart rope interferes with your swing or stance, you are entitled to free relief. You may move the ropes and stakes. Do not move your ball.

Local Rules

Rule #1 Ball in flower beds
All flower beds are free relief. You must drop the ball in the designated drop area.

Rule #2 Screen
If the screen behind Hole #8 tee interferes with your swing, stance or line of sight you may:
A). Play the ball as it lies.
B). Find the nearest point of full relief on a line parallel with the fairway (no closer to the hole). Drop the ball within one (1) club length of this point no closer to the hole. Ball may be taken back as far as necessary to remove the obstruction (screen) from line of sight.

Rule #3 Hole #9
Ball crossing the margins of the water hazard from tee regardless of its proximity to the flagpole is out of bounds. (see U.S.G.A. rule #1)

Rule #4 Hole #9
Any subsequent shot hit to the right of the flagpole (including flight of ball) and crossing the margins of the water hazard is out of bounds. (see U.S.G.A. rule #1)

History
Newtown Country Club, Inc.
Newtown Country Club was organized in December 1915 by a group of outstanding citizens of the town of Newtown. Two corporations were formed; Newtown Country Realty, Inc. was formed to buy the land and buildings for a golf course and Newtown Country Club, Inc.; to form an organization for the purpose of pursing the games of golf and tennis.

The original clubhouse was located on Rte. 25 and the surrounding properties formed a nine hole golf course and tennis courts. The tennis court was located in what is now the paved portion of the parking lot.

In 1917, the club had a membership of about 100 people. During the late 1930's the second and third fairways were used as a softball field on Sunday afternoons. Many of the Newtown Country Club members played on these teams.

Through the years constant change took place; and included the selling of the original clubhouse and approximately one-half acre of land. In the 1960's a two-story clubhouse was built, but unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1974. The present clubhouse was built to replace it; and a view room was added several years later.

Many special events have taken place at Newtown Country Club. The great Gene Sarazen gave an exhibition in May 1936. Several years ago, the Masters Champion, Fred Couples played here while in the area attending his caddies wedding; Joe Lacava, Jr.

Newtown Country club is an integral part of Newtown's history and has thrived to become one of the finest nine hole course in the State of Connecticut.