Society guidelines

The Bunker Boys Golf Society (BB) exists to provide members and visiting guests opportunities to play competitive golf, in a friendly, respectful and enjoyable environment in accordance with the Rules of Golf as established by the R&A and USGA; except as modified by Local Rules adopted by Pattaya Sports Club Golf (PSC) and the BB (Ref: BB Local Rules).

The BB is affiliated with PSC, whom maintain an approved umbrella handicap system for the BB and other local golf societies members.

The BB is based and plays from the The Sports Lounge, located on Soi Buakhao (adjacent to Soi 21 and opposite Tree Town) every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. (The location is easily recognised by the Sports Lounge and BB Signage).

Golf is organised by a committee currently consisting of, Niall Glover – Captain, Bil Richadson – Vice Captain, Tony Robbins – Treasurer, Mike Brett – Media Relations, Robbie Watts – Australian Representative and TBD GB&I Representative.

The BB is open to all, and actively encourages new participants (albeit players are expected to be able to play to a maximum 30 handicap). There are no membership fees for joining the BB. However, the club is affiliated with the Pattaya Sports Club (PSC) and all members, players are encouraged, expected to be members of PSC to avail use of the handicapping system and discounts available at various Golf Courses and Pattaya retail locations negotiated by PSC.

Occasionally a golf course may request to see the PSC membership card to qualify for the discounted green fee price, if the player is not a PSC member, he will be required to pay the standard green fee. New players and short-term visitors are allowed a maximum of 3 initial rounds but are expected to join the PSC as soon as possible within that time.

All players Members and Guests no exceptions, are expected to pay a nominal competition fee (Ref: Competition & Fees).

The club uses the PSC umbrella World Handicap System for Member handicaps which follows the USGA handicapping system and updates issued according to the WHS (World Handicapping System).

The BB submits all PSC Member score cards to the PSC WHS after each game.

The BB use the Index issued by PSC as the playing handicap for the day. Players are expected to know their handicap Index. The maximum handicap for a BB competition is 30. When playing a course with indexed holes 1 to 9 (courses with more than two nines) instead of holes indexed 1 to 18; players with odd number handicaps receive the extra stroke on the back nine played.

All players are expected to have a PSC handicap. For new players and short-term guests/visitors a certified home handicap will be accepted until they have a PSC handicap.

If a player’s PSC handicap exceeds their home handicap by more than 2 shots the player must play off their home handicap plus 2 until sufficient scores have been submitted for their handicap to be normalised.

Where a regular BB member returns from time away, they may continue with their previous PSC handicap, provided the period away does not exceed 6 months and their game has not significantly improved in their absence. Evidence of home handicap and/or previous 20 scores is required to enter in the PSC handicap system, for time away durations greater than six months.

If a visiting guest player plays off a home handicap and wins, their handicap will be cut by 50% of the points scored above 37 for the duration of his stay or until they have an official PSC handicap (i.e 15 handicap player scoring 40 points has his handicap cut 2 shots to 13).

Where a player has more than one local handicap, they must play off the lowest one. However, if a player has a higher handicap with PSC, they may play off the PSC handicap provided they can demonstrate to the committee’s satisfaction that they have submitted cards for all games played to PSC.

In the spirit of the game it is expected that Honesty and Integrity will prevail at all times.

Members and Guests are expected to be behave respectfully towards each other at all times, golf course personnel and in particular course caddy’s, so as to not in any way jeopardise the sustainability of the BB reputation within the local golf community and Thailand in general.

Members and Guests whom are observed or reported as lacking respect, may at the Committee’s discretion be given a verbal or written warning requesting correction of behaviour. Persistent  behavioural abuse may lead to the Committee formally requesting that a Member or Guest  no longer play with the BB.

The BB book courses and number of tee times based on the time of year (i.e. High Season December – March and Low Season April – November) with a maximum of 32 players (8 groups of 4) in High Season. If additional players above 32 desire to play, it will be dependant upon availability of transport, and each course’s ability to allocate additional tee times and caddy’s.

Members and guests interested in playing with the BB should preferably out of curtesy advise intent to play the day before, via BB website, Line group, text, phone and or verbally (Ref: BB Website and or notice board inside the Sports Lounge for BB contact details).  Albeit the BB does not like to deny members and guests the opportunity to play, simply turning up on the day is not a guarantee of playing.

All intending to play should sign in not later than 09:15 am on the morning of play; with players departing for course of the day at 09:30 am, normally for an 11:00 am tee off for the first group. Exceptions to the previously noted times will be advised with publication of the monthly Golf Schedules sent members via email, or posted on the Websites etc. and notice boards at the Sports Lounge.

Breakfast, tea and coffee are available for early morning arrivals.

Usually sufficient member players, have vehicles and are willing to transport other players to and from the golf venues. Passengers are expected to donate a fee of 300 thb to the Driver for this service. Note: for courses beyond Chonburi the fee increases to 350 thb due to the increased motorway toll fees. This fee should be given immediately prior to commencing the journey. In the event there is insufficient transport a minibus will be hired.

Members and Guest, drivers that provide  transportation services to other players are expected to drive safely at all times in accordance with the relevant Thai Highway Code standards.

Any complaints regarding a driver’s conduct and safety on the road should initially be addressed directly with the driver concerned. If a satisfactory respectful response is not received, the issue may be addressed to the BB Committee whom may address the issue as a Code of Conduct violation.

The BB maintains a limited number of lockers at the Sports Lounge which are available to store golf clubs. Most are leased out annually on a first come first serve basis, with a few available for short term hire. The limit is one locker per person.

There are also a limited number sets of clubs (in variable condition) available for hire for a nominal fee of 200 thb/day also on a first come, first serve basis.

The Lockers are for the storage of Golf and associated equipment. Strictly no food or dirty clothes.

The Golf Society or The Sports Bar will not accept responsibility for items that may go missing or become damaged.

ITEMS LEFT IN LOCKERS AND LOCKER ROOM ARE TOTALLY AT THE OWNERS RISK THIS IS RECOGNISED WHEN JOINING THE GOLF SOCIETY AND ACCEPTING LEASE OF A LOCKER.

Competitions strictly follow the Rules of Golf. In addition the Bunker Boys have adopted the following Local Rules:

1) – Players with a handicap of 24 or greater (not to exceed a maximum of 30 handicap for BB competition) due to age and or physical disabilities may elect to play a more forward tee than that played as the BB standard tee (i.e. tee closest to 6,500 yds +/-). Qualified players electing this option may play from available tees on courses that are front of the standard BB tee with their handicap or score adjusted to the course and tee played on the day.

2) – Relief may only be taken from Ants and other stinging insects if they constitute a dangerous situation. Agreement must be obtained from a marker. Relief taken cannot improve the lie, line of sight or avoid other obstacles.

3) – If a player is playing off a non-PSC handicap and scores more than 36 points his handicap will be reduced by the number of points above 36 which he has scored, prior to the next game. (i.e. if he is playing off 20 handicap and scores 39 points, his handicap will be 17 for the next game).

4) – The BB use the Handicap Index issued by the PSC as the playing handicap for the day, on all courses and do not adjust handicap for individual course and slope ratings. Players are expected to know their handicap Index. The handicaps are adjusted on a daily basis. The maximum handicap for a BB competition is 30.

5) – Relief must be taken from staked trees and young trees (not bushes) less than 2 metres in height and from regularly maintained, cultivated flower beds.

6) – In the interests of saving time a provisional ball may be played at any time. If the original ball is found the player must continue with the original ball.

7) – Where Penalty Areas (water hazards) are not clearly marked, they should be treated as having red stakes allowing lateral relief. The break of slope or edge of mown area should be taken as the margin.

8) – Washed out areas, areas of excessive water damage and obviously abnormal ground conditions may be treated as Ground Under Repair subject to agreement of the marker. Under Rule 16.1c Free relief may be taken from Human damage (footprints, etc.) in Bunkers. A ball should be placed at the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole in the Bunker.

9) – Rule 6-8, A player may discontinue play and take shelter during heavy rainstorms as well as danger from lightning.

10) – Edging grooves around greens maybe treated as GUR.

11) – It is the players responsibility to ensure that Bunkers are properly repaired after playing from them. 

12) – Where a ball is lost or out of bounds, instead of playing a provisional ball from the tee, a ball may be dropped behind a line equidistant to the hole from the position where the ball is lost or goes out of bounds, 2 club lengths onto the nearest part of the fairway, with a 2 shot penalty (stroke & distance).

13) – Through the green a ball embedded in its own pitch mark, may be lifted, cleaned and placed within 6 inches (150 mm) of the original pitch mark, not nearer the hole.

14) – Upon completion of competitive rounds a scorecard recording both player and markers scores signed by both should be returned. The Marker’s approval is required for any actions on the course other than playing the ball as it lies.

Where decisions with respect to the Rules of Golf are required, these will be decided by the Rules Committee currently Tony Robbins, Bil Richardson, Mike Brett and Niall Glover.

The BB play the Stableford format, however at least one medal round shall be played each month. Competition will usually be played from the tees closest to 6,500 yards.

All players will play off their WHS/PSC Handicap Index (Ref: Handicaps).

Lady members/guests are welcome to play and will normally play from Red tees (or the tee closest to 5,500 yds). Ladies at their discretion may play from the men’s tee or any tee behind the Red tee.

On a hole where a player believes the carry off the tee is too great, they may move to the Red tee with a one stroke penalty.

Score cards must be returned latest by 18.15 hrs. and presentations are at 18:30 hrs. on the day of play. It is expected that all players will return to The Sports Lounge for the 18:30 pm presentation. Players must be present to collect prizes unless a valid reason has been given to the organiser prior to the competition.

Where a golfer is not present any winnings will go to the BB Delinquent Fund which will be used to provide a free drink to playing members when sufficient funds have accumulated. (Consideration will be given for special circumstances ie a prior commitment announced before play, accidents, breakdowns and emergencies). Once the presentation is complete it is final and there is no redress should an error be found to have occurred.

Daily competition fees are: 220 thb per person and contribute to the total prize pool available (i.e. 220 thb x No of players per event = available prize pool).

The total competition fee of 220 thb, is split as follows: BB Administration 20 thb, Nearest  the Pin prize pool 50 thb, and the overall Competition prize pool 150 thb.

All players are required to pay the fee and play in the competition with a maximum of 30 handicap.

Any player scoring a hole in one receives a ‘hole in one’ trophy; the BB will contribute 3,000 thb,  to buy a drink for all members playing that day. Any residual funds will given to the player whom scored a hole in one.

A minimum of 8 players is required for a scheduled  competition; albeit occasionally in low season  (April – November) there may occasionally be less players. Generally, the prize pool is shared as follows:

For less than 8 players pay 1st and 2nd places.

8 to 14 players pay 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

15 to 19 players pay 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th.

20 to 24 players pay 1st 2nd 3rd 4th and 5th.

25 players and up, pay 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th and 6th.

The available prize pool for each near pin is a minimum 100 thb and a maximum dependant upon the number of players for an event and rounded up/down to the nearest 20 thb.

If there is no near pin on a hole, the prize for that hole goes into the Delinquent Fund, which is used to buy members a drink when there is a sufficient amount in the Delinquent Fund to do so.

In the event a competition is tied it will be decided by Count back. Last 9 holes played, last 6, last 3, last hole, if still equal go back hole by hole from 18th.

For each competition scores attained go towards the Golfer of the Month Trophy. All rounds are entered, with the best 6 scores counting. In event of a tie the next best (7th) score is counted. Should there still be a tie, the player with the most wins in the month will be declared the GoM.

At end of each month the winner receives a trophy and the BB will provide a free round of drinks to all players present.

Occasionally, BB players may desire to play at an alternative location(s) to that published as the BB monthly schedule. For such occasions and for these events to be considered a sanctioned event, qualifying for GoM points, the following conditions must be satisfied:

            1) – The BB Committee shall be advised and approve the same as a sanctioned event.

            2)  – All BB members shall be given the opportunity to participate in the same and/or facilitate a change to reschedule a BB event to the same location.                         

            3)  – There shall be a minimum of eight BB players participating.

From time to time adverse weather conditions affect the golf courses and may result in “Preferred Lies” being applied. The usual guide is that when Golf Carts are not allowed on the Fairway due to adverse conditions “Preferred Lies” may apply. The “Preferred Lies” rule is, lift, clean and replace within 6inches, on closely mown areas only of the hole in play. Adjacent fairways shall be considered as in the rough.

In the event that play cannot be completed because of bad weather the following will apply:

If 50% or more of the field complete the round the competition will stand. If less than 50% complete the round the competition will be cancelled and entry fees less the admin fee will be refunded.