The Board of Governors and Golf Committee have provided the Matchmaker with the following guidelines to assist in his ability to effectively manage the first tee. The Board of Governors and Golf Committee have further provided the Matchmaker with discretion to deviate from guidelines when necessary to improve pace of play.
All players in a group must be on property for check in with the Matchmaker before being added to the first tee waitlist.
Players must also report to the Matchmaker at the first tee before starting play, and must play the course as assigned to them. If the Matchmaker is not present, players must report to the staff member on duty.
Priority of Play
During the times listed below, groups consisting entirely of persons in the following membership categories will receive priority on the first tee waitlist and will bump down any group that includes a person in any other membership category.
MEMBERS ONLY
Wednesday & Thursday, before 8:30am Friday - Sunday & Holidays, before 10:30am
SPOUSE Wednesday & Thursday, 8:30am - 10:00am
Access to the Golf Course (First Come, First Served)
Persons in the following membership categories arriving after the times listed below will be placed on the first tee waitlist.
SPOUSE
JUNIOR
Friday - Sunday & Holidays, after 10:30am
Tuesday - Thursday, after 11:00am
Friday - Sunday & Holidays, after 3:00pm
ANNUAL GUESTS Wednesday - Sunday, after 12:00pm
Priority of Play & Golf Course Access by Membership Category
MON TUES * WED THU FRI SAT SUN *
8:00am Golf Course Closed Member Priority before 8:30am Member Priority before 8:30am Member Priority before 10:30am Member Priority before 10:30am Member Priority before 10:30am Spouse Priority 8:30am10:00am Spouse Priority 8:30am10:00am
9:00am 10:00am Spouse Access after 10:30am Spouse Access after 10:30am Spouse Access after 10:30am
11:00am Junior Access after 11:00am Junior Access after 11:00am Junior Access after 11:00am
12:00pm Annual Guest Access after 12:00pm Annual Guest Access after 12:00pm Annual Guest Access after 12:00pm Annual Guest Access after 12:00pm Annual Guest Access after 12:00pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm Junior Access (only) after 3:00pm Junior Access after 3:00pm Junior Access after 3:00pm Junior Access after 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm *Tee Times required on Tuesdays & Sundays
GUEST POLICY
All guests must be registered with the Matchmaker by their host member when the guest arrives at the Club.
The Guest Fee: $185 per guest
» All guests must be accompanied by a member.
» Tuesday: up to three (3) guests per member allowed at any time.
» Wednesday & Thursday: one (1) guest per member.
» Friday: No guests.
» Saturday, Sunday & holidays: one (1) guest per member after 12:00pm; guest must live outside of 100 mile radius of club
» An individual guest may play once per month, and no more than four (4) rounds throughout the season (March 15 - November 30).
» Women may bring one (1) guest each month on a weekday when there is no scheduled event for a reduced fee of $60.
» Juniors (age 18 and under) can bring up to three (3) guests on Monday and one (1) guest on Tuesday through Friday for a reduced fee of $25 per guest.
Multiple Guests
During the golf season (March 15 – November 30), a member may bring up to three guests on Tuesdays. Tee times are required. Members may book a tee time starting at 7:00am three (3) days in advance.
During the off-season (December 1 – March 14), a member may bring up to three (3) guests on any day of the week.
DRESS POLICY
Proper golf attire is required in the professional shop, on the course, on practice areas, and in the simulator room.
Hats must be worn “visor forward.” Hats are not to be worn indoors. Collared shirts, tucked-in, slacks, and Bermuda-length shorts are acceptable attire for gentlemen.
Women may wear comparable attire. Sleeveless golf shirts must have a collar, but shirts with sleeves may be collarless. Shirts do not need to be tucked in. Golf skirts and dresses should be the same length as Bermuda shorts.
Types of clothing considered in violation of Columbia’s dress code include tennis attire, jeans, workout clothing, bathing suits, cargo shorts, and cargo pants.
Shoes with metal spikes are not permitted.
ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY
Cell phone calls on all golf facilities—including the bag area, first tee, practice greens, and the driving range—is strictly prohibited. This includes phone conversations with ear buds.
» Cell phones and other electronic devices must be on vibrate or silent mode at all times.
» Cell phones and/or tablets may be used in a discreet manner to read and send emails/text messages.
» Cell phone calls are permitted on the course for emergencies only. Emergency telephones are installed on the 13th green and at Snack Bar #8. The telephone at the 6th tee no longer dials directly to 911. It has been replaced with a direct line to Snack Bar #8.
» Portable communication devices with a camera feature may be used to take and view photos. The use of camera phones in the locker room is strictly prohibited.
» Playing music or other audio on radios and portable/Bluetooth speakers is prohibited. Earbuds must be used for listening to audio.
LIGHTNING POLICY
The lightning detection system in use at the Club is the WeatherBug Total Lightning Detection Technology.
If an in-cloud or cloud-to-ground flash is detected within an 8-mile radius of the Columbia Country Club property, one long siren will sound. At this time members and guests must seek shelter immediately in a building or in one of the storm shelters located between #4 green and #12 tee, at #6 tee or at #13 green. All outdoor facilities, including but not limited to, the golf course, tennis courts, pools and outdoor dining areas will close, and under no circumstances may outdoor activities continue. If the horn does not sound and you see lightning or hear thunder, please stop play and seek shelter immediately. From every last strike, the system will countdown 20 minutes to the time activity is permitted to resume. Activity is only permitted to resume after three short blasts of the siren. This system is in place for the safety of our members and their guests and will be strictly enforced across all areas of the Club.
COURSE CARE
The primary responsibility of the Green Department is to provide the highest quality turfgrass and playing conditions for members and guests that offer both enjoyment and a challenge to the game.
At Columbia, we enjoy one of the finest golf facilities in the Middle Atlantic area. In order to help maintain this wonderful asset we must:
» Repair all ball marks. Replace all divots and/or use divot mix bottles.
» Rake all sand bunkers. Rakes should be placed inside bunkers. Please enter and exit bunkers on the side of the bunker with no lip (avoid climbing in and out of bunkers on steep bunker faces or lips).
» Properly dispose of trash, including tobacco products—all of which belong in trash cans. The boxes on each tee are for broken tees, not cigarettes and trash.
» If using a powered cart, obey the cart rules. When possible, keep all four wheels on the cart paths and keep out of roped-off areas.
» Adhere to Columbia’s policy of using non-metal spikes.
» Respect the work and safety of maintenance personnel. Green Department Staff will do their best to minimize any disruptions or delays. If a Green Department employee is working in the area of a player’s intended shot, the player may not play until it is safe to do so. Employees working on greens will remove the flagstick; players may not hit to the green until the flagstick is replaced.
Exercise on the Golf Course
The golf course is for golf. Use of the golf course for exercise, such as running, dog walking, and walking with strollers, is not permitted except in Club-sanctioned events. It is permissible to walk from the clubhouse to the practice areas on Hole 1 and 12 and to the Shack on Hole 8 during golf course operating hours, provided that such use does not disturb or interfere with those playing the golf course and the golf course maintenance staff, who always have priority and the right of way on all paths and the service road. To ensure everyone’s safety, particular care must always be taken when walking on the cart paths and maintenance service road during golf course operating hours.
GOLF CART POLICY
Columbia has a long-standing tradition of caddies. Columbia actively encourages all members and their guests to use a caddie and walk when possible.
Columbia’s cart policy has been established to allow those members who wish to use a cart to do so safely and effectively, while protecting and preserving the condition and health of our golf course. Members who use a cart are responsible for the safe and proper operation of their cart, and are expected to comply with this policy. Members who fail to comply with these rules and regulations will be subject to penalties commensurate with the violation. Penalties will be determined by the Golf Committee, in coordination with the Green Committee.
Exemptions to Cart Policy for the Physically Disabled
Exemptions to the rules and regulations laid out on the following page may be granted to physically disabled golfers. To apply for an exemption, golfers must write to the Golf Committee and provide sufficient information (including doctor’s certification) to enable the Committee to evaluate the application. The Committee will not consider age to be a reason to grant an exemption, except for golfers 75 years and older.
All golfers granted an exemption will be registered with the Professional shop and a special flag will be attached to their golf cart while playing. Exempt golfers displaying the special flags are expected to observe the above rules and regulations with the following modifications:
» Exempt golfers may approach and park carts adjacent to tees where cart paths are not immediately adjacent to the tee. An example of such a tee is the right-hand tee at #12. Carts must be kept at least 4 feet from the closely mown area of the tee, and must not be parked on the banked area of a tee.
» Exempt golfers may approach greens in the rough and park adjacent to the green but not on banked areas. At no time should carts be within 10 feet of the green surface or the edge of a bunker. Please note, those riding as singles, either as a result of their exemption or by playing with someone who has an exemption, will be charged the same as if they were sharing a cart.
GOLF CART POLICY
General Rules:
» The driver of the cart must be 21 years of age.
» Children under the age of 10 are not permitted in carts at any time.
» The parking brake must always be set when leaving your cart, even if parking on flat ground.
» Users will be held responsible for all damages caused to the cart.
» Carts must never be driven across greens, tees, or through bunkers.
» Carts are not permitted on practice tees or their surrounding areas.
» No more than two people may ride in a cart at any time.
» No one may ride in a cart unless seated; standing in the rear bag rack of a cart is prohibited, except during course evacuation due to the weather.
» Carts must be returned to the Clubhouse at dusk.
» No pull carts are allowed at any time.
Cart Operation Under Normal Playing Conditions:
» Use cart paths where available. When driving or parking on a cart path, keep all four wheels on the path.
» Keep carts on the path at all times on holes 1, 3, 13, 16, and 17.
» Keep out of all chained areas and obey cart directional signs.
» Use extra care around greens.
» Never park golf carts on the approach area in front of a green. Park on the cart path, take multiple clubs and walk to where your ball is.
» Do not drive or park carts on the bank of a tee, bunker or green.
» Do not drive golf carts closer than 30 feet to a tee, bunker or green unless on a cart path.
» Do not drive carts through ground that is under repair.
Off-Season Golf Cart Policy
During the off-season (November 1 through March 31), to ride in a cart you must be (i) 65 years of age or older or (ii) provide a medical note.
PACE OF PLAY
Pace of play should always be a consideration while on the golf course. The expected pace of play is four (4) hours or under. Your group must maintain pace by keeping up with groups ahead.
Each golfer must make a personal commitment to play without delay and to be aware of his or her position on the course, relative to the groups ahead and behind. Regardless of the absolute time needed to play, your group must keep its pace on the golf course by keeping up with the group directly ahead. If there is an open hole ahead, and the group behind you is waiting on most shots, you should let them play through. There is NO excuse for not letting a faster group through.
If your group falls behind and a Columbia staff member asks you to play more quickly or let the group behind you play through, you must do so. If your group falls two or more holes behind, the Golf Staff may instruct you to skip holes to get back in position.
Enforcement
Each member of the first group of the day that exceeds four (4) hours and 10 minutes, will receive a letter from the Golf Committee noting the violation.
A second violation within the same year will result in the member being restricted to playing only after 11:00am for a minimum of 30 days.
A third violation within the same year will result in the member being restricted to playing only after 2:00pm for a minimum of 30 days.
Penalties for slow play will be enforced in all tournament events. (The professional staff has the authority to assess penalty strokes if needed).
GOLF POLICY VIOLATIONS
Violations of club golf rules or policies should be referred to the Golf Committee for its action. The Committee may suspend playing privileges as it sees fit and may also refer matters to the Board of Governors for further action. Final authority in all matters rests with the Board of Governors.
Golf Services Fee
The Golf Services Fee (GSF) covers all costs associated with the following three areas:
» Unlimited use of the Driving Range and all practice facilities
» Golf Bag storage and all associated outside golf operations fees; Complimentary storage for first bag, $200 per additonal bag per year.
» Handicap System maintenance and posting
The GSF does not cover locker fees, club repair, lessons, or other golf related expenses of a personal nature. The GSF is mandatory and members are not able to “opt-out” of the fee regardless of their usage of the services. Further, the GSF fee is a Golf Member-only charge. Members’ spouses and family do not incur any additional charges for use of the above facilities.
Active Full and Senior Active Full members will be billed an annual fee of $350 for the GSF on or about the March billing cycle.
Caddie Program
The Caddie Program at Columbia Country Club has been a long standing tradition for over 90 years. A club’s caddie program is what sets a course apart and makes the golf game special. Members who utilize the caddies help keep the program running and strong. Caddies help facilitate the pace of play. Please communicate your expectations to your caddie prior to play to ensure the best experience on the course.
A caddie is mandatory under the following circumstances:
» When a member hosts a guest(s)
» Friday - Sunday during the first two hours of the day
» When playing in a Club tournament
Columbia caddies are independent contractors and are not employees of the club. All payments are to be made directly to the caddie immediately after play. Caddies can be paid by cash or Venmo.
CADDIE REQUESTS & RECOMMENDED FEES
A member may request a caddie; however requests are not guaranteed. Caddie requests must be received by the Caddie Master no later than 3:00pm the day before play. To request a caddie, email Caddie Master Lee Corcoran, lcorcoran@columbiacc.org.
To maintain Columbia’s Caddie Program, it is important that you share both positive and negative feedback about your experience on the course, which you may share with Lee after your round.
RECOMMENDED CADDIE FEES
RECOMMENDED FORECADDIE FEES
18-Holes, $120 per bag
9-Holes, $60 per bag
18-Holes, $60 per bag
9-Holes, $30 per bag
Hole-In-One Club
All active members and newly elected members are automatically enrolled in the Hole-In-One Club. If you wish to opt-out, please contact Nathalie Wilson at nwilson@columbiacc.org.
You must be a member of the Hole-In-One Club to participate in any celebration. Members of the Hole-In-One Club will be charged $1.00 for every hole-in-one that occurs. The Hole-In-One Club applies to those made at Columbia during the regular season (April 1 - October 31). When a member of the Hole-In-One Club scores a hole-in-one, each Hole-InOne Club member is entitled to a maximum of three (3) complimentary drinks as follows:
» No more than three (3) drinks per Hole-In-One Club member
» The purchase of drinks is limited to the Grill Room
» Must be purchased the same day as the hole-in-one is made
The collected funds will pay the tab on the day of the hole-in-one and any balance is rolled over for future occurrences (this change was made to ensure no member will be asked to pay the tab after making a holein-one). Drinks purchased by members who are not in the Hole-In-One Club will be charged to their member number.
