General Procedures

  • Please register in the pro shop, with a starter, or via phone by calling the Pro Shop at 410-730-5980 before starting play by showing a valid Columbia Association membership ID card and paying required fees. Please pay in credit/debit card only; cash is not accepted.
  • Appropriate attire and non-metallic spikes are required. Tank tops, T-shirts, cut-offs, and gym shorts are not allowed. The golf professional or a representative may deny use of the course and practice areas to persons unsuitably attired.
  • All players must play with their own set of clubs.
  • Between April 1 and October 31, no more than four golfers and no fewer than three golfers may tee off without permission from the head pro or the starter. Foursomes have priority; a single player does not.
  • If you fail to show for a reserved tee time without giving at least 24 hours cancellation notice, you may be denied reservation privileges for the following week or charged a cancellation/no-show fee.
  • Adult members are responsible for the conduct of their children and guests.
  • The golf pro or staff will require those conducting themselves in an unbecoming manner or abusing or destroying the course to leave. Membership privileges may be revoked or suspended.
  • If you bring a guest, please register your guest and pay the required fees in the pro shop before playing. You may have up to three guests at one time. Please present receipts to the starter for members and guests 10 minutes before tee time or your tee time may be forfeited. Guests must comply with CA’s guest admission procedures.
  • Guest passes can be used any time except before 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays Individuals who live within 25 miles of Columbia are limited to six visits per calendar year, per household, to all facilities combined as the guest of a member.
  • If you interrupt play after nine holes, you will lose your position on the 10th tee until an opening exists (including use of restrooms at the turn).
  • State law requires that all alcoholic beverages consumed on licensed premises be purchased from the permit holder, and considers the golf course, parking lot, tennis club and swimming pool to be our premises. The Turn House retains the rights to refuse service of alcoholic beverages to anyone at any time. All outing participants are required to have proper legal identification in order to be served alcoholic beverages. Only employees of The Turn House are permitted to serve alcohol on the premises.
  • The golf course superintendent or a representative will decide when to close the course or limit golf carts due to frost or inclement weather.
  • Non-golfers are permitted on the course before and after play only and are restricted to cart paths. No one is permitted on the course after dark. Course problems should be reported to the pro shop personnel.
  • Practice is permitted only on the designated practice range areas and the putting greens.
  • Pets are not allowed on the golf course, practice areas or in the clubhouse.
    Please be courteous to golf course neighbors and remain on golf course property at all times. Golfers are responsible for damage to adjoining properties.

General Procedures (Hobbit’s Glen)

  • In the interest of safety, all members will be required to “check-in” at the pro shop and a receipt must be given to the starter prior to play. While it is not mandatory to have a card on file it is suggested that you do so to help the check in process to be more efficient.
  • All members must have a picture on file.

Rain Check Policy

  • For 18-hole players: Players completing no more than five holes will receive an 18-hole rain check. Players completing no more than 12 holes will receive a nine-hole rain check.
  • For nine-hole players: If you play no more than four holes, you will receive a nine-hole rain check. If it is raining when you start, no rain check will be issued.

Cart Policy: Violation of policies will result in a loss of cart privileges

  • Prior to starting play, carts must be signed and paid for in the pro shop.
  • To rent or drive a golf cart, you must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license.
  • Carts must cross the fairway or approach a player’s ball at a 90-degree angle.
  • No more than two people and two golf bags per cart.
  • You are responsible for damage done to or by the cart.
  • Obey all direction signs, ropes, chains and barriers.
  • Golf carts must remain on golf course property at all times.
  • Pull carts must obey cart rules around tees, greens and bunkers. No pull carts are permitted on riding carts. Pull carts may NOT be taken between bunkers and the green.
  • For liability reasons, carts must be returned before dark.
  • There will be an upcharge for a single rider.
  • Use of private carts is prohibited.

Driving Range Rules and Regulations

  • Do not pick up balls off the range.
  • Do not bring your own range balls.
  • Baskets and balls must remain on the property; pricing will increase if baskets and balls are removed.
  • Hit balls toward the middle of the range.
  • Hit only in designated areas (not to exceed 240 yards at Hobbit’s Glen).
  • On days when the grass tee is closed, you must hit from the mats.

Short Game Rules and Regulations

  • Do not intentionally hit shots over the green.
  • Please respect the course and do not practice on hole #2.
  • Fill divots, fix ball marks and rake bunkers.
  • Area may be closed on occasions for instruction.
  • Be mindful of where others are practicing when working on various shots.

Putting Green Rules and Regulations

  • No pitch shots on putting green.
  • All chip shots should be played within one yard of the putting green.
  • The practice bunker is designed for players to hit onto the driving range.

Local Golf Rules

  • Out-of-bounds is defined by white stakes or a line measured from the inside edge at ground level extending vertically. The stakes and line are out of bounds. (Rule 27)
  • Penalty areas are marked by yellow stakes or yellow lines that extend vertically. Lateral water hazards are marked by red stakes or lines that extend vertically. The stakes and lines are part of the hazard. When neither stakes nor lines exist, the edge of the water is the boundary of the hazard (Rule 26).
  • Obstructions (Rule 24) are cart paths, protective screens, portable restrooms, stakes and wires used to support trees, yellow ribboned trees and railroad ties.
  • When winter rules are in effect, a ball lying on the fairway being played may be lifted and cleaned without penalty and replaced no nearer to the hole or green, within one club length of its original spot.
  • Leaf rule will be posted when in effect. If a ball is lost outside the tree line, it may be dropped outside the tree line without penalty. If a ball is lost inside the tree line, it must be dropped inside the tree line, also without penalty.
  • All unmarked long grass areas beyond the rough will be played as a lateral hazard (at Fairway Hills only).

Golf Etiquette

  • Please keep up with the group in front of you.
  • Please replace all divots on course.
  • Please rake sand traps after use.
  • Please repair all ball marks on greens. Have a repair tool to use.

Motorized Scooter

Motorized scooter means any two, three, or 4-wheeled device that has handlebars, has a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding and is powered by a motor. Segways are also included as motorized scooters.

  • Pay attention to your surroundings at all times. Make sure you are comfortable with the throttle and hand brakes before going out on the course.
  • Be careful with your speed. Speed not to exceed 12mph. Use your brakes when going downhill to avoid excessive speed.
  • Scooters should stay on the cart path near the tees and past the approach. Under no circumstance will a scooter drive inside of the greenside bunkers.
  • Do not put multiple people on the same Scooter.
  • Stay clear of mud, sand, loose dirt or gravel, and water.
  • Scooters are not to be ridden on the course by children under the age of 18.
  • Never ride down hills that put your safety at risk.
  • Do not take the Scooter over curbs as this can cause serious damage.
  • Do not operate Scooter under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Scooters MUST follow the rules put in place for carts each day without exception. (Cart path only, Scooters stay on paths)

Pace of Play (POP)
Playing behind a group of players who are not maintaining a proper pace can be frustrating and impact your game. At the same time, if you are the slower player in a group, your golf experience won’t be fun either.

What is the proper pace?
Sometimes quick players think a group in front is slow, when in fact they are playing at an acceptable pace. The expected pace of play for 18 holes is four hours and 20 minutes, with the exception of weekend mornings; on Saturdays and Sundays before 9:30am, the expected pace of play for 18 holes is four hours. Hobbit’s Glen will be collecting POP info on the course and educating staff to assist players and keep the game moving!

Pace of Play suggestions:

First, arrive with plenty of time before your scheduled tee time. If possible, allow time to hit a few balls on the range and putt prior to getting on the first tee — it will
add a level of confidence to your play. Another factor is determining which tee boxes to play from. If you are a senior player or not a long hitter, move to the forward tees.
A good method to use for determining which tee box (course yardage marker) to play is the “Chris Miles Method,” which is Driver Distance x 28 = Course Total Yardage. For
example, if you can hit a driver 200 yards, then the formula would be 200 x 28 = 5,600. You would then play from the tee box closest to 5,600 total course yards. Playing from the proper tee box will make the game more enjoyable for you and may even improve your scores. Other recommendations include:

  • Try alternate forms of play. Match play, stableford, best-ball and other formats are easy and fun alternatives to individual stroke play.
  • On the tee, it is acceptable for players to “hit when ready.” You can also save time by playing a provisional ball if you think your original ball might be lost or out of bounds.
  • Plan your shot before you get to your ball. Once you are off the tee, think ahead. Determine your yardage and make your club selection before it is your turn to play. If unsure, take multiple clubs with you.
  • Keep your pre-shot routine short. Try to take no more than one practice swing, then set up to the ball and play your shot.
  • When sharing a cart, use a buddy system. Don’t wait in the cart while your cart buddy hits and then drive to your ball. Get out and walk to your ball with a few clubs in hand. Then, be ready to play when it is your turn, and let your cart buddy pick you up.
  • Be helpful to the others in your group. Follow the flight of all tee shots, not just your own. Once in the fairway, help others look for their ball. Volunteer to fill in a divot or rake a bunker for another player, if needed.
  • Picking up your ball is permitted by the USGA Handicap System. If not in an individual stroke play competition, it is generally appropriate to pick up your ball