Tryon Country Club
A Donald Ross design • Established in 1916 • Tryon, N.C. • (828) 859-9561

Rules and Procedures

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Tryon Country Club was organized in 1916. The distinguished golf architect, Donald Ross, laid out the golf course in the early 1920s. Since then the rules and customs governing member activities have evolved over the years as the club has grown, appearing from time to time in bulletins, letters and mostly by word of month. The Borad of Directors publishes this update for the benefit of all members, both new and old. These guidelines are apart from policy matters, which are contained in our governing By-Laws.

The character of the Tryon Country Club is determined by the nature of individual behavior on the golf course, at the pool, in social events, on committees and in meetings. Each of us plays a part in setting the tone and character of the club. We would like to have Tryon Country Club recognized as the "Friendliest country club in the South!" Each of us conducting ourselves within these guidelines will make Tryon Country Club "user friendly."

GOLF
The golf course plays nine or 18 holes, making use of one alternate green and one alternate tee plus different colored tee markers. Generally, the course is open for play year round. Players may walk, carrying clubs or using pull carts, or ride using carts available at the pro shop. The course is reserved during the season for TMGA play on Monday mornings and for TWGA play on Tuesday mornings. The weekend "dogfight" association plays Saturyda mornings and Sunday afternoons. A half-hour blok of tee times is reserved to start and another half-hour block is reserved to make the turn two hours later. Call for course availability. Club tournaments and other special events are posted and take precendence over individual play.

DRESS CODE
All golfers should be in proper attire. This does not include T-shirts, tank tops, halter tops, cutoffs, bathing attire or short shorts. Children under 15 are allowed reasonable departure from adult standards.

PLAY
Play must start at the first tee unless otherwise cleared through the Pro Shop.

  • Members are required to check in at the Pro Shop prior to beginning play. Guests should be registered at that time.
  • Men's front nine is from the blue tees. Back nine from yellow. Women's front nine is from the white tees. Back nine from red. Executive nine is from the green tees.
  • When a group playing 18 holes has reached #9 green in proper  sequence, it has precedence on the #1/#10 tee. If several such groups are involved, groups teeing off on #1 and #10 alternate.
  • During periods of heavy play and backup on #1 tee, golfers may start on #3 or #7, but only with permission of the club professional. Golfers starting on #3 or #7 forfeit the right-of-way at the #1 tee.
  • Unless with an adult, children 12 and under can play only after 3 p.m.
  • Groups of more than four may be permitted with permissions from the Golf Professional on duty. Faster groups should be invited to play through any groups of more than four.
  • Slow play is discouraged - pace of play is 2 hrs. and 5 min. for nine holes (add 10 min. if carts are restricted to paths). Position should be maintained by playing "ready golf." Faster groups should be invited to play through at the first opportunity.

USGA RULES, LOCALLY AMENDED
USGA Rules govern play, amended by the following local rules:

  • Out of bounds - Country Club Road and Horseshoe Curve Road and as makred by white stakes.
  • Preferred lies in effect in your own fairway is left to the discretion of each group. For tournament play rules will be posted prior to tee-off.

Free relief from:

  • Areas marked 'ground under repair' with white lines, landscaped areas, flower beds and immovable obstructions.
  • Man-made obstructions, surface roads, cart paths and approaches to bridges.
  • Tennis court and swimming pool, no line of sight relief.
  • From drainage ditches as marked and grass terraces on #5/#14 and other abnormal ground conditions. Note: Free relief is not permitted from ditches to the left side of Holes #1/#10 and #2/#11.


TOURNAMENTS/HANDICAPS
Tournament schedules, published each year, are open to members and family members ages 14 and older.

Players should record their scores at the clubhouse each time they play to maintain fair handicaps. Current handicaps are required to participate in club and association events. Handicaps are computed under the supervision of the Tryon Men's and Women's Golf Associations in accordance with the USGA and the CGA.

CARE OF COURSE
Players are expected to repair divots and repair ball marks on the greens and rake over footprints and marks in bunkers. Concern for the course is a mark of the true golfer, regardless of skill.

Comments of suggestions concerning the course should be made the Greens Committee, GM or to the Board of Directors, not to members of the grounds staff.

Golf carts should be kept a minimum of 30 feet away from greens and tees and on cart paths at tees and greens. Pull carts should not be pulled between bunkers and greens.

Cart Rules are posted at the first tee. Please "stay on path" or "use 90 degree" rule as instructed for current weather and turf conditions.

Please observe all directional signage for cart traffic.

Practicing from a specific spot on the course is prohibited. All practice should be confined to the range and chipping and putting greens.

PRO SHOP
The pro shop is open 7:30-6:30 in season and 8:00-5:00 out of season. Late afternoon play arrangements can be made at the pro shop for carts and club handling after 6:30. An official club bulletin board is maintained in the pro shop with an auxillary blackboard on the outside wall of the clubhouse. Watch for special information regarding course condition, use of carts, etc.

RIDING CARTS
Check course rules posted at #1 tee. A valid driver's license is required to operate a golf cart. Only two riders alloweed on a cart at one time.

PRACTICE AREAS
The golf range is open daily from 7:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. (in-season). Range ball rental is required. The practice green adjacent to the ninth green is for chipping and short pitches. The use of any other portion of the golf course as a practice area is prohibited. Range balls may not be used on the course.

HOUSE
The clubhouse, including both locker rooms, is open from 7:30 a.m. until dusk, except for special events arranged in advance.

  • The house facilities include the pro shop, club storage area, cart shed, clubhouse, kitchen, men's locker room, women's locker room and porches. These areas and the immediate surrounding grounds are under supervision of the House Committee and reservations are scheduled by the club professional. Following are guidelines for use of these facilities:
  • Neatness of the locker rooms is primarily the responsibility of members who use these facilities. Please do not leave shoes and clothing carelessly about.
  • The clubhouse and kitchen are used for club-sponsored functions at no charge. Members can reserve the facility for private parties. The fee is $150, plus a $50 cleaning deposit which may be refunded if cleanup is satisfactory. Please make reservations through the House Committee chairperson. Reservations, arrangements, cleaning and any damage settlement must be handled by the person initiating the arrangement. Details required are outlined on a reservation form available at the pro shop.

Two special bulletin boards are maintained for placing notice of special golf and social events. One is left of the clubhouse door. The other is free standing, facing the first tee. Please remove outdated material in a timely fashion.

GOLF INSTRUCTION
The club's PGA professional staff offers individual, video and group instruction for members and guests. Beginner, women and juniors are offered special programs throughout the year.

SWIMMING POOL
The swimming pool season runs from Memorial Day to the weekend after Labor Day on a seven day a week basis. The pool is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. A lifeguard will be on duty during this time period. The pool will be closed to all swimmers at 7 p.m.

  • All persons entering the pool must sign the pool register listing themselves, children and guests.
  • A guest fee of $3 per guest (except grandchildren of members) must be paid at entry.
  • Local area guests (within 30 miles) are limited to 3 visits per year.
  • Persons lacking swimming skills must remain at the shallow end of the pool.
  • All children must vacate the pool during lifeguard break periods when announced.
  • Cleanliness and reasonable behavior are required with no litter, no glass containers, and no alcoholic beverages permitted.
  • Pool users, especially children, should exercise caution going to and leaving the pool area, since the route is adjacent to a busy part of the golf course.