Junior Guidelines
Do…
- Do try your best within the rules of the game, we all have good and bad shots!
- Do play ready golf and keep up with the group in front, no-one likes a slow round.
- Do respect the course – repair divots and pitch marks and rake bunkers, grown ups will love it.
- Do enjoy yourself, bad golf can still be a nice walk with your playing partners, talk to them no matter how much older or younger they are!
Do not…
- Do not ever, ever knowingly cheat – it isn’t worth it!
- Do not swear, smash or throw any equipment, hit balls off the green, or dig up the course – respect the course, club, playing partners and very importantly yourself.
- Do not distract your playing partners through poor behavior, your bad round shouldn’t mean bad rounds for everyone else.
- Do not forget to keep up with the group in front, if your group falls behind you must all make an effort to catch up.
Do’s will earn you respect from other Juniors and adults, and improve your chances of playing better golf
Do not’s will get you into trouble and you may be penalized, disqualified or even asked not to play golf again
Any breach of the MLGC Junior Code of Conduct, as determined by MLGC Junior Coordinators or the MLGC Director for Junior Golf, may result in playing restrictions, suspension or expulsion from the club and suspension of a Golflink handicap.
Parents Brief – MLGC Junior Code of Conduct
At MLGC we place the right to enjoy a round of golf, over and above individual performance at all levels of competition.
For children of primary school age the emphasis is on participation, skill acquisition, and game education. We expressly wish these children to enjoy golf as a game first, satisfying competitive instincts second, and all research to date suggests this is the best approach for their healthy development.
As ability improves or children reach teenage years there is a shift in junior events towards golf as a competitive sport. However enjoyment of the game itself is still the most important aspect. The Junior Code of Conduct does not make any concessions for competitive passion resulting in cheating or poor behavior which proves a distraction to others, or impacts upon enjoyment of the game by others.
We have chosen language and examples in the “Junior Code of Conduct” to make it clear as to what is acceptable behaviour, and what is not. Children will witness poor behavior by golfing adults, and children will also have moments of their own frustration, occasional displays of emotion is a reality for all golfers.
However children must realize that persistent and consistent poor behavior that results in complaints is simply not welcome at MLGC and it is up to them to maintain control for their own benefit, and very importantly, the benefit of their playing partners.
We would appreciate your support in helping your child to understand the “spirit” in which the game of golf is to be played. If you become aware of your child struggling to control their emotions, then a rest from competitive golf is recommended before they fall foul of multiple complaints and a disciplinary process.
Parents will be held accountable for their children’s persistently poor behaviour. In the case of members of MLGC, if their children are habitual repeat offenders, measures may be brought against the parent/s as well as the child. The golf club, its representatives and members are not expected to act as substitute parents when it comes to discipline. Ignorance is no defense with respect to the club’s codes of conduct as they simply represent common courtesy that is expected in any public domain.
Wherever a child is in breach of the code of conduct, then a request to cease such behaviour is encouraged, if their behavior continues on a persistent basis please advise a MLGC Match Committee member or Junior Coordinator after the round.
It is our firm desire that no MLGC Junior (or parent) should give rise to meeting with the MLGC Director of Junior Golf for breaches of the Junior Code of Conduct, as there will be serious consequences for serial non-compliance over any period, as judged by the MLGC Director of Junior Golf.
MLGC Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct
As a parent/guardian of a player/participant in any activity held by or under the auspices of MLGC, you must meet the following requirements in regard to your conduct during any such activity or event:
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others.
- Remember that your child participates in sport for their own enjoyment, not yours. Do not pressure them.
- Focus on your child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing.
- Never ridicule or yell at your child and other children for making a mistake or losing a competition.
- Show appreciation for good performance and skilful plays by all players (including opposing players).
- Demonstrate a high degree of individual responsibility especially when dealing with or in the vicinity of persons under 18 years of age, as your words and actions are an example.
- Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.
- Do not physically or verbally abuse or harass anyone associated with the sport (player, coach, umpire and so on).
- Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
- Be a positive role model.
- Understand the repercussions if you breach, or are aware of any breaches of, this code of behaviour.
- Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.
Failure to do so may result in a suspension or ban for both parent/s and child from the club and events.
