Rules & Policies

Chelsea Tee Time Scheduling Procedures

The Chelsea Tee Time Reservation System will only recognize Members and Members with Guests through the advanced requests program. Once the tee sheet has been posted, the priority is as follows: Resident Non-Members may book three (3) days in advance of the play date, Public may book (2) days in advance of the play date.

The golf shop staff will keep a "request for tee time" sheet for each day. Resident Non-Members will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis for insertion into any open tee times. The golf shop staff will make every effort to fill all tee times with four (4) players and place Resident Non-Members prior to the Public when Members do not fill the tee times.

Golf Course Attire

  1. Proper golf attire must be worn by all golfers on the golf course or when using any of the practice facilities. In all cases of questionable attire, management shall have the final responsibility and authority for determining what attire may be deemed inappropriate. Failure to comply may cause the person to be asked to change or denied use of the golf facilities will result.

  2. Men are to wear proper golf attire. This includes traditional golf shirts, slacks or golf shorts. Golf shorts must be a maximum of five (5) inches from the top of the knee cap. Mock turtle neck shirts or shirts with ribbon collars containing no descriptive writing are permitted. No tank tops, tee shirts, fishnet tops, cut-offs, jams, sweat pants, denim, bathing suits, tennis shorts, or other athletic shorts are permitted. All clothing must be in good taste.

  3. Women are to wear proper golf attire. This includes traditional golf shirts, slacks, capris, skorts, or golf shorts. Golf shorts must be a maximum of five (5) inches from the top of the knee cap. Women's traditional golf shirts must have collars or sleeves and must not be low cut or revealing on the chest. Mock turtle neck shirts or shirts with ribbon collars containing no descriptive writings are permitted. No halter tops, tank tops, fishnet tops, bathing suits, denim, tennis dresses, athletic shorts, or cut-offs are permitted. All clothing must be in good taste.

  4. Herons Glen is a non-metal spike facility. Players may also wear flat soled, non-abrasive shoes (sneakers).

  5. Children have the same dress code requirements as stated above for Men and Women.

Look Ahead, Not Behind

For a keep pace/position policy to succeed, each player must do their part to maintain their position relative to the group ahead of them. With foursomes teeing off every 7 - 8 minutes, groups should be able to maintain this interval during their round, and as they finish the 18th hole, they are still 7 - 8 minutes behind the previous group. If a group falls 10 minutes behind once on the course, play will begin to back up.

In season, when tee times are maximized, a group is considered in position when:

  1. On a Par 3, as they approach the tee, the group ahead is putting out;

  2. On a Par 4, as they approach the tee, the group ahead is hitting their shots into the green;

  3. On a Par 5, as they approach the tee, the group ahead is hitting their third shot to the green (from inside the 200 yard marker).

Should a group lose their position, the player assistant/ranger will be required to:

  1. Advise them that they are out of position and to pick up their pace to catch up with the group ahead. (The player assistant/ranger will check back in 10-15 minutes).

  2. When the player assistant/ranger returns, if the group is still out of position, the player assistant/ranger will instruct the group to close the gap immediately by picking up or allow them a few more minutes if the player assistant/ranger feels that they are in the process of catching up.

  3. Should a group fail to regain position after two warnings, the player assistant/ranger will be required to advise the Golf Professional for additional on course actions, as required. The Golf Professional will come on the course and advise the group of the discipline procedures that will follow if they chose to continue to play slow and out of position.

  4. A round at Herons Glen Golf and Country Club should take approximately 4 hours, no matter what the player's ability level. If you feel that this pace is too fast, then we recommend that you play at a time when play is lighter.

  5. To speed up play, some golfers will have to play faster than they have in the past, but not at the expense of playing an enjoyable round of golf. Slow golf is not the caused by long rough, tricky greens, or a terrible slice or hook. These are the challenges that give golf its overall appeal. Rather, slow play is the result of bad golf habits that waste time and impose a slower round on everyone.

  6. Many golfers point out that speeding up play can be accomplished without hurting your score; in fact it can often help it. Many bad golf habits can be corrected by following these time saving tips:

  • Each player should check-in and be ready to play 15 minutes prior to their scheduled tee time.
  • Pro Shop or the Starter has the obligation to pair up singles and twosomes.
  • The first player ready to hit should do so. Play only one ball at a time.
  • Don't delay your shot when the group ahead is realistically out of the range of your hitting ability.
  • Watch the complete flight of the ball and line it up with a marker (bush, tree, palmetto, post, etc.).
  • If a ball appears lost or out of bounds, follow current PGA rules.
  • Instruct on the range, not on the course.