A) There are a number of contacts that may be useful for you:
- Clubhouse - Sarah Tietjen 01844 346989 (sarah.prgc@gmail.com)
- Class A Golf Pro - Bruce Loome 07894 834281 (blpga@me.com)
- Mens' Captain - Dick Pooley (richardpooley5@gmail.com)
- Ladies' Captain - Sue Pomeroy (suepmry@gmail.com)
- Competitions Secretary & Treasurer - Al Bowyer (albert.bowyer@btinternet.com)
- Handicap Secretaries - Steve Williams (stevewilliams47@sky.com) & Jill Peppett (jillpeppett@yahoo.co.uk)
- Welfare Officer - Gary Tubb (GaryTubb@btinternet.com)
NB for Roll up contacts - scroll further down the FAQ
A) There is a simple 4 step process
- Please introduce yourself to our Captain
- We will assign you a 10 digit Membership Number (unless you have already provided us with one - it used to be referred to as your CDH number)
- Please use this membership number to create a free account / register with HowDidIDo (please ensure that you use the same email address as you provided us with on your membership form). This APP is essential for entering your scores for handicap purposes.
- Book a tee time online by clicking here (there is a quick 'one time' registration process) or phone the clubhouse on 01844 346989. If you want to find people to play with, join a roll up, get a handicap, find out about competitions etc ... simply read on through the FAQ below...
- Familiarise yourself with the course - click here
A) We are operating the normal dress code for progressive Golf Clubs
On the course:
Golfers are required to wear smart clean golf clothing at all times
Shirts are to be worn with collars or turtle necks, and can have short or long sleeves
Golfers must wear golf shoes
Wearing Jeans, trainers, football and T-shirts is a no.
Players must only use their own clubs ie no bag sharing
Using mobile phones on the course is a no.
In the Clubhouse:
Please wear smart casual wear cloths - this includes smart jeans.
PRGC Golf Course Etiquette - Princes Risborough Golf Club
PRGC's 10 MOST IMPORTANT GOLF ETIQUETTE POINTS TO FOLLOW
The following are considered to be the important etiquette requirements of all golfers at PRGC and must be complied with
- SAFETY ON THE COURSE. Shouting FORE as necessary and do not play if there is any doubt that anyone on the course is in range.
- BE COURTEOUS. To club staff, green keepers, other players, and all others on the course (including keeping one’s temper).
- CARE OF THE COURSE. Repair pitch marks on greens and fairway divots; Rake bunkers; Comply with winter and local rules as applicable. Use laid paths wherever possible. Don’t drop litter.
- AVOIDANCE OF SLOW PLAY. Keep up with players in front. Don't leave the next tee empty! Let faster groups through.
- AWARENESS OF OTHER GOLFERS. Allow clear line of sight for all shots including putting, keeping still, remaining silent during play.
- COMPLIANCE WITH GOLF RULES – Official and Local. If you are unsure, ask – please don’t just assume.
- POSITIONING OF GOLF EQUIPMENT. No trolleys or buggies on greens, tees, or their surrounds. Ensure equipment is placed towards the exit of the greens.
- PLAY THE COURSE AS SET. Use correct tee boxes. Under no circumstances use the white teas outside of club competitions.
- DRESS CODE Wear suitable and appropriate golf attire and shoes. No jeans, tracksuits or T-Shirts (polo shirts are fine).
- ORDER OF PLAY. Having the honour where appropriate. Also, where appropriate play when ready.
IMPORTANT NOTE. All members and non-members when playing to not only uphold the etiquette themselves but also to ensure playing partners do likewise.
A) To get a Handicap Index you will need to hand in 3 cards, all marked by an existing member who already holds a handicap. Steve Williams (stevecgs2003@yahoo.co.uk) is in charge of handicaps.
The process of achieving an initial Handicap is very straight forward:
- Complete 3 full rounds of golf (54 holes) and have your cards marked by a fellow PRGC member with an existing HI
- Mark each card as "For Handicap 1", (2 and 3) and place each completed card in the Black WHS Casual Card Box in the Clubhouse (lobby)
- Upload your scores into the HDIDO App marking is as a casual qualifying round (this ensures that it will be uploaded to England Golf)
- 3 correctly completed cards are required for your initial HI and to enter competitions
It is important to develop your handicap by playing in the ongoing monthly medals and Stablefords, as well as submitting additional casual qualifying rounds. A fully developed handicap index is where the system selects your best 8 from 20 cards. The wonder of the new World Handicap System is that it is dynamic - your HI evolves dynamically and quickly with your standard of play.
Some important admin points:
- you must register with the How Did I Do (HDIDO) App and with England Golf
- You will be provided by PRGC with an England Golf WHS Membership Number (CDH)
- Please always use the same email address, as the systems talk to each other and everything needs to match
If you are playing in a competition and need to know how to complete someone's card for them - there is a simple guide here to the various competitions. Please ask another member to help - this is a very friendly club and everyone is keen to help. How to complete a golf competition score card - Princes Risborough Golf Club
A) There are multiple measured courses and yes there is a course guide
Two basic rules:
- White Tees are for specified competitions only - under no circumstances should they be used for general / social play or practice
- Blocks are for your first 9 and Wedges are your second 9 (alphabetic ie B before W, if that helps)
For social golf or regular play we have a number of tee block options for you to play: please scroll down to New Courses / New Scorecard / New Handicap Table From Jan 1st, 2024
A) There are 3 key principles to follow here:
- Golfers playing hole 10 have a priority over those playing hole 1
- A group of golfers playing hole 1 need only let one group of players playing hole 10 through - they should alternate - All golfers should remain polite and courteous - that is the spirit of PRGC and of golf
- Golfers should maintain a good momentum around the course and target hitting the time they have booked for hole 10
A) It is different depending on whether you are late or early
- If you are late, move quickly to the 10th tee and and slot in with golfers teeing off of the 1st
- If you are early, please grab a coffee at the half way house and wait for your back 9 tee time
NB The flow of the course is so important to golfers and no one likes to be held up by avoidably slow play
A) See the R&A Guidance
A) There are a great many but they are easy to find and understand through the R&A website - Rules of Golf
A) This is perfectly natural and please don't be shy, we are a very warm and welcoming club. The best person to speak to in the first instance is our Club Ambassador who will be delighted to point you in the right direction. It is important that you set your own timetable for when you feel it is the right time to play with some new people or enter competitions or get a handicap or get some lessons or just get some re-assurance.
A) We have several members' Roll Ups during the week and the key ones are below. For more information please contact us
- The Friday Stableford is on Friday mornings (please contact John White, johnwhite2102@gmail.com) - it is wonderfully inclusive, welcoming high and low handicappers and new members of any age, quality or gender.
- Ladies - Official Roll Up on Wednesday Mornings (also unofficial roll ups on Monday and Saturday Mornings)
- the ladies have a wonderfully full calendar which you can dip in and out of - click here for details - Seniors (55 to 92yrs old)
- The Toffs Roll Up is on Tuesday mornings (Seniors Captain is Doug Taylor, he can be contacted directly at dt.design@btinternet.com)
- Grumpies - Unlike the name suggests, a fun bunch of golfers who Roll Up at 11am ish on a Saturday
- WAGS - largely the same composition as the Grumpies who meet on a Wednesday afternoon
A) Details of the various competitions are in the Competitions section of the website - there is a full calendar of mens, ladies and mixed events. You must have a valid handicap to enter them. If you are an Academy Member or do not have a handicap yet, you are able to play in the competitions for fun and experience but you will not be officially entered ie you will not pay an entry fee and will not be able to win.
A) We have a Class A Pro working at PRGC called Bruce Loome - he uses the latest 'Backward Chaining' coaching technique - proven to deliver over a shot per hole improvement over traditional coaching. Check out the member's discounted pricing click here
A) The day to day Team Leader is Sarah Tietjen (Sarah.PRGC@Gmail.com) and the Designated Premises Supervisor is Lisa Jarvis (click here)
A) Gary Tubb is the Welfare Officer and details of our safeguarding policy can be found here
Everyone should be able to enjoy golf in a safe environment. We all have a responsibility to protect and safeguard children and adults at risk. We are very proud to be fully signed up to England Golf's SafeGolf programme.
Safeguarding issues have recently been exposed within the world of football and golf has been quick to ensure that similar issues do not occur in our sport. PRGC is a family club with a diverse membership and we fully commit to this initiative from England Golf.
A) There is a 1 stroke penalty for landing in a PRGC pond or lake see R&A Rules on water hazards such as lakes or ponds
- Please do not attempt to play a ball from the lake or pond or remove balls from the lakes or ponds as it ruins the lake bed, causing leaks
A) Click here for winter rules
Submitting scorecards from away clubs |
With restrictions lifted, many of you will be travelling to away courses more than before, whether it be across the border to Wales and Scotland or somewhere more far flung! Unless you're swinging solo, there's no reason why you can't still record these rounds against your handicap. In fact, to ensure your WHS index remains a true reflection of your current ability, you should be making every effort to submit the scores.
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We only allow coaching on the course by fully trained PGA Pro staff. Bruce Loome is our Class A Pro and is responsible for the improvement of our members' golf. Bruce provides a range of coaching options for all levels of player; from the complete beginner to the seasoned low handicapper.
From inexpensive group sessions to intensive 1:1 coaching on both the course or the training area (depending on the shot being coached), Bruce will cater for your needs. If you have any questions regarding accessing high quality, affordable coaching, simply ask at golf reception or Bruce directly. Please note that the club does not take any commission on coaching which is why Bruce is able to keep the fees so low - Price List for Lessons - Princes Risborough Golf Club
Like other progressive clubs, we do not allow amateur coaching on the course or practice grounds, and for obvious reasons. No matter how good the player, they are not trained to coach and are likely to set the player back and / or impact their mental health and / or impact their physical health. They are also not insured or covered by the Safe Golf principles of England Golf, to which PRGC have signed up. You find Bruce's name on the accredited list of Safe Golf PGA coaches
We recognise that golfers offer each other the odd, infrequent hint or tip and we want golfers to encourage each other. Frequent unofficial coaching however, joining individuals or groups on their rounds for the sole purpose of adding a coaching element, no matter how well intentioned, is not supported by any progressive golf club. For the avoidance of doubt and put simply, we define coaching in the broadest possible sense, as a process that aims to improve performance.
In our 30+ years as a club we have only ever received one complaint regarding unofficial coaching but in the interests of completeness we felt that we should include a short note on it. Any 'unofficial coach', in the eyes of the management, that falls foul of this ruling may unfortunately be subject to a temporary ban without compensation or refund, or a full termination notice with immediate effect with the balance of their membership refunded or a refusal to renew their membership.
If you have any questions in this regard, please discuss with the clubhouse / welfare officer - Gary Tubb 07866 312770. There may be exceptional circumstances to this ruling based on discussions with the Pro eg Parents and children.
Separately but importantly, our Pro carefully schedules his on course coaching to cause the minimum possible interference to other players. Unofficial coaching slows down play and in doing so may impact the enjoyment of other players who have devoted precious time and money to enjoy a flowing game. It is another key reason why all progressive clubs do not allow it - thank you for your understanding, and once again, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.
We have been commended on our approach with respect to the management of unofficial coaching by England Golf:
We have an excellent short game practice arena which is free for members to use - for health and safety purposes, please advise golf reception when you are going to be out there.
If you want to practice your long game you are welcome to do so on the main course but please be mindful of the needs of those out playing a normal round. Only practice on the course when it is quiet and never hold up other players. Golf reception can advise on the best times to practice on the course as they have the full booking schedule so please always consult with them before making arrangements for a practice round. We would ask that you do not:
- use the bunkers on the main course for practicing, please use the practice area for all short game and bunker practice.
- repeatedly fire practice shots onto the greens as this causes excessive wear and tear
- use more than 2 balls at a time if you are practicing on the way round
- tee off from anywhere other than the eligible tees positions on the day (and certainly not the whites)
NB If you are keen to practice a particular shot from a particular spot, please purchase a training mat to avoid repeated wear and tear on the course in the specific area.
Please abide by the rulings of the greenkeepers, their say on these course matters is final. If requested to stop, please do not question the greenkeepers, please address your questions to golf reception. Thank you.
The greenkeeping staff are here to provide the best possible golfing environment for you to enjoy. As on all courses, they start early and have a work flow which needs to be un interrupted; where possible, may we please ask that you are patient and give their work priority. Equally, they are highly skilled and plan their work carefully to stay out of your way to ensure a flowing course with no distractions. We are blessed with a very friendly greenkeeping team and they will be happy to answer any questions you have in or via the clubhouse.
Should in the rare instance, you have a comment or an issue to report, please do so via the customer service book in the clubhouse and we will investigate the matter for you. Thank you.
NB It hopefully goes without saying and has never been a problem at PRGC, where politeness and friendliness are embedded in our culture, but as with other clubs we do have a duty of care to protect our staff from any rudeness / inappropriate behaviour, which will of course not be tolerated.
In short, a blend of friendly and attentive staff who are passionate about great customer service and a great bunch of golfers who love sharing the highs and lows of this wonderful game with likeminded people!
The clubhouse staff are here to provide the best possible customer service for you to enjoy. They start early and work hard for you and the club. At times they will be busy and service may be slower than normal - we are blessed with a lovely membership and we thank you for your patience and politeness.
As a service organisation we welcome all feedback. If you have any issues, comments, compliments, recommendations you would like us to consider you are invited to politely record that in the customer service book held at reception. This can then be picked up by the management team.
It perhaps goes without saying, but we have a duty of care to do so; as with other organisations, any rudeness or inappropriate behaviour towards staff cannot be tolerated. The kindness and courtesy of our golfers ( whether they have had an amazing or a disastrous round 🙂 ) has helped to create a wonderful, vibrant clubhouse experience; it has been one of the major draws for our membership for over 30 years and we thank you for it.