RHGC Policies

Introduction to Rock Harbor Golf Course Policies: We at Rock Harbor Golf course are committed to providing our customers and members with a superior, enjoyable, relaxing and memorable golf experience.  To provide that experience, we have developed the following policies that we expect will be followed and we will enforce.

General Policy Statement and House Rules: Rock Harbor Golf Course is private property.  Any person’s entry and presence are at the sole and absolute discretion of the owner and the Rock Harbor staff.

Rock Harbor reserves the right to deny admission, prevent entry, or require any person already present to leave the property, without refund, liability or compensation, for failure to comply with any of our stated rules and policies for unsafe, illegal, or offensive behavior.  We reserve these rights to ensure safety, security, and order.  We reserve the right to exercise this course of action at our sole and absolute discretion. 

Rock Harbor endeavors to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all members, guests and staff.  Any behavior, language, or action deemed unsafe, abusive, disruptive, offensive, or inappropriate will not be tolerated, and the offender(s) will be subject to removal from the property.  

Unauthorized solicitations of any kind are prohibited anywhere on Rock Harbor property.

The sale of any goods or services, unless authorized by Rock Harbor is strictly prohibited.

The use of recreational devices such as remote-controlled toys, skateboards, bicycles, etc., are prohibited unless specifically authorized by Rock Harbor for a specific date and time.

Driving at unsafe speeds or in a reckless manner in a private vehicle or our golf carts is prohibited.

Loud music, or any amplified noise that interferes with the enjoyment of others is prohibited.

Course rangers, starters, and staff are empowered by Rock Harbor to enforce all course rules and required decorum.  Refusal to follow directions from staff will make the offender subject to removal.

All persons on the golf course(s) or practice facilities (players and non-playing guests) are required to be attired in appropriate golf attire. Blue jeans, cut off shorts, tee shirts, shoes other than golf shoes with soft spikes or sneakers are not permitted while in those areas. 

Virginia ABC laws and Rock Harbor policy do not allow private coolers, or any beverage not sold by Rock Harbor to be consumed on the property.  Rock Harbor will provide a cooler to transport beverages sold by the course upon request. Should you be observed with or consuming alcohol not purchased at Rock Harbor you are breaking Virginia ABC laws and will be required to stop playing and leave the Rock Harbor facility without refund.  There will be NO EXCEPTION to this policy.

Operation of a golf cart on the course is a privilege that may be revoked at any time without refund or compensation for not operating the cart based on course conditions or as instructed by Rock Harbor staff.  

Rock Harbor will group twosomes and singles as best we can to create foursomes.  No group of 5 or more will be allowed to play in a single group.  

Every player must have a set of clubs and a golf bag.  Rental clubs are available for those who don’t have them.

Riders (non-players) may be allowed, for a fee, at the club’s discretion based on booking volume and cart availability.

General On Course Rules:

• When instructed by Rock Harbor staff, return to the clubhouse immediately due to weather conditions or any instruction given by a staff member
• All play shall begin on the 1^st Tee unless otherwise instructed by Rock Harbor staff
• Note all signage on the course with respect to carts and follow those directions
• Should your GPS system sound an alarm you have crossed a GEO FENCE boundary and will need to return immediately to an unrestricted area of the course
• Carts must remain on the cart path at all times while playing any par 3 at Rock Harbor
• Carts must remain on the cart path at all times while playing Boulder #7.
• While around the tee box or past the yellow rope approaching any green all 4 wheels must remain on the cart path 
• Do not use divot mix supplied on our cart to repair damage on the tee box, only use supplied mix on the course
  • Do use the green mix supplied on all tee boxes to fix damage to the teeing area
• After playing a shot from the bunker, rake bunkers with the rake provided and leave the rake in the bunker
• Repair all divots in the fairway and repair all ball marks on the greens

Note: Please understand that our rules are simple and common sense and are intended to make playing at Rock Harbor enjoyable for all.  Also, golf course staff are required by Rock Harbor to enforce these rules so please cooperate when asked.  Should you need any help from Rock Harbor management please call 540 722-7111 and ask for the General Manager.  Thank you and please enjoy our facility!

• You are at the course ready to play, and it is raining.  You will be able to rebook, or we will refund your playing fees.
• The course has been closed due to weather or any condition the Superintendent deems appropriate.  You will be able to rebook, or we will refund your playing fees.
• If you are on the course and it begins to rain, if you have played less than 4 holes you will receive a rain check for 18 holes for future play.
• If you are on the course and it begins to rain, if you have played less than 13 holes you will receive a rain check for 9 holes for future play.
• If you choose to start playing in the rain you will have no claim to a rain check unless Rock Harbor closes the course to all play for the balance of the day.

Rock Harbor Golf Course maintains two fleets of golf carts for use on our courses.  Use of these carts is a privilege granted by the course for a fee paid and agreement with the player that the following provisions be strictly followed.  Should you choose not to adhere to these provisions we will rescind your privilege to use our carts.  These rules are intended to protect you and the courses from damage.  Please read and understand these provisions prior to playing or any use of a cart.

• The operator must have a valid driver’s license and must present that driver’s license upon request of any Rock Harbor staff member
• All 4 wheels of the cart must be kept on the cart path at all times while:
  • Around any teeing ground
  • On any Par 3 on either course
  • On Boulder #7 at all times
  • Between the yellow rope and the associated green
  • Any time you are instructed to do so by any member of the Rock Harbor Staff
  • Any time there is a declared cart path only situation
  • Any time on course signage restricts cart travel
• Only two people may ride in any one cart
• Only two bags may be carried by any one cart
• All carts are equipped with GPS devices that can be use for two-way communication between you and the course staff, please follow all direction from the staff

Operation of a golf cart on the course is a privilege that may be revoked at any time without refund or compensation for not operating the cart safely or in accordance with Rock Harbor staff instructions.

Appropriate golf attire is required for all players and non-players on the Rock Harbor golf courses or using our practice facilities.  It is the responsibility of our staff members to strictly enforce these guidelines.  

Gentlemen

• Acceptable – Shirts with collars and sleeves, mock turtlenecks, slacks, rain gear or golf shorts up to four inches above the knees are considered appropriate attire.
• NOT Acceptable – Tank tops, T–shirts, fishnet tops, cut-offs, sweatpants, bathing suits, tennis shorts or other athletic shorts more than 4 inches above the knees are not permitted.
• *** Denim is not allowed at Rock Harbor Golf Course. ***

Ladies

• Acceptable – Dresses, skirts, slacks, rain gear, golf shorts and blouses are considered appropriate attire.
• NOT Acceptable – Tank tops, T–shirts, fishnet tops, cut-offs, sweatpants, bathing suits, tennis shorts or other athletic shorts are not permitted. 
•  *** Denim is not allowed at Rock Harbor Golf Course. ***

Shoes

• Acceptable – Appropriate golf shoes or approved athletic/dress shoes, or sneakers are required on the golf course and in all practice areas.
• NOT Acceptable – The use of shoes other than golf shoes must be approved by the golf staff.  No metal spike of any kind are permitted on the courses or in the practice areas.

It is important that children are introduced to golf etiquette at an early age, so that everyone can enjoy their time at the course, the course is not damaged and that we protect children from being injured on the course.  This is not the duty of Rock Harbor alone; the parent or adult supervisor also has responsibility in this endeavor.  Golf carts, flying golf balls, uneven surfaces and people swinging golf clubs are the primary sources of many injuries that occur on golf courses every year.  While golf courses are a source of injuries for adults playing them, they can be even more dangerous to children who are LESS AWARE of how to properly respond to random club swings, flying golf balls, and the sudden stops, turns, and bumps that golf carts encounter.  Rock Harbor Golf Course will establish the following policies to promote the safest possible experiences for junior golfers.  

Juniors who are allowed on the course must be able to wait quietly and patiently, understanding the need to remain quiet while golfers are playing. Be attentive to the environment, to be able to avoid being hit by errant golf balls and understand where to stand while someone is swinging.  And will treat the course with respect, not creating any damage to the course.

1. Juniors aged 13 and older may play the Rock Harbor courses at any time without adult supervision
   1. While on the course juniors are required to adhere to all appropriate conduct and etiquette expected for the game of golf
   2. Juniors age 13 and older must be able to demonstrate that they have a fundamental understanding of the rules and golf course etiquette and are able to walk the course and play without disrupting others
   3. At the sole discretion of Rock Harbor managers/rangers permission to play may be removed at any time should the junior be disruptive in any way
   4. No junior will be allowed to operate a golf cart unless the junior is fully licensed to drive by the state in which they reside
      1. There is no exception to this rule, the junior either has a drivers license or not, adult supervision does not override this requirement
2. Juniors aged 6-12 are eligible to play golf anytime on the Rock Harbor courses while under the DIRECT supervision of an adult
3. Juniors under the age of 6 are not allowed on the Rock Harbor golf courses at any time
4. With DIRECT one-to-one adult supervision, Juniors aged 4 and above are allowed to use the practice greens and driving range
5. Juniors aged 4 and above are allowed to participate in Rock Harbor sponsored training sessions and workshops which will teach golf skills, golf course etiquette and safety
6. Golf course managers/rangers have the right and responsibility to remove junior golfers from any course if they do not follow the proper etiquette and conduct, or if they do not show a general knowledge of golf skills and accepted golf practices
   1. Removal may or may not occur after warnings have been given depending on the nature of the infraction
7. Golf course managers/rangers have the right and responsibility to remove any adult from the golf course if the adult fails in their supervisory duties
   1. Removal may or may not occur after warnings have been given depending on the nature of the infraction
8. Adults will be held responsible for any damage caused by a junior under their supervision
   1. Parents/guardians are responsible for any damage done by a junior 13-18 whether or not the junior was being supervised while at Rock Harbor facilities
9. Like behavior on the golf course, it is important to teach juniors the proper etiquette in and around the Pro Shop and Restaurant
   1. Juniors in and around the clubhouse are required to have appropriate adult supervision to ensure that their behavior is not disruptive to other patrons
   2. At the sole discretion of the Rock Harbor manager on duty, Juniors creating a disruption for other patrons, causing damage or behaving inappropriately will be asked to leave 

Policy:  Rock Harbor Golf Course is committed to delivering extraordinary golf experiences PLAYED AT AN ENJOBYABLE PACE. It is our expectation that every golfer accepts the responsibility to maintain their position on the course relative to the pace of play target time.  At RHGC your round should be played in no more than 4 hours and 20 minutes, and we reserve the right to enforce our requirement that the pace of play is maintained to ensure an enjoyable experience for all members and guests. 

We are deploying the latest in on course pace of play technology to help you, help us maintain the pace of play for all.  Installed on every cart is a GPS monitor that will keep you informed about your current relative position on the course.  Your goal of course is to be 1 shot behind the group in front of you or “in the green” on your pace of play screen.  The system will track all golfers on the course continuously and we of course will be monitoring the pace of play at the clubhouse.  Should you fall out of position the system will alert you and you simply need to pick up your pace to get back “in the green”.  If this does not happen soon after the notice, we will send you an additional notice asking you to please pick up your pace.  Should that not happen you will get a visit from our on-course staff asking that you please pick up your pace or skip a shot or two in order to regain your position.  Finally, if you are unable to maintain the pace that is required, we will ask that you reschedule your round to a time the course is less busy.

We will strictly follow the tee sheet starting time.  Your round will start at the time assigned.  We will no longer send players out “when the tee is open”.  If there is an open time ahead of your assigned time you can ask to be moved, and we will do all in our power to accommodate the request.   

Playing at a better pace is not about hurrying up or rushing around the course.  It is simply about being more efficient with your valuable time, as well as everyone else’s.  Saving 10 seconds per shot can improve your overall time by 15 minutes during the round!

Please be aware that pace of play is not a request, it is a requirement, and it can be easily accomplished if you play “ready golf”.  Please review our list of best practices below and enjoy your round.

BE ON TIME: Confirm your tee time in advance and make it a point to arrive at the tee early with your golf equipment in order, ready to play.  Remember essentials like extra balls, tees, gloves, and appropriate clothing for the day’s weather conditions.  Also please remember to be appropriately dressed for golf with a collared shirt, no jeans or cutoffs, and appropriate shoes (sneakers or soft spike golf shoes).  Lastly, no coolers not supplied by the course are allowed!

CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE TEES: Play from a set of tees that is comfortable for you — one where you are more likely to hit lofted irons into the greens instead of hybrids or fairway woods.  It IS acceptable and recommended that players with different lengths and skill levels within the group play from the tees they are most comfortable with.  Here at RHGC there are 6 available teeing grounds on each hole.  Check the score card for distance to determine which set of tees is best for you.

MINIMIZE YOUR TIME ON THE TEE: 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.  Or you are free to drop a ball at the point the original ball was lost or out of bounds under a 2 stroke penalty.  This latter choice will greatly speed up play.

PLAY READY GOLF: As stated above, play whenever it is safe to do so.  The old etiquette of “you’re away” no longer applies.

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.  Very often, you can do this while others are playing, without disruption.  If you take your glove off between shots, have it back on before it is your turn to play. 

KEEP YOUR PRE-SHOT ROUTINE SHORT: Pick your line of play once and trust yourself.  Try to take no more than one or two practice swings, then set up to the ball and play your shot. Most importantly, be ready to hit when it is your turn, or it is safe to play. Be efficient before and after each shot, be moving toward your next shot while others are playing, as long as it is safe to do so. If you are sharing a cart, drop your partner at his shot and proceed to prepare for your shot, do not wait with them.

HIT FIRST, THEN SEARCH: Always hit your shot first before helping to search for your playing partner’s ball.

KEEP THE FLAGSTICK IN: It is no longer a penalty to strike the flagstick while it is in the hole with a shot played from the green.

IT’S OKAY TO PICK UP: The handicap system allows for a maximum score.  If you reach it, pick your ball up, regroup and try again on the next hole.  The max score is a net double bogey for any player.  Seriously there is no point or benefit for taking a 14 on a par 3.

Now none of these suggestions are required, however they are sound recommendations for you to meet your responsibility to maintain the pace of play.  From all of us here at Rock Harbor Golf Course, thank you for your cooperation and we hope you have a spectacular day with us.