Ground Rules · 2026

New members, membership fees & dress

New members and visitors

• Kijat Club requires no annual membership fees.
• Visitors are welcome but must be invited by an existing member.
• After attending three games, a voting poll will be conducted among current members to address any possible concerns before approval.

Kijat golf shirt and dress code

• The Kijat golf shirt is encouraged attire for all golfers. It requires a once-off payment and lasts for multiple years. Shirts will be ordered twice a year.
• Khaki golf pants are encouraged for men but are not mandatory.
• For bowls players, the club shirt is encouraged but not mandatory.
• All players should wear smart-casual attire appropriate for golf.
• Denim jeans, tracksuits and beachwear are not permitted on the course.
• Golf players must wear appropriate golf shoes or other sporty footwear.
• All players are encouraged to follow golf etiquette and present themselves neatly and respectfully on the course.
• Bowls players must wear appropriate flat-soled shoes.

Competition fees

Golf day fees

• Regular competition fee: R100, of which R50 is allocated to the year-end function.
• Couples’ competition fee: R150, of which R75 is allocated to the year-end function.
• Green fees and carts are not included. Each player pays these separately. The club negotiates group rates, which may vary depending on the course.

Bowls night fees

• Regular competition fee: R150, including the game, competition fees and a meal afterwards.
• An additional plate costs R60 for a child or companion.

Prize distribution & organisers

• 1st place receives 60% of the total purse.
• 2nd place receives 30% of the total purse.
• Individual 1st place wins the Monthly Cup.
• Longest drive applies only when enough members are playing that day.
• The Best Individual Monthly Cup and Nearest to the Pin are sponsored by Lowveld IT.

Organisers team

• Club Captain: Werner Myburgh
• Vice-Captain: Dries Botha
• Club Committee: Japie Myburgh, Fransie Myburgh, Candice Phelan and Mandy Botha.

Organisers’ duties

• Arrange communal social braais for members staying over at away games.
• Distribute prizes.
• Negotiate fees for courses to be played.
• Secure a venue and arrange the year-end function.
• Manage the kitty and provide a monthly breakdown for distribution.

Golf membership & participation

• All players must be 16 years or older.
• Membership of a club with an official handicap is compulsory.
• New members and visitors may play probationary golf games before obtaining an official handicap.
• For visitors and new members waiting to obtain an official handicap, the non-handicap requirements are: men - 20; ladies - 27.
• Beginners will follow the field at all games to gain exposure until they become members of a club.
• Although booking with a partner is not compulsory, it is recommended because it makes the draw easier. Single-player bookings will be paired with the next available single-player booking.
• Some members have their own golf carts, typically for personal and partner use. When a draw is conducted during club games, the drawn player is expected to share the cart fee equally with the cart owner’s partner. This is intended to keep the arrangement fair for all participants.
• At every Kijat event, everyone is expected to treat others with respect and consideration. Please refrain from offensive language, including blasphemy.
• If issues arise between members, please resolve them among yourselves respectfully. We are all adults, and following the rules should help prevent problems.

Slow play & pace of play

• Every golfer is expected to maintain a consistent pace and rhythm. There is no need to feel rushed, but please make your best effort to keep up with the four-ball ahead.
• Play ready golf: when you reach your ball, do not wait for other players if it is safe to play. Think about club selection on the way to your ball and play as soon as you are ready.
• If you can no longer score points on a hole, pick up your ball and continue to the next hole. Please encourage your teammates to do the same.
• Appointing a ball spotter is recommended, as it can save significant time.
• Thank you for helping make golf enjoyable and efficient for everyone.

Golf competition formats & entries

Competition formats

• Organisers determine the format to be played and reserve the right to change it without prior notice. Suggestions for new formats are welcome.
• Kijat is a social club, so games are team-based rather than individual formats. The best individual player is still recognised with the Monthly Cup and a cash prize.
• The final game is always played in Nelspruit with a scramble drive. It is the only scramble game of the year and does not contribute to Best Player of the Year points.

Final entries and cancellations

• Final entries for golf and bowls must be submitted by the Wednesday before the Saturday game.
• If you need to cancel a booking, please do so as early as possible. Avoid cancelling the day before an event unless there is a genuine emergency. Planning takes considerable effort and may incur costs, so advance notice is appreciated.

Golf pivot players

Three-balls will pivot, labelled A, B and C, on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd six holes respectively.

Golf & bowls draw guidelines

• Member-visitor pairing: If a member invites a visitor to an event, they will automatically play together, regardless of the draw. This applies to both golf and bowls events organised by the club.
• Bowls events: Bowls events always use an open draw to allow maximum participation and fairness.
• Local golf games: Players may choose a partner and then be drawn into a four-ball. Players without a partner may book individually; the club will make efforts to pair them with a suitable partner.
• Away golf games: Players book individually and are drawn into a four-ball using an open draw.
• Accommodation and transport: Each player is responsible for arranging their own accommodation and transport.
• Unanimous draws: Draws are conducted through a computer system to ensure impartiality. Occasional adjustments may be made to account for gameplay and pace, while keeping the process transparent and fair.

These guidelines aim to support smooth and inclusive participation in golf and bowls events.

Correspondence protocol

To streamline communication, direct correspondence to the organisers by email or WhatsApp. Use the online booking system to confirm games.

Qualification for the year-end function

Players must participate in at least six golf or bowls games, either combined or in one code, to qualify to attend the year-end function. Players who do not meet this requirement will need to make an additional contribution. This is intended to support fair participation and the shared club experience.

Golf fines, bowls kitty & scorecards

Fines and bowls play-out

• Golf fines are capped at R10 per fine.
• Fines go to the kitty fund.
• Bowls events do not have fines. The “Nearest to the Bottle” play-out still contributes to the kitty fund.

Scorecards

• One scorecard per team is required, with each player’s gross score and points, plus the team score.
• All scorecards will be kept for the 12 games.
• Open a round on the handicap system and log the score for the game played. This is important and will be checked regularly as a general golf requirement.

Count-out rules

• Golf: Best score on the second nine. If tied, the best score on hole 18, and so forth.
• Bowls: Best score on the last set. If tied, the best score on the second-last set, and so forth.

Kijat golf club rules

Regardless of local course rules, the following Kijat rules apply:

• Club-length placing is permitted only on the fairway.
• All players must putt out; no concessions.
• A lost ball in an area not marked with red or yellow stakes is treated as a red-stake area. Take a penalty drop at the point of entry, with no additional distance penalty.
• A lost ball marked with white is treated as out of bounds. Take a penalty drop at the point of entry with a distance penalty, resulting in a two-stroke penalty.
• Nomads’ rules apply for putting: players must complete their putting without waiting for others.

All other rules follow International Golf Rules Association guidelines unless otherwise specified. These rules aim to support consistency and fairness at club events.

Player of the Year & games schedule

Best Golf Player of the Year award

• The “Hardehout” Player of the Year trophy is awarded based on a points system. Players must participate in at least eight games during the year to qualify. The winner is determined by their best eight games, based on points earned.
• The prize includes a floating trophy and a cash award, recognising performance and consistency throughout the season.

Games schedule

• The golf venues have changed this year. Six local games are planned: four in Nelspruit and two in White River.
• Semi-local games are planned in Sabie and Barberton.
• Away games are scheduled for KPL, Malelane and Kambaku.
• The games schedule will be shared separately in the WhatsApp group.