Children under 18
Driving Range Rules / Short Game Area for Children - DBGC Member Only
- Children between the ages of 6-9 are only allowed to gain access to the Driving Range once their playing ability has been approved by the Management.
- A time for testing children between the ages of 6-9 must be pre-arranged with Management to enable the child to have the rights to practice on the Driving Range/Short Game Area. It will be recorded on the Members' register that the child is approved.
- Children (6-9 years of age and 10-13 years of age) who have received approval must be strictly observed by parents or an adult over 18 years of age.
- Children under the age of 6 are not permitted on the Driving Range / Short Game Area, inclusive of observing fellow siblings aged 6 or above.
- Children are allowed access to the Driving Range with the exception of weekends and holidays, between 11:00am and 1:00pm. Children may use the range at this time ONLY if they are participating in a Club Competition (3 Star).
- Non-member children must be aged 10 & over and require parental/guidance/supervision if under the age of 14.
- All non-member children between the age of 6-9 must be under the direct supervision or receiving a lesson of a the Club's Golf Professional.
Children’s Playing Rights (Minimum age of 6) - DBGC Member Only
To be eligible for 1 or 2 Star playing rights all children must pass a test with the Club/Golf Professional to enable him/her the rights to play on the course in the specified time in the Star Rating system. Please allow juniors to attend the test by themselves. The 1 Star test will take approximately 30 minutes, 2 Star 45 minutes and 3 Star test 60 minutes (by the Club Management/Club Professional).
Juniors who do not pass or wish to increase a Star can be re-tested after 6 months. Tests will be conducted by a different Club Professional for 2nd and subsequent tests. Club's Golf Professional will do their best to accommodate testing within a week of phone or email request. For special exception cases, or 3 Star rating, testing can only be carried out by Club Management, or selected Club Professional.
Once playing rights have been achieved ,all children must be accompanied by a parent and they will need to have their own golf clubs, golf shoes, balls, tees, ball marker and smart golfing attire (please check with Club’s policies). Sand bags are to be carried at all times and at no time are children permitted to ride on a golf cart.
Application Procedure
Complete the required form for the appropriate Star rating and pay a HK$50 administration fee to obtain the colour coded bag tag.
Colour Code Identification - Children must at all times clearly display on their golf bag the color identification tag supplied by the Club.
DR Star Yellow
1 Star Pink
2 Star Blue
3 Star Red
Driving Range Bay Restricted areas (Applicable to Driving Range Star Children only)
Areas marked by red lines are designated for Children. If the areas marked by red are already fully utilized the child must wait a bay becomes vancant.
DR Star:Access to Driving Range by following the rules for children
- To acknowledge a safe environment at all times and show a courteous manner to other Members practicing on the Driving Range.
- To be quiet at all times and show a courteous manner to other Members practicing on the Driving Range.
- To be dressed accordingly at all times.
- The Driving Range bays to be used are restricted to the last 8 bays. Should the Club Professionals be using the entire 8 bays the junior is to wait for an opening regardless of the other bays being occupied.
1 Star:Tee Times after 4:00 p.m. on weekdays/weekends
- Basic Swing Skills: Reasonably orthodox grip, stance and follow through
- Able to hit reasonable shots frequently
- Driving club 75 yards carry (just shy of red flags on range)
- Know basic etiquette & rules
- Mini Golf Playing Test: over 2 holes of about 100 yards on short game area
- Acceptable pace of play
2 Star: Normal Tee Times on weekdays (Age of 10 and over) – Max. Quota 50 juniors
- Consistent Impact on Most clubs
- Driving Club 150 yards carry (near yellow flags on range)
- Good etiquette & rules knowledge
- Playing Test: over 2 holes on course
- Acceptable Pace of Play: able to keep up with all golfers
- Required to be an active player by playing a minimum 4 rounds in a four month period.
3 Star: Normal Tee Times on weekends/Public Holidays & Monthly Medal Competitions – Max. Quota 10 juniors
- Current 9 handicap from HKGA
- Good etiquette & rules knowledge
- Playing Test: over 3 holes on course
- Acceptable Pace of Play: will play faster than most golfers
- Open book written test using USGA rule book
- Required to be an active player by playing a minimum one round in a four month period.
Order of Merit
An 18-hole scratch event will be held quarterly at a date to be determined by the Club with the top 10 qualifiers retaining the 3 Star rating. For the children that do not make the "cut" they will be placed in order of finishing and placed on the waiting list for a position to become available pior to the next qualifying round. This is a compulsory tournament for all 3 Star children to attend should the child wish to retain or obtain a 3 Star rating. (HKGA elite squad players are exempted from the order of merit should players be representing HKGA in an overseas tournament).
Suspension of Playing Rights
While the Club has bestowed upon the Juniors of Discovery Bay Golf Club the privileges to play, the Club does need to ensure that appropriate etiquette and respect to the system is maintained.
Please ensure that;
- 3 Star children with bookings on weekend/public holiday must complete the 18-holes and not part of a round. Exceptions are only made for physical sickness and or injury in which the child returns to the club house immediately.
- Children are not allowed to ride in golf carts.
- Children must actively repair pitch marks, divots and rake bunkers.
- At all times adhere to the pace of play.
- For a Club tournament that 3 Star child has registered, attendance is compulsory unless the club is notified in advance to the day. A "No show" on the day is not acceptable.
Please ensure the children follow the above guidelines to avoid a suspension of playing rights as noted below;
1st Instance - 1 month suspension
2nd Instance - 2 months suspension
3rd Instance - 6 months suspension
Golf Insurance (Liability)
All golfers, including children, must have golfers' insurance. It is the sole responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure a child carries such insurance.
Remark: The rules and regulations for children and any interpretation of such are at the sole discretion of the Club Management ,with the Club retaining the final right of decision.
Clubhouse
Children are not allowed to play or wander anywhere on the club premises.
Children must always be accompanied by their parents or a full Member who will accept responsibility for their actions.
Children under 16 are not allowed into the Men's or Ladies' Changing Rooms at any time. The changing room attendants have been given instructions to escort children OUT OF the changing rooms. Children are required to use the Boys' and Girls' Changing Rooms next to the Swimming Pool.
Swimming Pool
Under no circumstances may children be left unattended in the pool area.
Restaurant
Due to licensing laws, children under 16 are not permitted in the Spike Bar. Children will not be served alcoholic beverages.
Room Accommodations
No children are permitted to occupy room accommodations unless they are accompanied by parents or an adult Member who will accept responsibility for them.
