Golf Course Policies

Dress Code

Owl’s Nest Resort & Golf Club supports a casual-mountain resort atmosphere so you can enjoy your day on the course. Proper attire, as determined by the Management and Head Golf Professional will be mandatory for everyone using the course.

Acceptable golf course attire includes long slacks, mid-length pants (capris), Bermuda shorts, golf skirts/skorts, golf shirts (collared or mock-neck style), sweaters, jackets, caps, and hats.

Denim, gym shorts, t-shirts, halter-tops, tank tops, cut-offs, and bathing suits are not considered proper golf course attire.

Shoes:

• Acceptable golf shoes (soft spike or tennis-style shoes) must be worn on the golf course and may be worn in the public areas of the Clubhouse, Golf Shop, and practice range.
• Non-metal spikes will be required on the golf course. Players wearing metal spikes will be denied access to the golf course.

It is the member’s responsibility to inform their guests of the dress code, including non-metal spikes, and ensure that their guests wear proper attire. Owl’s Nest Resort & Golf Club reserves the right to refuse service to anyone who is dressed inappropriately. If you have questions about appropriate attire, including for children, please contact the Golf Shop at (603) 726-3076 ext. 209.

Inclement Weather

Owl’s Nest is committed to providing golfers with the very best in playing conditions. There are instances when weather forces the suspension of play or closure of the golf course. Please understand that our team is protecting the condition of the golf course as well as our golfers during these times.

Frost Delays

Typically, frost occurs in three situations: when temperatures are approaching freezing, when there’s no wind, and when there are clear skies. There are two types of frost: that caused by freezing condensation on the grass plants and that caused when the water within the blades of the grass freezes due to low temperatures (black frost).

Damage appears as dead grass in the shape of footprints or wheel tracks where they were impressed onto the turf. By withholding cart and foot traffic from turf grass areas during time periods when leaf and stem tissue are frozen, frost damage can be minimized.

During frost delays, golfers must stay off ALL grass areas including the putting greens and driving range. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

The Course Superintendent will make the final decision as to when the golf course will open for play. As soon as the golf shop staff is informed the course is open for play, Owl’s Nest will coordinate play according to the sequence on the tee sheet.

Fog Delays

Golf becomes a dangerous sport when you cannot see where your ball is going. To ensure the safety of our golfers and staff, Owl’s Nest will delay all play until it is safe to resume operations.

Rain

Golfers may choose to play in the rain. However, there are times when significant rainfall will oversaturate the golf course, leaving it susceptible to damage. Depending on the amount of rain, golf carts may not be permitted or may be limited to cart paths only, or the course may need to be closed for a period of time.

Lightning Safety

It always seems to happen when you are having the best round of your life. The wind picks up, the clouds move in, and you hear thunder in the distance. The temptation always exists in these circumstances to convince yourself and your playing partners that there is enough time to finish your rounds, or at least a few more holes. If you play on instead of seeking shelter, your great round could become the last round of your life.

There are several safety measures you can take to avoid being struck by lightning:

• If the airhorn sounds, seek shelter immediately.
• Even if you do not hear the alert system, use your best judgment and seek shelter at the first sign of a thunderstorm.
• If possible, get off the golf course and return to the clubhouse.
• Do not stand under a lone tree. This is where most people are injured or killed.
• Stay away from your golf clubs.
• Move away from your golf cart.
• If stranded in the open, go to a low place such as a ravine or valley.
• If a member of our staff asks you to suspend play due to weather, please come off the course immediately. Do not take that last putt or shot, do not finish that hole.

Please understand the staff does not control nor can they predict weather. They do not know how long it will be until the frost clears, the fog lifts, the rain subsides, or the lightning stops. Please be patient and considerate during these times.

Rain Check Policy

Rain checks are only issued when the course is closed or play is suspended for a long period of time due to inclement weather. Rain checks must be redeemed by the end of the golfing season. Rain checks will be issued for either an 18-hole or 9-hole round of the same value as the original round (e.g., midweek vs. weekend). Rain checks will only be issued for green fees (which include cart rental).

Pace of Play Policy

Thank you for playing Owl’s Nest! To ensure all golfers have a positive experience, it should take no longer than 4 hours and 30 minutes to play 18 holes (approximately 15 minutes per hole). We strongly encourage groups to play faster whenever possible.

• Pro tip: Booking an early morning (pre-9 a.m.) tee time? Please be able and willing to play at an accelerated pace.

We employ the following Pace of Play policies and practices

• 18-hole rounds should be completed in the allotted time (4 hours and 30 minutes/approximately 15 minutes per hole). 9-hole rounds should be completed within 2 hours and 15 minutes, at a pace of approximately 15 minutes per hole.
• Our friendly course rangers will be on the course monitoring guests’ pace of play.
• Should a group fall out of position during a round, our rangers will ask the group to please close the gap. Our rangers will make this request up to two times.
• If a group does not close the gap, our rangers will ask the group to: (if feasible) allow the group behind you to play through, or pick up and move to the appropriate hole to bring pace of play back within our timing guidelines.
• If the gap is still not closed and maintained, our rangers may ask your group to leave the golf course.

This policy is practiced with the intent of maintaining a reasonable and pleasurable round of golf for all guests. Members and guests are expected to respect the directions of our course rangers as their goal is to help make everyone’s round more enjoyable.

Choose the Right Tee

Players should play from a set of tees best suited to their driving distance. In addition to providing more enjoyment for golfers, teeing it forward is an important step golfers can take to improve pace of play.

Ready Golf

• When a player is at the ball and ready to play, they should go ahead and play—so long as it’s safe.
• Again, if you aren’t in the line of play, you can move forward and/or help others find their ball.
• If you’re on the tee and ready to tee off, go ahead and tee off.
• Putt continuously: if you aren’t in someone’s line, go ahead and finish that short putt.
• Never hold up play because you’re in the middle of a conversation. Put your conversation on hold, take your stroke, and then continue the conversation.

• Your place on the golf course is immediately behind the group in front of you, not immediately in front of the group behind you.

Think Ahead

As you walk or ride up to the next shot, start assessing the situation and getting a feel for the shot, the wind, and the yardage. You’ll spend less time analyzing the shot when you get to the ball.

As you ride or walk up to the green, you can often learn more about the next shot from in front of the green than on the green. Look for tell-tale slopes, mounds, and swales that will affect the break. Look for where the water will roll off. Often, the best read is the first read. Go with your gut.

Riding in a Cart?

• Drop your partner off at their ball, then ride ahead to yours. Switch drivers if necessary.
• Carts on the path? Take several clubs when you walk to the ball so that you don’t have to walk back to the cart.
• If there is a group behind you, give yourself one minute to look for a ball that is obviously not going to be found. The rules let you take five minutes, but you should try to take less.

Out of the Hole? Putting up a Big Number? Pick Up and Move On.

The USGA Handicap System allows a maximum score depending on handicap and par. Use the simple guidelines below.

Navigation

• Where you walk and where you park the cart can significantly affect pace of play.
• Park or leave your bag off the green on the side closest to the next tee.
• Line up your putt while others are putting.
• When putting, leave the clubs you used for chipping in line with the next tee.
• Mark your scorecard after leaving the green.
• Talk while you walk.

Finally, please be respectful of our rangers and staff. Everyone has difficult golf holes or days on the course. Our rangers are not here to cause grief or lecture groups. Their goal is to ensure all golfers have a reasonable and enjoyable experience on the course. Sometimes that means asking a group in front of yours to pick up the pace, and sometimes it’s reminding your group that you’ve fallen behind. It happens to everyone, please do your best to get back in position.

Follow these simple guidelines and always be thinking about how you can play a little faster each hole and you’ll enjoy your round—at Owl’s Nest or anywhere!