The player shall bring his equipment for playing the course - one club and two balls.
Unlike outdoor golf, the goal is to get the club into the hole and keep the balls out. That’s the reason why there are no need for dimples on the balls. The bigger the club used to get into the hole the more satisfied the course owner will be. The smaller the hole the better for the player.
A green card is requested for players who want to play on US courses unless of course they are US subjects.
Playing the course must be approved by the owner of the hole.
The green fee can be paid in different ways – dinner, jewelry and what not. Pay-and-play courses where the course owner is requesting cash up front should be avoided.
For an effective play, the club should have a firm shaft. The old stiff steel shaft is preferred to the modern soft flex shafts. The latter may, however, be good on dog-leg holes. Course owners are permitted to check the stiffness of the shaft before tee-off.
The name of the game is to make as many shots as necessary until the irrigation starts and the course owner declares she is satisfied. Failure to do so may result in being denied to play this specific course again.
That certain smell of fish from the hole is just part of the game.
It is considered ruthless to begin playing the hole immediately upon arrival. The player should take time to admire the entire course and its surroundings, paying special attention to well-formed hills and bunkers. May be it could be advisable to practice on the driving range trying to shoot between the two hills at the end of the range.
Contrary to outdoor golf hole-in-one is a shame to the game. The higher the handicap the better for the game.
The player is cautioned not to mention other courses they have played on. Especially not comparing it with the one now played. Upset owners have been known to damage players’ equipment for this specific reason.
The player is encouraged to have proper rain gear in case there is a risk for a par three course.
The player may be embarrassed if he finds the course temporarily under repair. The player is advised to be extremely tactful in this situation. Advanced players will find alternate means to play during repair.
Even the days before the repair playing on the course should be avoided as the course owner most probably is affected by a phenomenon referred to as PMS.
Dogs and women are exceptional players and they should in any case be abandoned from the club house.
The player should make sure that the match has been properly scheduled, particularly when playing on a new course for the 1st time. Previous players have been known to become irritated if they discover someone else is playing what they consider being a private course.
Some owners cut the green very short. If a stimp of +9 affects the balls is questionable, but the course owner may think so. The green may be gently brushed like in outdoor golf.
The player is strongly advised to get the owner’s permission before attempting to play the backside hole.
Slow play is encouraged. However, players should be prepared to proceed at a quicker pace at the owner’s request.
It is considered a good performance to play the hole two times in one match. Playing five times in the same match is considered an outstanding performance and is referred to Bingo playing. The course owner is supposed to scream Bingo! after the fifth irrigation.