In the first of three articles outlining how clubs can set standards of player behaviour, we look at the purpose of such a code.
Joaquin Niemann made ‘history’ at the US Open at Shinnecock Hills – but not for the reasons he would have wished. The Chilean became the first golfer penalised for breaking a Code of Conduct introduced for the majors in 2026.
Niemann was sanctioned after throwing a club and kicking sand in frustration on the 6th hole of his opening round. That followed reprimands for Robert MacIntyre and Sergio Garcia at the Masters, in April, as tournament organisers look to crack down on certain types of behaviour.
But a Code of Conduct policy isn’t just to keep the professionals in check. You can establish one at your own club and, if you haven’t, there are some compelling reasons why you should think about doing so.
In a series of pieces, we’re going to take you through establishing a Code of Conduct Policy, as set out in the Committee Procedures found in the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf and on The R&A’s website.
We’ll look at when it is allowed, and not allowed, what penalties are at your disposal and how they can be used. In this first article, we’ll set out why you might want one in the first place…
What is a Code of Conduct Policy?
It allows a club committee to set its own player conduct standards and is adopted as a Local Rule under Rule 1.2b. A committee is defined in the Rules as the “person or group in charge of the competition or the course”. So that can be an individual, such as a Club Manager, a committee or sub-committee – such as Matches and Competitions – or a combination of the two.
“Committees have the responsibility of running the course on a day-to-day basis or for a specific competition and should always act in ways that support the Rules of Golf”.
A Code of Conduct can assist them in that task.
“The purpose of such a Code,” says the Committee Procedures, is to “outline the standards of conduct the Committee expects of the players while playing the game of golf and the penalties that may apply for breaches of that Code”.
The Code cannot apply the Rules of Golf differently, though, and those Rules “determine what actions a player may and may not take while playing the game”.
Why would we want a Code of Conduct Policy?
Everyone knows that players are expected to play by the Rules of Golf and within the spirit of the game.
Rule 1.2a, in the Rules of Golf, sets out those expectations. They include:
- Acting with integrity
- Showing consideration to others
- Taking good care of the course
These are things you would just expect golfers to do as a matter of course: applying penalties, avoiding distracting other players, shouting ‘fore’, and raking bunkers and repairing pitch marks.
The issue is the Rules don’t penalise players for not doing these things, except when “serious misconduct” has been committed.
Rule 1.2a says this is “player behaviour that is so far removed from what is expected in golf that the most severe sanction of removing a player from the competition is justified”.
A Clarification to this Rule spells out examples of what this might be, such as deliberately causing serious damage to a putting green, repeatedly using vulgar or offensive language, or deliberately distracting players when they are taking shots.
For example, “slamming a club to the ground, damaging it and causing minor damage to the turf”, is “unlikely to be considered serious misconduct”.
But with only disqualification at your disposal should you wish to act against players under the Rules, imposing sanctions or penalties for player misconduct can only be done if a Code of Conduct is adopted.
What should we think about when establishing a Code of Conduct Policy?
Committees are encouraged to consider different cultures when setting limits or prohibiting actions. “Something that may be considered inappropriate behaviour in one culture may be acceptable under another,” advises the Committee Procedures.
They should also examine the penalty structure that will apply for a breach, who will decide penalties and sanctions, and whether players will be able to appeal.
The Procedures state: “For example, it could be the case that only certain Committee members have the authority to apply such penalties, a minimum number of Committee members need to be involved in making such a decision or any member of the Committee has authority to make such a decision.”
Key takeaways
- A Code of Conduct can give club decision-makers more flexibility than the Rules in cases of player misconduct
- Clubs can tailor standards to their own culture and expectations
- Governance and process are key when establishing an effective Code of Conduct
