Home Membership Catering Golf Amenities Newsletter Calendar of Events Calendar of Events
Oronoque_Logo-Color.jpg

Local Rules

  • USGA Rules Govern all play except where modified by Local Rules.
  • All Water Hazards are lateral.
  • Drop areas on Holes #3 and #17 may be used.
  • The drainage area to the right of the 5th fairway may be played with one free relief, one club length, no nearer the hole.
  • The entire right side of the 9th fairway (red stakes capped green) is an environmentally sensitive area; you may not search for or play your ball from this area.
  • All paved roads and parking lots are considered out of bounds, even if your ball crosses a road/parking lot and comes to rest on the golf course.
Golf Rules & Regulations

Rules and regulations have been prepared by the board of governors of Oronoque Country Club. These rules, regulations and policies are in effect to protect your golf course and provide a great golf experience for all players and guests to the club.

Golf Cart Rules and Regulations

Cart fees will be charged CT State tax.

Golf carts are mandatory on Fridays-Sunday and holidays prior to 12:00 PM.

     After 12:00 PM you may walk and carry your own golf bag or use a pull cart. From time to time the golf carts will be restricted entirely to the cart paths or on paths on certain holes. When the whole course is cart paths only on a Friday-Sunday or holiday, you may walk.  Walking is allowed at all times Tuesday through Thursday.

Golf Cart Rules:

      Please park golf carts on the paths around greens and tees. Please do not drive golf carts any closer than 30 yards from any green. Please use cart paths on all par 3’s. Please take notice of and obey any cart directional signs and keep carts outside of roped areas. Please observe the 90 degree rule when driving golf carts. Please do not cut corners near the greens.

      These cart rules are in place to protect you and your golf course. Anyone disregarding golf cart rules, damaging the golf course or a golf cart or driving a golf cart recklessly will receive a letter which will go on file and you may be charged for any damages. Repeated offenders golf privileges will be suspended and possible more severe actions will be taken.

Red Flags:

      May be given out to handicapped players to stray from the cart path but not to drive everywhere or damage the golf course. A Red Flag does not give a player authority to drive the golf cart up to the green or tees. A player with a red flag must drive their own golf cart if the course is not full, no passenger. If the course is very wet or it is dangerous to drive on the hills or damage may occur with minimal traffic, red flags may not be given out on those days.

Flag Rules:
  • A doctor’s note or an extenuating Circumstance will allow you to use a Red flag.  An extenuating circumstance is at the discretion of the Professional Staff. 
  • When cart rules are PATH ONLY, You must proceed 90 degrees from the path and then return to the path.
  • When parking at the green, you must park on the path.  NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
  • Keep all carts on the path on Par 3’s.
  • DO NOT drive carts around the backs of greens. 
     
        1ST OFFENSE:  A WARNING WILL BE ISSUED.
 
        2ND OFFENSE:  AN INCIDENT REPORT WILL BE ISSUED TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS FOR REVIEW.
 
PLEASE BE AWARE OF THESE RULES.  THESE RULES ARE FOR YOUR SAFETY, THE PRESERVATION OF THE COURSE AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS AROUND YOU.

 
Golf Car Return Time (Evenings):

      All golf carts must be returned to the starting area by dusk or earlier by a time determined by the golf shop. Any carts coming in later than dusk or in the dark, those members names will be provided to the manager and put on file. Repeat offences may lead to the suspension of golf cart privileges.

      This is to protect you. This golf course can be very dangerous driving a golf cart in the dark. For insurance purposes, all carts must be in by the time the sun sets. If you run over a bunker or ditch you could lose control and become seriously injured.

You must check in whenever you take a golf cart:

      If you arrive after the golf shop has closed for the day, you must check in with the evening cart attendant or golf shop closers for cart rules of the day. They will record your name and you will be charged for the golf cart the following day.

      If you arrive before the golf shop has opened, you may not take a golf cart. If the golf course is closed, the club house is closed or there is no one to provide a golf cart key for you, you cannot take a golf cart. Anyone taking a golf cart without approval, a letter will be sent to you, put on file and you will be charged for the golf cart.
 
     There may be specific cart rules for the day. It is your responsibility to ask a golf professional, starter, read the cart rules for the day posted in front of the golf shop or on the information placket in the golf carts before you go out to play.

      If the superintendent or any of his staff, a ranger or golf professional notice you riding where you are not supposed to, they will notify you of your error and report your name to the golf shop. It is their duty to mention something to players not observing the cart rules.

Golf Course Etiquette

  1. Please rake bunkers, fix ball marks, replace your divots and use the seed and soil mixture on golf carts to fill divots.
  2. Please let faster groups play through if there are holes open in front of you. If a 4-some asks you to play through because there is an open hole in front of you, you must let them pass.
  3. Please drive golf carts carefully and competently. The superintendent lets carts go on the fairways some days that are still very wet. We feel that as a member you will use common sense. Please avoid areas that may damage playing surfaces, make skid marks or leave tire ruts.
  4. Please get the attention of maintenance workers on the golf course before you hit a shot. At times, the grounds workers must repair a water line, mow roughs or other maintenance. Please let these people do their job and do not hit into them. Not all work can be completed before 10:00am every day so there will be some days you will encounter a maintenance person.
  5. Please give players waiting to hit off the tee box right of way and privacy. No-one likes it when they are waiting to hit off, the first tee especially, and the next group comes charging up behind them on the tee. We all can’t wait to start our day, but please give them a little room and privacy. When leaving the staging area, please look to the first tee. Before going through the tunnel please look to the 10th tee. If someone is addressing their golf ball it is expected that you will stop your golf cart until they have hit.
  6. Do not hit into groups in front of you. There is no excuse for this practice and it will not be tolerated for any reason. Accidents do happen and the country club way and only way to excuse this is to drive ahead and apologize for your error to the group in front of you. If you are not sure someone is in range or you are not sure the group has advanced to their next shot, please drive ahead to make sure especially on hole #10.
  7. Please do not practice hitting balls on the golf course. We have a beautiful range. Please use it for your practice. From time to time, dropping another ball or two, if you are not holding anyone up, is acceptable but dropping a dozen balls and hitting the green from 100 yards is not acceptable.
  8. Please maintain a 4-hour pace of play. It has been determined that it takes 2 hours or less to play 9-holes at Oronoque C.C. If your group is playing slower than that, you will be asked to pick up your pace if you are holding other groups up. Obviously, if it is late and there is no-one behind you, play as slowly as you desire. Pace is also determined by the amount of space between your group and the groups in front of you. If you fall further behind after being notified, more than 1 hole, you WILL be asked to pick up your ball and go directly to the next tee.
  9. If you are playing with customers, guests or friends, it is sometimes difficult or awkward to keep them moving. Please allow the ranger or golf professional to address your group and inform them of our pace of play. You must inform your guests on the first tee, before you tee off, that a 4 hour pace of play at Oronoque is the most important consideration along with course etiquette, dress code and cart rules for the day i.e. Cart paths only.
  10. Please do not help slower players in front of you by allowing them to hear you prod them or yelling ahead for them to move it! This is not acceptable country club etiquette to handle slow play. Please get the attention of the ranger or call the golf shop and a ranger or golf professional will come out to your group. The club employee will assess the situation and address the slow play problem. A member shall never intentionally embarrass, harass or instigate another member or guest on the golf course for any reason. This conduct will not be tolerated and you will be required to explain the situation to the grievance committee in person. In extreme situations, you may be suspended without play or your membership may be cancelled.
  11. 4-somes DO NOT HAVE TO let 3-somes or less through. We expect that if your group is playing slowly, there are open holes in front of you or there is a 2-some behind you and no-one in front of you, you would let them through at your earliest convenience. It’s the country club thing to do. If there is a hole open in front of you and a 4-some behind you politely asks to go through, YOU MUST LET THEM THROUGH immediately.
  12. Please do not stop for lunch between nines. This season, lunch at the turn will be made more accessible. Please, get what you ordered and head directly to the 10th tee. If you stop, you will lose your turn on the tee and you will have to wait until there is a gap from the 9th green before you may re-start your round.  Nothing is more upsetting than to have a different group appear in front of you after playing at a particular pace on the golf course. Even though you stopped, had lunch and are not starting on the 10th tee, it disrupts the pace of play and appears as if you snuck out on the back.
  13. You must refrain from the use of profanity in and around the club house, putting greens, driving range and any where on the golf course where you may be heard by other members. This creates an uncomfortable and embarrassing situation for other members especially if there are children, clients or guests and a member of your club acts in an unacceptable and rude manner. Please be aware that there are residents living around the course also.
  14. Any rules infractions or issues will be recorded with a letter to you and on file. Repeat offenders may lose golf privileges for a period of time, may be suspended, or may be brought before the Board of Governors for expulsion from the club. If you are suspended from the club, there is a $500 re-instatement fee to return. If you are expelled from the golf club for any reason, any outstanding balances or initiation fee will be due immediately.
  15. You must start play from the 1st tee only unless you have checked with the starter, golf shop or evening cart attendant. Anyone starting on the 10th tee without checking first, you and your group may be asked to leave the back nine and return to the staging area or tee off on hole #1.
Guest Play

All guest fees include cart. Cart fees will be charged CT State tax.

*Twilight rates apply to guest play after 2:00pm except for the months of July and August.

Guest Registration:

      You must sign your guests in to the Guest Log in the golf shop whenever you invite guests to the facility for insurance purposes and because of our liquor license. You must do so before you go out to play or in the event there is an emergency, your guest can be located.

      You may entertain up to 3 guests any particular day. If you have more than 3 guests, you must have a member playing in each group and you must first get golf shop or board of governor’s consent.

      It is your responsibility to inform your guests about pace of play, dress code, cart rules and etiquette at Oronoque Country Club before you go out to play.

Guest Restrictions:
  1. The same guest or non member may play Oronoque C.C. once per calendar month regardless of who invites them meaning a different member cannot invite your guest to play tomorrow and so on.
  2. You may not invite multiple guests to play during prime time on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or holidays before 12:00 PM without approval from the golf shop or board of governors. Special request may be granted by approval.
  3. You may invite ONLY one guest to play before 12:00pm on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or holidays. After 12:00pm on the weekend or holidays and every weekday at any time you may invite up to 3 guests.
  4. Guests may only play or use the practice facility if they are accompanied by a member unless you are delayed in traffic or will be late. Please call the golf shop so we may inform your guest and make sure they have everything they will need.
  5. If you have a house guest, you may invite them to play a maximum of 4 times in any particular calendar month. They must pay associated guest fees and must be accompanied by a member. You must get golf shop approval. A house guest may not play before 12:00pm on weekends and holidays June through August.
  6. Golf Social members may play 4 times per season, Tuesday through Thursday, once per quarter and must pay guest fees.
  7. In early spring and late fall, special guest rates may be available. Please check with the golf shop, emails and promotions.
Tee Times

Making Tee times:

      Tee Times will be on a first come first served basis Tuesday through Sunday.  You will be put on the list when 2 players in your group are present. Tee times will be in effect April – November. (Please see Golf Shop hours of operation). If you plan to have a guest or are not sure on course availability (Please see the tournament calendar) or call the golf shop.

      If there is no outing on a Monday, you may play after 12:00pm unless the superintendent feels the course may need to be closed. If there is an outing on a Monday, the course will be closed for the day. Please call the Golf Shop for available Monday play

Making tee times at other Arnold Palmer Managed Golf Courses:

      If you wish to make a tee time at another Palmer Managed Facility like the Orchards, please call the golf shop with the date and the time you wish to play. We need to know how many players, whether they are members, their names and how many guests. You may or may not be able to get the exact tee time you are looking for at these clubs, but we will check on availability for you and get back to you. The charge to play other private courses is usually $20 per person and if you have guests it will be their guest fee. The rates for public Palmer Managed Courses should be the resident rate if a reservation is made in advance.

      You may make a tee time at another club, usually 1 week prior. Some clubs offer more extended reservations and we will check if you know when you wish to play.

Dress Code Policy

Oronoque Country Club Dress Code Policy

Effective Year Round

      The general manager along with the supervisory staff has been authorized by the Board of Governors to notify members and their guests when their attire is not deemed consistent with our dress code policies. In keeping with our tradition and sense of pride, we maintain the following dress code:

General

      Dress code policies apply to all adults, children and guests of the club. Members are responsible for the attire of their children and their guests. Members will be held responsible and should inform their guests of dress code requirements prior to their arrival at the club. Dress codes will be specified for all club functions which may include deviations from these policies. However, if ever in doubt about suitable attire about any specific event or in any particular area of the club, please feel free to call the general manager.

Golf Course

      Proper attire on our golf course, practice range and all putting greens is expected to conform in style to that which is sold in the Oronoque Country Club Golf Shop. Proper attire shall include collared golf shirts, ladies must have a collar or sleeves, sweaters, pullovers, jackets, slacks, golf shorts which are similar in style to walking and/or Bermuda shorts of appropriate and tasteful length.

      All golfers will be required to wear suitable golf footwear. All golf shoes must have non penetrating spikes. Under no circumstances will be permitted on the golf course, practice range and putting greens are t-shirts, undershirts, athletic sweat shirts, sweat suits, cutoffs of any kind, running shorts, short shorts, tennis attire, swimming attire, halter tops, fishnet tops, tank tops and jeans or denim material of any color.

      No golf caps should be worn backwards. At no time are members or guests permitted to change clothes outside in the parking lots or any open areas and all valuables, bags, shoes or personal belongings must be stored in the inviting member’s locker.

      The club is not responsible for any valuables or items left in the locker room or in lockers. Please take any valuables with you when you leave.

Clubhouse

      Clubhouse dress code follows that of the golf course in requiring a collared shirt, non-collared golf shirts for ladies and the aforementioned acceptable golf attire. Non-colared T –shirts are not permitted at any time. Shirts must be tucked in at all times. Men and women are not permitted to wear hats above the lower level. Men are permitted to wear hats in the clubhouse only on the lower level which includes the Grille Room/lounge, the pro shop and locker rooms. Appropriate attire for the formal dining room i.e. jackets, ties, slacks, shall be at the discretion of the general manager or the director of food and beverage and catering.
Smoking is prohibited everywhere in the building. You may not walk through the restaurant, hallways, locker rooms or any other area indoors with smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes. If you are smoking where smoking is prohibited, you will be informed by an employee or manager to please extinguish your smoking items. All club employees have been authorized and instructed by the Board of Governors to monitor this and to approach any violator.