There is so much charm and beauty about the British Colonial Golf Club that one has to wonder why more people don’t bother travelling there to play. The course is a fantastic 9-hole layout that meanders through indigenous forests and along the coastline. It has a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere, with some fascinating characters wandering the course in search of a game. The temperature is always perfect, and it’s just a beautiful place to be. I imagine that even the most diehard golf fan could still enjoy a round or two, much to the delight of the regular members.
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A Quick Primer On The Rules Of Golf
If you’re thinking about playing golf in Kenya, then you need to know a couple of things first. The first is related to the rules of golf. In case you’re not familiar, the rules govern every aspect of the game, from where you can play to how you can score. In some cases, golf rules can get a bit intricate, so it’s good to know what the general guidelines are so that you don’t get yourself in a pickle. Here’s a brief overview of the essential rules of golf:
Where Can I Play?
As a rule of thumb, the British Colonial Golf Club welcomes visitors, but only locals are permitted to play on the course. This is to maintain a certain level of exclusivity that characterises all things colonial. You’ll need to make sure that you are a member of any golf association in order to be able to play on any course in Kenya. Should you be travelling without a cart, then you may find that some of the holes are inaccessible due to unplayable rough. In such cases, you’ll have to make a request for an accessible Tee Box.
What Tee Box Should I Ask For?
Tee boxes are essentially small buildings with a large sign on the front proclaiming the fact that you are playing at the British Colonial Golf Club. The tee box sign also has the name of the person who owns the box, so if you’re looking for a specific one, make sure that you ask the right person. You’ll also need to check with the golf association to see if your chosen tee box is still available. In some cases, the association may have the right of first refusal when it comes to giving away their boxes. Once you’ve found a suitable tee box, you can begin the process of joining the club. The next step is to contact the secretary in charge of new memberships, who will guide you through the rest of the process. One important thing to note is that in some instances, you may have to become a member of the association in order to become a member of the club. The good news is that the process is generally quite straightforward, and it’s all about following the right steps.
How Do I Score?
Scoring is very straightforward in golf. On most courses, you’ll score points based on how well you play. The closer you get to the hole on the front end, the more points you’ll score. At the back of the course, closer to the clubhouse, the more points you’ll score. The better your score is, the better your overall rating. In case you are unfamiliar, the basic point scoring system in golf is as follows:
- 3 points for a Par 3
- 2 points for a Par 4
- 1 point for a Par 5
- 1 point for a Hole In One
- 0 points for a Double Hit
- 0 points for a Triple Hit
- 0 points for a Missing Shot
- 0 points for a Stroke
- 0 points for an Eagle
- 0 points for a Birdie
- 0 points for a Fan Tan
- 0 points for a Double Bogey
- +1 point for a Hole In One
- +1 point for a Stroke
- +1 point for an Eagle
- +1 point for a Birdie
- +1 point for a Fan Tan
- +1 point for a Double Bogey
- +2 points for a Triple Hit
In all the above cases, the better your score, the better your overall rating. In case there’s still something unclear, feel free to give our golf experts a call, and they’ll be happy to help you out.
What Does My Rating Mean?
Your rating, as you might imagine, is a rating relative to your overall score. In case you’re wondering, a par 3 has three sets of holes, each set containing three or four holes. Similarly, a par 4 contains four separate sets of holes, each set containing four holes. A par 5 is a half-par 4, which is five sets of holes, each set containing four holes. A hole in one is where you sink a putt for an ace; a birdie is where you sink a putt for a bird; a fan tan is, as the name implies, where you sink a putt for a flat, uninspired shot; and a double bogey is, well, where you sink two putts for a double bogey. A triple hit is where you sink three putts in a row, and a quadruple hit is where you sink four successive putts. When it comes to the colonial club, the rating simply reflects how many strokes you’d need to take in order to reach the turn in the front and back of the course.
When Can I Play?
The British Colonial Golf Club opens for membership every year in April, and closes for the season in October. This is an important point to bear in mind, as there’s generally no golf in November and December. The good news is that membership is open year-round, making it easier to play whenever you can. In case you do happen to be in Kenya during the offseason, you can also make a request for a playday, which is quite easy to arrange. Should you be playing off-course during the offseason, then you’ll need to check with the club secretary in advance. You’ll also need to make sure that you’re either playing with an approved golf club or are an approved member of a golf association in Kenya.
Am I A Member Or Visitor?
As a rule of thumb, those staying at a hotel are considered guests. Local residents and members are ‘members’. This can get quite confusing, as the hotel will sometimes let non-members use their courses and sometimes not. The best approach is to simply ask the hotel to make you a member, or to become a member yourself. Hotels are also responsible for supplying the carts that are used on the course, so make sure to ask about this as well.
There are so many wonderful things about the British Colonial Golf Club. It’s a great place to bring a date, share a romantic evening, or just enjoy a day out on the course. As you can see, joining the club is easy, and it’s a great way to socialise with new friends. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, then give our golf experts a call today, and they’ll be able to help you out.