By LEWIS DELAVAN/Staff writer
Planning to golf in Hot Springs Village? You may soon need to wear “golf-appropriate attire.” Among other attire, this includes no cutoff shorts, bare midriffs, tank tops or yellow polyurethane Birkenstocks.
Current policy lists “recommended” attire, but a proposed revision on the Feb. 25 Property Owners’ Association Board of Directors agenda would mandate attire.
Proposed changes were presented by golf director Gary Porter at the Feb. 11 HSVPOA board meeting. Several board directors thanked Porter for his work, and the proposal was placed on the Feb. 25 board agenda.
Porter said the proposal was based upon feedback, and aims to support fair access, safety and an enjoyable golf experience. POA members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the proposal, and may email comments to the board.
Other proposed changes to HSVPOA Policy Chapter 6:
1. Tee time lottery
• All requests must include real player identification (member name/number or guest name)
• Placeholder names or “hold” entries are no longer allowed
2. League and Village Golf Pool transparency
• Leagues must submit pairings/player names 5 days prior
• Village Golf Pool groups must confirm counts 7 days prior, and names 2 days prior
The golf pool was formerly known as “scramble groups.” Read more about golf pool groups at https://bit.ly/4rhxr1x.
3. Dress code
• Golf-appropriate attire is required on courses and in facilities
• Staff will enforce standards fairly and consistently
4. Golf instruction
• Instruction is limited to HSV golf professionals or those authorized by the golf director
• Unauthorized lessons/solicitation are not permitted
5. Shotgun starts
• Requests will be approved based on course utilization, member access, and operational impact
• Some may be limited or scheduled differently due to tee time demand
6. Animals and pedestrian access
• Walking on golf courses during active play is not permitted (with or without animals)
• Dogs may ride in privately owned carts only if leashed, controlled and kept inside the cart
7. Volunteer marshal program renaming
• Volunteer “marshals” would be called volunteer “player assistants”
• Player assistants support pace of play, safety and member experience
• Repeated violations or abuse of staff or volunteers may result in removal from the course without refund