The City of Kingman Golf Commission asked staff on Aug. 13 to redraft the course rules and regulations to add more-specific language on proper attire, set limits for young spectators, and tighten enforcement of tee times and pace-of-play.

Commission members said the current rules are too vague on what counts as acceptable clothing and on who may be on the course when it is officially closed. “I think everybody should have men should be wearing a shirt with sleeves,” a commission member said during the meeting and urged language that would at least prohibit tank tops. Commissioners also noted the written rules currently say that children under 12 cannot play unless accompanied by an adult or after completing a junior program, but there is no policy limiting the age of spectators on the course.

The request to revise the rules followed several operational concerns described during the agenda item: players arriving before posted first tee times and finding groups already on the tee box; multiple morning twosomes using prime tee slots and slowing pace of play; and inconsistent enforcement of cart proximity limits near greens. Commissioners discussed posting a detailed dress code in the pro shop and referencing the posted policy in the rules so seasonal adjustments could be made by staff without a full rules rewrite.

Staff and commissioners discussed potential options rather than taking immediate final action. Commissioners asked staff to check with the city’s risk management and insurance about an age minimum for spectators and to follow municipal best practices used elsewhere. On procedure, the commission agreed to have staff insert changes in red and return the rules for approval at a future meeting.

Several commissioners proposed specific operational clarifications for the rewritten rules: prohibit play before posted opening hours without a reserved tee time; require starters and pro-shop staff to manage the first tee to prevent walk-on groups from taking peak tee slots; pair early-morning twosomes into larger groups during prime windows; and post a local rule allowing line-of-flight relief where damaged retaining walls create safety issues. No formal vote was taken on any of these substantive changes at the Aug. 13 meeting.

Commission members emphasized that enforcement will depend on staffing and the forthcoming GPS-enabled golf carts. Staff said some enforcement actions (for example, sending marshals or pairing twosomes) are operational and would be implemented as staffing and systems allow.

The commission directed staff to produce a revised draft showing edits in red, with notes on insurance and risk-management guidance, and to return the item for formal approval at a subsequent meeting.