Golf Update
Golf Update
Dear Member,
On behalf of the Board we would all like to wish you a belated Happy New Year. We hope you are now back enjoying the course following the recent periods of snow and poor weather, which unfortunately led to a number of forced closures.
We would like to provide a brief update on several golfing matters. As always, your feedback is important to us, and any comments or suggestions are welcomed and considered.
Golf & Course Congestion
The shorter daylight hours during November and December, combined with the festive period, resulted in our usual increase in congestion. Available tee times were condensed while demand for golf understandably increased.
With a full membership and many enthusiastic golfers keen to play as much as possible, there is limited flexibility during these peak periods. However, steps have been taken to protect the course for members use by restricting visitor and guest play during the busiest times. We currently have very few visitors compared to most clubs so these restrictions principally impact members guests. We would like to apologise to the members who, because of the restrictions, have been unable to introduce guests, but we hope you understand that keeping the course available for our members will always be our priority.
Looking ahead, the Golf Committee has been asked to develop a longer-term strategy to help manage potential congestion on the course. As part of this process, we are seeking volunteers to assist with collecting data on member and guest playing habits.
If you are able to spare a few hours to help, please contact the office, letting us know your availability and preferred days. A plan will then be put together to work alongside the Marshals and the Pro Shop to gather meaningful data, which will be fed back to the Golf Committee to support future planning.
Pace of Play & Etiquette
While congestion is a factor, slow play and poor etiquette also contribute significantly to frustration for many members.
Current guidelines are:
• Three-ball: 3 hours 45 minutes
• Four-ball: 4 hours
If you are able to play quicker, that is of course appreciated. However, if you feel you are holding up the group behind and have lost ground on the group in front, please allow the following group to play through and enjoy the remainder of your round.
Reasons such as “we only have a few holes left” or “the course is very busy” are not relevant if ground has been lost. Letting groups through helps everyone enjoy their golf and keeps the course flowing smoothly.
Useful Information & Guidance
To help everyone get the most enjoyment from the course, please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the following documents:
Start Times
Starting from the correct side is essential for the enjoyment of all members and for maintaining fair access to the course.
Traffic Light System
This guide helps identify quieter and busier periods, allowing you to plan your golf at times that best suit you.
Roll-Up Information Sheet
Roll-ups are a great way to meet new members and enjoy golf with different groups. They are open to all members; however, they do not have reserved tee times or priority on the starting tees. Roll-ups must comply with the published start times, and members not playing in roll-ups have equal rights to the course.
Bryan Godwyn
Board Member for Golf
On behalf of the Board we would all like to wish you a belated Happy New Year. We hope you are now back enjoying the course following the recent periods of snow and poor weather, which unfortunately led to a number of forced closures.
We would like to provide a brief update on several golfing matters. As always, your feedback is important to us, and any comments or suggestions are welcomed and considered.
Golf & Course Congestion
The shorter daylight hours during November and December, combined with the festive period, resulted in our usual increase in congestion. Available tee times were condensed while demand for golf understandably increased.
With a full membership and many enthusiastic golfers keen to play as much as possible, there is limited flexibility during these peak periods. However, steps have been taken to protect the course for members use by restricting visitor and guest play during the busiest times. We currently have very few visitors compared to most clubs so these restrictions principally impact members guests. We would like to apologise to the members who, because of the restrictions, have been unable to introduce guests, but we hope you understand that keeping the course available for our members will always be our priority.
Looking ahead, the Golf Committee has been asked to develop a longer-term strategy to help manage potential congestion on the course. As part of this process, we are seeking volunteers to assist with collecting data on member and guest playing habits.
If you are able to spare a few hours to help, please contact the office, letting us know your availability and preferred days. A plan will then be put together to work alongside the Marshals and the Pro Shop to gather meaningful data, which will be fed back to the Golf Committee to support future planning.
Pace of Play & Etiquette
While congestion is a factor, slow play and poor etiquette also contribute significantly to frustration for many members.
Current guidelines are:
• Three-ball: 3 hours 45 minutes
• Four-ball: 4 hours
If you are able to play quicker, that is of course appreciated. However, if you feel you are holding up the group behind and have lost ground on the group in front, please allow the following group to play through and enjoy the remainder of your round.
Reasons such as “we only have a few holes left” or “the course is very busy” are not relevant if ground has been lost. Letting groups through helps everyone enjoy their golf and keeps the course flowing smoothly.
Useful Information & Guidance
To help everyone get the most enjoyment from the course, please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the following documents:
Start Times
Starting from the correct side is essential for the enjoyment of all members and for maintaining fair access to the course.
Traffic Light System
This guide helps identify quieter and busier periods, allowing you to plan your golf at times that best suit you.
Roll-Up Information Sheet
Roll-ups are a great way to meet new members and enjoy golf with different groups. They are open to all members; however, they do not have reserved tee times or priority on the starting tees. Roll-ups must comply with the published start times, and members not playing in roll-ups have equal rights to the course.
Bryan Godwyn
Board Member for Golf