Club Noticeboard

With both local lockdown and Government policy changing the following are the procedures that are now in place. We request all members make themselves aware and keep up to date on these requirements to ensure the Club is able to provide the widest range of services possible, in a manner that is as safe as possible and compliant with the law.

General Procedures

• Social distancing must be maintained at 2 meters unless this is not feasible. In such circumstance where there is mitigation, such as wearing a face covering, the 1 meter plus rule applies.
• Social distancing applies everywhere, on and off the course.
• It is now a legal requirement for the Club to collect data on who and when anyone is at the Club. To achieve this it is necessary to know exactly who is playing. Groups that would normally have a block booking MUST provide the details of who is playing and the groups in which they play. This also applies to matches. Societies will also be required to provide these details.
• Entry to the Clubhouse is only via the door from the rear patio area following the one-way system.
• The locker rooms remain closed. When using the toilet facilities ensure you maintain social distancing and follow the routes marked.
• A face covering MUST be worn when entering the Clubhouse for any reason. (This does not apply to staff)
• Face coverings can only be removed when seated to eat or drink
• When the upstairs bar is in use, access is through the downstairs bar and up the stairs to the left. (The stairs with the stair lift)
• A maximum of two people may use the upstairs toilet facilities at a time.
• When exiting the upstairs bar you MUST use the stairs to the right of the bar and leave using the front door.
• There are hand sanitiser stations positioned in the Pro Shop, the patio door entry point and at the door to the upstairs bar.

F&B Service

•  Please wait to be seated be it inside or outside. This is to ensure that the table and chairs have been cleaned between customers.
•  You will be served at your table. Please do not approach the bar. Please note we are only accepting card payments at this time.
•  Tables and chairs must not be moved. 
•  It is no longer permitted to socialise with anybody outside of your household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place. This cleraly includes any area within the Clubhouse
• This reduces the effective capacity of the room and so a 1 hour maximum time for using the bar will need to be adhered to.
• When socialising outside people must not do so in a group of more than six.
• Social Distancing must be maintained even in those groups. We would ask that people keep to their playing groups where possible to prevent the mixing of more than six people. This is because the regulations state that you must not "become part of any other group of persons". This means that if you are the last person of your four to leave you must NOT go and sit with another group as this effectively links the two groups together breaching the Rule of Six.

We recognise this will impact everyone's experience and regret this is the case but unfortunately it is necessary if we are to be socially responsible and follow the requirements of Tier 2 regulations

Pro Shop

• Face coverings must be worn on entering the shop.
• A maximum of two customers at a time are permitted.
• Please try to keep the time spent in the shop to a minimum to allow others to enter.

Practice Range

• The range is open for practice as well as warm up prior to playing
• Purchase a token from the Pro Shop
• Dispense balls from the machine
• Hit your balls, mats have been spaced to ensure social distancing
• Please place your basket in the bin of disinfectant provided. Do not leave it for others to touch.

Competition Score entry

• Ensure scores are agreed within the playing group before entering the Clubhouse
• Put on your face covering!
• Only one person per group to use the screen
• Wash hands or use hand sanitiser provided
• If you wish to you can clean screen using the screen wipes provided
• Dispose of wipe in the bin provided
• Ensure social distancing is maintained whilst using the screen
• Enter all scores from your group
• Place all cards in the box
• Leave the area around the screen immediately

 These procedures have been put in place and will be continually reviewed to ensure we are providing the most comprehensive service possible, in a Covid Secure way, for the safety of all.

Having last week carried out the coring and dressing of the greens and unfortunately the wet Winter weather has arrived, it is the right time to introduce the local rules below.

1. Preferred Lies

When a player's ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area:

• Reference Point: Spot of the original ball.
• Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point:  6 inches from the reference point, but with these limits:
• Limits on Location of Relief Area:
• Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
• Must be in the general area.

In proceeding under this Local Rule, the player must choose a spot to place the ball and use the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules 14.2b(2) and 14.2e.

Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.

1. Relief from aeration

If a player's ball lies in or touches an aeration hole:

(a) Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. If the ball comes to rest in another aeration hole the player may take relief again under this Local Rule.

(b) Ball on Putting Green. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1d.

But interference does not exist if the aeration hole only interferes with the player's stance or, on the putting green, on the player's line of play.

Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.

Additionally we also ask that if you are using a trolley or golf buggy that you ensure you keep them at least 5 metres from any putting green and follow strictly the traffic management controls and directions on the course.

As part of our ongoing health & safety measures we continually record incidents to determine any patterns so that steps can be taken to reduce the potential for one of severity. Unfortunately, over recent weeks there has been a significant increase in the number of golf balls that have landed in the properties to the right of the Practice Range, on occasion causing damage to property and raising concern over the potential consequences.

In order to keep the Practice Range open for members while long term solutions are considered, the General Committee, following guidance from the Risk and Compliance Committee, has resolved to implement restrictions and additions to the safety equipment in order to mitigate, to a reasonable level, these occurrences.

With immediate effect, a revised usage policy for the range has been introduced. Many points are typical for the use of any Practice Range facility and the points highlighted are intended to ensure as many golf balls as possible stay within the range area and are as follows:

•    It is the golfer’s responsibility to not hit a shot when another person may be at risk of being struck

•    Hitting of Drivers is not permitted by those able to fly the golf ball beyond the white marker which is a distance of approximately 160 yards. Hitting of other clubs which fly beyond the white marker is still permitted

•    If you hit a golf ball and it flies over the boundary hedge to the right of the range, you must report this to the Pro shop or Club office.

•    If you hit a ball that flies towards the fairway of the first hole you must shout ‘Fore Left’

• Only one person should be stood within a bay at any one time

•    Balls must only be hit from the designated mats

•    The golfer must be stood on the mat when hitting

•    No one must venture beyond the line of mats onto the grass area of the range

•    Swings, including practice swings and warm up exercises, must only be done within a bay

•    Mats, other range equipment and fixtures must not be moved

             Failure to follow the above would likely result in the range being closed indefinitely and so we ask all members to strictly follow the protocol and also advise others if they are not following the new rules correctly.

We recognise that this is will be frustrating however, this will keep the range open whilst the club determine the most suitable long-term solution.

Please also remember to follow the Covid Secure Procedures at all times.

We appreciate and thank you for your ongoing co-operation.

Kind regards

Simon Collingwood and Pete Livie