Course Closure Guidelines

The club has recently carried out a review of its rules for suspension of play and has modified them in line with current R & A recommendations (Rule 6-8b, Rule 33-2d and Appendix 1 Part C Section 4).

When play is suspended by the Committee for a dangerous situation, if the players in a match or group are between the play of two holes, they must not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. If they are in the process of playing a hole, they must discontinue play immediately and not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. If a player fails to discontinue play immediately, he is disqualified, unless circumstances warrant waiving the penalty as provided in Rule 33-7.

The signal for suspension of play due to a dangerous situation will be one prolonged note of the siren.

NB Examples of a dangerous situation are lightning and fog.

When play is suspended by the Committee for a non-dangerous situation, if the players in a match or group are between the play of two holes, they must not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. If they have started play of a hole, they may discontinue play immediately or continue play of the hole, provided they do so without delay. If the players choose to continue play of the hole, they are permitted to discontinue play before completing it. In any case, play must be discontinued after the hole is completed. The players must resume play when the Committee has ordered a resumption of play.

The signal for suspension of play due to a non-dangerous situation will be three consecutive notes of the siren, repeated.

NB Examples of a non-dangerous situation are the course flooding and high winds.

In all cases resumption of play will be signalled by two short notes of the siren, repeated.

Don’t forget that under rule 6-8 a(ii) a player is permitted to discontinue play, even if the siren has not been sounded, if he believes there is a danger from lightning.

Whenever possible, it is recommended that players take shelter from a thunderstorm in the clubhouse. Please study the new notice displayed on notice boards for advice regarding actions to take and not to take in the event of lightning.

REMEMBER :

ONE PROLONGED NOTE OF SIREN – DISCONTINUE PLAY IMMEDIATELY

THREE CONSECUTIVE NOTES OF THE SIREN, REPEATED – DISCONTINUE PLAY IMMEDIATELY OR AFTER COMPLETION OF HOLE ALREADY STARTED

TWO SHORT NOTES OF SIREN, REPEATED – RESUME PLAY

Note that this Policy is in addition to the Policy which relates to suspension of play and course closure due to electrical storms.

We will endeavour to keep the course open as much as possible.

The procedure is that the course will be inspected by the greens staff when they come in to work. In the Winter this is at 07:30 and much earlier in Summer months. If they believe the course must be closed then they inform the Pro Shop and a recorded message regarding the status of the Course is available from our telephone menu. This is updated each morning and is available from 0800.

The course will be closed if any of the following criteria apply:

Conditions under which the ground is likely to be significantly damaged by traffic, especially in close-mown areas. Damage includes churning up the ground, compaction, lasting damage to the turf, etc.
Ground conditions which are considered to be dangerous due to slip hazards
Other factors which affect the safety of players e.g. fog.
In the specific instance of fog then the professional (or Course Committee representative) will make the decision, but no-one may play if they anticipate being able to hit the ball further than they can see sufficiently clearly. If conditions worsen during the day players will be instructed to leave the course by the sounding of a Siren.