Inclement Weather Policy

Greens

Temporary greens are generally only used when a penetrating, deep frost is thawing from the ground.

Greens begin to thaw from the surface down, and as a result any thawed moisture in the surface cannot penetrate and drain through the frozen layers below, this results in an unstable surface that is easily damaged by foot traffic and pitchmarks.

The Greenkeeping team will monitor the situation daily and if temporary greens are required, they will notify the proshop as part of their daily course condition debrief.

In this instance it is most likely that any temporary greens implemented will remain so for the remainder of the day.

Fog

The course will be closed when the fairway bunker on the 1st hole is not clearly visible from the first tee.

If the fog comes down once play has already commenced, the claxon should be sounded, and the course closed until visibility improves. Greenstaff will monitor this situation when on site, but at all other times e.g. weekends after greenstaff have left, this should be monitored by the proshop staff.

In this unfortunate situation we ask golfers to accept that their tee time is lost. We will do our best to rebook golfers another time later in the day or at a future date if none are available. This applies for both general play and competitions.

Course Closure

The course will be closed if it is deemed unplayable or unsafe due to weather conditions. The main responsibility for this lies with the Greenstaff and their decision is final. We always endeavour to have as much of the course open and in play as possible, even if it means closing individual holes, or playing just the back 9 for instance. The course will be inspected daily, and the pro shop will be informed as soon as a decision is reached.

The website will be updated daily, and push notifications sent to members and visitors. Play may need to be suspended first thing in the morning while this inspection is carried out. In this instance a sign will be placed on the first tee.

Course closures are mainly implemented due to waterlogging but may also be used for other inclement weather conditions such as excessively high winds where by players may be endangered by falling trees etc.

It is always a difficult decision for the person charged with the responsibility of closing the course but ultimately it is a Greenkeeping decision backed by management. Any decision is made with as much consideration as possible. The course is only closed when absolutely necessary.

Lightning

If lightening is seen/reported then a decision will be made as to if the course should be temporarily closed and play suspended.

Thunder/lightening should be closely monitored and if it is deemed to be in close vicinity of any part of the course then play should be suspended immediately. The claxon will be sounded in one long continuous burst towards both the front 9 and back 9 areas. Players are advised to put their safety first, mark their ball, and leave the course immediately.

Once conditions improve, and the threat has passed. 3 short blasts of the claxon indicate that play may resume.

Buggy Usage

The use of buggies is reviewed daily and will only be restricted if ground conditions are deemed to be unsuitable in line with the Clubs Health and Safety policy. This may be due to waterlogging, frost, or ice.

Bunkers

From time to time, due to current weather patterns and excessive rainfall events, it may become necessary to deem all bunkers as GUR. This decision will be made daily in line with routine course inspections, and the status of bunkers on any given day will be indicated by a sign on the 1st tee.

Should all bunkers be deemed GUR, then players should take the nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole within a 1-club length drop from the edge of the bunker

Greenfee Refund Policy & Utopian Points Policy

If inclement weather impacts upon a round before play has begun, the tee time may be rebooked at a mutually acceptable date, or a voucher issued to the value of the greenfee.

If inclement weather impacts a round already in play, resulting in the course closing/play abandoned then a return voucher may be offered at the discretion of the pro shop staff.

Members using Utopian points will be refunded points if the round is lost before play begins. If it is curtailed during the round they will be reimbursed for 9 holes. If some holes are closed, then pro shop staff may use their discretion whether to charge for 18 holes or 9 holes of points, depending upon the level of impact.

This is a generalised policy that will be adhered to as closely as possible, but it doesn’t cover all eventualities and there may be certain circumstances when we need to deviate from the stated procedures.

Course Condition Communication

The course condition of the day will be communicated via two means,

  • Via our website – Go to the Home Page and click on “Golf” or find our ‘Course Status’ module on our Home Page.

  • Via push notification from our Course Mate App. (Go to the App Store or Google Play Store and search for Gaudet Luce App, then download either the Members App or the Visitors App – make sure you allow notifications).