Playing Golf

As we move into the off-season and the course becomes wetter, we will transition to what we used to call "Winter Rules". That phrase refers to preferring and cleaning balls when conditions are very wet but was formerly only allowed in the Winter Months. A change in rules means that Golf Committees may now invoke these rules at any time. While we at the Club may take advantage of the change we will not be chopping and changing too often as this will cause confusion, so expect that you can prefer your ball on closely mown areas until the spring. Remember too though that during competitions you cannot prefer or drop your ball in the rough: you must replace it on the exact spot if you wish to clean it.

One other major change ahead will be the trialling of a single over-arching Club Golf Committee. This Committee will represent all sections of the Club and will enable more rapid and efficient decision making by a diverse group of members. The existing Golf Committees will remain, but as sub-Committees of the main Committee. The trial will start in January 2025 and will be reviewed at the end of the year.

The qualifying season is also nearly over and we expect the measured courses to cease by the end of October when no scores will be acceptable for WHS purposes until the spring.

In September we managed to conclude our 12 knockout competitions on a miserable day. Ken Hawker will be feeling most pleased with his victory after being 6 down with 8 to play and dormie 4. Let's not mention the opponent.

Most of the Turkey competitions have now been completed. All men's and mixed prizes will be presented on December 12th at the Turkey Night. You do not have to be there to receive your prize, but it would be helpful if someone could collect for you if you cannot make it. You do however have to be there to claim a prize in the bottle draw. Anyone playing in a Men’s, or the mixed Turkey will receive 1 entry for each appearance if they did not otherwise win a prize.


Mark Flanagan
Director of Golf