Care for our course this winter
Together, let’s help take care of our course this winter.
What does this mean?
In short, we are going back to basics and looking after the courses. This is something we will be pushing throughout the winter period, ensuring we’re all playing our part as a club to have both courses in a condition that we are all proud of. It is our goal to increase the awareness of these issues and set about helping improve the on-course member experience.
What are we doing?
We will be running a monthly initiative from November to March, tackling issues such as bunker raking, repairing pitch marks, replacing divots as well as others. Each month the messaging will be amended in line with the monthly initiative. We welcome all feedback from members as to the success of this and any suggestions as to how we can continue reinforcing the message as a club.
Why are we doing it?
First and foremost we are always looking to improve the member experience and having better playing surfaces can only aid the experience. In addition, we have had several comments regarding some of the basic standards expected on the golf course and how these have slipped in the recent months. This has been particularly prominent since the COVID rules were relaxed in July and the return of on-course furniture, such as bunker rakes. We therefore would like to create an environment where we as a club are all pushing together to ensure everyone is following the basic requirements expected on the golf course.
February - Replacing Divots
This month is all about replacing your divots whilst out on the course. An unrepaired divot can take months to heal, and it may never fully recover. Repairing your divots maintains good playability for your fellow golfers and for when preferred lies are no longer in operation and it restores a smooth playing surface.
January - Good On-Course Practice
This months care for our course initiative focusses on good on-course practice. First of all we look into the 6th call up hole, where despite the soft conditions many members are still able reach the green from the tee, particularly due to the occasional forward tees.
We are also reminding members to use the on course bells, in particular the 9th hole after recent feedback from members. With the 9th being a blind tee shot, it is imperative members use the bell for both health and safety and pace of play reasons.
Finally, something very topical for this time of year is traffic management. With the amount of golf played on The Downs at the moment, it is hugely important to spread the wear and tear to preserve the course condition and we kindly ask members to follow all posts and rope, directional signage and respect the GPS functionality of the Woody buggies.
December - How to repair your pitch marks
This months care for our course topic is how to repair your pitch marks. Did you know that typically, the average number of pitch marks made on greens per round is eight per golfer. Assuming only 130 rounds are played each day, the greens receive 1,040 impressions daily, 31,000 per month or more than 374,400 per year. This month, PGA Professional, Craig Gardner, and Head Greenkeeper of The Downs Course, Rob Dyer, discuss how to repair your pitch marks properly whilst out on the course.
November - Bunker Raking
Kicking off the Care for our Course this winter initiative will be bunker raking. This follows direct feedback from members regarding the slipping standards of bunker raking across both courses. You will see around the club various messages, posters, videos and more as we try and help improve this area over the coming weeks and months. As mentioned, we welcome all feedback and together, let’s help take care of our course this winter.
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