“We have had to reconsider the layout of the course due to the advances in golf ball and club technology”
Liaison between Course Manager and members:
Chairman of Greens Resources Staff: • Course Manager • Senior Greenkeeper • 4 Greenkeepers • Part time divoter • Part time gardener
Membership of British & International Greenkeepers Association will be mandatory for the Course Manager and optional for other staff.
Financial
• An agreed annual budget for purchase of materials and services necessary for the successful implementation of the Course Policy.
• Agreed levels of expenditure on machinery renewal and purchase.
• An agreed annual budget for training and continued professional development of the greens staff.
• Budgets will be submitted to the Board for approval no later than October 31st annually.
Timing of Major Work and Maintenance on the Course
The timing of major projects such as construction, tree planting, drainage or irrigation, will be programmed to cause minimal damage to the ground. This may mean that projects are undertaken during the main playing season. Careful planning and full consideration of contractor’s requirements, Course Manager’s recommendations and the best interests of the playing conditions for members will be foremost in the timing of projects.
The Secretary will be informed as far in advance of the timing of such works so competitions and visiting societies can be fitted around any disruption.
SINCE the creation and adoption of this document it has helped clarify, and improve efficiency of, many practices undertaken at the club, both in the short- term objectives, mainly the day-to-day
maintenance of the course, and also in recognising and implementing many longer-term projects to improve the course.
The policy document, along with our Health and Safety policy gives me guidance when seeking resources and services in connection with specialist works outside our remit. For example, we had a reported
problem of golf balls being driven into private property, which resulted in a complaint from one of the residents. It is our duty to respond to this type of complaint and come up with the appropriate action. Like many golf course, particularly like ours that were built in the 1920’s, we have had to reconsider the layout of the course due to the advances in golf ball and club technology. Players are now able to drive a ball further from the tees.
Back at the beginning of April 2006, the office was contacted by a local resident whose house backs onto the course by the 8th fairway. He expressed concern over the number of golf balls that were entering his garden, some of which had caused damage to his property. But his main concern was for the safety of his visiting grandchildren who regularly play in the garden. It was agreed that I would view the situation, and damage, take photographs, and report back. It was apparent that damage to the property had indeed been caused by stray golf balls and that the collection of balls mainly consisted of high quality balls, such as Titleist proV, that would probably be used by the more competent golfer. My assessment was that the balls were entering the garden directly from the 8th tee. Measurements taken the following day seemed to confirm that a straight right shot, struck with power, would travel sufficient distances to carry the 195 metres measured to the boundary, and with sufficient height to carry the poplar tree boundary. The resident had stated that a similar
problem had existed some years ago and the club, as a result, had implemented safety measures then. The recurrence of the problem has probably stemmed from the increased technology within golf club and ball specifications. Balls now fly further and driver technology means that many golfers now have the capability to carry the ball greater distances. Our club professional, Chris Harrison, agreed that
this was a reasonable explanation as to why the problem had recurred. The issue was initially discussed in a meeting with the Chairman, Greens Chairman, Health & Safety Officer and Course Manager, held on 10th April. The agenda for this meeting was to offer a speedy response to the resident to show our concern. It was agreed that the club should seek a professional safety assessment and so we called in Jon Allbutt, the club’s health & safety consultant. His advice would form the backbone of any action plan.
JON Allbutt met with the Chairman, Greens Chairman, Health & Safety Officer and Course Manager. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the clubs responsibilities, assess the hole during a site visit and to lay down possible action plans.
Under the terms of Health & Safety law, the club are responsible for taking ‘reasonable and practical’ safety measures where an issue like this occurs. Jon’s assessment was that there was certainly a serious safety problem which would carry sufficient weight in a court of law if the club neglected the issue and someone was injured as a consequence of a stray shot. The club could not only face serious financial penalties in the form of compensation, but a real danger of an enforcement notice being served to close the hole until necessary amendments to its layout had taken place. Jon’s initial recommendation was to actively monitor the situation and record the data. This would support a future action plan and form critical evidence in a court of law.
Active monitoring commenced on 19th April. This was carried out on three subsequent occasions. Data collected recorded the direction of the shot, whether the shot was played with a wood or iron, by a right or left handed golfer, and the weather conditions. It soon became clear that there was substance to the problem. On two occasions shots were recorded striking the electricity pylon. Both shots were played by right handed golfers using a driver. Both were ‘straight blocked’ shots attempting to carry the corner of the fairway. It was agreed that a screen or tree protection would most probably have caught the shots.
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