Captains’ Log

It has been six weeks since our Opening Days and with so much happening it’s hard to remember it all, but golf is still being played and that is the important thing. Within that time we have made a couple of adjustments that you will have already seen out on the course: new pins, rakes in bunkers, a distinct lack of rope and lots of green grass. It is a credit to our new Course Superintendent, David Mason and the team for having our course in such fantastic condition…can’t wait to see what it looks like when they can focus on it, rather than floods.

We are well and truly into the golf season, with a number of Honour Board events commenced, but the big one is just around the corner…Mixed Foursomes…oh, and Club Championships is only 5 weeks away. With shorter days we see less times on the timesheets, which invariably leads to a waitlist. We have been lucky in the past where the numbers of players to miss a game have been relatively few. However, we would like to remind you that if your name is on a timesheet and you cannot play, please remove it as soon as possible as a courtesy to fellow Members. The Match Committee are looking at ways to reduce the stress of missing out on a game, so stay tuned.

New pins, fresh white ones that look fantastic, are out and with them is a new NTP system. Whilst there will be a period of adjustment, here are a couple of tips on process for marking.

• First of all hit it closer than the last player.
• If you are closer mark your ball with your ball marker…or if you so choose you can use the NTP marker, as long as it isn’t in the line of someone’s putt.
• After you putt, place the NTP marker with the front edge of the marker where the front edge of your ball was.
• Write your name on the NTP sheet at the side of the green and hope no one hits it closer

Rakes in bunkers is also a new process and will take a bit of adjustment but will be worth it in the long run. As a reminder, from Wednesday, 6 April 2022 we will be placing the rakes in the base of the bunker whilst entering and exiting via the flattest entry point. Thank you in advance for your support with this change. For further information please click on the video below or click here to read more about Bunker Rake Etiquette.

There is one more new process, well more of an update, on the MiScore App. There is now a 3 minute timer available within the app. All you have to do is tap the time box in the top left corner of the screen, as shown below.

Why do we have this feature? Apart from obtaining the perfect poached eggs, three minutes is all you get when looking for your golf ball during a competition. This rule (Rule 18.2) was changed in 2019 from five minutes to three minutes with a view to speed up play. To that end, it is highly recommended that a provisional ball be played if you think there may be trouble ahead in finding that ball. There is also the option of using Local Rule E-5 and drop a ball on the fairway, under penalty of two strokes.

Finally, a safety message. Please remember to call FORE as quickly as you can after hitting a shot that carries the risk of hitting another golfer. Additionally, when you are on the course please stay aware of the possibility of errant golf shots coming your way.

If there are any questions or comments please do not hesitate to reach out to any of your Committee members.

Remember that golf is a game so have fun.

Kind regards

Ash Sturmer, Men’s Captain                     Janet Nathanson, Women’s Captain

Click here to watch a video prepared by our Course Superintendent, David Mason on bunkers and bunker rakes.