Members, please read the below before booking a tee time
Willesley Park Golf Club
Guidelines to Playing Golf under COVID 19 Constraints.
Introduction
We have been working together to ensure we play golf safely for nearly 3 weeks and thank you for observing the guidance that England Golf has issued, and we have implemented. We are now moving on with the easement of some rules leading to a position where you can now play in a 4 ball. The UK Golf Industry has based its guidance on the current advice from HM Government.
We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the Government Guidance not only with respect to the provisions that apply to those playing Sport but specifically those relating to Vulnerable Groups, especially those over 70 and/or with co-existing morbidities.
It is absolutely essential that if you either display any symptoms or If you have been asked to isolate by NHS Test and Trace because you are a contact of a known COVID-19 case, you do not exercise outside your own home or garden and do not exercise with others; you can spread the virus to others even if you never get symptoms.
We continue to monitor the guidelines issued by the PGA, and the R&A to ensure our advice is up to date (see https://www.pga.info/covid-19-resource-hub/).
Because the guidance covers many different combinations we have sought to adapt our diary to allow golf in forms suitable for “up to 4 ball”, “2 ball only” and “1 ball only”. As this will inevitably lead to an increase in the numbers of people attending the course it is essential we follow previous guidance and adhere to the existing rules for Social Distancing.
Please note that HM Goverment’s advice remains: We have to keep applying the social distancing measures, limit the number of interactions we have, very carefully and sensibly pick up those easements to make our lives better, but no overdo it, so we continue to limit the number of (non-essential) interactions.
The following outlines how the Club will be operating until further notice. Please read and follow the guidelines to ensure we can play golf safely and continue to protect the health of our country. Also please report any concerns you have to pga@willesleypark.com or the board info@willesleypark.com as we take your and our staff’s safety very seriously. We trust that you will behave accordingly not only to limit your risk of contracting Covid19 but also to protect your families and the wider community.
Guidelines
Before the Round
All golfers must book a tee time on the BRS golf booking system using both players’ correct names. (A.N. Other is not permitted). The start sheet will run from 07:00 am until 7.30pm. (You cannot ‘turn up & play’ for early evening rounds for just a few holes without booking a time)
Strictly members only until further notice. (No visitors will be allowed initially to allow members full access to available tee times)
The maximum number of golfers in a group per tee time is as per the limit shown on the BRS booking diary template.
There is to be a minimum of 10 minute intervals between tee times.
All golf will start from the 1st tee (starting from other parts of the course is prohibited)
BRS will be open 2 weeks in advance, and members are allowed a maximum of three live tee bookings in any two-week period. If there are vacant tees on “the current days list” one additional tee timecan be booked and it will not count towards your total of 3 times. Usage will be monitored to ensure all members have access to tee times. Once you have completed your round, then you are free to rebook another time dependant on availability.
Arrival and Waiting to Play
As Brucie would say “Nice 2 metre, 2 metre nice”
The clubhouse will remain closed. It will not be possible to use the clubhouse toilets and the on-course toilets will also be closed.
Please wait in your car and do not get out until 10 minutes before your start time and do not approach the tee until it is clear and it is your turn to play (unless accessing the practice green or pro-shop).
The Pro Shop staff remain available for advice and coaching. Members are asked to queue at the shop doorway and most queries will be resolved at the door. More guidance on using the pro-shop will be circulated when permission has been given to reopen the facility.
Buggies, trolleys and batteries are available for hire with safe sanitising practices guaranteed.
Course Set Up and Forms of Golf
- On-Course Items
All rakes have been removed.
Ball washers and drinking fountains have been covered up and are out of use.
All bins and benches have been removed
All stakes defining areas of the course can be treated as immovable obstructions.
Shelters and the 10th cabin must not be used.
Bell chimes have been removed, please use your club to sound the bell.
- Holes and Flagsticks
Flagsticks will be in the holes. The flagstick must not be touched.
A method of inserting the hole liner will be used to prevent the whole ball from falling below the surface of the putting green, therefore enabling easy retrieval by handling the ball only. Please use your glove hand if possible.
- Forms of Play and Scoring
It is strongly recommended that non-competition play is adhered to at this time. Competitions will be introduced when it is deemed safe to do so, and after an initial period of free play.
- Practice Areas
The practice net adjacent to the 1st Tee is closed.
The putting green is open for practice – only 1 user at a time.
The practice ground will be closed except for the use of the Professional Staff.
During the Round
Golfers should keep at least 2 metres apart during the round and not touch any golf equipment other than their own.
- Teeing Areas
Golfers to keep at least 2 metres apart at teeing areas.
- General
Golfers to stay more than 2 metres apart when walking to the ball, searching for a ball and playing shots. See additional points re putting.
Do not to touch stray balls.
Pace of play – Please keep up with the game ahead but do not approach others on the course.
- Bunkers
With no rakes allowed on the course, golfers should make their very best efforts to smooth the sand using their club and/or their feet.
- Putting Green
Golfers are required to leave the flagstick in the hole at all times and not to touch it.
Golfers to keep 2 metres apart on the putting greens.
After the Round
Social distancing is as important after a round as it is before and during the round, so when the round is over please leave the course and the club/facility as soon as you are able. There should be no gatherings around the clubhouse or car park at any time.. We have had instances of players congregating after rounds and this is absolutely not allowed. Please note we know of confirmed instances of the police being called to courses where social distancing requirements have been compromised.
Board of Directors