Alternatives for the standard bell on a post

[tobybarker]

We have a dogleg hole that normally has a bell so players can signal to those on the tee that the way is clear. Sadly the bell has, we think, been nicked it for the second time, presumably because it was annoying locals....?

I have been tasked with coming up with a different approach, one which actually makes a sound or other signal back at the tee instead.

Please tell me any solutions your club has for signalling in place of a bell.

 

[Billysboots]

One very effective approach I have seen, but probably not cheap, is the traffic light system employed at some clubs.

A wooden post near the tee with two lights and a button. When you leave the tee you hit the button and the red light illuminates. At a point in the fairway where you would normally have a bell is another post with a single button. When you pass it you hit the button, and the green light back on the tee illuminates.

Really effective.

 

[irip]

We have a dogleg hole that normally has a bell so players can signal to those on the tee that the way is clear. Sadly the bell has, we think, been nicked it for the second time, presumably because it was annoying locals....?

I have been tasked with coming up with a different approach, one which actually makes a sound or other signal back at the tee instead.

Please tell me any solutions your club has for signalling in place of a bell.

Why not have a bit of material on a long pole that gets waved when it’s cleared?
Cheap and easy as well as soundless

 

[clubchamp98]

Ironically we have just installed a new set of bells for our dogleg 17th.
They were stolen some years ago.

A18” length of scaffolding pole was used as an alternative but wasn’t as loud.
Might work for you.

 

[Imurg]

Hunstanton has a "wobble" pole on a blind par 3
It's a flag pole that has ropes attached a nd they hang down so when you pull them the pole wobbles.
On the tee, if the pole isn't moving you don't play.
We have a couple of holes that could use one......

 

[tobybarker]

All interesting ideas thanks. The benefit of a bell is that even if you haven't quite reached the tee yet you will hear the bell so know it is clear to proceed. I like the idea of a light system, but running cable between them over 200+ yards doesn't appeal. Anyone know if a wireless version? It could be powered by solar i guess

 

[tobybarker]

Ironically we have just installed a new set of bells for our dogleg 17th.
They were stolen some years ago.

A18” length of scaffolding pole was used as an alternative but wasn’t as loud.
Might work for you.

I think the issue is that they were stolen purely because they were annoying...a loud clunk of a scaffold pole might be worse! Lol

 

[Oops!]

If your assumption is correct, a motion-activated wildlife camera and a chat with the thieves might just solve your problem more cheaply, quickly, and permanently… !?
Edit : It will be more lasting if it really is the noise that's bothering you, and you work together to find a different, better solution!

 

[D-S]

Pinehurst number 8 has a hole with a blind tee shot, they have something that looks like a bird box by the tee - it is a small screen showing the fairway from a small camera mounted on a tree.
The good thing is that it doesn’t require golfers to do anything. In my experience there are a lot of good solutions but when golfers forget to pass the button or ring the bell or raise the flag, then they simple don’t work.

Don’t do what Ross on Wye does/did and that was to have bells on consecutive holes. We accidentally drove into a group of members after hearing a bell. They were upset and said didn’t we realise that the bell we heard was for the next hole? Really?

 

[tobybarker]

If your assumption is correct, a motion-activated wildlife camera and a chat with the thieves might just solve your problem more cheaply, quickly, and permanently… !?
Edit : It will be more lasting if it really is the noise that's bothering you, and you work together to find a different, better solution!

That's what I'm doing here

 

[LincolnShep]

Kenwick Park has a tall pole with a convex mirror attached to the top. Not as good as a bell, but quieter.
As an aside, I played Wakefield a few weeks ago and a member there told me that they weren't allowed bells on the course because it annoyed the neighbours. Some people are really miserable.
If your neighbours don't like bells, issue each group with an air horn instead.

 

[irip]

I played once at Chobham.
On the 1st hole (uphill) they had a mirror in a tall tree.
If you stood in the white tee and couldn’t see anyone in the mirror it was safe to play.
Not sure how effective it was but we played the 1st without any problems

 

[Imurg]

We have a mirror on our 9th hole...sadly it's been hit at least twice which distorts the image somewhat.....

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

At our place we have 2 holes with Bells on and thankfully the neighbours aren’t muppets and have no issue.

But Bearsted had a set of metal aircraft style steps on one of their holes (2nd from memory). So on the tee you could climb them and see round the corner. Deangate had the same in their 7th hole as well.

One of the best I’ve seen though is the wildlife camera on the apex of the dog leg that feeds back to a small boxed off screen back in the tee. Unobtrusive and easy to have a quick look and took the onus off someone having to ring a bell.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

How about a raised platform where those on the tee can climb up it, stand on it and hopefully see if the area is free to hit to? Only works if the drop is not too significant of course but there are two clubs up here, Tyneside and South Shields, which have these and they are effective.

@Lucifer MorningStar has just made the same point. His description, aircraft steps, is better than mine. That is what they look like.

 

[Pin-seeker]

How about a raised platform where those on the tee can climb up it, stand on it and hopefully see if the area is free to hit to? Only works if the drop is not too significant of course but there are two clubs up here, Tyneside and South Shields, which have these and they are effective.

@Lucifer MorningStar has just made the same point. His description, aircraft steps, is better than mine. That is what they look like.

We have a couple of these at a local course,only problem is they’re now rusted and falling apart,so are roped off.

 

[irip]

We have a mirror on our 9th hole...sadly it's been hit at least twice which distorts the image somewhat.....

Don’t let Fragger look at it or it will crack again

 

[Arthur Wedge]

The light method is very good and if there is any sprinklers nearby that can be used for the electric run

It all depends on how sharp the dog leg is , the bell is the most appropriate way

Might be worth finding a bell that can’t be robbed

 

[irip]

How about getting a great big gong?
Give it a month and the neighbours will be begging you to bring the bell back

 

[Orikoru]

Two holes with bells on our course. One of them was replaced last year - I think they accidentally bought one that was intended for last orders in the bar, because from the teebox you can barely, barely hear it. If the wind is going down the hole you definitely can't.