Anyone else play on a course that should have been closed this weekend?

Piece said:
I played Pine Ridge too on Saturday (12pm tee off)...

Don't totally agree with your assessment, as I actually thought it was a bit better than I thought it would be. Granted it was very wet, but most all of the course was playable. The greens were fine to putt on (although slow!). Some areas had casual water, but relief was taken.

The temp green wasn't great but rather that than hole closed. Nice par 3 for me ;) :)

From what I saw the course was chocker, meaning closing it would lose a lot of revenue. Fair play I think in keeping it open for those who do want a social game where other public courses won't open.
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We teed off at 9.12 - so I would have thought you would have had a WORSE assessment than I!

We found that almost every fairway had an area (usually around the area where you would put your tee shot) which had sitting water, or was a mud bath. My PP chipped out from the right on the 1st, into the center of the fairway which left his ball 40% under water. That alone, IMO, was enough to close the course.

We also found that some greens were 'normal speed' where others were just boggy and like putting through honey. No consistency!!!!

I didn't even play too badly... just couldn't get the short game in place. Frustrating because I know Pine Ridge can be a great course (albeit extremely slow) when it's good.
 
I played my course on Sunday, being on chalk it is well drained but I think the greens needed a bit of a rest and some love. The fairways were fine no standing water. The greens had no standing water, but were like porridge to look at and the ball was plugging in some. I don't mind them closing the greens for the week and playing temporaries, as I cannot get on course until the weekend :whistle:
 
My course was closed on Saturday but they managed to miraculously get the front nine open again for Sunday despite more rain falling on Saturday night. I would rather have it shut, bump a fiver on green fees or society bookings to make up some of the short fall, and close it so it is in decent condition when the drier weather comes
 
I did not see our course at the weekend as I have an injury that is stopping me playing. That said, the week before was very wet and the greens were wooly as they could not be cut. We do not allow pay and players or societies at the weekend so we would not lose anything on that basis but I am sure that it is just as important to keep the course open to get people in the bar etc before and after.

This is an issue where I am not sure where I stand. If I am desperate for game and they can get the course open then I am obviously happy to play (not that morally outraged that a wet course is open to put my clubs away) but part of me does wonder whether that is always the best thing to do bearing in mind the fact that we hardly ever move to temp greens. I just need to assume that those who know better make the decisions for the good of the club and the course and that the decision to open or close is the right one.
 
I always find it strange why courses reduce their fees in the winter.
There is less daylight hours and therefore more demand.
A group of courses I used to run sold winter weekend fees at half the price of summer fees.
Demand was always high so I doubled the w/e prices in two years and the courses were still packed.
 
Doon frae Troon said:
I always find it strange why courses reduce their fees in the winter.
There is less daylight hours and therefore more demand.
A group of courses I used to run sold winter weekend fees at half the price of summer fees.
Demand was always high so I doubled the w/e prices in two years and the courses were still packed.
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We put a few deals on to try and sell the course to prospective new members before the season starts. Best one for me as members being able to sign guests in for £10.00. Gave members of other local clubs a chance to play a few rounds and see if they liked the course and we signed a few up come April.
 
Doon frae Troon said:
I always find it strange why courses reduce their fees in the winter.
There is less daylight hours and therefore more demand.
A group of courses I used to run sold winter weekend fees at half the price of summer fees.
Demand was always high so I doubled the w/e prices in two years and the courses were still packed.
Click to expand...

Interesting viewpoint not heard it like that before. Would this not depend if the course was on temp greens or tees or both though, find it hard to justify charging full whack for something that is only partially in operation
 
In_The_Rough said:
Interesting viewpoint not heard it like that before. Would this not depend if the course was on temp greens or tees or both though, find it hard to justify charging full whack for something that is only partially in operation
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Many courses put on a reduced rate almost as soon as the season ends irrespective of the course condition etc. I can understand a discount based on the course not playing at its finest but I have never seen a course offer any/additional discount based on the fact that Temp Greens are being used. In fact if I have been informed at all then the option offered is normally take it or leave it.
 
GB72 said:
Many courses put on a reduced rate almost as soon as the season ends irrespective of the course condition etc. I can understand a discount based on the course not playing at its finest but I have never seen a course offer any/additional discount based on the fact that Temp Greens are being used. In fact if I have been informed at all then the option offered is normally take it or leave it.
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Agree there, what I meant was that if a course does not offer reduced green fees during Winter then surely it has to be on full tees and greens to justify this. If they have temp tees/greens then the green fee should be reduced accordingly surely
 
Well, we're fully open and playable.
Yes it's boggy on paths between holes and a couple of areas are roped off but it's been a hell of a lot worse.
Amusingly, at the weekend, quite a few came in and said that the course should be closed.....but they stayed out and played all the same.....
 
Imurg said:
Well, we're fully open and playable.
Yes it's boggy on paths between holes and a couple of areas are roped off but it's been a hell of a lot worse.
Amusingly, at the weekend, quite a few came in and said that the course should be closed.....but they stayed out and played all the same.....
Click to expand...

I guess it's different if you are a member... but when you've paid £31 for the privilege of a terrible course, you play it anyway!
 
We were open on 11 holes and overall not playing too badly. A couple of the long walks between holes were muddy but that's out of the club's control in the main. If you strayed off line on the 3rd and 13th then you'd find some casual water but again the levels were way down on where they have been. Greens a bit soft and hairy - so confirms a Srixon Soft Feel is like a rocket off my putter!

Just had an email to say we're due to be fully open tomorrow although with 1 temp and 1 shortened hole. Also mentioned that the greens took a hammering today as the frost/ice built up on shoes and wasn't knocked off prior to stepping on the greens. It was the seniors roll up fun game so probably quite busy early on when it was still icy. "Knock it off or we'll go on temps" - or words to that effect :-)
 
Doon frae Troon said:
I always find it strange why courses reduce their fees in the winter.
There is less daylight hours and therefore more demand.
A group of courses I used to run sold winter weekend fees at half the price of summer fees.
Demand was always high so I doubled the w/e prices in two years and the courses were still packed.
Click to expand...

I suppose it depends on if they need the money from visitors and how much supply/demand there is locally. Speaking as someone that plays as a visitor I'd think twice about paying the full summer green fees to play in the winter time at most courses.

If it is a day like it is today where I am (sunny, not too cold) then OK. But chances are you are not going to get that many visitors paying top whack when there's a decent chance you'll end up in the wind/rain. And then you have the state of the course. On the course I played at on Saturday I was plugging the ball with my drives with a 3 wood (even got some backspin on one shot with a 5 wood ;) which is ironic as I can't get spin for the life of me with any club in the summer). No great problem as I had not paid that much and I was fully aware it was wet. But I would not have paid the summer rate for that.

But as you say, if you can get away and demand is still high then why not.
 
dufferman said:
Do the clubs not realise that, in the long run, the damage will be terrible??
Click to expand...
What club are you head greenkeeper at? :p

You would be surprised once the growing season kicks in the damage caused by winter golf is not noticeable within a few weeks.
 
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