Frozen course open?

Lawrence22

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Plated my usual Sunday morning game with my brother in law yesterday. I expected the course to be closed as there was a very heavy frost, but we decided to go anyway as we thought we could do a bit on the range. When we got there we were amazed to find that the course was open, all be with temp greens. My brother in law talked me into playing. It was an absoloute joke. The fairways were totally frozen when the balls landed on them they bounced as if on concrete. It did result on us both having some incredibly long drives, but trying to hit the temp greens was a nightmare. No point using any type of lofted club because when the ball came down from a height it could end up any where. One shot actually bounced out of a bunker!!
Why oh why was this course open? I learned my lesson and next time it is like this I'll stick to the range.
 
I played at my course saturday and whilst the fairways and tees were hard, they were (just about) playable. The Greens, however, (which were the full time greens) were concrete. Made for some interesting approach shots!

Started to thaw towards the end of the round, but I'm still not paying too much attention to the disappointing 93 that I shot.
 
Our place was like this on Saturday too. You can't read anything into it, just enjoy the walk and if you hit the ball well and it lands where you intended it to land then count it as a good shot. Don't worry about chipping and putting, it's meaningless on frozen, temp greens.

I putted from just off the green on our 6th on sat. Knowing there was no stop I assumed putting would be the safe play... wrong! The ball hit a frozen worm cast and bounced about a foot up in the air and 45 degrees to the right almost ending up in a bunker. I ended up with a double after being pin high in two. Still, I just think of the two good shots I hit and remember them rather than the 4 subsequent shots it took to get the ball in the hole ;)
 
My old course is always open when it's frozen including the greens and we also used to play qualifiers in such conditions. It was a public course and they have a no temp greens guarantee to drum up business during the winter.

The buffer zone was a good place to be after those rounds :D
 
Plated my usual Sunday morning game with my brother in law yesterday. I expected the course to be closed as there was a very heavy frost, but we decided to go anyway as we thought we could do a bit on the range. When we got there we were amazed to find that the course was open, all be with temp greens. My brother in law talked me into playing. It was an absoloute joke. The fairways were totally frozen when the balls landed on them they bounced as if on concrete. It did result on us both having some incredibly long drives, but trying to hit the temp greens was a nightmare. No point using any type of lofted club because when the ball came down from a height it could end up any where. One shot actually bounced out of a bunker!!
Why oh why was this course open? I learned my lesson and next time it is like this I'll stick to the range.

After the weather we've all had, most courses cant afford to be closed anymore.
 
Played yesterday and my course was fine! fairways were fine and greens were a bit bobbly but still receptive. Condidering i couldnt putt for toffee 4 under my handicap was quite good :P
 
This is actually the first year that I have known my course go on to full temp greens. The fairways were actually OK on top at least. Played last year when it was frozen and will not be doing that again, may as well have played in the car park.

I agree, clubs are desperate to get people back up there again after being closed over what is usually for my club a busy period in the club house and pro shop.
 
Played in a Stableford in my club in Aberdeen on Saturday and the weather was circa 9*C with a sporty wind - superb.

The course was all thawed out and it was interesting to watch the winter outer gear getting repacked into the bag as the holes were played.

Winter league played on winter course with temp tees and greens but no complaints.

Scores? 40,40,38 and 36 points, so two of us were up at the top of the leader board when we left but it was some fight for the pound!
 
Ours was on frozen greens as well, but the fairways in front of the greens had mostly thawed so you pitch it short and it sticks or pitch it on and it runs off.

I found the best way to play them from more than 30yds away was to aim so the ball ran off the green closest to where the flag was.

It's golf Jim, but not as we know it!
 
The simple answer to the OP's question is revenue. Regardless of the condition of the course if they can people at playing it should theoretically generate some revenue (maybe including green fees if not a members club) in the bar and pro shop

My course is fully open and playing rather well. The greens have some snow mould on them which they are working on but they are putting rather fast for the time of year
 
The simple answer to the OP's question is revenue. Regardless of the condition of the course if they can people at playing it should theoretically generate some revenue (maybe including green fees if not a members club) in the bar and pro shop

My course is fully open and playing rather well. The greens have some snow mould on them which they are working on but they are putting rather fast for the time of year

I thought the greens were excellent at RA despite the snow mould. I wasn't expecting them to be so true and quick given the conditions but I was really happy with them. It helps that I didn't 3-putt for the 1st time in as long as I can remember but that has a lot to do with the quality of the greens. There are some places that don't have greens that good in summer.
 
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