Winter Rules?

[chellie]

We go on winter rules when the course needs to and not on a set date.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

we play comps in winter but we have a winter h/c,we also dont play shots from the fairways unless using a mat if no mat drop in first cut ,cant see a problem with that and know a lot of courses do this.
Winter is out of season for golf and most golfers pick and chose when they play short days mean we play less,winter temp greens mean the greens will be in pristine condition come summer,what would we sooner have churned up fairways and damaged greens or close courses for 4 months completely or be sensible and play a slightly different game for the good of the course.

This type of thing seems to depend on how far North you are. There is no need to do it down here on the whole and I have to say I'm glad it doesn't happen. If we had to play on temp greens all winter I wouldn't bother I don't think.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

We go on winter rules when the course needs to and not on a set date.

Should be the right answer, I suspect we started as usual yesterday though, which is just plain daft.

 

[Foxholer]

Should be the right answer, I suspect we started as usual yesterday though, which is just plain daft.

Why?

If conditions don't warrant WRs, then there's nothing really to be gained from either having them or not. If anything is daft, it's clubs deciding that they can't have Qualifying Comps because WRs apply!

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Why?

If conditions don't warrant WRs, then there's nothing really to be gained from either having them or not. If anything is daft, it's clubs deciding that they can't have Qualifying Comps because WRs apply!

Have you looked out of the window recently? Even talking about winter rules is daft.

your second point I agree wholeheartedly with

 

[Foxholer]

Well, explain to me just exactly what huge advantage anyone gets from having Winter Rules (the ones that don't preclude Qualifying comps) in place during this period?

Unless it's a mud-ball or in amongst worm casts etc, I don't move the ball, even if WRs apply. If it gets to the stage where it's worth cleaning etc, then it's likely that the general application of WRs is actually appropriate!

Nobody is forcing you to apply WRs! Just allowing them if necessary!

There's a difference between the 'minimalist' ones that apply 'darn sarf' and the 'game destroying' ones that might apply elsewhere - mats etc.!

 

[Canary_Yellow]

I don't understand the objection to qualifying competitions under winter rules.

If the objection is that it makes golf easier than it should be because in the summer you have no guarantee of a perfect lie, so why should you in winter, then surely the only risk is that people's handicaps end up too low.

What's the problem with that?

Having no qualifiers during winter, when a lot of people put a lot of hardwork into their games, seems to me like it gives rise to a risk of a good number of bandits knocking about the place come April. I don't see why that's a desirable outcome at all.

My club runs qualifiers all year round, more in the summer than winter, as you'd expect, and if the course is shortened (due to temps or whatever) then the competition becomes reductions only. I'm quite happy with this, I think it's the best way to try and keep handicaps current and relevant.

 

[Break90]

We still have qualifiers until the end of October, then we go onto winter tees until March 1st. Gives the summer tees a chance to recover for a few months.

We do have qualifiers throughout the winter, but only 1 or 2 a month instead of 2 a week.

Winter rules also come into effect on Nov 1st, and there is a sign put up on both 1st tees to that effect.

Having said that the courses drain so well you rarely need to use them anyway.

 

[garyinderry]

Having no qualifiers during winter, when a lot of people put a lot of hardwork into their games, seems to me like it gives rise to a risk of a good number of bandits knocking about the place come April. I don't see why that's a desirable outcome at all.

.

This can and does happen. It takes less time to settle down scores wise with the introduction of ESR!


I think the reality of winter golf is just over the hill. Shocking weather forcast for no.Ireland at the weekend. The forcast for here in Liverpool ain't great for next week.

Enjoy that sun today boys, this could be it!

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Well, explain to me just exactly what huge advantage anyone gets from having Winter Rules (the ones that don't preclude Qualifying comps) in place during this period?

Unless it's a mud-ball or in amongst worm casts etc, I don't move the ball, even if WRs apply. If it gets to the stage where it's worth cleaning etc, then it's likely that the general application of WRs is actually appropriate!

Nobody is forcing you to apply WRs! Just allowing them if necessary!

There's a difference between the 'minimalist' ones that apply 'darn sarf' and the 'game destroying' ones that might apply elsewhere - mats etc.!

Let's just have preferred lies all year then

 

[Fyldewhite]

We go off the tees onto forward mats when the weather conditions make that sensible (usually by end of October or early November). Some are a long way forward to allow the areas around the tees not to become quagmires that will take all next summer to recover. Short course, no SSS and therefore no Qualifying Comps until they go back hopefully early but sometimes late March.

Always been like this. Generally play lift/clean/place through the green which I don't agree with but hey ho...that's winter golf at our place.

 

[Foxholer]

Let's just have preferred lies all year then

I know a club that does - except for competitions in the Congu exclusion period!

But the Congu limits seem fine.

With this year having been such a dry September, I strongly suspect that the first decent amount of rain will cause chaos to fairways!