Adverse Weather Conditions

Weather Warnings (High Winds)

For the safety of Members and guests, the golf course will be closed when the UK Met Office issue either an Amber or Red weather warning for high winds. The Course Manager or in his absence the senior staff member present will have discretion to close the course when other weather warnings are in place and the safety of members/visitors is at risk.

Fog

The Course Manager or in his absence the senior staff member present will be responsible for determining whether it is safe to play golf in conditions of poor visibility, namely ‘fog’. Members and guests should note, being able to see the 2nd white tee from the 1st white tee does NOT constitute that play may begin. Other areas of the course may not have such levels of visibility and therefore a safety risk to greenstaff and golfers may remain.

Members/guests found to begin play without the Course Manager’s/senior member of  staff’s permission, will face disciplinary action.

In foggy conditions, when the visibility can change quite drastically in a matter of minutes, Members/guests should be prepared for the possibility that play could be suspended shortly after it has restarted.

Lightning

In the presence of an imminent lightning threat, players MUST cease play immediately and seek safe shelter at the halfway hut or the Clubhouse until the threat has passed. A Klaxon will not be sounded to warn golfers of potential lightning in the area, except when playing in a major organised competition (i.e Captains Weekend, Scratch Score Cup, Pot Pourri, 4BBB Championship etc), when a procedure for course evacuation/suspension of play exists which does include the use of Klaxons. For more information on this Competition procedure please speak with the club office.

Restarting Play Following a Delay

When play does recommence following a delay, Members/guests should continue their round from the exact point on the course that they reached prior to the suspension. Those who are yet to start their round will have their tee time pushed back by the same period of time as the delay.

It is important to note that the Company does not accept responsibility or liability for any accidents or injuries resulting from weather related events where players have ignored the stated Club Policies above.

Course Closure Authority

In conjunction with the General Manager, the primary individual responsible for determining the status of the golf course is the Course Manager. In the absence of the  Course Manager and/or the General Manager their respective deputies will have the authority to close the golf course in adverse weather conditions.

In the absence of any senior management and should the General Manager be uncontactable by phone, a member of the Board has the discretion to close the golf course should he/she feel that conditions are unsafe for play. Should this situation occur the Board member should first try to contact the Chairman, or at least another Board Member, to discuss the position and outline the weather conditions. If both directors agree, the golf course can be closed. Should the lead Board member be unable to reach another director, he/she has the authority to close the course without further consultation.

In the event the Board member closes the course they will assist Puttenham staff members as necessary. The following list is not exhaustive – e.g. sound klaxons, collect golfers from the course, manage the delay in play, liaising with society organisers, etc.

Tom Carter-Large

General Manager