With the Garden course project scheduled to commence in April 2023, we are temporarily amending the frost policy. Garden 9 will be used for play during some frost events which will hopefully allow time for the frost to lift on the other nines during the morning. Any damage that occurs will be renovated during the upcoming project. The details are as follows:

• Members will be informed of frost delays via app push notifications, the app’s ‘Course Conditions’ page or by calling the Pro Shop.
• When a frost occurs all tee times will be delayed until 8:30am. When a decision has been made play will commence on Garden as the front nine. Play will begin with two ball players every six minutes followed by three and fourballs every 10 minutes.
• Play in frost damage is therefore mostly contained to Garden, given its impending closure
• “Frost pins” will be cut into the approaches or fairways on Garden and used until the main greens are unfrozen; no play on frozen main greens will take place until the frost has lifted. Fully prepared “temporary greens” are not going to be used this winter.
• Church will play as the back nine to Garden and opened once most of the frost has lifted. For days when frosts persist, the affected, shaded holes will be opened but playing to the same temporary frost pins located near to the main greens. This will be repeated for Mill as the conditions dictate
• Competitions will be delayed – as per the historic policy – until all main greens are free from frost due to the restrictions of minimum course length allowed.
• The greenkeeping team will continue reviewing frost conditions and bring in the main greens as and when thawing allows. The final decision on main greens will take place at 12pm, seven days a week, at this time a decision will be made for the remainder of the day the pro-shop will be informed should any temporary surfaces remain in play.
• A review of the frost policy will be carried out for the winter of 2023/2024. The approach to restrictions during frost periods is to ensure the Club can provide the finest playing surfaces for the greatest period, however, the frost pins will be retained for when frost is very slow to lift on sheltered holes enabling play to commence.

John Lockyer
Director of Greens