This email provides some details with regards to the reopening of the Garden nine. We’re excited for the course to be opening, however there are still items that we’re working on which we’ve covered in the video below (also available by clicking here), as well as further operational information in the following paragraphs:
OVERVIEW
CHANGES: New Course Rating (CR) & Slope Rating (SR) (plus the process of working with England Golf (EG))
NEW: A reminder of the bigger changes
SAME: Guest permissions and summer maintenance
TO DO: Course Rating/Slope rating, scorecards and course guides video
CHANGES: New Course Rating (CR) & Slope Rating (SR)
The change in Course Rating is due to hundreds (yes, hundreds) of variables measured over the course of nine holes by the England Golf Course Raters. The Raters cover the obvious such as the length of the course and the width of the fairways, along with the height of the rough. They also delve into much deeper detail such as the distances to hazards off the tee, as well as in layup areas. They consider the severity of hazards, the size and contours of the greens, as well as the expected summer putting speed, the difficulty of the bunkers, and any other factors that impact the playability of the course.
This information is then plugged into an algorithm, which generates the Course Rating and the Bogey Rating, both of which are needed to determine the Slope Rating.
The Slope Rating
The Course Slope predicts the difficulty of a course for a “bogey” golfer, someone who shoots 18 over par or 90. Course Slope is a number between 55 and 155, with 113 being the average. The higher the number, the more difficult the course. As with Course Rating each set of tees will have a Slope Rating.
A Quick Reminder of the CR & SR
In most cases, the challenges a course presents to a scratch golfer are different than those faced by bogey golfers. As a result, two different courses could have a Course Rating of 72, but the Course Slope of one could be 113 and the Course Slope of the other could be 135. How does this happen?
The course rated at 72 with a slope of 113 is perhaps not a long course. Or maybe it has wide fairways and with few hazards. So the par golfer still shoots par on this course and the bogey golfer shoots 90.
The second course is also rated at 72 but has a slope of 135. The increased Course Slope could be a result of the length of the course. A longer course impacts the bogey golfer more significantly. The additional length would (most likely) require them to hot long irons or woods into many greens, which will usually result in a missed green. The longer course doesn’t have as much impact on a par golfer.
Please note that the changes to the CR and SR were also impacted by the new ratings of Church and Mill that were implemented in December 2023.
NEW: A Reminder of the Bigger Changes
There are two new greens on Garden, the 1st, and the 3rd, both greens provide more pin positions, allow for more interesting recovery shots as well as having improved aesthetics. The 2nd hole has a new left hand/lower fairway option – RTJ II hopes that he’ll tempt some players to cut the corner. Temptation is also offered on the tee shot on the fifth; the golfer has a much greater reward should they cut the corner and drive over the River Wey.
That’s all that I’ll feature in this summary, though you’ll see new bunkers, expanded run off areas, as well as a new view that has been described as bewitching and optically deceptive. I‘ll leave you to find and enjoy it!
SAME: Guest Permissions & Summer Maintenance
Controlled guest permissions will remain the same at this time, Member demand is expected to be high upon the reopening of Garden, and with summer maintenance weeks taking place from Monday, 15th July up to and including Friday, 2nd August, we will once again be reduced to 18 holes. Tee time demand will be reviewed daily/weekly and extended guest permissions will be offered should ample tee times be regularly available.
TO DO: Course Rating/Slope Rating, Scorecards, and Course Guides
The growing in of certain areas of the golf course is ongoing (the video at the top covers this). Here I’ll explain why there is not a new updated scorecard and course guide for the Garden’s opening day.
The delay is caused by waiting for the Course and Slope Rating from the team at EG. The Rater’s visit was scheduled for the earliest possible date on the 24th of April for which they required the course to be in the playing condition to rate, i.e. all grasses cut to their playing length and all areas clearly defined such as what’s rough, fairway, apron etc. The team of five Raters spent a morning on the course, they then input the data into the rating software a process of which took five weeks. The data was then submitted for their review and I received the CR and SR on Tuesday 11th June (yes, just four days prior to opening despite being advised that the process would take eight to ten weeks). Upon receipt I forwarded the details to our printer and the cards will be delivered in the coming weeks. Whilst the score cards in the box at the first tee will have the previous CR and SR, your course and playing handicaps will be calculated on the new ratings.
At this time, the updated tables can be found on both the website and app, Garden 1’s tee box table display has been ordered (currently displaying a correct temporary version, along with a QR code to all Handicap tables).
The Course Guide is also in production – another item that required a wait due to the guide requiring a photograph taken from each tee that provides the golfer with distances on a variety of lines of play, both good weather & clear definition of mowing lines along with sand in the bunkers.
And Finally… Thank You
There’s one last thing to say… and that is thank you! The closure of Garden required a different operating approach and the Wisley Members understanding with regards to two tee starts, twelve-minute tee time intervals, reduced guest permissions & more advanced tee time planning all of which were met with complete cooperation. It has been a true pleasure for the Golf Operations team to provide our services whilst reduced to 18 holes; we truly enjoy what we do, and are thankful to be embraced by such a warm & giving Wisley culture!
Ian Cox
Director of Golf