Winter Rules
Winter Golf at Heaton Moor GC
As our course is clay based it quickly becomes “waterlogged” in the Winter particularly after such a wet summer and autumn. To help protect our course, keep it open and make golf as enjoyable as possible the following measures are in place for all members and visitors throughout the Winter.
Artificial tee mats are in use on the yellow tees on nearly all holes.
All electric trolleys must be fitted with “Winter Wheels”, push trolleys are permitted.
Fairway mats are compulsory on all shortly mown grass, however balls may be moved from the fairway to the rough and played from the ground.
When course conditions dictate “Winter Greens” may be in use on some or all holes.
When course conditions or course maintenance work dictate some holes may be temporarily closed.
Use of temporary “Winter Greens” and hole closures can change on a daily basis so to find out what restrictions are in place please contact the Professional on 0161 431 2134 Option 2 close to the date of your planned visit.
Thank you.
Tony Brook
Golf Director
Winter Rules effective from 16th October 2023
1. Winter tee mats, where available, will be in use on all holes for the yellow tee blocks.
2. Mats are compulsory on Fairways and all areas of closely mown grass. The mat must be placed as near as possible to where the ball originally lay, the ball may be cleaned before placing on the mat. Alternatively, a player has the option to lift clean and move the ball to the “nearest’ rough” and place the ball no nearer the hole.
A mat is not to be used for strokes made with a putter. If a putter is to be used the ball can be lifted cleaned and replaced within 6 inches of where the ball originally lay but no nearer the hole.
3. When the ball lies in the rough a player may use a mat. The mat must be placed as near as possible to where the ball originally lay, the ball may be cleaned before placing on the mat. Alternatively, a player may lift clean and then replace the ball as near as possible to where the ball originally lay but no nearer the hole.
4. If a player’s ball lies within two club lengths of the public footpath crossing holes 11,12,13,14,15 and 17 free relief can be taken in accordance with Rule 16.1b .
5. If all players are agreed it is “virtually certain” that a ball has been lost on the fairway because it is embedded or lost in leaves then a ball may be dropped within one club length of the point it is agreed the ball was “lost’” without penalty.
6. If a player’s ball lies in a bunker the player may lift and clean the ball, rake the bunker, and then replace the ball as near as possible to where the ball originally lay.
7. When a Winter Green is in play on a hole all bunkers are considered to be GUR and relief must be taken in accordance with Rule 16.1b.
8. When not in play Winter Greens are compulsory GUR and relief must be taken in accordance with Rule 16.1b.
9. Whilst Winter Rules are in force “Casual Scores” for handicapping purposes are not permitted.
Winter Course Protection
We cannot control the weather but we can limit the damage we do to the course over the winter by following some simple guide lines.
If you can carry your clubs over winter please do, competitions are shorter only 9, 12 or 14 holes. If you need a trolley please use a push or pull trolley if you can, they are lighter and cause less wear and tear on the course. If you need to use an electric trolley please ensure it is fitted with “winter wheels”. It is also important that electric trolley and buggy users avoid wet areas of the course, you may have to travel a little further but it means the course will recover more quickly in the Spring.
Buggy users please keep to areas that limit damage to the course.
Over the Winter parts of the course will be roped off to spread the wear and tear, please avoid these areas and follow the routes and instructions on signs.
Please do not remove balls from the hole with a putter or the flagstick as this causes damage to the edges of holes, as holes are moved less frequently in the Winter this could become a significant problem.
Members must never wheel trolleys on the green surrounds or between a bunker and the green, as the ground gets softer it is very easy for these important areas of the course to become damaged.
If we all work together the course will recover more quickly in the Spring. Thank you.