QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Playing Times

Click this link to view Playing Times.

Can I play on a Tuesday morning?

Summer - No, the course is reserved for the Ladies until 12 noon.

Winter - Yes but the first tee is reserverd for Ladies from 8:45am to 11:00am.

Can I invite a guest to play on a competition day?

Only with the prior agreement of the Secretary. If agreed, this will be at a quiet time. The format of the day - normally a 3 ball – is to be followed. No ladies are permitted to play.  

Does this rule apply when an extra day competition is arranged at short notice?

No, the competition format is not usually specific on such days and guests are welcome as on any other non-competition day.

Why do Ladies have a tee time on a Men’s competition day?

Because EWGA have decreed that Ladies should be permitted to play a medal competition at a weekend to accommodate those Ladies who work. The time allocated is normally 11.00 – 11.30am but is occasionally 2.00 – 2.30pm

Are there any restrictions on my access to the course?

NGC and GPLGC each have exclusive access to the course at various times each week.  For full details see the Playing Times listed below.

Access to the course is also restricted when the first tee is booked for matches and visiting parties - please refer to the Club Diary which is regularly updated.

Are there any restrictions on when Juniors can play?

Juniors with a CONGU handicap have the same privileges as Members. Those without handicaps can play the Winter Holes at any time and the main course when accompanied by a Member.

Can I play in Club competitions even though I have an Inactive handicap?

Yes you can. You should, however, check when playing in eg. Open competitions at other courses.

COURSE CONDITION

Why don't you pump the water out of Bunkers?

We do when bunkers are slow to drain but this is a labour intensive operation requiring at least 2 members of staff and can be repeated several times a week if we have prolonged wet weather.  Pumping water out of bunkers only treats the symptom and not the cause which is usually a problem with the field drains.  This may be a damaged pipe or a pipe blocked with tree roots or sand.  It is far better to investigate and correct any problem with the drains rather than spend countless hours pumping water out of a bunker only to find the bunker full of water the following day.

How often do you cut the greens and at what height?

During the winter months (November - March) the greens are cut as required and as weather conditions allow.  Height of cut 7mm.  This reduces to 5mm in the spring, then as growth strengthens, usually in June, the height of cut reduces to 3mm.  At this point we start to cut in the morning and again in the afternoon.  This usually happens 3 times a week.

Do you use organic products on the course?

We try to use Organic products wherever possible, examples of which are:

Superturf SSD organic fertiliser containing 8% Nitrogen, 0% Phosphates, 0% Potassium on greens and tees.

Seapower Organic No.1. A liquid product extracted from seaweed harvested from around the Orkney Islands.  This product helps to promote a stronger root development and improved resistance to disease and drought

Why repair pitch marks?

The repair of pitch marks will result in a smoother playing surface, less chance of birds damaging the turf looking for insects.  Reduce the risk of undesirable weed and grass seeds present in the soil germinating and produce a more attractive looking playing surface.

Does play on white frosted greens damage the grass?

Yes.  The grass leaf can bruise as can be seen with trolley wheel marks on the fairways.  If greens are healthy and have a strong dense sward they can withstand most play.

There can be a problem if greens have frozen solid for several days and then you have a quick thaw.  The surface softens but underneath remains solid.  This can result in damage to the root system from a shearing action.

Why do you spike the greens so often?

We aerate the greens regularly to allow oxygen into the surface.  This helps beneficial bacteria to break down organic material (dead plant material commonly called thatch) which forms near surface level.  Turf by its very nature requires a small amount of thatch to hold the surface together but if it becomes too dense and too deep (several inches) it will prevent oxygen from entering the surface.

Regular (monthly) aeration will also allow water and products such as fertiliser top dressings and wetting agent to penetrate into the root zone helping to maintain a healthy turf sward.

Another form of aeration we carry out is hollow coring to physically remove the organic material (thatch) and replace this with a sand soil mix, helping to improve the root zone material.

The frequency of hollow coring and tining is based on the advice of our consultant agronomist following an analysis of cores taken from the greens.  These cores give a sample of the material below the greens and indicate the thickness of any thatch.

PLAYING TIMES

 * At weekends if NGC Secretary unavailable then Clubhouse Manager can authorise but visitors must have a handicap certificate.