Tuesday, May 26, 2020

GOLF SOUTH AYRSHIRE - membership arrangements and guidelines for play announced in readiness for golf restart

Golf South Ayrshire have announced details of the arrangements for commencing play on the 8 local authority courses in the area from Friday 29th May, pending  Scottish Government approval, including on course arrangements and the introduction of a flexi-membership arrangement in place of the traditional season ticket process at this stage, to allow golfers to commence playing on the courses as soon as permissible.

A series of questions and answers regarding the new flexi membership arrangements have been published by Golf South Ayrshire:-

REOPENING & FLEXI MEMBERSHIP - FAQ

You will have a number of questions relating to the reopening of the courses.

We have tried to answer as many questions below, however if there is anything we haven’t covered, please email info@golfsouthayrshire.com and we will endeavour to get back to you within 2 working days.

Why are you not selling the Traditional Season Ticket?

Our Season Ticket offers unlimited access to 8 courses throughout South Ayrshire. Due to the gradual relaxation of restrictions, with access to tee times also restricted, it may be several months before we are able to offer the Season Ticket in its traditional form.

Initially tee time intervals will be increased, and the size of groups restricted. This means the availability of tee times and group size will be around 25% of our usual capacity.

This may restrict your ability to be able to book the course and time that you want.

Is there a limit to the number of golfers per tee time?

Play will initially be limited to 2 per tee time at 15 minute intervals. Tee times will be available from 7am to 7pm daily.

All tee times will be available to FLEXI-Members, there will be no Visitor times available initially.

Is there a limit to the number of times I can book in a week?

To meet the anticipated demand for tee times, we may have to restrict the maximum number of bookings per golfer to 2 per week. This will be under constant review and will be immediately relaxed if we are sure there is enough capacity for everyone wishing to play.

When will we get back to normal play?

We simply do not know how things will progress. We may have to enter another period of lockdown and close the courses. The administrative resources required to start, stop and restart memberships, direct debits and issue refunds to all members would be an impossible task.

The FLEXI-Membership, allows you to join as a member and to play golf immediately, however you will only pay for what you use with no long term commitment.

What is the FLEXI-Membership?

The FLEXI-Membership, is a points based membership which allows you to join online as a member and make payment online to top up your membership account. This removes the requirement to sign up and pay within the clubhouse, reducing the risk to our customers and staff. It also removes the requirement to check-in with the starter, however it is essential that you pre-book before arriving onsite.

How much does it cost?

To become a FLEXI-Member and play on the courses will cost as little as £50 and can be purchased in multiples of 50.

All member rounds will cost 5 points, and guest rates will vary by course. Junior Golfers will only be charged 2 points per round (proof of age may be requested by a member of staff)

MEMBER GUEST RATES
Belleisle, Darley and Lochgreen 18 points
Fullarton and Seafield 12 points
Dalmilling and Girvan 10 points
Maybole 7 points

How do I sign up?

The Golf Booking Line, 01292 616255, will be open from Tuesday 26 May and daily thereafter between 9am and 5pm.

You will then receive a confirmation email within 48hrs with instructions on how to register your online account. As soon as you have added points to your account, you will be ready to book your first round of golf.

To enable as many people to sign up as possible ahead of the reopening date, tee time bookings will not go live until Thursday 28 May*.

From the 5 June, the booking line will only be available Monday – Friday between 9am and 12noon.

*Dependent on the First Minister confirming the easing of lockdown restrictions on Thursday 28 May.

Can I come to the clubhouse to pay?

Initially no, the clubhouses will be closed, our staff on the course will also not be accepting any cash payments. All transactions must be completed online or on the telephone by Debit or Credit Card.

How does the points system work?

When you book your next round of golf points will then be automatically deducted from your account.

If you cancel your tee time with greater than 24hrs notice, they will immediately be refunded.
You may also use your points to pay for a guest (Member’s guest rates apply).

If you are booking another FLEXI-Member into your tee time, their account will be deducted the required number of points.

*Telephone bookings will be available Monday – Friday 9am to 12noon only.

Why can I not use my points on any golf course?

Initially, due to travel restrictions, you will only be able to redeem points at a single location. These are; Troon Links, Belleisle Park, Dalmilling, Girvan or Maybole. We therefore encourage you to play at your nearest course.

As restrictions are lifted, we plan to be able to make points redeemable at any of the courses.
What if I still have points remaining when the traditional season ticket becomes available?

You can use them towards the cost of converting your FLEXI-Membership to one of our traditional Season Ticket types.

All points purchased will be valid until 31st March 2021.

Will I still be able to play if I don’t want a FLEXI-Membership?

Initially no. Priority will be given to members only. Once travel, group size restrictions are relaxed and tee time availability increases, you will be able to pay to play as a visitor by booking online.

Is the FLEXI-Membership available for Juniors?

Not yet. The guidelines recommend that all juniors should play with an adult from their own household for now, a Junior Guest rate is available when booking online.

Golf South Ayrshire have also issued guidance on procedures on and off the courses once golf restarts:-

Scottish Golf, sportScotland and the Scottish Government have agreed a set of guidelines on how golf can be played when restrictions are eased on 28th May. We anticipate that golf will be able to resume on 29th May at the earliest.

The following information covers all key areas: booking your round, arrival at the facility, on the course and after the round.

Our number one priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our community of golfers, clubs and staff. Please take the time to familiarise yourself with the details in this document.

Also be aware that Golf will be in the spotlight at this time and it is essential that we all follow the guidance and physically distance at all times.

We will not hesitate to close the courses if we cannot be certain that the risk to Public Health is minimised.

As guidance changes it may be necessary to update this document.

BOOKING YOUR ROUND
Travel to the golf course must be in line with Scottish Government guidelines – in Phase 1 local travel is noted as broadly 5 miles from home.

If you are in the highest risk (shielding) group outlined by the Government, then you should stay at home.

If you are displaying any symptoms of a cold or COVID-19, you are not permitted to access the facility, or course for a period of 14 days.

Only FLEXI-Members and their guests are permitted to play.

All rounds of golf must be pre-booked, you must not turn up to the facility without a booking. A limited telephone booking service will be available Monday to Friday 9am – 12noon and will be for members only.

You can also download the mobile app by visiting the App Store or Google Play Store and by searching ‘BRS GOLF’

All players must be entered at the time of booking. If you intend to play on your own, you must select RESERVED in the Player 2 slot. Another player will be also able to book into this tee time if you leave it blank.

Times will become available at 5am and be bookable up to 7 days in advance.

First tee time will be 7am and last will be 7pm, daily.

Times may be cancelled up to 24hrs in advance a full and immediate refund will be made.

Times not cancelled will be charged in full.

If the course is closed for COVID-19 restrictions or inclement weather, a full and immediate refund will be given.

Tee Time intervals will be 15 minutes – this MUST be strictly observed.

There will be a maximum of 2 players per tee time.

Anyone found not to be observing tee time intervals or are playing in groups of greater than 2 players, will be asked to leave the course. No refunds will be offered. No exceptions.

ARRIVAL AND WAITING TO PLAY
The clubhouse and locker room facilities will remain closed. There will be no access to the toilets or changing facilities, please arrive ready to play.

If you require your equipment from a locker, then call 01292 616255, to make an appointment to collect your equipment. A member of staff will remove the items for you.

The Pro Shop will be open, 1 customer will be permitted in at any one time. Please observe social distancing at all times. There will be markings on the ground to advise customers where to stand when queuing. Please do not linger.

There is no requirement to check in for play, there will be a member of staff on course who will confirm your arrival. If you are not booked in to play, you will be asked to leave.

Arrival at the facility; Please arrive ready to play no earlier than 15 minutes prior to your tee time. Please remain in your car until 10 minutes prior to your tee time and please do not go to the tee until 5 minutes prior to your tee time.

Please do not congregate in the carpark with your peers.

You MUST maintain 2m Social Distancing at all times.

No trolleys, buggies or clubs will be available for hire.

There will be no scorecards available.

Please bring your own hand sanitiser with you, and use this at regular intervals throughout your round.

ON THE COURSE
During the course of the lockdown, we have been following an essential maintenance programme only. Some areas of the course have not been maintained as normal. It may take a little time for some areas of the course to return to normal. Please respect this and our staff.

On-Course Items
All rakes will be removed – Bunkers will remain GUR until further notice, as such relief from a bunker will be possible without penalty.

Ball washers will be covered up.

All Benches and bins will be removed, covered or sign-posted in such a way that players don’t touch them – please be responsible and take your rubbish home with you.

All other removable items will be removed, except that stakes defining areas of the course can be treated as immovable obstructions.

Hole and Flagstick
Flagsticks will be used, please note that flagsticks are not to be touched or removed. Please do not use your putter to retrieve your ball as this will damage the hole.

The hole cup will be inverted making the ball easier to retrieve by hand, please do not use your putter to retrieve your ball.

Practice Areas
All Practice Ranges and Practice Nets will remain closed until further notice. Please respect this and respect the courses by not practicing on them.

The Practice Putting Green will be open and may be used, the flagpoles will be removed and the cups inverted. Please do not use your putter to retrieve your ball.

DURING YOUR ROUND
Social Distancing reminders will be placed throughout the golf course.

Teeing Areas
You must maintain social distancing at all times, and remember to keep 2 metres apart at teeing areas due the normal close proximity of golfers to one another when tee shots are being played.

Only 1 player is permitted on a tee box at any one time.

General
You must stay more than 2 metres apart when walking to the ball, searching for a ball and playing shots.

Do not touch any golf ball other than your own.

Bunkers
As there are no rakes on the course, bunkers will remain GUR until further notice.

Putting Greens
You must keep 2 metres apart from your playing partner on the putting greens and not to touch the flagstick. When retrieving the ball please do not use your putter as this may damage the hole.

AFTER YOUR ROUND
Social distancing is as important after a round as it is during the round, so when the round is over you must leave the course and the facility immediately so that there are no gatherings around the clubhouse area.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS GUIDANCE
Please do not be offended if a member of staff reminds you of any of these measures.

Repeated failure to follow these measures, may result in you being asked to leave the course, a serious breach of these measures may result in the forfeiture of your membership.

The Council reserves the right to temporarily close any course or facility to ensure the safety of its staff and customer at any point.

UPDATES
This document will be reviewed and updated when new guidance or measures are announced by Scottish Golf, or Scottish Government in relation to tackling the COVID-19 virus.

Further information and updated guidance is available via the Golf South Ayrshire website at www.golfsouthayrshire.com

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