The Green Committee’s update of July 24 provided information on the work being done around the Course to combat the challenges of a very dry and hot Spring and early Summer. Since then, we have had 2 further heat waves (one rather frustratingly in the week immediately following our Greens’ week) and less than 10mm of rain. These drought conditions are further taking their toll around the Course, most notably on the fairways, which are not protected by fairway irrigation. It is now inevitable that we will need to carry out some fairly extensive remedial work on the fairways in the Autumn in order to regain a healthy grass coverage in time for next year’s Spring season – further details of this will be communicated towards the end of the Summer season in late September.

In the short-term, in order to maintain the highest possible levels of play on our fairways in their current condition, we will be introducing Preferred Lies in the general area cut to fairway height or less from Wednesday 27th August. This local rule will replace the current local rules covering cracks in fairways and seams of turf.

It should perhaps be noted that we are not alone in this position, and indeed, many Courses around the UK without fairway irrigation protection have allowed Preferred Lies throughout the whole year to date.