Fog policy - Kirkbymoorside Golf Course

Kirkbymoorside Golf Club Fog Policy

Although it is rare for Kirkbymoorside Golf Club to suffer from poor visibility; it is prudent to have a Fog Policy to ensure that members, visitors and staff alike are kept safe from harm.

It is incumbent on the management of the Club to try and keep the course open for as long as possible but only when it is safe to do so. This policy sets out the procedures to close the course when fog or mist prohibits visibility when friendly and competition golf is in operation.

The bench mark to determine if play can start or continue will be measured by the ability to see the far end of the fence between the 18^th hole and Manor Vale, approximately 215 yards. If play is allowed it is still the responsibility of players to not hit a ball further than they can see it land.

Competition Golf

The Competitions Committee/Pro Shop Staff will be the sole judge of whether or not visibility is good enough for play to start or continue. On occasions Fog will remain longer than anticipated and therefore good communication with the competitors is vital. Time limits should be stated, for example an inspection in 15 minutes or half an hour, this will stop competitors being anxious. If the delay prevents the competition to be completed it should be abandoned and this decision will rest solely with the Competition Committee or their appointee. Enough time should be given once the fog has lifted to allow competitors preparation time to play and also time for the fog to come back in, this period of pre play should be no less than 10 minutes.

Friendly Golf

The management will endeavour to get everyone off in order of their start time. If no tee reservations are in place then it may be possible to accommodate all golfers in the remaining daylight hours. It would be the management’s duty to inform golfers of the total time delay, so they can arrive at the Club at their new appropriate time. If there is a tee reservation, the golfers waiting would have to give way to this tee reservation. The management would liaise with the organiser of that tee reservation to endeavour to accommodate as many of those golfers waiting to play as possible. However, if this is not possible it may be the case that the waiting golfers will not be able to start. Again enough time should be given once the fog has lifted to allow competitors preparation time to play and also time for the fog to come back in, this period of pre play should be no less than 10 minutes.

Below are listed some of responsibilities of Members, Visitors and Green Staff.

Responsibility of Management/Pro Shop Staff

to ensure at all times the safety of members, visitors and staff are paramount

to close the Course when visibility prevent seeing 215 yards

to communicate and update the situation as often as possible with waiting golfers

to give time limits when inspections will take place

to allow for a minimum of 10 minutes pre play before starting or restarting

to restart as soon as possible

to ensure as many waiting groups get off on the order of their original start time

to liaise with groups that have tee reservations to see if a compromise can not be reached

to abandon the competition if it is obvious that not enough time is left to complete the competition

Responsibility of Members/Visitors

to listen and take notice of instruction by management

to “make up” as much as possible to ensure the least amount of time is lost

to be ready to play when asked

to tell the Pro Shop Staff if you are unable to play because of later commitments

to abandon their game when playing on the course if the fog comes down and golfers can’t see more than 215 yards

to not attempt to hit the ball further than they can see it landing
to be reasonable if told that you were not able to play.

Responsibility of Green Staff

to keep safe at all times and wear appropriate PPC
to help give instruction to golfers on the Course
to remind golfers of their responsibility whilst on the Course

Suspension of play

If no one is playing on the course when the decision is made to suspend play a notice will be placed on the 1st Tee.

If visibility becomes limited on any part of the course it is the individual responsibility of all golfers to cease play and report the condition as soon as practical to a Club Official

When players are on the course and conditions deteriorate such that in the opinion of an authorised club official play should be suspended we will adopt the signals as recommended within the Rules of Golf “Suspension of Play due to a Dangerous Situation” which are:

Discontinue play immediately: One prolonged note of the klaxon

Discontinue play: Three consecutive notes of klaxon, repeated

Resume play: Two short notes of klaxon, repeated.

All golfers must not commence or continue play when the decision to cease play has been made by the Club.