Course drought: Don't panic!

Course sprinklers may be banned

With even more rain forecast this week, the threat of water restrictions to golf courses - especially in the south and south west of England - may look merely a pipe dream for water authorities.

But despite the dreadful weather (so far one of the wettest Mays on record), a water shortage is still a very real prospect though golfers should not panic just yet.

UK golf courses are being advised to stay calm as Britain's first drought order in a decade comes into force and forecasters predict a summer of shortages.

Michael Shaw from the National Golf Clubs' Advisory Association says that golf clubs can minimise the disruption to their courses with a little careful planning.

"Whenever the threat of a hosepipe ban rears its head, golf club managers and greenkeepers tend to panic. Everyone, including members, has to be sensible and bear in mind that with the British weather it is simply not possible to have Augusta-style conditions throughout the year."

Michael Shaw

1) Check the exact details of the drought order. It might just ban hoses but not sprinklers, and an order wouldn't normally apply to bore holes or water saved and recycled by courses. Once a drought order has been granted, the relevant water authority must inform its consumers either by post or through the local press as to the extent of the restrictions being placed upon them.

2) Meet your green keeper and agronomist. Make sure you discuss the situation, including the worst case scenario, and work out an action plan. This might include reducing the size of the greens or not skimming dew from the greens each morning.

3) Brown isn't a problem. Accept that keeping the grass alive is the one over-riding issue. This doesn't necessarily playing on a beautiful green sward the whole time!

4) Contact your neighbouring water authority. It might well be that they don't have a ban in place. Most are happy to sell their waste water but bear in mind the storage issues.

And as for the vexed question of whether or not members can claim a refund for the days when they are unable to play because the course is out of commission, Shaw is adamant:

"Clubs can rest assured that members don't have a leg to stand on. Though clubs try their utmost, no club will ever guarantee that a course will be fit for play 365 days a year. Given the British weather, this would be madness!"

For further advice about minimising the disruption, contact Mr Shaw at the NGCAA on 01684 311353.