Brighton & Hove Golf Club
Greens Frost Policy
Greens Frost Policy
Brighton & Hove Golf Club has a Greens Frost Policy. This means that during a white frost and when the greens are frozen, the course will be closed and will reopen as decided by the Greens staff. If Greens staff are not present then the Pro/Secretary and/or Chair of Greens will make the decision.
We will do our best to get everyone out onto the course once it is reopened. If the delay is up to 30 minutes then tee times will be pushed back by the amount of time lost and we will follow the order of the tee sheet. For example, if the first tee time booked is 8am and the course reopens at 8.30am, then those booked in at 8am will play first. If the delay is longer than 30 minutes, then tee times will be pushed back on a rolling 30-minute basis. For example, if the course is closed until 9am, then those who booked for 8.30am will tee off first, and so on. This rolling 30-minute tee time adjustment will also apply during any closures due to fog or other weather conditions.
If the delay is more than 30 minutes then those who have booked the earliest times could lose their slots. Again, we will do our best to get everyone out onto the course.
The condition of the course will be reviewed every 30 minutes until the all clear is given.
Competitions will follow the same process and if the frost delay is more than 30 minutes from the start time of a competition then it will more than likely be cancelled or reduced to 9 holes. All competitions which are cancelled will be rearranged if a suitable date can be found.
Why?
During a white frost, footprints, trolley wheels and vehicle tyres crush the frozen grass leaves leaving superficial blackened scorch marks. This will damage the course.
Also, if play is allowed during a white frost, clumps of frozen grass from golf shoes are deposited on the greens. This debris makes putting difficult for others and would need to be cleared off manually before it re-freezes as mowing is less frequent in winter.
The grass on the greens is much shorter and therefore has less insulation from the cold than other grasses such as on fairways and aprons.
Most physical damage is done to fine turf during the period of thaw, when the greens are warming in the sun from the surface downwards. The white frost may be gone but ice still remains in the root zone. The surface becomes very soft and wet while the ground below can still be frozen and movement of the turf by footfall or mower traffic will damage roots and compact the green.
We are aware that closing the course due to frost is frustrating for you but your consideration and patience is much appreciated as we strive to protect the course during the testing winter months so that it is in even better condition for you during the main golfing season.
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