Valentine’s Weekend Menu
Swing Room FAQ
A new Swing Room will be installed in the month of January to allow Gavin to offer a leading swing training service and the opportunity for Members to ‘play’ some of the worlds leading courses.
1. What are the opening times of the Swing Room?
The Swing room will be available for booking by members from 09.00 to 20.00. The opening times may be extended later on in the year to earlier in the morning.
2. What is available in the Swing Room?
The Swing Room can be set up in one of two modes.
The Swing Room can be set up for a practice session. This format allows the player to practice driving, short game and putting. Technical information and analysis is automatically provided for the player that can help improve technique.
The Swing Room can also be set up to allow a player play a virtual golf course e.g. Pebble Beach or St Andrews.
3. What will it cost to play?
For a practice session the cost is €5 per half hour
For a virtual course the cost is €20 per hour.
4. Does it matter how many play at one time?
No. If a player books a one-hour time slot he or she may play alone or with up to 3 other players during that hour. The total cost for the 4 players is still €20 and the players can decide to split the cost between themselves.
5. How do I book a slot?
A time slot may be booked through the Pro shop at any time on 01-8436439 Payment will be taken at the time of booking using the members GUI/ILGU card which must be in credit at the time of booking. No refunds will be made. In the event that the Pro shop is closed e.g. in the evening time, then a time slot can be booked in the bar.
6. Can I get lessons in the Swing Room?
Yes. Club Professional Gavin will be delighted to give lessons in the Swing Room to members. Lessons should be booked directly with Gavin. The Swing Room offers all members the opportunity to avail of driving lessons.
7. Are there any restriction on what I can book?
The Swing Room can only be booked for 30 minute slots on Saturday and Sunday morning for practice sessions to allow the maximum number of “warm-up” opportunities for members.
8. How long does it take to play a virtual course?
For one player a time slot of about two hours might be required. But if four players were playing the course then a longer time slot will be needed. The booking system is based on booking time slots.
Restaurant Menu & Opening Hours
Opening hours:
Monday ,Tuesday 11 am to 6.30 pm .Wednesday 10 am to 7 pm. Thursday 11 am to 6.30 pm. Friday 11 am to 6.30 pm . Saturday and Sunday 10am to 7 pm . Closing times are flexible if four or more wish to avail of our restaurant facilities please contact John 0879303602 and you will be well catered for by John and his staff.
#challenginggreens
2019 rule changes you may not be aware of.
By now, most Members will have adapted to the new rules and the new terminology introduced on January 1st – dropping from knee height, putting with the flagstick in the hole, removing cones, twigs, etc from a bunker without penalty, the 3-minute search time, touching the sand in the bunker without penalty.
Well, there are some relatively unknown rules changes that may help you during a round and perhaps save a couple of shots.
Teeing area:
1. If you have a fresh air, while it still counts as a stroke, you are now allowed re-tee anywhere else within the teeing area, playing two. Likewise, if the “swish” generated by the club passing the ball causes it to fall off the tee, you may replace the ball on the tee without penalty – your next stroke being your second.
General Area:
Formally referred to as “through the green”, it comprises the entire area of the course except (1) the teeing area of the hole being played, (2) all bunkers, (3) all penalty areas, and (4) the green of the hole being played.
1. There is no longer a penalty if you accidentally have a double-hit, it counts as one stroke only and no penalty is incurred. This also applies on the putting green for those with the “yips”.
2. There is no longer a penalty if your ball accidentally hits you, your caddie, partner, opponent and their equipment after a stroke. The ball is played as it lies.
3. There is no longer a penalty if, during a fair search, you accidentally move your ball. However, it must be replaced in exactly the same position, recreating the lie even underneath leaves, grass, etc.
Caution! if your ball comes to rest short of where you believe it is and you kick it while striding forward to where you believe it to be, there is a (one-stroke) penalty for causing your ball to move as it’s not considered a search!. It must be replaced as above, with a one-stroke penalty.
4. When you drop a ball under relief within the one/two club-lengths required, it must remain within the relief area. It is no longer allowed to roll a further two further club-lengths. If it doesn’t remain with the relief area after two drops, it is placed where the second drop hits the ground.
5. Free relief for an embedded ball is allowed anywhere in the General Area except when embedded in sand. In taking relief, you drop within one club-length behind the spot, no nearer the hole.
6. There is no longer a reference to burrowing animals in the rules. You have one club-length free relief from all animal holes – rabbits, dogs, hares, birds, etc. – except worms and insects which are treated as loose impediments.
Penalty Areas:
1. Formally known as hazards, the new rules provide the same basic relief options that existed under the old rules with one exception. The option to drop on the far side of a red penalty area is no longer available except by local rule. In Beaverstown, the lake at the back of the 15th green is the only PA where a drop on the far side is allowed under local rule.
2. Under the new rules, you may now ground your club, take a practice swing and touch the water with your hand or club without penalty. There is also no penalty if you remove any loose impediment from a penalty area as long as you don’t cause the ball to move.
Bunkers:
1. You may now remove twigs, leaves, stones and any natural objects without penalty as long as you don’t cause the ball to move. While you may casually touch the sand, you cannot test the sand or touch it immediately in front of or behind the ball, take a practice stroke or touch the sand on your back swing.
Putting Green:
1. You can now repair almost any damage on the green – spike marks, indentations, animal damage, hole plugs, except aeration holes and natural imperfections.
2. There is no longer a penalty for touching your line of putt, e.g. by your caddie pointing out your line of putt.
3. If your ball ends up wedged between the flagstick and the rim of the hole, even after a putt, it is considered “holed” once any part of the ball is below the surface of the green. It doesn’t have to fall to the bottom of the hole.
4. If you accidentally move your ball (on the green only), e.g. in making a practice putt, replace the ball without penalty.
5. In windy conditions or on sloping greens, it is advisable to mark your ball without delay. If your ball moves before you get to it, it is played from its new position. If it moves after it has been marked, you replace it. Needless to say, if it may move closer to the hole, there is no penalty for not marking it as long as you don’t delay play.
Summary:
I hope this article has helped. There is no substitute for reading the little rule book to familiarise yourself with the new rules, particularly the Definitions starting on page 136.
Paul Kennedy.
