NOTICE BOARD
Information is everywhere nowadays and news spreads fast - we have social media, noticeboards for each golfing section, a Forrester Park website that details the activities of the whole club, golfing section websites and a noticeboard adjacent the 1st tee. Problematic as it is, every endeavour is made to ensure the information appearing on this site is comprehensive, current and accurate, so please refer here regularly to keep up-to-date! If you spot an error, omission or inconsistency, please let a member of the Committee know, so it can be corrected. Likewise, let us know if you feel there's something missing that might be added to benefit others!
Thank You, and Happy Golfing!
Thank You, and Happy Golfing!
Captain's Blog
Regular comment and information from our Captain
November
Well, its been a real pleasure to have taken over the role as captain and all the responsibilities that go along with it.
The start of the month the course was if fantastic condition with all the works being carried out and future plans in place for further improvements.
The weather has changed to more wintery now with lots of rain and more on the way but the course is still playing very well and the greens are still great.
I wanted to thank Head greenkeeper Nick for all his hard work and I was saddened to hear of his leaving to go to pastures new at another golf club. I wish him all the best for the future and hope his knowledge and dedication will help bring his new golf club to the high standard we have at Forrester Park.
There was a casino night which was great fun, sadly it wasn’t well supported by the members but still went ahead as planned. The night was such fun and a success and a hit to those that did support and attend the event. We hope that another will be planned. If travelling to and from the venue is a reason, share a taxi with other members….
We as members need to support these events as much as we can so the club has a successful future for us all, and to go onto bigger and better things. These events also hold an opportunity to support the Captain's Charity.
With the Captain's Charity in mind, if there is an event you would like us to put on with Bill/Leo’s help, please come and see one of us or drop us a message.
One thing Moir and myself are really enjoying is the Sundays at the club. The menu for food is great and it’s such a positive thing to see so many members in the clubhouse before and after the competitions. The Forrester Park clubhouse buzz has come back and I want to thank you all for attending the clubhouse.
So let’s all keep pushing forward to improve our club on and off the course as much as we can!
I look forward to the next month's golfing with you all.
February
There has been a positive response to various club events that have been held over the past few months and we have a continued and growing support for these events. It is great to see all the sections getting involved and them all raising funds for various charities and long may this continue.
The various improvements on and off the course have made a difference, I especially want to mention the new winter tee boxes that have been installed.
The new Greenkeepers building is going forward at a great pace and will be most welcomed and I’m sure will be of huge benefit and most welcome by the staff.
The 13th tee is having a major makeover and levelling off and then refurbished, which will make such a difference when all the works are completed.
I wanted to thank Bill and the management staff for implementing the course closures when they have deemed necessary and I’m sure you will all agree that is has made a significant difference in the course condition. There are lots of roped off areas which are also helping keep the course in better day-to-day condition.
I have enjoyed coming to the club frequently in the week and weekends whilst I have been unable to play, and I’m just starting to play a few holes and getting back to playing fully again.
Well, its been a real pleasure to have taken over the role as captain and all the responsibilities that go along with it.
The start of the month the course was if fantastic condition with all the works being carried out and future plans in place for further improvements.
The weather has changed to more wintery now with lots of rain and more on the way but the course is still playing very well and the greens are still great.
I wanted to thank Head greenkeeper Nick for all his hard work and I was saddened to hear of his leaving to go to pastures new at another golf club. I wish him all the best for the future and hope his knowledge and dedication will help bring his new golf club to the high standard we have at Forrester Park.
There was a casino night which was great fun, sadly it wasn’t well supported by the members but still went ahead as planned. The night was such fun and a success and a hit to those that did support and attend the event. We hope that another will be planned. If travelling to and from the venue is a reason, share a taxi with other members….
We as members need to support these events as much as we can so the club has a successful future for us all, and to go onto bigger and better things. These events also hold an opportunity to support the Captain's Charity.
With the Captain's Charity in mind, if there is an event you would like us to put on with Bill/Leo’s help, please come and see one of us or drop us a message.
One thing Moir and myself are really enjoying is the Sundays at the club. The menu for food is great and it’s such a positive thing to see so many members in the clubhouse before and after the competitions. The Forrester Park clubhouse buzz has come back and I want to thank you all for attending the clubhouse.
So let’s all keep pushing forward to improve our club on and off the course as much as we can!
I look forward to the next month's golfing with you all.
February
There has been a positive response to various club events that have been held over the past few months and we have a continued and growing support for these events. It is great to see all the sections getting involved and them all raising funds for various charities and long may this continue.
The various improvements on and off the course have made a difference, I especially want to mention the new winter tee boxes that have been installed.
The new Greenkeepers building is going forward at a great pace and will be most welcomed and I’m sure will be of huge benefit and most welcome by the staff.
The 13th tee is having a major makeover and levelling off and then refurbished, which will make such a difference when all the works are completed.
I wanted to thank Bill and the management staff for implementing the course closures when they have deemed necessary and I’m sure you will all agree that is has made a significant difference in the course condition. There are lots of roped off areas which are also helping keep the course in better day-to-day condition.
I have enjoyed coming to the club frequently in the week and weekends whilst I have been unable to play, and I’m just starting to play a few holes and getting back to playing fully again.
Course Committee & Suggestions
The Course Committee, comprising representatives from each golfing section together with FP management, meets regularly to discuss issues relating to course maintenance and development. It also serves as a conduit for members to give and receive feedback and specifically to receive members' suggestions.
At this time, suggestions can be submitted using a paper form, downloadable here or on the LINKS tab (main Menu) or obtainable from behind the bar. Suggestions must be accompanied by the member's name - anonymous submissions will be disregarded. Completed forms should be posted in the Committee Box - this is situated in the corridor on the wall opposite the rear entrance door.
A commentary on current suggestions/projects will also be posted on the Noticeboard in the rear corridor from time to time and Minutes of meetings held can be viewed on the MINUTES tab (Main Menu).
At this time, suggestions can be submitted using a paper form, downloadable here or on the LINKS tab (main Menu) or obtainable from behind the bar. Suggestions must be accompanied by the member's name - anonymous submissions will be disregarded. Completed forms should be posted in the Committee Box - this is situated in the corridor on the wall opposite the rear entrance door.
A commentary on current suggestions/projects will also be posted on the Noticeboard in the rear corridor from time to time and Minutes of meetings held can be viewed on the MINUTES tab (Main Menu).
CCA Updates
Please re-visit the references to CCAs - via the COMPS tab or the CCA tab. Members with insufficiently funded CCAs will not be eligible to compete in Competitions i.e. will not be eligible to win a prize, including entitlement to Birdie Vouchers and Hole-in-One benefits.
Competition Entry Fees Increase October 2023
At the AGM held on September 27th, it was agreed that the entry fee for standard Sunday competitions would increase from £3.50 to £5.00. It was also agreed that the entry fee for the Winter League competition would increase to £15 per player (£30 per pair...).
This is the first increase in nearly 20 years and will enable the Committee to expand the number of prizes and enhance the value of those prizes to the benefit of all competitors.
Please check your CCA Status and adjust accordingly for the new Fee levels.
Competition Entry Fees Increase October 2023
At the AGM held on September 27th, it was agreed that the entry fee for standard Sunday competitions would increase from £3.50 to £5.00. It was also agreed that the entry fee for the Winter League competition would increase to £15 per player (£30 per pair...).
This is the first increase in nearly 20 years and will enable the Committee to expand the number of prizes and enhance the value of those prizes to the benefit of all competitors.
Please check your CCA Status and adjust accordingly for the new Fee levels.
Winter Rules 2023-2024
Winter Rules ("Pick 'n Place") are now in force and will remain so until our Greens staff decide they can be removed (usually around March/April time. See below for the official description of the Rule.
Relief available under Preferred Lies is covered by the R&A's Model Rule E3:
When a player's ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less,
the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball at a
spot not more than 6”, and not nearer the hole, from where it lay, and playing it
from that spot. In proceeding under this Local Rule, the player must choose a spot
to place the ball and use the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules
14.2b(2) and 14.2e. Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in breach of
Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a
Note: Inevitably (and sometimes frustratingly!) one rule makes cross reference to others - one suggestion is to download the handy R&A App (IOS & Android), which can be searched quickly for fuller information on all the current rules!
Please Note: The Rule applies to the General Area i.e. not Hazards and therefore not Bunkers! Unless there is specific provision to the contrary, one may drop out of water, not nearer the hole, but still within the bunker. If this is not possible (e.g. bunker totally flooded...) then it must be deemed unplayable, under the normal rule for an unplayable lie and under the usual penalty.
Yes, it's unfortunate, but 'rub of the green' and 'same for everyone'. Them's the rules, shouldn't have hit it there in the first place..!
Whilst you're reading this, please refresh your memory about previously published prompts concerning winter golf. Thank you for your cooperation!
Safety in Fog: see here
18th Green: see here
Immovable Obstructions: see here
Do Ropes Apply to Me?: see here
Greens Etiquette: see here
Relief available under Preferred Lies is covered by the R&A's Model Rule E3:
When a player's ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less,
the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball at a
spot not more than 6”, and not nearer the hole, from where it lay, and playing it
from that spot. In proceeding under this Local Rule, the player must choose a spot
to place the ball and use the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules
14.2b(2) and 14.2e. Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in breach of
Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a
Note: Inevitably (and sometimes frustratingly!) one rule makes cross reference to others - one suggestion is to download the handy R&A App (IOS & Android), which can be searched quickly for fuller information on all the current rules!
Please Note: The Rule applies to the General Area i.e. not Hazards and therefore not Bunkers! Unless there is specific provision to the contrary, one may drop out of water, not nearer the hole, but still within the bunker. If this is not possible (e.g. bunker totally flooded...) then it must be deemed unplayable, under the normal rule for an unplayable lie and under the usual penalty.
Yes, it's unfortunate, but 'rub of the green' and 'same for everyone'. Them's the rules, shouldn't have hit it there in the first place..!
Whilst you're reading this, please refresh your memory about previously published prompts concerning winter golf. Thank you for your cooperation!
Safety in Fog: see here
18th Green: see here
Immovable Obstructions: see here
Do Ropes Apply to Me?: see here
Greens Etiquette: see here
World Handicap System (WHS)
Across the world, golfing powers-that-be have come together to devise a World Handicap System (WHS). This will enable golfers all over the globe to use a single, unified system to determine their handicap, adjusted for the degree of difficulty for the course they are playing, wherever that is. In the UK, WHS becomes live on 2nd November, 2020.
WHS will replace the present CONGU system and full details can be found here on England Golf’s website. For the essentials, and to enable you to discover what your WHS handicap will be, read on!
First, head over to How Did I Do and navigate to your Handicap Certificate from the menu. In the top left corner, you’ll find your unique “CDH ID” – make a note of this ten digit number. Then, you’ll need to register for an account with England Golf – go here to follow the prompts and activate your profile including entering your CDH ID. When you next log-in, you will obtain your Handicap Index.
Your Handicap Index is calculated from the best 8 of your last 20 rounds of qualifying golf. Each time you play and submit a qualifying score, your index will be adjusted – your index can be used throughout the world! Each golf course has a Course Rating (similar to SSS, compiled from averaging scores from scratch golfers) and has also been given a Slope Rating (broadly, a measure of difficulty arising from the difference in the number of strokes taken by a bogey golfer relative to a scratch golfer – these terms are defined in more detail elsewhere). A course of average difficulty has a Slope of 113, but the range is 55 to 155, the higher the number, the ‘harder’ the course. Slope Ratings can be specific to the tees being used*.
To arrive at your Course Handicap (specific to the course you are going to play), multiply your Handicap Index by the Slope Rating (again, specific to the course you are going to play) and divide by 113. Your handicap (thus adjusted for the degree of course ‘difficulty’), is the result rounded to the nearest whole number. In practice, it is most likely that each course will prominently display a chart, which will simply show Course Handicaps for every Handicap Index, off all the different tees*. Course Ratings and Slope Ratings will similarly be publicised, quite possibly on the scorecard.
(There are some fine-tuning details, such as scores being adjusted as for CSS, and Soft and Hard Caps that prevent overly large swings in handicaps from round to round, but these can be read on the EG site. As now, some types of competitions have handicap allowances e.g. match-play, texas, etc., so your Course Handicap may be further adjusted to your Playing Handicap – i.e. the number of strokes you actually receive for that specific course, off the specific tees for that specific competition.) See here for a list of Mandatory Handicap Allowances according to the competition format being played.
For Forrester Park, here is the chart - the Forrester Park Slope Rating is 132 (white tees*), so calculate or read off your new Course Handicap using your Handicap Index obtained as above.
This may sound complicated, but in essence it is logical and relatively simple – it will become second nature to use! And you will be able to play against anyone, anywhere in the world on any course, and be confident your handicaps will ensure the most level playing field on which to compete, and the most potentially evenly balanced game – which after all, is what the handicap system is all about!
Have a Question? Currently, there are a number of short You Tube videos on the How Did I Do app - have a look at Episode 6, only around 11 minutes long, but an excellent round-up of many commonly asked questions!
WHS will replace the present CONGU system and full details can be found here on England Golf’s website. For the essentials, and to enable you to discover what your WHS handicap will be, read on!
First, head over to How Did I Do and navigate to your Handicap Certificate from the menu. In the top left corner, you’ll find your unique “CDH ID” – make a note of this ten digit number. Then, you’ll need to register for an account with England Golf – go here to follow the prompts and activate your profile including entering your CDH ID. When you next log-in, you will obtain your Handicap Index.
Your Handicap Index is calculated from the best 8 of your last 20 rounds of qualifying golf. Each time you play and submit a qualifying score, your index will be adjusted – your index can be used throughout the world! Each golf course has a Course Rating (similar to SSS, compiled from averaging scores from scratch golfers) and has also been given a Slope Rating (broadly, a measure of difficulty arising from the difference in the number of strokes taken by a bogey golfer relative to a scratch golfer – these terms are defined in more detail elsewhere). A course of average difficulty has a Slope of 113, but the range is 55 to 155, the higher the number, the ‘harder’ the course. Slope Ratings can be specific to the tees being used*.
To arrive at your Course Handicap (specific to the course you are going to play), multiply your Handicap Index by the Slope Rating (again, specific to the course you are going to play) and divide by 113. Your handicap (thus adjusted for the degree of course ‘difficulty’), is the result rounded to the nearest whole number. In practice, it is most likely that each course will prominently display a chart, which will simply show Course Handicaps for every Handicap Index, off all the different tees*. Course Ratings and Slope Ratings will similarly be publicised, quite possibly on the scorecard.
(There are some fine-tuning details, such as scores being adjusted as for CSS, and Soft and Hard Caps that prevent overly large swings in handicaps from round to round, but these can be read on the EG site. As now, some types of competitions have handicap allowances e.g. match-play, texas, etc., so your Course Handicap may be further adjusted to your Playing Handicap – i.e. the number of strokes you actually receive for that specific course, off the specific tees for that specific competition.) See here for a list of Mandatory Handicap Allowances according to the competition format being played.
For Forrester Park, here is the chart - the Forrester Park Slope Rating is 132 (white tees*), so calculate or read off your new Course Handicap using your Handicap Index obtained as above.
This may sound complicated, but in essence it is logical and relatively simple – it will become second nature to use! And you will be able to play against anyone, anywhere in the world on any course, and be confident your handicaps will ensure the most level playing field on which to compete, and the most potentially evenly balanced game – which after all, is what the handicap system is all about!
Have a Question? Currently, there are a number of short You Tube videos on the How Did I Do app - have a look at Episode 6, only around 11 minutes long, but an excellent round-up of many commonly asked questions!
Slow Play in Sunday Competitions
In an effort to ensure that Sunday competitions run smoothly and are enjoyed by all the Committee asks that all members adhere to the following 4 guidelines:-
1. Please book in with the starter at least 15 minutes before your tee time
2. Please arrive on the Tee and be ready to play 5 minutes before your start time
3. On the course when it is your turn to play please be ready to take your shot
4. When at the green please leave your bag at the side of the green where you will exit to the next Tee
Thank you for your co-operation
1. Please book in with the starter at least 15 minutes before your tee time
2. Please arrive on the Tee and be ready to play 5 minutes before your start time
3. On the course when it is your turn to play please be ready to take your shot
4. When at the green please leave your bag at the side of the green where you will exit to the next Tee
Thank you for your co-operation
Club Rules
Click here to read the rules by which the Club operates
Essex Golf Union News
Through your membership at FP and affiliation with Essex Golf Union [EGU], there are opportunities to play other clubs and courses across all the national counties, at reduced rates, via the Inter County Card. Details are here.
Local Rules of Golf
Local Rules are printed on the reverse of the Score Card. See here to view the current version. Temporary Local Rules, or amendments prior to the card being reprinted, may appear on Section Noticeboards in the Clubhouse, and/or on the noticeboard adjacent the 1st tee.
Update, January 2019:
The Committee has reviewed the operation of the Call-Up Holes, 2nd and 5th. From Members' feedback, no significant benefit has been proved to pace of play, so it has been decided to cease this practice. However, when playing the 2nd from the Medal Tee, where players are certain they cannot reach the green, please consider keeping the game flowing under the 'Ready Golf' provisions!
Commentary:
4(c) Immovable Obstructions
Ropes and hoops are variously employed around the course by the greens-staff - these are not to be removed! In the event they interfere with stance or swing, relief may be taken without penalty. If merely interfering with line of sight, no relief to be taken, however, if a ball should strike such an obstruction, the player shall have the option to replay the shot from the original position without penalty.
(We have found that if players remove or seek to re-position hoops and ropes, invariably this proves unsuccessful and chaotic, undoing much of the greens-staff's endeavour...)
Update, January 2019:
The Committee has reviewed the operation of the Call-Up Holes, 2nd and 5th. From Members' feedback, no significant benefit has been proved to pace of play, so it has been decided to cease this practice. However, when playing the 2nd from the Medal Tee, where players are certain they cannot reach the green, please consider keeping the game flowing under the 'Ready Golf' provisions!
Commentary:
4(c) Immovable Obstructions
Ropes and hoops are variously employed around the course by the greens-staff - these are not to be removed! In the event they interfere with stance or swing, relief may be taken without penalty. If merely interfering with line of sight, no relief to be taken, however, if a ball should strike such an obstruction, the player shall have the option to replay the shot from the original position without penalty.
(We have found that if players remove or seek to re-position hoops and ropes, invariably this proves unsuccessful and chaotic, undoing much of the greens-staff's endeavour...)
Ground Under Repair
At the time of writing, the following are areas of the course designated Ground Under Repair:
1. Greenside 'bunker' on left approach to 2nd green - now re-modelled with sand removed
In the interests of preserving the course and the hard work done by the greens-staff, please take relief and do not play from the newly seeded areas. Otherwise balls must be played as they lie e.g. a poor lie in one of the other areas now being cleared (e.g. on the right approach to 12th green) must be regarded as 'rub of the green'.
From time to time, as conditions dictate, GUR or 'blue-staked' bunkers may be re-introduced but unless specifically advised, the paragraphs above apply.
1. Greenside 'bunker' on left approach to 2nd green - now re-modelled with sand removed
In the interests of preserving the course and the hard work done by the greens-staff, please take relief and do not play from the newly seeded areas. Otherwise balls must be played as they lie e.g. a poor lie in one of the other areas now being cleared (e.g. on the right approach to 12th green) must be regarded as 'rub of the green'.
From time to time, as conditions dictate, GUR or 'blue-staked' bunkers may be re-introduced but unless specifically advised, the paragraphs above apply.
Holes-in-One
The previous practice of the section funding celebratory drinks for all competitors following a hole-in-one in an official Sunday competition has had to be revised. Until further notice a member who returns a card in a men’s 'official' competition which includes a “hole in one” will be entitled to open up a bar tab up to the value of £100 which will then be paid by the section to the club directly. If you are in any doubt whether your hole in one qualifies please speak to a member of the committee. The amount of the award will be reviewed by the committee on a regular basis.
IT IS THE PLAYER WHO HAS THE HOLE IN ONE WHO WILL AGREE WITH THE BAR THE OPENING OF A BAR TAB (AND NOT A COMMITTEE MEMBER) AS THE PLAYER HAS THE OPTION TO APPROVE EXPENDITURE ABOVE £100 FOR WHICH HE WILL PAY
For the avoidance of any doubt competitions organised by the Vets committee are excluded.
Please Note! As stated elsewhere on this site, be aware that if your CCA is inadequately funded, you will not be eligible to win competition prizes, and this includes the £100 Hole-in-One benefit described above.
IT IS THE PLAYER WHO HAS THE HOLE IN ONE WHO WILL AGREE WITH THE BAR THE OPENING OF A BAR TAB (AND NOT A COMMITTEE MEMBER) AS THE PLAYER HAS THE OPTION TO APPROVE EXPENDITURE ABOVE £100 FOR WHICH HE WILL PAY
For the avoidance of any doubt competitions organised by the Vets committee are excluded.
Please Note! As stated elsewhere on this site, be aware that if your CCA is inadequately funded, you will not be eligible to win competition prizes, and this includes the £100 Hole-in-One benefit described above.
Prize Vouchers
Would members please note that vouchers issued as prizes do not have an unlimited validity. Although they can be saved and redeemed en-bloc to a member's card, over the bar or against a subscription, each voucher has an expiry date on the reverse. Please be aware!
General Etiquette & Safety
Etiquette: Please remember the bells on holes 7, 11 and 12, to let following players know you have cleared the green or fairway. Please do not play until you are sure the way is clear...
Safety: After a couple of recent accidents, please do call "FORE" if any shot is 'out of line'. With adjacent fairways and obscuring trees, it's impossible to know who might be at risk or where your ball will land - please err on the side of caution and call a warning!
Safety in Fog: See here for advice about playing safely in foggy conditions.
Safety: After a couple of recent accidents, please do call "FORE" if any shot is 'out of line'. With adjacent fairways and obscuring trees, it's impossible to know who might be at risk or where your ball will land - please err on the side of caution and call a warning!
Safety in Fog: See here for advice about playing safely in foggy conditions.