We are responding to a comment in our Customer Service Book with regards to play during times of poor visibility, through fog or bad light.
The R&A do not explicitly cover this but advise that play is suspended if landing zones are no longer visible
The BB&O have said that our approach is consistent with other progressive clubs ie pick an appropriate marker from the first tee and suspend play if there is insufficient visibility to see this marker.
Our rule in terms of poor visibility is that:
- play will be suspended unless the first bunker on the left hand side is visible from the 1st Gold Tee.
- no player should hit a ball knowing that the targeted landing zone of their ball is further than the restricted light / visibility allows [for the avoidance of doubt, any player striking the ball with the intent (or capability with the club used) of landing the ball beyond the point of 'no visibility' may be deemed to be negligent, their insurance void and their play suspended]
We support the position off player safety first.
Also, please remember, whilst everybody playing at the club is covered by Public Liability Insurance, this may not be the case if player negligence is proven.
NB Separate conversations may be had with the clubhouse manager, where known groups of members, with much shorter landing zones may agree a different distance rule, these will be exceptions to the rule but not to the principle that player safety is paramount, and a signed waiver for exceptions will be required to protect the club and other playing members. The ruling above relating to striking the ball in a negligent fashion beyond visible landing zones will apply. The clubhouse managers ruling is final and not negotiable. Please do not apply undue pressure to the management, they will only be following agreed safety rules, which are in everyone's interests.
Thank you