To ensure that the golf centre follows the government guidelines we have introduced some measures that will enable the golf centre to open.
These measures have been designed to follow the guidance from the Government and also Golf’s Governing Bodies. Our objective is to provide a safe golfing experience and to ensure the health and safety of everyone at the golf centre. It is really important that customers follow these guidelines, so we ask that you familiarise yourselves with these and follow any directions from the members of staff.
Booking a Tee Time
- The golf course will be opening on Saturday 16th May from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
- It will only be for 2 balls playing 9 holes, all rounds must be booked and paid for in advance as no cash payments will be taken.
- The phone line will be open to take card payments over the phone from Thursday at 11.00am to 3.00pm and then again on Friday from 9.00am to 4.00pm.
It is really important that if you are feeling unwell, then you should not visit the golf centre.
- On arrival please follow directional signage at the entrance of the building.
- If needed there will be a system to ensure social distancing between customers, and separate queues for the Golf and Footgolf courses and the Driving Range.
- The shop will remain open for the Driving Range, Golf and Footgolf and limited items of stock. No browsing will be allowed.
- Café Bar 19 will remain closed until the Government Guidance changes.
- Customers will only be allowed into the building one person at a time. Please be aware of floor markings which identify safe distancing measures.
- Hand sanitiser to be used on entering and leaving the building.
- Either Card or Account payments only, no cash transactions will be permitted.
- All Juniors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Golf Course
Due to the reduced maintenance during the lockdown, there are some areas of the golf course that have not been maintained to the standard we would like to. Some of these may include the following:
- Reduced pace of greens through higher cutting heights
- Higher cutting heights in all/most maintained areas
- Lengthier rough areas, particularly in ‘out of play’ areas
- Untidy bunkers
- Lack of golf course furniture such as bunker rakes, bins, ball washers, benches
Whilst we understand that some may be disappointed with the conditions, we hope you understand the reasons for some of these issues and we will be working as hard as we can to get the golf course to the required standard. We have noticed during this period that the golf course has attracted some natural wildlife and this is something that we are keen to encourage at Aintree, so we are investigating ways where nature and golf can work together to create a more natural environment.
Our annual maintenance plans have been severely affected by the course closure period and some of the plans for 2020 may be delayed or cancelled. We are aware of the need for invasive maintenance such as aeration and topdressing that may need to take place in light of the shortened golf season. This may have an effect on the quality of surfaces in the longer term. It is possible that staff levels or hours of work will remain at a reduced level during the initial stages of play being permitted so progress may be slower than usual.
The health and safety of everyone is really important to us, so you will find that there are some small changes that we have made to allow the golf course to open again. We ask that all customers abide by these instructions and follow any directions given to them by a member of staff.
There will be specific times just for Members of Grand National Golf Club.
If you book and pay online and fail to arrive or are late for your tee time, then we may not be able to accommodate you on the same day. There will not be any refunds, but we will do our best to offer you a suitable alternative date.
Terms and Conditions of Play
- All rounds must be booked in advance.
- In light of the current Covid 19 pandemic, and in line with ‘play safe, stay safe’ guidance, you must agree to the following code of conduct prior to completing your online tee time booking.
Before your round
- You should aim to arrive at the car park no more than 10 minutes before your tee off time and always try to park away from other vehicles where possible. Please use common sense.
If a group is waiting on the tee, keep a safe distance of at least 2 metres from them. Keep the same safe distance from your playing partners whilst waiting at the tee. - In order to comply with social distancing rules, you must arrive to check in with golf centre staff no more than 5 minutes before your tee off time.
- Access to the golf course will be managed by a member of staff.
- Golfers will be reminded of the Government Guidance on Social Distancing and the processes we have introduced to ensure the safety of all staff and customers.
- The tee times will be every 10 minutes with a maximum of two people per tee time (Industry Guidelines)
- All members must either book online or by phone.
- All visitors must book and pay online.
- Flags to remain in holes at all times.
- All bunker rakes, bins and benches have been removed from the golf course. Please ensure that all litter is taken with you.
- No club or trolley hire will be available
During your round
- Keep two metres apart from your playing group at all times. This includes when teeing off, walking to the ball, putting out and searching for a lost ball.
- Do not pick up any stray golf balls you may find.
- Do not touch the flagsticks.
- Please try to smooth sand in bunkers using your foot or golf club – rakes will not be available
After your round
- When your round is completed, leave the course and club immediately to avoid any gatherings in the clubhouse area
Driving Range Use
During this period of closure, we have replaced all of old range balls with over 30,000 new balls and have replaced some of the mats and introduced new targets to the outfield. As with the golf course we have introduced some measures to ensure that we follow the social distancing guidelines to protect everyone.
- Staff will monitor the flow of customers on and off the Driving Range.
- Only every other bay will be open.
- Only 1 person per bay.
- Customers to use own equipment, no Club Hire available.
- A member of staff will be regularly checking the range.
- Hand sanitiser available for customers to use before and after entering the range
- Regular cleaning of ball dispenser.
Footgolf Course
When the Footgolf Course is reopened, then there will be certain restrictions in place.
- All rounds must be booked in advance.
- You should aim to arrive at the car park no more than 10 minutes before your tee off time and always try to park away from other vehicles where possible. Please use common sense.
If a group is waiting on the tee, keep a safe distance of at least 2 metres from them. Keep the same safe distance from your playing partners whilst waiting at the tee. - In order to comply with social distancing rules, you must arrive to check in with golf centre staff no more than 5 minutes before your tee off time.
- Access to the footgolf course will be managed by a member of staff.
- Customers will be reminded of the Government Guidance on Social Distancing and the processes we have introduced to ensure the safety of all staff and customers.
- A maximum of two people per tee time (Industry Guidelines)
- All visitors must book and pay online.
- Flags to remain in holes at all times.
- All bunker rakes, bins have been removed from the course. Please ensure that all litter is taken with you.
During your round
- Keep two metres apart from your playing group at all times. This includes when teeing off, walking to the ball and finishing the hole.
- Do not touch the flagsticks.
- Please try to smooth sand in bunkers using your foot – rakes will not be available
After your round
- When your round is completed, leave the course and club immediately to avoid any gatherings in the clubhouse area
PGA Professional Services
Scot is waiting for further confirmation from the PGA regarding when he will be able to provide lessons and complete any repairs. When this guidance has been received Scot will be available for lessons either on the Driving Range, Practice Putting Green or on the golf course.
- Social distancing to be observed at all times.
- Short game lessons available with the option of golfers using their own golf balls
Café Bar 19
This will remain closed until further notice.
