INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON THE GOLF COURSE
REPORTED TO THE GOLF CLUB
Dear Members / Property Owners,
In recent weeks, we have experienced children playing in bunkers and families taking walks down the fairways during playing hours, taking picnics on the course after hours, persons walking dogs on and fouling the course, cyclists racing down cart tracks, persons extracting balls from water features and elsewhere, golfers using the course for practice, starting rounds elsewhere than on the first tee etc. Of course the worst perpetrators are often the public and rarely members or residents; however just sometimes they may be. Familiarity can sometimes lead to anyone forgetting the usual form from time to time.
The problems this can cause are obvious: Starting with safety and the extreme risk involved in certain of these activities. There is also the gradual increase in disruption and prejudice to the golfing experience and from the point of view of the Club there is the subtle erosion of its control over its own major asset and its dedication and use for its intended purpose. Finally, there is a security concern, from a number of standpoints, about having anyone, known or unknown, wandering about the course.
Nevertheless, there is no desire to prevent members and residents enjoying the peace and quiet of the landscape and walking the cart paths after play or indeed during play, for example when following play. However, use of the cart paths for walks during play is not otherwise encouraged, as whilst buggies are permitted on the fairways, they do also travel down the cart paths. Nevertheless, if walking during play it must always be in the same direction as play so that golfers are aware of walkers passing through and in front of them. Likewise, the jogging track is laid out to be used strictly in the direction of play. Note that whilst golfers are only too aware of players on the fairways and greens in front of them, it is not so easy to spot walkers on the cart paths, who may well be hidden and are almost certainly so if walking at random and against the direction of play.
There are therefore some basic common-sense rules to be observed in the interests of all parties. It should be understood that whereas some rules are designed for the benefit of Golf Club Members, players and residents, other rules are for the benefit of the Club itself. All have to be observed and reasonableness must be the test. Clarity and knowledge of them will enable members and residents to keep an eye open and recognise when members of the public are putting themselves in danger and/or otherwise up to no good!
First and foremost, therefore:
- Non-playing Members of the public are not allowed anywhere on the course at any time unless accompanied by a member of staff. Members Guests of course are not regarded as public. Club Members, Residents & Guests may walk along cart paths before and after playing hours as long as it is light and, if necessary during playing hours, but only in the direction of play. Club Members’, Residents’ and Guests’ children must always be accompanied when on the course or cart paths.
- Access on to tees, fairways and greens is for golfers only.
- Use of the jogging track must always be in the direction of play and subject to the applicable rules laid down for its use
- Golf practice is not allowed on the course at any time; Members are of course able to use the practice area.
- All players must register at Resort Reception during opening hours before play begins. The starting tee is always the 1st unless a different start point is agreed or designated by Golf Club staff.
- Privately owned golf buggies are only permitted on the course in accordance with the applicable rules.
- Bicycles are not permitted on the cart paths, however are welcome elsewhere around the resort and surrounding “caminos”.
- No pets are allowed on the Club premises or golf course, except as may be specifically agreed by the Golf Club.
- Access to play the course after course closure is not permitted.
We thank you in advance for your assistance and once again, please be aware that these rules are vital for the coexistence and respect for all members and property owners at Desert Springs.
Resort Reception
+34 950 091 518
golf@desertspringsresort.es
www.desertspringsresort.es
