Update - 3rd December 2021
Throughout the pandemic, we have always had the safety of our members, visitors and team at the forefront of our club, and we’ve carefully followed all government guidance.
With the uncertainties around the new Omicron strain and the governments decision to isolate anyone who has come into contact with someone with this variant, we need to ensure the safety and health of everyone who visits the club.
As you will be aware it is now compulsory to wear a face covering inside the pro-shop, unless you have a medical exemption. We would also like to extend this to the rest of the clubhouse and encourage everyone to wear a mask when entering the main building. If seated at a table in the lounge we are happy for you to remove your face covering.
This will come into effect as of tomorrow, Friday 3rd December.
We thank everyone for their help and consideration during these challenging times.
Update - 15th July 2021
As we look forward to Monday 19th July and the easing of restrictions, we would like to update everyone on the changes we will be implementing here at the club.
Clubhouse
From Monday we will no longer insist on face coverings when inside the clubhouse, however please feel free to continue wearing one if it makes you feel more comfortable. You may see some of our team still choosing to wear masks and we will continue to encourage them to do what they feel is right for them.
The lounge layout will revert back to how it was pre-covid. Group sizes in the lounge will not be restricted and we are happy for chairs to be moved to allow groups to sit together.
We will continue using the screens along the bar and at reception for the foreseeable future. This is simply for the protection of staff, members and customers.
Course
Following England Golf’s Play Safe guidelines, all golf course furniture will return to normal use. This will mean the removal of flagsticks will be permitted, standard hole cups, bunker rakes and ball-washers will be back in play.
Bunkers will be back in play as normal and there will be no relief unless otherwise denoted by normal golf GUR and maintenance.
Tee Bookings
As many of you will know, prior to Covid restrictions we enjoyed members free play time Saturday & Sunday mornings. It has always been our intention to revert back to this as soon as restrictions allowed.
Therefore from Saturday 14th August you will no longer need to book a tee time if you wish to play before 11:30am on Saturdays & before 9:30am on Sundays. After these times you will be required to book a tee time. (Members will have a 21 day priority booking option and Anniversary members 28 days). Weekdays will remain the same and tee bookings will be required from 7am.
We hope this clarifies the changes you will see as of next week. If you have any questions concerning the these updates please do not hesitate to contact us.
Update - 28th March 2021
Ahead of tomorrow's re-opening, please see below some key information for when you visit the club in the coming weeks.
- Tee times can only be made over the phone or online please do not turn up without a tee booking.
- Flags must be kept in place and not moved for any reason.
- Bunker rakes are still removed and we ask you to smooth the sand using the back of your club after your shot. You may clean and place within 6”. Please try and leave bunkers as tidy as possible for other golfers.
- Winter rules are still in place until the 30th April.
- The Clubhouse will be open for the use of toilet facilities. The locker rooms will be open but for only those who need to retrieve their golf clubs. Showers will be closed until the 12th April.
- Takeaway services of light refreshments will be available from 8:00am – 4pm. This will include tea/coffees, pastries and snacks. Unfortunately until the 12th April we are not permitted to serve alcohol.
- The pro-shop will be available for lessons and club fittings only. As they are classed as non-essential retail a ‘Click & Collect’ service will be in operation until the 12th April.
- Social distancing is still required at all times. Groups may gather up to a maximum of 6. Face coverings are required in all parts of the clubhouse.
The first few weeks will be very busy with everyone keen to get back out on the courses! Please keep up with the group in front and avoid slow play. Everyone is responsible for their own pace of play!
In the meantime if you have any questions please do contact me via email: greg@westmallinggolf.com and I will respond as soon as possible.
Update - 20th December 2020
Following the recent announcement form the UK goverment, the club will enter ‘Tier 4’ restrictions from Sunday 20th December.
Therefore the courses will remain open however we will now be restricted to - 2 Balls Only!
As tee bookings have already been reserved for the coming weeks, anyone who has booked a 3 or 4 ball will have to splits up into 2’s and will have to tee off within the allotted 8 minute slot. This will therefore mean if you have booked a 3 ball, you will have to play as a group of 2 and a single 1 ball.
Under no circumstances is it acceptable to join up when you are out on the course!
The driving range will be open as normal.
We are still seeking advice on the Pro-Shop, clubhouse facilities and our current takeaway service.
Please note this guidance has been taken from the government website and further details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home
Once again we find ourselves under difficult restrictions and we thank you for your co-operation. If anyone has any questions or requires any assistance please do contact us.
Update - 15th October 2020
From Wednesday 14 October 2020 a new three tiered restriction system has been put in place across England.
England Golf’s ‘Framework for Playing Golf’ provides guidance for the safe playing of golf in most areas of England. As a Club will continue to follow this guidance but, where additional restrictions are in place, we must ensure that we comply with these restrictions.
Although the club is currently situated in an area classified as tier 1 (medium risk), surrounding areas including London & Essex will be moving into tier 2 (high risk) as from Saturday.
With this we must be mindful that those who live in these areas and travel to the club will have to conform to regulations of their residing area.
Tier 2 (high risk) regulations include:
- People must not socialise with anybody outside of their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place.
- People must not socialise in a group of more than six outside.
This means you are still able to play with others from other households out on the golf course however socialising after your game will be limited to the patio and other outdoor areas.
We would ask all members and visitors to take responsibility in helping us with the implementation of these new rules.
Update - 12th May 2020
Following the Prime Ministers announcement yesterday we are pleased to announce that we will be re-opening both courses and driving range on Monday 18th May.
Currently the restrictions allow you to play with members of the same household and we are trying to clarify this, however at this time this restriction will apply.
For yours and others safety we have implemented the following:
- 2 metre social distancing must be adhered to at all times when visiting the club.
- The first tee time will be available from 7am Monday - Sunday and therefore we will not be operating any roll up tee times on Saturday & Sunday mornings. These tee times however will still be reserved for members only.
Bookings can be made online or over the phone. Office number 01732 844785 (Opt. 1)
PLEASE NOTE: All previously booked tee times have been cancelled and will need to be re-booked.
- Tee times will be available to book as of 9am tomorrow (Tuesday 12th May).
- Entry to the clubhouse will be limited to toilets and access to the locker rooms to collect clubs etc. All showers will remain closed until further notice.
- The bar area will be serving takeaway hot & cold drinks.
- The Pro-Shop intend to open however are awaiting confirmation from the PGA.
- All payments in the clubhouse will be card only and if you wish to use your club card, please top-up online if possible.
On the course the following still applies:
- 2 metre social distancing must be adhered to at all time.
- No congregation or large groups to gather on the tee box.
- Groups will be limited to single players/same household and allocated tee time must be booked prior to your game.
- Flags must be kept in place and not moved for any reason.
- Bunker rakes have been removed and we ask you to smooth the sand using the back of your club after your shot. Please try and leave bunkers as tidy as possible for other golfers.
- Golf buggies will be available to hire and will be sanitised before and after use.
These are the main key restrictions that we have in place and these will be reviewed regularly to ensure everyone’s safety.
I am sure everyone is keen to get back out on the course and we look forward to welcoming you all again next week.
All the best,
Greg Still
Managing Director
West Malling Golf Club
Update - 7th May 2020
We are expecting to hear how the country will be moving forward on Sunday evening with an announcement from the UK Government.
As like yourselves we will be hearing this information for the first time and will need time to consider how this effects thing here at the club.
We will be in contact with members as soon as possible on how and when we will be able to open.
We are currently implementing social distancing controls for everyone’s safety and more details about general day to day operations will be available soon.
We do thank you for your support and understanding and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
All the best,
Greg Still
Managing Director
West Malling Golf Club
Temporary Closure | COVID-19
This is a message I didn’t think I would ever have to send, however...
It is with great sadness that it is now time for us to temporarily close our doors to ensure we play our part in the battle to beat the Coronavirus.
We will be doing our best to maintain the courses with a limited team but as of Tuesday 24th March, all facilities will be closed until further notice.
The unprecedented impact of Coronavirus on businesses globally is an enormous challenge and it is now that we ask all members to stand with us and your golf club.
We will continue to keep you updated with any information and please feel free to contact us via email greg@westmallinggolf.com
On behalf of all my family, we wish you all the best, safety and health.
We will beat this together!
Greg
Managing Director
West Malling Golf Club
Update - Monday 23rd March
Please note the club lounge is now closed and we will only be serving takeaway tea/coffee & beers. Limited food will also be available.
In a further attempt to stop the spread of Coronavirus, we will no longer be accepting cash payments at the club. Please make sure you have a payment card with you and where possible contactless would be preferred.
Buggies are now available to hire however we request these are only hired for single rider use only. After each use buggies will be sanitised before re-hire.
We will be continuing with the 'Keep The Pin In' approach during all play and have removed rakes from the bunkers. We ask that you use your club or foot to smooth over the sand once you have played your shot. Please observe and action these important measure.
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Update - Wednesday 18th March
With the recent update from our Prime Minister on Monday afternoon, we will be putting in place further measures to help improve everyone’s safety and well-being but enabling us to operate the club as efficiently as possible.
- To reduce touch points and cross contamination we are from today implementing a 'Keep The Pin In' approach during all play. Please observe and action this important measure.
- We would ask that everyone refrains from person to person contact and a verbal greeting encouraged.
- Sanitising units are located in the clubhouse and lounge area.
- Frequent sanitising of all items you might have contact with in the clubhouse including tables, chairs, door handles, taps and bathroom surfaces.
- Where possible all internal doors will be left open to eliminate the use of door handles. This will mean for the time being the men’s changing room will remain unlocked.
- To ensure the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness, we will no longer be providing large condiment bottles on tables – if you’d like an individual serving please ask.
- Cutlery for any food ordered in the lounge will come out with your food and will no longer be situated in the bar.
- No members of staff and their families have shown any sign or symptoms of the virus as yet and have been instructed to wash their hands at least every 20 minutes.
- The use of both downstairs and upstairs lounges are to be used to ensure a safe distance when socialising in the clubhouse.
- We will be monitoring closely all of our team members to ensure they are fit and healthy.
Remember, you can book your tee times online if you are in anyway concerned about entering the clubhouse.
As always, we look forward to welcoming you to the club. However should the service feel a little different from usual or our team take a moment or two longer, it is with your safety and well-being in mind.
If there’s anything else we can do to make your visit more comfortable, please do let us know.
All the best,
Greg Still
Managing Director
West Malling Golf Club
