Ideas for 2012 what do people want to see?

[kevnixon]

Now that the season is almost over what improvements to the course/club would you like to see? For me

1) greens to continue to improve (excellent this yeAr)

2) abolishment of ball tube and movement to tee booking system

3) White paint on inside of holes when cut

4) solution to current situation on 13

5) extend water hazArd on 8 and 15 toward 15th fairway as this is the only hole where you can basically hit it as hard as you like

6) longer semi rough to toughen course and improve definition on fairways

[bex]

I think it's important that we get more people watching and supporting players that make it through to the finals of club competitions and championships. I mean I walked round the Junior Championships final today and there was less than 10 people watching including the players and their caddies, now come one, that's a poor show by anyones standards...

[Johnny Miller]

I would love to see the new bunker removed from the 1st. I just don't think it adds anything to the hole, and given the angle of the new tee box when it comes into play it just seems to be a blot on the landscape rather than a fair hazard.

[kevnixon]

Agree re the 1st bunker which is a pointless addition. Possibly take the hedge put of the left of the first? There will be some balls flying onto the practice ground when the new 1st tee opens

[jamesdawson]

Obviously solutions at 7 and 13 with new (grass!) tees are a priority for all. However, I also think replacement of sand in several bunkers, levelling and re-seeding of a lot of tee boxes, better maintenance of the valley area 9/10, either that or dig it out and fill it with water!? If you're looking to toughen up and add features...

[lazza]

If the ball tube is abolished and the 3 comp ban is enforced for not playing at the allotted time due to poor weather conditions etc like last Saturday morning how will this impact further comps.
Also, the ball tube allows members to assess weather conditions and play at a time when things may have improved.
During the ball tube experiment how many members in favour of it turned up on Friday evenings to put their name down?,my guess is less than 10.

[dunc]

I think that the course this year has been in a generally tired state. The greens are ok; they are not excellent. The fairways, especially the first, have been in poor order; also they are generally cut too tight. There are too many weeds around the course; clover is taking over in many areas and many of the bunker surrounds are also covered in weeds. Why are there no defined fringes around the greens? The 'new' first tee box has remained a mess all year. Why was the hedge cut by the ball tube? The new bunker on the first is pointless; why make an already difficult hole even harder? We seem no closer to resolving the issue of the tee box mat on the 7th. For the money we pay, using a mat on the 7th is not on. The out of bounds on the 13th is unbelievable. Which hole is next ? The general state of the bunkers is poor. Resolve these issue and show some TLC around the course and we may be on the right track.

[kevnixon]

Dunc I agree with many points however I believe most members would say the course has played better than 'tired'. When you talk about defined fringes I think you need to accept that we play on a semi links parkland course you ate never going to see this. I completely agree re the first bunker and I would be amazed if this work would have been carried if the plans for the new first tee had been in place. I agree with the mats on the 7th as I cannot see why this cannot be grass and yes 13 Is a farce but I appreciate the clubs hands are tied on this one.

[disco]

I feel the course has improved massively improved from last year and at its peak it was one of the best around. if this keeps continuing this can only be a good thing for the club. The greens should be a little faster though.

The ball tube should stay as there has never been any problems this year tht have been worse than last year. it doesnt need to change.

A few more people watching club finals would be nice, its was a bit dissapointing how many people were at the club and junior final to be honest.........

I was also wondering if there could be a mens texas scramble trophy for a bit of fun? just an idea as there could be a few more competitions throughout the year, possibly easter sunday

[provgone]

Can we get the tee boxes leveled? Some of them are an absolute joke. Also if the 7th tees are to remain can we get some grass if not then change the astro EVERY year please, its embarrassing enough as it is.

Any chance of some real water on the course? Maybe bring the tee forward on the 3rd and introduce down the left and front?

Extend the water on the 8th to punish a slice off the tee for shorter hitters and duffs from the 16th.

I keep hearing that the greens are fantastic but I have to disagree. The start of the season was shambolic, OK we had a bad winter but the decision not to sweep the snow from the greens was disastrous. Following that I feel the greens (once recovered) have been shaggy, not cut short enough and no green is the same they are however quite firm.


Maybe we could have some etiquette/course pointers on the tee boxes? Such as the 4th 'do not tee off if 3rd green is occupied'. As an example of the confusion - whats the ruling for the 11/12 priority for teeing off? Some people play the 11th when there are people on 12th tee some wait till its clear. Numerous examples of this across course so something on the boxes would help Visitors especially.

Get rid of the pointless bunker on the 1st!!!!! Who thought of that?

Chop the tree down on the 3rd, completely pointless all it obstructs is your view!!

Is there really any need for the net on the practice ground? How about we move it down the 13th and spoil the moaning resident/s view?

Overall I think the course is looking quite shabby particularly the fairways and especially the edging on the path and grass around the bunkers. How many green keepers do we have? For the money we pay the course should be in tip top condition.

[member4891]

The best idea I can come up with is that those that are so unhappy with the course go and play elsewhere! The course has been in great condition this year, yes there are things that could be better such as bunkers, but if thats the worst thing people can think of then that in itself speaks volumes of how good the rest of the course is!
The greens in peak season were as good as they have been for many years!
As we had such a good April/May this year people seem to think that the course should have been perfect by this time, just because they happened to be playing golf earlier in the year than normal!
The reason that Tynemouth and other courses don't gain members is because of people like those above bad mouthing the course and word spreading amongst locals and people therefore not wanting to join the club! Therefore go somewhere you are happy to play and leave us that are happy with the course to praise it rather than slate it!

[provgone]

Oct 8, 2011 17:34:01 GMT member4891 said:

The best idea I can come up with is that those that are so unhappy with the course go and play elsewhere! The course has been in great condition this year, yes there are things that could be better such as bunkers, but if thats the worst thing people can think of then then that in itself speaks volumes of how good the rest of the course is!
The greens in peak season were as good as they have been for many years!
As we had such a good April/May this year people seem to think that the course should have been perfect by this time, just because they happened to be playing golf earlier in the year than normal!
The reason that Tynemouth and other courses don't gain members is because of people like those above bad mouthing the course and word spreading amongst locals and people therefore not wanting to join the club! Therefore go somewhere you are happy to play and leave us that are happy with the course to paise it rather than slate it!

Greens were excellent today, really top quality.

[member4891]

Yeah.....Considering they were hollow tined last week they really were!!!

[Johnny Miller]

How about CCTV on every green to catch those continually fail to repair pitch marks........every time I go onto a green I repair at least two, and quite often having missed the green miserably none of them are mine..............

....seriously though it takes nothing to repair a pitchmark, but given the number you can find would suggest that quite a number of players just can't be bothered.

An earlier comment made reference to fees, which is perfectly fair, however, we all have a responsibility to look after the course in this small way, and of course if we don't do the basics then it means the greens staff have to, which will ultimately reduce the time they have to improve other areas of the course.

[jamesdawson]

Member4891 - AKA not prepared to put a name to their comments...?

It's exactly that kind of attitude from you that puts people off coming to Tynemouth. Your fees give you a share in the club not ownership of it! Everyone is entitled to their opinion and yes, at the upper tier of local fees people do expect more from the course... Yes, amazingly, like sand in the bunkers!

I, like many of the commenters I'm sure, love playing my golf at Tynemouth but that doesn't mean blindly plodding along not asking any questions!

There will be plenty who don't raise issues on here... You'll find them signing up at other courses just like you suggest... I'm sure the committee would be overjoyed at your comments discouraging fees into the club... Just the same as I am sure they understand they are going to get opinions, letters, queries on the course good and bad when people have things to discuss.