ASK THE GM
Your questions answered openly and directly.
Hi GM, a couple of weeks ago there was a message about people bringing non members, specifically children to the course and using the practice facilities "free of charge". There were a list of rather draconian punishments attached for anyone who dared do this again. I bring my grandsons, 8 and 10 years old, to the course occasionally, maybe every 4 to 6 weeks to swing a club and have a putt, they like using the nets too, and maybe spend 45 minutes here never going out on the course. They are just enjoying trying out a new sport. There are so many other sporting activities they could do, that I thought this was a good introduction to golf and kept their interest in it up. There is no question of signing them up for memberships as they would not get any benefit from it, but they do enjoy their occasional visits and it keeps golf in their minds. I always defer to other members if any are practicing on the grounds and keep them clear of other members. This ruling is likely to lose 2 future golfers to other sports for no great gain to the club as far as I can see. How are we supposed to get youngsters involved in the sport if this is the sort of attitude they face when starting out.
Thank you for the question. Firstly, I completely agree that we should encourage children to take an interest in golf, and introducing your grandchildren to the game is absolutely something we would want to support. That is precisely why we are doing so much to develop junior golf at Brynhill right now, and those efforts have been so successful that our Junior Section currently has a waiting list.
However, I don't agree that asking people who use Brynhill's golf facilities to either be members or pay the appropriate fee is unreasonable or "draconian".
Our members collectively pay substantial annual subscriptions, and that money funds the maintenance, staffing, investment and continued development of the golf course, practice facilities and wider golfing operation. It therefore isn't reasonable for those same facilities to be freely available to non-members simply because they are accompanying a member.
The recent communication was not specifically aimed at children. It followed instances of members bringing non-members to Brynhill to use golfing facilities without paying - as a paying member why wouldnt you support that message? . We therefore needed to clarify the position for everyone and, importantly, apply it consistently.
The difficulty with making informal exceptions is deciding where they end. If one member can bring two grandchildren every few weeks to use the putting green, nets and practice facilities without charge, another member could reasonably ask why they cannot bring their children, grandchildren, friends or other guests. With nearly 500 members, that quickly becomes something very different from an occasional individual visit.
Being a member gives you access to the facilities; it doesn't automatically provide free access to those facilities for anyone that isnt a member. The same principle applies when a member brings a guest to play the golf course — the member has paid their subscription, but their guest still pays the appropriate fee.
I would also challenge the suggestion that this demonstrates an attitude that discourages youngsters from taking up golf. We already provide free junior taster sessions on Mondays specifically to introduce children to the sport.This allows youngsters to come along, experience golf and see whether it is something they enjoy without having to commit to membership. If you want details of this just let me know.
We have invested considerably in junior golf at Brynhill and continue to do so. The fact that our Junior Section currently has a waiting list demonstrates that the approach we are taking towards encouraging and developing junior golf is working.
You also mention that there would be "no benefit" in your grandchildren becoming members. With respect, if they enjoy using the putting green, practice nets and other facilities, then they are already receiving a benefit from facilities that our existing members collectively pay to provide and maintain.
There is also a very straightforward and affordable solution. Under-11 membership is just £65 per year, provided the junior is always accompanied by an adult. That works out at only £1.25 per week for your grandchildren to have access to the Club's practice facilities as junior members.
I actually think that demonstrates how positive and forward-thinking Brynhill is towards junior golf. We provide free opportunities for children to try the sport, an established junior pathway and an extremely affordable membership option for youngsters who want to continue playing and using the facilities.
So I don't accept that this policy is likely to lose two future golfers to other sports.
We are actively providing opportunities for youngsters to discover golf and, if they enjoy it, providing a very affordable route for them to continue. What we cannot do is operate a system whereby individual members decide who can use member-funded facilities free of charge.
Quite simply, if your grandchildren enjoy coming to Brynhill and want to continue using the facilities, we would be delighted to have them involved. You can enrol them as junior members and then there is no issue whatsoever.
We absolutely want youngsters playing golf at Brynhill — but we also have a responsibility to protect the facilities and value of membership for the members whose subscriptions pay for them.
I know the work has to be carried out, that is not the issue, but I'm very disapppointed that the temporary greens had not been prepared for the senior comp on Monday September 28th.
None of the holes had a white line to mark the circumference of the hole.
Second hole did not have a hole, only the flag stuck in the ground.
Third hole green not mowed, putting through grass 3" long.
Grass had not been trimmed around the edge of holes.
I hope the comp has been cancelled.
I completely agree with the points raised. The set-up for the Seniors Competition was simply not good enough and fell below the standard we should expect at Brynhill.
Course maintenance is essential and there will inevitably be some disruption while this work is carried out. However, that does not mean that the temporary greens being used for a Club competition should not be properly prepared and presented.
The issues highlighted — including the condition of the temporary greens, the preparation around the holes and the lack of appropriate markings — should have been addressed before the competition.
We will take lessons from this. When planning the start of future maintenance programmes, we will make sure that any scheduled Club competitions, including the Seniors Competition, are specifically accounted for as part of the course set-up.
Even when maintenance work is taking place, if we are running a competition then we should make every reasonable effort to ensure that the course set-up is suitable for that competition.
Please accept my apologies on behalf of the Club. On this occasion, the preparation was not at the standard it should have been, and we will make sure we learn from it going forward.
I've submitted a few questions now but looking on the membershub I cannot see any answers to any questions. Where have you hidden them?
I can see the irony in asking that here given the question relates to not being able to find any replies so perhaps you could put a link in the newsletter so that we can all find the answers please?
The answers haven't been hidden! Since we introduced Ask The GM, responses have been published every Friday through the Club WhatsApp group, with members directed to the dedicated Ask The GM page where all of the questions and answers can be viewed.
Previous questions and responses remain available on the Ask The GM page, so members can go back and read earlier Q&As at any time rather than having to find the original WhatsApp message.
However, your suggestion about making the page easier to find is a good one. I will include a direct link to the Ask The GM page in the Club newsletter and we can also make sure it is clearly accessible through MembersHub.
The whole purpose of Ask The GM is to provide members with an open way of asking questions and receiving answers that the wider membership can also see, so we certainly don't want those responses to be difficult to find.
In summary: new answers are published through the Club WhatsApp group each Friday, and all previous questions and answers can be found on the Ask The GM page.
Could you add the Winter slope on website
Yes, absolutely. The Winter Slope Rating has now been added to both the MembersHub App and the Brynhill website, so members can easily access the information when required.
Thank you for highlighting this.
Proposal: “The Race to Brynhill” – Summer Season Points Competition:
The Race to Brynhill is a new summer-long competition designed to increase participation, reward consistency, and bring excitement to every weekly event throughout the season.
How It Works
At the start of the summer season, every player pays an agreed entry fee to join The Race to Brynhill.
After each weekly summer competition, the top 20 finishers earn points:
20 for 1st, 19 for 2nd, 18 for 3rd… down to 1 point for 20th place.
Points accumulate across the entire summer season.
At the end of the season, the club crowns the Race to Brynhill Champion, with prizes also awarded for 2nd and 3rd place.
Why This Benefits the Club
Increased participation — Players are more likely to turn up even in poor weather because every round offers valuable points.
Consistent engagement — Weekly updated standings keep interest high and give players something to chase all summer.
Rewards consistency — Golfers who may not win often but regularly finish well are recognised and celebrated.
Motivation for all abilities — Even players having an off day will push to break into the top 20 to secure points.
Low cost, high return —
Example: With 200 entrants, the competition generates £1,000 for the club.
The only expense is trophies for the top 3, as the league table updates can be done free of charge (which I’m happy to manage weekly).
What It Brings to Brynhill
A summer-long storyline that keeps members invested.
A competitive but friendly race that builds atmosphere every week.
A big end-of-season finale that celebrates the club’s most consistent performers.
A simple, transparent format that everyone understands and enjoys.
The Race to Brynhill would become a flagship summer competition — fun, fair, and financially beneficial — while strengthening participation and community spirit across the club.
Thank you for taking the time to put this proposal together and for your continued interest and support.
There are certainly some interesting ideas here, particularly around creating additional interest and engagement across our weekly summer competitions.
I will discuss the proposal with Leon in his capacity as Director of Golf and look at whether there is merit in developing a “Race to Brynhill” format that could work alongside our existing competition programme.
We will need to consider how it would operate practically, how it fits with the existing competition structure and any administration required before making a decision.
Once Leon and I have had an opportunity to consider the proposal, I will provide you with an update.
Hi Scott
The stream at the back of the 10th green.
Is it out of Bounds or is it the fence on the far side ( bank) of the stream beyond it which is out of Bounds and a boundary of the course?
There is or was a drop zone circle to the left of the green for a penalty drop so if the stream is oob you would have to drop and play another ball for 2 shot penalty stoke and distance ( so why have a drop zone 🤷♂️)
The stream is not a "boundary " of the course, the fence beyond it is🤷♂️
This is causing many discussions within my playing mates and the decision is split down the middle even with the pro's so final clarity would be amazing 👌
Thank you for the question. All of Brynhill's current Local Rules are available in the MembersHub App under “Local Rules”, and the answer to this particular question is confirmed there.
I would encourage all members to become familiar with the MembersHub App and use it as the first port of call for Local Rules, competition information and other important Club information. Keeping this information in one place means everyone has access to the same current guidance.
To provide absolute clarity on the 10th:
“A ball lying in or beyond the river is deemed out of bounds.”
Therefore, for the purposes of our Local Rules, the river itself is out of bounds — it is not simply the fence on the far side that determines whether the ball is out of bounds.
Hopefully that provides the clarity needed and settles the discussion amongst your playing group!
Pepsi - Max - I would love to see pro shop selling those drinks in the pro shop as they are very useful for people who have diabetes instead of Coke Zero and it taste nicer too. Also it would give us more choice to select in the fridge before our golf round instead of going to the shop to get it when Brynhill could have it there instead.
Thank you for the suggestion. The Pro Shop does already stock sugar-free drink options, including products that may be suitable for customers looking to manage their sugar intake.
When it comes to individual brands, personal preferences will naturally vary from member to member and unfortunately it isn't practical for the Pro Shop to stock every requested product.
You may also have noticed that the Pro Shop has a Coca-Cola branded fridge supplied as part of its drinks arrangement. As a result, Leon has certain obligations regarding the products stocked within it, which means introducing competing Pepsi products such as Pepsi Max may not be possible under the current arrangement.
We will always try to provide a sensible selection of drinks, including sugar-free alternatives, but this has to be balanced against available fridge space, demand and any existing supplier agreements.
Hi GM, this is an unfortunate one as it refers directly to you after last weekends comp.
Can you please explain the rational for a sub 9 hcap division and how the prize money is allocated from the entry fees for this restricted entry division and the main comp. Do the sub-9s pay a separate entry fee for this extra class or is the entry fee the same for everyone? It seems that sub-9s have 2 chances to win a prize and monetary reward if they are eligible to access the prize pot in both categories whereas the mere mortal hackers amongst us pay the same fee but only get 1 shot (sic) at glory. Can you please explain how the prize structure is managed and funded from the entry fee for all categories. Apologies that you are the one in the crosshairs but it could equally have been anyone else in the sub-9 division.
No problem at all — it is a fair question and I'm happy to explain the reasoning behind it.
Firstly, the 0–9 handicap category applies to Stableford competitions only. We currently have approximately 70 members at Brynhill within the 0–9 handicap range, so this represents a significant section of our playing membership.
Since the introduction of the World Handicap System, it had become apparent from our competition entries and results that lower-handicap golfers were becoming increasingly disengaged from Stableford competitions. As competition entries increased, we therefore introduced a separate 0–9 category to ensure that this group of members remained interested in entering and competing.
There is no additional entry fee for the 0–9 category. Players pay exactly the same competition entry as everyone else.
However, it is important to clarify that a 0–9 handicap player cannot win both the overall competition and the 0–9 category. If a 0–9 player wins the overall Stableford, they receive the overall prize and the 0–9 prize passes to the next eligible player in that category.
So while a lower-handicap player is eligible to compete for the overall competition, they do not receive two competition prizes for the same performance.
It is also worth remembering that part of the competition structure includes the 2s ball sweep, which contributes towards and enhances the overall prize structure available to competitors.
Ultimately, the objective isn't to favour one handicap group over another. We are trying to create a competition structure that gives members across the handicap spectrum a meaningful reason to enter and compete.
If a particular group of approximately 70 members stops entering because they feel they have very little realistic opportunity for recognition, that isn't good for competition participation or for the Club.
The introduction of the 0–9 category has therefore been a positive step in keeping lower-handicap members engaged in our Stableford competitions, while they remain subject to exactly the same handicap system and overall competition as everybody else.
Our aim is simply to keep competitions inclusive, competitive and attractive to as much of the membership as possible, regardless of playing ability.
Has a taller flag pole been considered on the 13th green as often struggle to see it from bottom of the hill. Likewise when players ahead have safely moved off the green.
The short answer is no, this isn't something we have previously considered, but I can certainly understand the reasoning behind the suggestion given the limited visibility of the 13th green from the bottom of the hill.
I will investigate whether a taller flagstick would be a practical option for the 13th and whether it would provide a worthwhile improvement in visibility.
The main consideration would be the effect of strong winds and storms on a longer flagstick. Additional leverage and movement could potentially cause the flagstick to lean excessively or damage the hole and surrounding cup area, so we would need to make sure any alternative was suitable for the location.
If we can find a suitable taller flagstick that improves visibility without creating additional maintenance issues, it is certainly something we can consider.
Thank you for the suggestion — I will look into the options available.
Is it possible for the Club to invite St John’s ambulance along to give us a 2 hr session on first aid. They are prepared to do this and have done so for other golf clubs. They generally run sessions for 12 -15 attendees and are prepared to do back to back sessions. They would focus on recovery, defibrillator use, emergency procedure etc. I would be happy to make enquiries if you think there would be enough interest?
This is a very good suggestion and something I would be happy for us to explore.
Having more members confident in basic first aid, emergency procedures and the use of our defibrillator could only be beneficial to the Club, particularly given the number of people using the course and clubhouse throughout the year.
Thank you also for offering to take the lead and make the initial enquiries. Please contact me directly and we can work together to get this set up, establish the level of member interest and then arrange the most appropriate number of sessions.
If there is sufficient demand, running back-to-back sessions for groups of 12–15 members sounds like a very practical way of allowing as many people as possible to take part.
Thank you for putting the idea forward and, importantly, for volunteering to help make it happen.
ASK THE GM
Your questions answered openly and directly.
Could we have use of 10 buggies with 20 volunteers when clearance is required.We could go out at 6am for 2 hours and get the job done.
Yes — this is exactly the type of member volunteering I would be very happy to encourage and support.
There are certain times of the year, particularly during the leaf-fall season, when the Course Team are faced with a significant amount of clearance work alongside their normal course maintenance responsibilities. Having a group of willing members available for a couple of hours could make a considerable difference.
The suggestion of 20 volunteers using 10 buggies and going out early for a planned two-hour session could work very well. We would simply need to coordinate it properly with the Course Team so that everyone knows which areas are being tackled, the appropriate equipment is available and the work can be undertaken safely without interfering with course maintenance or golfers.
There would also need to be some sensible controls around the use of Club buggies, particularly early in the morning when ground conditions can vary, but that is something we can manage.
Rather than expecting volunteers to undertake specialist course work, I see this being particularly useful for straightforward labour-intensive jobs such as leaf clearance, collecting debris and general tidying of appropriate areas around the course.
If we genuinely had 20 members willing to give the Club two hours occasionally, that's 40 additional man-hours of work in a single morning. That could achieve a huge amount while allowing our skilled Course Team to concentrate on the specialist maintenance and improvement work that requires their expertise.
So yes, I would absolutely support putting together a Brynhill volunteer group and coordinating occasional early-morning working sessions with the Course Team.
This is a members' club, and this kind of practical support from members can make a genuine difference to the presentation of our golf course.
I am happy for you to go ahead and organise this. Once you have your volunteer team set up, let me know and I will coordinate with the Course Team so that we can agree the areas to be tackled, the timing and what equipment will be required.
Do we have a smoking area on the veranda? I believe it used to be off to the side nearest Little Brynhill Lane but I increasingly see smoking right outside the sports bar and spike bar entrance which is unpleasant for non smokers
Yes. Smokers are encouraged to use the area towards the far right-hand side of the veranda, near the shed, rather than smoking immediately outside the entrances to the Sports Lounge and Spike Bar or within the main veranda seating area.
I completely understand the point being made. Having people smoking directly outside the entrances or around the main veranda area can be unpleasant for non-smokers, particularly those entering or leaving the clubhouse or simply wanting to sit outside and enjoy the veranda.
To make the arrangement clearer, I will arrange for some new signage directing smokers towards the designated smoking area and asking people not to smoke immediately outside the clubhouse entrances or within the main veranda area.
We do have to be realistic that this can be difficult for staff to police continuously, particularly during busy periods. However, clearer signage and a properly identified smoking area should help, and we will do our best to encourage smokers to use the designated area.
Hopefully this provides a sensible balance, allowing smokers to have an identified area while making the clubhouse entrances and main veranda a more pleasant environment for non-smokers.
Is the plan for the club to continue to use AI on each and every post that requires a picture? It looks very cheap and generic and removes any personal touch to announcements and celebrations for players. Even pictures of the course that are used for social media you can tell have been touched up by using AI
Thank you for the feedback. No, we don't use AI for every post and that isn't the plan. Genuine photographs of our course, members, competitions and events will always be an important part of our social media.
However, AI and digital design tools are useful when appropriate. Successful social media requires consistent content, regular posting, recognisable branding, good timing and engagement, all of which influence how platforms distribute our posts. I also make a significant effort to ensure our social media, website, paid advertising and wider Club marketing all have a consistent Brynhill identity.
The results speak for themselves. Since I took responsibility for developing our channels, our following has grown from around 700 to approximately 2,400 — an increase of 243%. That increased reach helps generate membership enquiries, visitors, events and clubhouse bookings.
Much of this work is also undertaken in my own time. Commercially, the social media, website, design and digital advertising work I provide would cost the Club well in excess of £700 per month if outsourced.
Importantly, our website and social media presence have been significant contributors to the growth in membership, wedding bookings and clubhouse functions, ultimately helping to generate additional revenue for the Club.
One area where members could make an enormous difference is engagement. If even 20% of our membership regularly liked, commented on and shared Club posts, it would significantly improve our organic reach and provide Brynhill with valuable free marketing.
We are also launching BRYNHILL TV, and time permitting Leon, Jordan and I will be producing more original video content, including interviews, PGA tips, course features and other Club content. This will give Brynhill another point of difference from other local clubs.
I appreciate constructive feedback and agree that genuine photographs should be prioritised for personal achievements and member celebrations wherever possible. Equally, I hope members recognise the considerable progress that has been made with our digital presence.
The approach will remain a sensible balance of authentic photography and video, professional design and AI-assisted content where appropriate — all with the objective of promoting and growing Brynhill.
The bunker on the 15th hole is costing the club lots of money and unfortunately with the weather it is very difficult to keep a good quantity of sand in it. Why don't we level the area off and plant a small copse of trees similar to the left hand side of the 10th hole so the machines can still drive in between them to cut the grass. This would be a cheap and a safer option as it would also protect players on the 15th from golfers driving left from the 14th tee, also push players to drive onto the 15th fairway away from the tree area. We could use plenty of the trees from around the course to plant in this area, for example, trees that are doing nothing on the far left hand side of the 13th fairway in the deep rough, also plenty of trees in deep rough on the left hand side of 14th tee, to name just a few places to get trees from that would cost a lot less than the continued maintenance of the 15th fairway bunker.
The current plan is still to bring the 15th bunker back into play. Work is planned to improve the bunker, address the sand levels and make it a more consistent and manageable feature of the hole.
However, your suggestion is a sensible alternative and certainly has merit. If, after the work has been completed, we continue to experience problems with sand retention, weather damage and ongoing maintenance costs, then we have to be practical and consider whether continually investing money and Course Team time into the bunker represents the best long-term solution.
Creating a landscaped grassed area with strategically positioned trees could potentially maintain the strategic challenge of the hole, improve safety from shots coming across from the 14th and reduce ongoing maintenance requirements.
For now, we will proceed with bringing the bunker back into play, monitor how it performs and what it costs us to maintain. If the problems persist, your suggestion is definitely one of the alternatives we will consider.
Saw this week was national thank a greenkeeper day and we did a post socially etc , i think our greenstaff need some more recognition, the course is getting plaudits from every visitor etc , with a limited budget and low staff ( in comparison with others , whitchurch , cardiff , radyr etc ) the course is always presented impeccably and the boys are always pleasant, engaging and an absolute credit to the club , not sure how we do it but i think most members would agree 👍🏽
Thank you for the feedback and the kind words about the Course Team. I completely agree that Richard, Matt and the team have done a fantastic job, particularly when you consider the size of the team, the resources available and the standards we are continually trying to achieve.
The positive comments we receive from visiting golfers, societies and members are testament to their hard work, and the way the team engage with members and represent Brynhill is equally important.
I would also extend that recognition across the Club. The progress Brynhill is making is very much a team effort, from the Course Team to the Bar, Pro Shop, Catering, Office and everyone else contributing behind the scenes. Every department has played a part in moving the Club forward.
At the same time, we all recognise that there is still plenty more to be done, both on the golf course and throughout the Club. Recognition for what has been achieved shouldn't mean resting on our laurels. It should give everyone encouragement and motivation to keep pushing forward, raising standards and looking for the next improvements we can make.
We will certainly continue to recognise the Course Team and the rest of the staff through our social media and Club communications. However, I would genuinely be interested to hear what additional recognition you and other members would like to see. If there are good ideas beyond the regular acknowledgements and thank-you posts, I am very open to considering them.
Hey Scott. I wondered if it would be worth looking at divot bags to encourage members to repair the fairways as they go around the course. I have noticed a lot of divots on the course at the moment and the vast majority are not even attempted to be replaced. Granted that some do obliterate at the moment with all the rain but a divot mix might be a good solution to keep the course looking in great shape.
Thank you for the suggestion. Divot bags tend to be more commonly associated with links courses, where recovery can be slower, whereas parkland fairways generally have better natural recovery during suitable growing conditions.
There are also practical considerations with providing divot bags throughout the course. Not everybody uses a trolley — many members carry their clubs — so expecting every golfer to take a bag of divot mix around 18 holes would probably not be particularly practical.
Providing divot mix at some of the par 3 tees is something we could consider, as this is where divot damage is concentrated within relatively small areas and the mix can be positioned conveniently at the tee.
For the fairways, I think a more practical solution could be a volunteer divoting team, similar to the volunteer leaf-clearing group that has recently been suggested.
A small group of members spending a couple of hours periodically working through the fairways with the appropriate divot mix could potentially achieve far more than asking individual golfers to carry divot bags around the course.
I will discuss this with Richard, our Course Manager, and if he feels it would be beneficial, we can look at incorporating fairway divoting into the type of jobs our proposed member volunteer group could assist with.
When are we opening up for names to be added to the glass patio panels please ? I think there are a fair few members wanting to be added ?
Yes, we are going to open this up again. I will create a dedicated online webpage over the next few days where members who would like their name added to the glass patio panels can register their interest.
Once the page is live, I will communicate the details to members so that everyone who would like to be included has the opportunity to apply.
I’ve heard a large group from Wenvoe are looking to join next year - as we are close to 500 members will we still take on more to allow more course improvements from additional fees?
At the moment, this is simply a rumour. To date, nobody from such a group has approached me officially and we have not received any membership applications from them.
As we approach our 500-member cap, new membership applications will need to be considered carefully and on a case-by-case basis. It isn't simply a question of accepting additional members to generate more income.
We have to balance the Club's financial commitments with tee-time availability, course capacity and the overall experience and satisfaction of our existing members.
There are also seasonal factors to consider. As we move into winter there is generally less pressure on tee times, while historically we can also expect a level of membership turnover at renewal time in April — potentially around 10%. We therefore need to look at membership numbers over the full year rather than simply the number we have today.
If we receive applications from a significant group, the matter will be discussed by the EMC before any decision is made. We will consider the financial benefits alongside the potential impact on tee-time availability and the wider membership.
Ultimately, any decision will be about finding the right balance between the financial strength of the Club, our ability to continue investing and improving, and protecting access to the course for our existing members.
Is it possible for the Club to invite St John’s ambulance along to give us a 2 hr session on first aid. They are prepared to do this and have done so for other golf clubs. They generally run sessions for 12 -15 attendees and are prepared to do back to back sessions. They would focus on recovery, defibrillator use, emergency procedure etc. I would be happy to make enquiries if you think there would be enough interest?
This is a very good suggestion and something I would be happy for us to explore.
Having more members confident in basic first aid, emergency procedures and the use of our defibrillator could only be beneficial to the Club, particularly given the number of people using the course and clubhouse throughout the year.
Thank you also for offering to take the lead and make the initial enquiries. Please contact me directly and we can work together to get this set up, establish the level of member interest and then arrange the most appropriate number of sessions.
If there is sufficient demand, running back-to-back sessions for groups of 12–15 members sounds like a very practical way of allowing as many people as possible to take part.
Thank you for putting the idea forward and, importantly, for volunteering to help make it happen.
ASK THE GM
Your questions answered openly and directly.
Can we not have a traffic light system for the flags? Red at the back, yellow in the module and green at the front? The amount of times I forget to check the 8th when I walk past it after playing the 4th is crazy. All the top courses so it, it would save time on people using their rangefinders too.
Thank you for the suggestion. We have looked at the options available and, rather than changing the main flags to three different colours, we are going to introduce pin-position indicators that attach directly to the existing flagsticks.
The indicator can be moved up or down the flagstick when the hole position is changed, giving golfers a simple visual guide:
Low on the flagstick = Front
Middle = Centre
High = Back
This means we can retain our existing flags while giving members and visitors an easy way of identifying the general pin position from the fairway.
It is a simple and relatively inexpensive improvement, so we will get these ordered and introduce the system at Brynhill.
Thank you for the suggestion — this is exactly the type of practical idea that Ask The GM is designed to encourage.
Hi Scott, is there anyway we could get the excessive leaf deposits raked somehow once every couple of weeks at the top of the left hand semi rough on the 15th (underneath the trees) as it is really hard to find your ball if it ends up in this area? I think this will help speed up play on this hole and look a lot tidier. Thanks.
Thank you for raising this. We completely understand the issues that falling leaves can cause across the course, particularly in certain areas underneath and around the trees where they can accumulate quickly and make finding a ball more difficult.
The Course Team do what they can to manage and clear leaves alongside their normal course maintenance programme. However, during the leaf-fall season, the sheer volume of leaves, combined with our current staffing levels, means that tasks have to be prioritised. Unfortunately, it simply isn't possible to regularly clear every affected area of the course.
We will certainly make the Course Team aware of the specific area on the 15th and ask them to address it when the work programme allows.
As a members' club, we are also always very open to members volunteering to help with appropriate course tasks. If members would like to organise an occasional voluntary working group to assist with jobs such as leaf clearing, we would be more than happy to support and coordinate this with the Course Team.
A few willing volunteers giving a couple of hours occasionally could make a real difference with jobs like this, while allowing our Course Team to concentrate their time on the more specialist aspects of maintaining and improving the golf course.
To provide small containers on each tee , for broken tees. Would help green staff and presentation.
Yes, this is something that has already been raised by the Course Team and we are currently looking at suitable options for collecting broken tees around the course.
The main consideration is finding a solution that is practical, tidy and does not interfere with mowing, course maintenance or normal play.
My preferred option would be to use old golf hole cups sunk neatly into the ground close to the teeing areas. These could then be lifted out easily, emptied and replaced as part of the normal course maintenance routine.
If we can find the right way to implement this, it should help improve the presentation of the tees and reduce the number of broken tees left on the ground for the Course Team to deal with.
Can the team add more sand to this bunker. Ground is so firm in this bunker. Slightly Strained arm trying to get out. Thank you
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. The bunkers are continually monitored and topped up with sand where required as part of the Course Team's maintenance programme.
However, individual bunkers can behave differently depending on drainage, weather conditions and how the sand has settled. The way bunkers are raked can also result in sand being moved away from certain areas, which can occasionally leave firmer or thinner sections.
We will pass your comments regarding this particular bunker to the Course Team so that they can inspect it and address the sand levels where necessary.
Thank you for highlighting it.
Hi Scott, what is happening with the footbridge is the plan still to restore the bridge or remove it altogether? The landscaping areas in general surrounding this bridge and the tee what is the final scheme going to be please.
The initial clearance and excavation work in this area was carried out economically while we already had machinery on hire and while Rob Garn was available to help us. Rob has done some excellent work with the machinery, clearing and opening up a number of areas around the course.
We have deliberately not progressed the landscaping around the bridge and tee during the main playing season. With the demands on the Course Team at this time of year, the priority has to remain the day-to-day presentation and maintenance of the golf course. This area is therefore planned as a winter project.
The current intention is to retain the footbridge rather than remove it. It will be repaired and renovated, and I would also like to incorporate some tasteful Brynhill branding into the finished bridge.
For the surrounding area, the vision is to create an attractive landscaped feature incorporating rockery-style planting and smaller dwarf trees. It is an area that virtually everyone playing the course passes, yet improvements there will not interfere with play, so I believe there is a real opportunity to turn it into an attractive feature of the course.
As with any landscaping project, the final design will be influenced by what works practically for the Course Team, ongoing maintenance requirements and the conditions we encounter as the work progresses.
The image below gives an indication of the type of finished look we would like to achieve.
Why can’t we use the mats for par 3s as the tees are so bad because of the weather ?
The prolonged dry weather this summer has placed considerable stress on tees at Brynhill, as it has at many golf courses across the UK, particularly those without full tee irrigation.
While we understand the thinking behind using mats on the par 3s, moving onto winter mats during the main playing season is not something we believe would be appropriate. There are also potential implications for competition play, measured course set-up and course ratings depending on where temporary teeing areas are positioned.
We also have to consider matches, where the course set-up and the allocation of shots are important, as well as societies and visitors who have paid to play the full golf course during the summer season. Moving par 3s onto winter mats would reduce the course from its normal playing set-up.
From a playing perspective, the condition of the surface on a par 3 tee should also have less impact on the actual shot than elsewhere on the course, as the player has the opportunity to peg the ball up and choose their position within the teeing area.
The good news is that weather conditions are now beginning to change and recovery work is underway. The tees have been hollow-cored, seeded and fertilised, and with more favourable growing conditions we should hopefully start to see a noticeable improvement.
We will continue to monitor their condition, but our preference is to recover and improve the main tees rather than move onto winter mats during the playing season.
How can I enter the scramble? What players do I need to play with to be eligible?
All of this information is available at any time through the MembersHub app under “Competition Rules”, where you can check the format and eligibility requirements for our Club competitions.
For the Rabbits & Tigers, the competition is an 18-hole Texas Scramble Medal played in teams of four. The main eligibility requirements are:
• Maximum individual handicap: 24
• Maximum combined team handicap: 60
• Maximum of one single-figure handicap golfer per team
There are some additional competition conditions, so please check the Competition Rules section within MembersHub for the full details before entering.
To enter, you simply need to organise a team that meets the competition criteria. If you are a newer member, don't already have a regular group or are struggling to find a team, please speak to Leon or Jordan in the Pro Shop and they will do their best to help.
Alternatively, you can post in the Golf Mates WhatsApp group to see if another member or team is looking for a player.
We certainly don't want anyone missing out on Club competitions simply because they don't currently have a team, so please ask and we will try to help get you involved.
“Thats all for week 1 of September, see you all next week for more ASK THE GM - Thank you for your questions”
ASK THE GM
Your questions answered openly and directly.
Why can't we pay for hire of buggy from our pro shop winnings.
Buggy hire income belongs directly to Brynhill Golf Club and is processed through the Club's accounts. This income contributes towards the costs associated with providing and leasing the Club's buggy fleet.
Competition winnings, on the other hand, are awarded as Pro Shop credit and are therefore redeemable against goods and services provided through the Pro Shop.
The Pro Shop and the Club's buggy operation are separate financially, which means Pro Shop credit cannot be used to pay for buggy hire.
Regarding the proposed frontage at Brynhill, although very nice the money would be better spent sorting out the tees.
It is important to clarify that the proposed frontage improvements are not being funded from Brynhill's normal operational or course budget.
As explained at the AGM and in subsequent Club communications, projects such as the proposed frontage are funded separately, primarily through money raised from Corey's Day and/or funding allocated through the Club's sponsorship arrangements.
The use of funds raised through Corey's Day is discussed with Lee Price. The Club presents potential projects that would provide a lasting benefit to Brynhill, and Lee and the EMC then agree an appropriate project within the scope and purpose of the funds raised.
Corey's Day is organised by Lee in memory of Corey, and the intention has always been for the money raised to help deliver meaningful, visible improvements that benefit the Club and its wider community.
Improvements to the tees are a separate matter and form part of the Club's planned course expenditure and budget. It would therefore not be appropriate simply to redirect money raised for a separate purpose towards work that should already be provided for through the Club's course budget.
In short, this is not a choice between improving the frontage or improving the tees. They are separate projects with separate sources of funding.
Hi Scot I've noticed quite a large number of members seem to be able to book tee times days before the tee times are released .
There is only one individual who has been given authorised early access to tee times for his regular group.
This is a specific Club-approved arrangement in recognition of the considerable amount of voluntary time he gives to Brynhill each week. He dedicates several hours to administering the ClubV1 system, processing scores, maintaining fixtures and helping ensure our competitions operate efficiently and accurately.
This work is extremely valuable to the Club and would otherwise need to be undertaken by somebody else or potentially become an additional administrative cost.
Preferential access to tee times is therefore a small benefit provided in recognition of that ongoing contribution. It is not a facility available generally to selected members or groups.
We greatly appreciate the time he gives to Brynhill and this arrangement will continue.
I'd like the EMC to give serious thought to and approve us honouring the late member and former Captain Tony Cook. A trophy in his name would befit his enormous contribution to Brynhill over decades of unwavering commitment to our club, few like him pass our way, We play a trophy in honour of Fred Clissett and rightly so, another outstanding member. Tony Cook deserves to be remembered in the same way in my opinion. I await your reply, thank you.
Absolutely – we completely agree.
Following receipt of this suggestion, I took it to a recent EMC meeting for consideration. The EMC supported the principle and agreed that Brynhill will introduce a Tony Cook Trophy, to be competed for annually.
The trophy will be introduced from next season and will provide a fitting and lasting recognition of Tony's tremendous contribution to Brynhill over so many years.
Golf clubs are built on the commitment of people who give their time, energy and support over many years, and it is important that those who have made an exceptional contribution are remembered by future generations of members.
We believe an annual Tony Cook Trophy is an appropriate way of ensuring that Tony's name and his contribution to Brynhill remain part of the Club for many years to come.
Thank you for putting forward such a thoughtful suggestion. We are very pleased to be able to confirm that it will happen.
Is the new rockery when finished going to be marked GUR. Mainly two fold to stop damage to any plant etc in there and also to minimise damage to clubs from the large bolders etc whilst playing a shot. There could be relief either side in a DZ ?
Yes. Once the new rockery is completed, it will be designated as Ground Under Repair (GUR) and an appropriate drop zone will be created.
This will help protect the planting and landscaped area, while also preventing members from having to play shots from around the larger rocks and potentially damaging their clubs.
The final layout, markings and relief procedure will become clearer once the landscaping has fully established and the area is brought into play next season.
When holding a deferred membership as not playing through injury - 1. Can you mark cards 2. Stay on portals to see bookings 3. Play a few homes to Test out fitness to get back playing
A deferred membership applies where a member has not paid a playing subscription for the membership year, normally as a result of injury or another agreed circumstance.
Because the individual is not registered as a current playing member on the Club system, they do not have an active playing status with the Golf Union of Wales for handicap purposes. This means they cannot submit or mark qualifying cards while their membership remains deferred.
For the same reason, access to Club systems and associated booking apps cannot normally remain active. This is not simply a decision to withhold access; the systems are linked directly to current, fully registered playing membership.
We do, however, understand that someone returning from injury may need to test their fitness before recommitting to full play. Playing a limited number of holes for this purpose, or making use of the simulator, may be possible at the discretion of the Pro Shop.
Anyone wishing to do this should contact the Pro Shop in advance on 01446 720277 so that an appropriate arrangement can be made.
What's the long term plan for the 15th bunker?
We have discussed the long-term future of the bunker and the intention is to retain and reinstate it.
A small investment will be made to slightly redesign the bunker, improve its condition and return it to a standard where it can be maintained consistently alongside the other bunkers on the course.
We feel it is a well-positioned feature on the 15th and adds value to the strategy and character of the hole. Brynhill already has relatively few bunkers, so removing a good strategic feature would not be our preferred option.
Until the work is completed, the bunker will continue to be treated as Ground Under Repair.
I've been on the 2nd tee and fired my drive down the 1st fairway. It's actually a nice 2nd shot in. I think this shouldn't be allowed though and it's dangerous if someone is on the 1st fairway. Is it worth making the 1st and 2nd fairway have white OOB stakes for the 2nd tee shot?
Internal out of bounds is something we try to avoid wherever possible on a golf course. It should generally only be introduced where there is a clear and significant safety requirement.
From the 2nd tee, players have good visibility of golfers playing the 1st hole. Any player whose shot is heading towards another group must, of course, immediately give an appropriate warning by shouting “FORE”.
Players should not intentionally use the 1st fairway as an alternative route when playing the 2nd hole. Doing so could unnecessarily place the golfer themselves, as well as players on the 1st hole, in a position of increased risk.
Introducing internal out of bounds would not completely remove that risk, because a player whose ball finishes on the 1st fairway would still need to enter that area to retrieve it.
For those reasons, we do not currently believe internal OOB is the best solution. The expectation is that golfers play the hole as designed, remain aware of other players and follow normal course safety and etiquette at all times.
Please can you make junior golfers aware that they must keep up with the players in front of them also to be aware of players behind. I love to see them out but please keep up.
Absolutely, although this is an important message for all golfers, not only our junior members.
Maintaining an appropriate pace of play and keeping position with the group in front forms part of the standards and etiquette we expect from everyone using the course. These expectations are covered with new members during their induction and apply equally to juniors and adults.
We will continue reinforcing that message with the Junior Section and across the wider membership.
It is, however, impossible for the Club to monitor every group throughout every round. We can set the standards, communicate them clearly and expect members to follow them.
Where someone does encounter a group that has genuinely lost position, a polite and friendly reminder, delivered in the right way, can often resolve the situation immediately. If there is a repeated or significant issue, please bring it to the attention of the Pro Shop or Club management.
Can the overground hedge on the right of the 12th.be cut back, the ditch cleared and the red markers made visible At the present the ditch is not clearly visible and may result in an injury /especially for visitors.
This is a very good point, and thank you for bringing it to my attention.
I will ask the Course Team to add this area to their work list so that the hedge can be assessed and cut back where required, the ditch cleared and the red penalty-area markers made more visible.
The ditch should be clearly identifiable to members and visitors, particularly where there is a potential safety concern, so we will make sure the area is reviewed and improved.
The Doom Bars beers need to be replaced by Birra Moretti lager? I believe it will become very popular seller overtaking the Staroprmen lager. Coors do sell them as I notice we are similar with other public house that sell them including all other big name brands. I don’t think the new IPA Alpaca Lypse are suitable for us as they got worthington.
Thank you for the suggestion. Our draught beer range is governed by the Club's current supply agreement with Molson Coors, and Birra Moretti is a Heineken-owned brand. As a result, it is not currently a product we are able to introduce as part of our draught offering.
We are, however, reviewing the range and Doom Bar is being removed. Its replacement will be Alpaca Lypse IPA.
We appreciate that members will naturally have different preferences when it comes to beer and lager. We will continue to monitor sales and feedback across the bar range so that, within the terms of our supply agreement, we can offer products that are both commercially successful and popular with members.