Competitions - This Month

Entry for the 2025 Summer knock-out competitions are now available online. You can enter on the app under the knock-out heading. Payment for all the knock-outs should be paid by 31 March to qualify for the draw. Entry is £5 for singles and £10 for pairs comps. Please pay your entry in brown envelope with your name(s) and competition(s) entered into silver entry box in the clubhouse.

-Tee Markers and Mats The "Winter Golf Course Index" typically refers to adjustments made to golf handicaps and course ratings during the winter season. Since weather conditions and course maintenance can significantly affect playability, some golf clubs implement a winter index to ensure fair competition. This might involve: • Modified Course Ratings: Adjusting the course and slope ratings to reflect changes in difficulty due to winter conditions, such as slower greens or temporary tees. • Handicap Adjustments: Allowing players to maintain a fair handicap despite the seasonal challenges. • Temporary Rules: Introducing specific rules for winter play, like preferred lies or relief from certain conditions. At Dereham Golf Club, the 13th hole has been reduced by 120 yards, altering the overall course difficulty and Slope Rating. This change is part of the seasonal modifications to adapt to winter conditions, making the hole more accessible for players. However, since the tee is now 120 yards shorter, the full length hole cannot be used for a qualifying round until the course returns to its full length on 31st March. Should weather conditions continue to improve, the club staff may opt to move the tee markers back to the standard 13th tee. Until then (31st March), cards cannot be submitted from the longer tee. However, qualifying cards can still be submitted when using the measured mats. Additionally, all cards submitted during the winter period can qualify, provided the tees are used and adjusted by no more than 10 yards forward or backward from the new tee measurements. The total adjustment across the course must not exceed 100 yards longer or shorter, ensuring fairness and consistency in qualifying play. Furthermore, since 2019, the World Handicap System (WHS) has applied standardised course ratings to every golf course worldwide. This ensures consistency in handicap calculations and fairness, accounting for the relative difficulty of each course for scratch and bogey golfers. Dereham Golf Club remains committed to offering its members a golf course that provides fair play and adheres to the established handicap rules, ensuring an enjoyable and competitive experience for all. Steve Beckham Competition Secretary.