JASON’S TIP FOR MARCH
JASON’S TIP March 2026 Golf would certainly be easier to master if we played every shot from a level lie, alas this is not the case. There are four types of sloping lies, each demanding adjustment to your setup and swing. All slope, no matter how slight will affect the impact of the clubface on the ball, so understanding how this works is vital if you are to be consistently in control. You will need to adjust your address position which will have an effect on your swing to take account of these challenges. There are two sidehill situations, where your feet are level with each other, but higher or lower than the ball. There are uphill and downhill sloping lies, where your left foot is higher or lower than the right foot. UPHILL LIE Hitting up the slope creates the need for an upward angle of attack; this approach makes the ball fly higher and stop quickly. The hill inhibits the lower body action and therefore restricts the clearing of the left hip during the forward swing. The tendency is for the hands to become very active closing the clubface to the left. Points to note are: Take a club with less loft than normal for the yardage. Play the ball nearer your higher foot. Aim slightly more to the right, remember it is only tendency for the ball to fly left. Set yourself more perpendicular to the slope. Swing with the slope not against it, allow the sole of the club to “surf the turf”. Swing with a reduced speed helping balance from an uneven position. DOWNHILL LIE The downhill shot requires a steep downward angle of attack; this approach makes the ball fly lower with more ball speed. The slope of the hill encourages weight shift and tends to leave the clubface open, so the ball moves to the right. Points to note are: Take a club with more loft than normal for the shot. Play the ball nearer your higher foot. Aim slightly more to the left, take care it is only a tendency for the ball to move to the right. Set yourself more perpendicular to the slope. Swing with the slope, allow the sole of the club to “surf the turf”. Swing with a reduced speed helping balance from an uneven position. BALL ABOVE YOUR FEET The ball sitting higher than your feet will make your posture more upright and promote a flatter swing. A flatter swing leads to more activity in the hands which tends to close the clubface to the left. Points to note are: Grip further down the shaft. Position the ball in the middle of the stance. Aim slightly more to the right, it is a tendency for the ball to fly left. Swing with a reduced speed helping balance from an uneven position. BALL BELOW YOUR FEET The ball sitting lower than your feet will make your posture more horizontal and promote an upright swing. An upright swing leads to more activity in the upper body which tends to make the golfer swing across the ball promoting an open club face. Points to note are: Stand slightly closer to the ball and bow over more. Position the ball in the middle of your stance. Aim slightly more to the left, it is only a tendency for the ball to fly to the right.Swing with a reduced speed helping balance from an uneven position. This has been written for a right-handed golfer.
WINTER MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME REVIEW
WINTER MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME COMPLETION With the winter maintenance programme complete, it has been fantastic to finally enjoy some much needed dry weather, along with encouraging daytime temperatures. Even better, the forecast suggests more of the same over the coming days. During the recent Old Course closure, the team has been extremely busy delivering a number of projects designed to enhance the golfing experience for our members, alongside carrying out a full aeration programme on the main playing surfaces. While the course was closed we also took the opportunity to drill seed the 8th fairway. Behind the scenes, our workshop team has been sharpening equipment and preparing machinery for the upcoming season. As part of our long-term strategy to introduce additional run-off areas around the greens, similar to those already completed on holes 7 and 13, we have constructed our largest one to date at the rear of the 2nd green on the Old Course. This spot has always attracted golf balls but has historically struggled due to heavy shade and tree roots competing with the turf. Over the closure period, approximately 700 square metres behind the green were stripped out and drained with 230 tonnes of rootzone material applied to create the proper foundations for a high quality run off area. Turf has been ordered and is due to arrive this week. Once the work is complete, the area will be marked as Ground Under Repair with the aim of bringing it into play for the Spring Meeting. New irrigation has also been installed to ensure consistent and uniform coverage across the area. We look forward to seeing the finished results come together and the different shot options it will offer members who overshoot the green in the future. In addition to the irrigation installed around the new 2nd run-off area, we are also installing 44 new irrigation heads around the greens on the Old Course. These will allow us to independently water the areas surrounding the greens, which can at times struggle due to the volume of foot traffic they receive. This will also enable us to carry out more targeted seeding, fertilising and aeration, while carefully managing moisture levels to ensure successful recovery. As part of our forestry management plan, and in line with the felling licence approved by the Forestry Commission, we have carried out thinning works to the left of the 1st hole and within the woodland to the left of the 4th green on the Old Course. Any dead, damaged or diseased trees have been removed, while the best specimen trees have been retained and will now thrive in the improved environment. All felled material has been chipped, with the woodchip being reused elsewhere on the golf course, including on maintenance tracks for course vehicles. Over the coming weeks, our main focus will return to overall course presentation and overseeding areas that have struggled due to the four droughts experienced in 2025, combined with an extremely wet and challenging winter. Localised areas of Ground Under Repair will be used in the short term to protect these surfaces once work has been completed and to give them the best opportunity to establish successfully. Rhys Beecher Iain DyeDirector of Golf Golf Course Manager
COURSE MAINTENANCE PROGRESS
COURSE MAINTENANCE PROGRESS 11 February 2026 News From The Course The start of 2026 has presented significant challenges for courses throughout the UK and more regionally within Surrey. Approximately eight inches of rainfall has been recorded so far this year, accompanied by persistent low cloud cover, minimal wind and very few meaningful drying days. January also saw substantial disruption, with 14 days of full course closure due to snow coverage across both golf courses, as shown above. In recent weeks, we have received an increased number of enquiries from other clubs regarding course status and current ground conditions. It is evident that clubs across the South East are experiencing similarly testing circumstances. Ground ConditionsBoth courses are currently affected by a high volume of worm casts. Due to the saturated ground, machinery such as blowers and brushes cannot be used without risking further surface damage. As soon as conditions allow equipment to operate safely, the team will prioritise clearing and restoring affected areas. Coronation Course – Maintenance ProgressThe Coronation Course has remained closed since the start of the month, providing the team with an opportunity to complete essential winter maintenance ahead of spring. Greens MaintenanceLight scarification has been undertaken to remove excess thatch resulting from the prolonged wet weather. This work is intended to firm up the putting surfaces and support strong growth heading into the main playing season. Aeration ProgrammeGreens, tees, approaches and fairways have been aerated using a range of tine sizes. This programme will improve drainage, enhance root development and support drying once weather conditions become more favourable. Turfing and Landscaping WorksPathway edges have been re turfed across sections of the Coronation Course. Selected bunkers impacted during last summer’s drought have also been re turfed to restore quality and presentation. Forestry thinning has been carried out around the 6th green. The green’s limited daily sunlight and extended snow retention made it particularly susceptible to a Fusarium outbreak. A group of ash trees infected with Ash Dieback has also been removed as part of the long term forestry management plan.These works will significantly increase airflow and light penetration, supporting improved turf health and resilience. Practice Area EnhancementsThe practice bunker on the driving range has been completely rebuilt. Following a review of comparable facilities, the team has installed an artificial (AstroTurf) bunker face to reduce wear from sand splash and ball strike. This will ensure improved durability and consistent presentation throughout the year. Old Course – Upcoming ClosureWork will begin next week as part of the scheduled Old Course closure. A new run off area behind the 2nd green will be constructed to improve fairness and playability. This enhancement will provide a more consistent lie for balls finishing long, offer greater variety in recovery shot options and maintain the strategic challenge of the hole while improving turf quality and presentation. A further update on progress will be provided in the next edition of Golf News in two weeks’ time. Rhys Beecher Iain DyeDirector of Golf Golf Course Manager
VETERANS’ SUMMER SINGLES KNOCKOUT
VETERANS’ SUMMER SINGLES KNOCKOUT Draw will take place on Wednesday 25 March There is no Handicap Index restriction for men only aged 60 and above on the closing date of entry. Matches can be played on either course from the yellow plates. The Semi-Finals and Final are to be played on the Old Course. Please view the Veterans’ Summer Singles Knockout Rules. Pass holders must have played in at least three qualifying Medal or Stableford competitions at the Club a year prior to the date of the competition. If a Pass Holder has transferred in from another club, they need to have a full complement of twenty scores on their WHS Handicap Index Record within the last six months. All entries must be received by Sunday 22 March. The knockout draw will take place on Wednesday 25 March.
CLUB MATCHES 2026
GOLF MATCHES 2026 Please sign up online Sign-Up for Matches Online We are pleased to announce that you can now sign-up online for Golf Matches 2026. How to sign up: To sign-up for matches please use the following steps: Login to Intelligent Golf. Click on ‘Competitions’. Click on ‘Matches’. Click on ‘View all Squads’. Join which squad you would like to participate in. Join that squad. Very important: please go back and click on ‘Competitions’. Click on ‘Matches’. Then set availability. Then save availability. Match organisers will be in contact regarding selection for each match. The following matches are available for sign up: Ladies’ Friendly Matches (open to all lady pass holders with a Handicap Index) Men’s Friendly Matches (open to all men pass holders with a Handicap Index) Men’s Senior Friendly Matches (open to all men pass holders aged 60 years and over with a Handicap Index) Men’s Signature League Matches (open to men pass holders with a Handicap Index) Men’s Herbert Fowler Matches this is new for 2026 and replaces the Hilliard League (open to men pass holders with a Handicap Index) Men’s Warren League (open to men pass holders with a Handicap Index from 9.0 to 26.0) Mixed Matches (open to all men and lady pass holders with a Handicap Index) Please make yourself available for home and away matches. Preference will be given to those who make themselves available for both, as opposed to just away matches. When setting your availability for matches, please do not leave this section blank. Please make sure you only sign up for 2026 matches only. Please email golfoperations@royalautomobileclub.co.uk if you would like assistance.
KNOCKOUT COMPETITIONS 2026
KNOCKOUT COMPETITIONS 2026 New Rules For 2026 The rules have changed this year for the Mixed Knockout competition. Maximum handicap index on entry being 28.0 for Men and 28.0 for Ladies. Also, the semi-finals and final are to be played on the Old Course. The following rules apply before entering: Pass holders must have played in at least three qualifying Medal or Stableford competitions at the Club a year prior to the date of the competition. If a pass holder has transferred in from another club, they need to have a full complement of 20 scores on their WHS Handicap Index record within the last six months. All entries must be received by Sunday 18 January. The knockout draw for each knockout competition will take place by Wednesday 21 January. Tiger Cup Handicap Index up to 14.6. Men only. Matches are to be played from the Tiger tees on the Old Course or, if mutually agreed, the white plates on the Coronation Course. The semi-finals and final are to be played on the Old Course. The final will be played on one day over 36 holes. Angora Cup Handicap Index 14.7 and above. Men only. Matches are to be played from the yellow plates on either course. The semi-finals and final are to be played on the Old Course. Veterans’ Cup No Handicap Index restriction. Men only aged 60 and above on the closing date of entry. Matches are to be played from the yellow plates on either course. The semi-finals and final are to be played on the Old Course. Better Ball Knockout No Handicap Index restriction. Men only. Please enter as a pair. Single players are welcome to enter with the aim to be paired with another golf pass holder. If you would like to do this, please contact Golf Operations. To be played from the white plates on either course. The semi-finals and final are to be played on the Old Course. Mixed Knockout Handicap Index up to 28.0 on entry for both men and ladies. Please enter as a pair. Single players are welcome to enter with the aim to be paired with another golf pass holder. If you would like to do this, please contact Golf Operations. This competition is to be played on either course with men playing from the white plates and ladies from the red plates. The semi-finals and final are to be played on the Old Course. Should you wish, you can download all the above information.
LADIES’ CHRISTMAS COMPETITION AND LUNCH
LADIES’ CHRISTMAS COMPETITIONS AND LUNCHES Old Course, Sunday 14 and Tuesday 16 December The first Ladies’ Christmas Competition took place on Sunday 14 December. 32 ladies played best two Stableford scores to count 9-hole competition on the Old Course followed by lunch in the 19th Hole. This year’s winning team, pictured above left, was Julie Clark, Jessica Friend, Michelle White and Jane Fraser with 36 points. Yesterday 96 ladies played best two Stableford scores to count 9-hole 1-9 and 10-18 loop competition on the Old Course followed by lunch in the Cedar Room. This year’s front nine winners pictured above right with our Lady Captain, Sarah Kingsbury, were Roo Goswamy, Margot Waddup, Risha Goswamy and Tessa Spencer–Pickup with 38 points. This year’s back nine winners were Kelly Lindberg, Diane Earnshaw, Helen Atkinson and Jane Williams with 44 points. Kelly Lindberg also won this year’s Order of Merit.
MEN’S CHRISTMAS COMPETITION AND LUNCH
MEN’S CHRISTMAS COMPETITON AND LUNCH Old Course, Saturday 13 December The Men’s Christmas Competition took place last Saturday on the Old Course. Following golf, a well-attended lunch took place in the Cedar Room. This year’s winning team pictured above with our Vice Captain, Toby Cracknell, were Martin McLagan, Paul Earland, Brin Cox and Robert Earland with132 points. The following Honours Board winners were also presented with a trophy: Betterball Knockout Competition: Simon Crane Jimmie Muil: Allan Collins Autumn Meeting Stableford: Scott HealyHamsher Cup: Charlie LewisOrder of Merit: Martin Vertigen Congratulations to all of them.
MIXED CHRISTMAS COMPETITION
MIXED CHRISTMAS COMPETITION Sunday 7 December 2025 On Sunday, 72 golfers played in a 9-hole front and back nine shotgun start better ball Stableford competition on the Old Course followed by a one-course meal in the 19th Hole. Congratulations to Gary Waddup and Margot Waddup, pictured above, with our Lady Captain Sarah Kingsbury who scored 17 points on countback on the front nine and to Geoffrey and Cristina Sparks who scored 19 points on countback. Please see below some photos from the afternoon.
GOLF COURSE WINTER UPDATE
GOLF COURSE WINTER UPDATE December 2025 As we move into the winter months, we wanted to provide an update on recent work across the golf courses and share our plans for the remainder of the this year and early 2026. The recent spell of mild, wet weather has presented a few challenges. At this time of year we would typically expect to cut greens, tees and approaches once a week. However, the continued mild conditions mean the team has still been cutting tees and approaches twice a week and greens three times a week. Some of the more shaded greens have shown signs of disease pressure so we have applied additional fungicide treatments alongside our existing preventative programme to ensure turf health is maintained. Most of the trees around the courses have now dropped their leaves, although a few oak trees are still holding on. As ground conditions allow, the team has been working systematically to blow and collect leaves across both courses. Starting in January we will begin raising canopies along the tree lines of individual fairways. As tree limbs grow they naturally drop lower which can obstruct players and create health and safety risks for staff operating rough-cutting machinery. Canopy lifting helps maintain playability and ensures safer working conditions. In November we introduced our first robotic mower to the machinery fleet. It is currently programmed to cut specific fairways on the courses. These lightweight machines offer several advantages: They can operate when heavier, traditional mowers would risk causing surface damage. They deliver far superior results even when worm casts are present. They run extremely quietly making them ideal for working near course boundaries and residential areas. We expect to add more robotic mowers to the fleet in the near future. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all members who have adapted quickly to the new 90-degree trolley rule and who have been following all posts and ropes. It has been particularly pleasing to see so many members carrying their bags and walking the courses. These measures will help ensure the courses come through winter in the best possible condition. We will continue to keep you updated as winter maintenance progresses. Thank you for your continued support and we hope you enjoy your time out on the courses this festive season. Iain Dye Golf Course Manager