New Members Guide

 Welcome to Lymm Golf Club!

This brief guide has been written to help you integrate within the club by providing you with some general information, introduce you to sections of the Club of which you may not be aware, and, we sincerely hope, help you to enjoy your time as a fully participating member of Lymm Golf Club.

Lymm Golf Club has existed on the site at Whitbarrow Road since 1907, initially, as a nine-hole course but, since the 70’s, as a full and challenging eighteen. Through that time many thousands have walked the fairways and, as with all clubs, we have our traditions and, some may say, our foibles. However we have, over the years, gained the reputation as one of the friendliest and accommodating clubs in the area; a reputation we work hard to retain.

At your introductory meeting you will be given the means of access to the member's section of this website and a bag tag, please ensure your bag tag is displayed on your golf bag at all times.

Joining any new organisation can appear a little daunting at times but do not hesitate to ask if there is anything you are unsure of, or require any assistance.

General Information

Lymm Golf Club is owned and run by its members for the benefit of the members, an elected Council of members oversee the affairs of the club.

Members, apart from Trial and Junior Members are entitled and encouraged to attend the AGM.

Who's Who at Lymm

The day-to-day business is run by: 

Business Manager:   Keith Melia

Head Greenkeeper : James Dennett

Clubhouse Manager: Karen Fyfe.

Tee-time bookings

We operate an optional tee booking system, members can either book a tee time in advance or just turn up. Tee bookings are displayed on the Club's Website. From time to time the 1st/10th tee will be reserved for competitions, visiting parties etc., please see the website for details.

Club Rules

Like any good organisation Lymm Golf Club is governed by a set of rules, these are detailed in the website. Hopefully you will find that our rules are not onerous but are there to ensure everyone’s enjoyment and the smooth running of the Club.

Some points you might like to be aware of are:-

Starting Holes are the 1st, 10th and 13th but please do not tee-off on the 10th if the 9th hole is already in play and do not tee of at the 13th if players are approaching the 12th green.

The Tee of the Day for Men is the Yellow and for Ladies the Red.  The White Tees are reserved for competitions only.

Practising on the course is not allowed; please only use one ball on the course (unless you lose it!).  Hitting a number of balls from the same spot and, especially, into the Greens causes damage to the course that we would like to avoid. When using the main practice area for safety reasons please do not hit balls towards the car park. 

It is courteous to allow those playing in club competitions to have priority on the tee and to allow them to play through without hold-up.

Please at all times observe Golfing Etiquette – Remember to replace divots, repair pitch marks, rake bunkers, keep your trolley away from the Green and their surrounds and, if you lose sight of the ball or it is heading towards other players, call ‘FORE’. Do not play your shot until players in front are safely out of range. Please avoid slow play. From time to time special playing conditions may be in operation, especially in winter, check notice boards or Pro’s Shop.

Golfing Clothing – we are not a ‘posh’ club but we do have our standards, which are not onerous but, we hope, you will accept and comply with. Basically, these are that 1) Denim jeans, football & rugby type shirts and trainers are not considered appropriate golf wear, 2) Shirts are to be tucked in and 3), if you are wearing shorts (which should be of a tailored type), please wear predominantly white socks.

Golf

The Gents and Ladies Competition Committees organise formal competitions throughout the year. To enter competitions you will need a handicap. If you do not have a valid handicap you will need to submit three scorecards signed by yourself and another member. Details of the Competition Calendar and knockout events are displayed on the notice boards and the club website.

As well as club competitions there are a number of less formal gatherings, which provide an excellent way for a new member to integrate. Among these are:

The Wellie League (Gents) – The Wellie League meets regularly during the winter months on non-competition Saturdays and Sundays as close to 7.30 a.m. as daylight will permit. Players make up in the car park and play a Stableford Competition through the winter with individual prizes on the day and a dinner at the end of the (Wellie’s) season in April. All are welcome!

The Seniors’ Section

The Gents Senior Section at Lymm Golf Club provides a great opportunity for men over the age of 55 to play both friendly and competitive golf on a regular basis, and equally as important, to enjoy the friendly camaraderie that exists amongst the 80 or so of our current members.

The Gents Seniors Section organise several competitions each week -throughout the year – namely:

Monday’s starting at 8:00am, “Happy Mondays!” Team matches are played. There is a catalogue of competitions all played over 15 holes – Scramble, “best 2 from 3”, team Stableford, Waltz, Yellow ball – all refreshed regularly to pique interest. The Section oversees a booking rota to ensure a constant re-mixing of players each week. You get advised of your tee time and playing partners 2 weeks in advance. “£ in the pot” ensures worthy weekly prizes: Winners take all.

Wednesday’s from 8:00am during the season, members make up informal groups to enter the Weekly Club competition. You will never be short of a playing slot. 18 holes allows you to keep your WHS cards going.

Fridays – our main competition day. The Senior’s League.

The League is a 15-hole individual Stableford competition which is played through the year. There are 3 X 10- week sessions : Summer/ Autumn/ Winter. The best 5 scores from players counting during each 10-week session. Prizes are awarded to each weekly winner and Trophies awarded to each Session winner. There is also a sleeve of balls for all who sink a “two” on competition day. Play starts from around 8:00am. The Section oversees a booking rota to ensure a constant re-mixing of players each week. You get advised of your tee time and playing partners 2 weeks in advance.

You can elect to play 18 holes on the day if that is your preference.

As with all our games, it’s the banter in the clubhouse afterwards over coffee that is the icing on the cake.

There are also two knock-out competitions each year. A Winter Pairs knock-out competing for the Andy Ward Trophy (Drawn in October) and a Summer Singles knock-out, competing for the Mike Smith Trophy (Drawn in April).

And still more!

There are 20 Friendly Matches played each year against other clubs. Currently Warrington, High Legh, Heyrose, Hale, Ringway, Davyhulme, Helsby, Leigh, Sale  and Northenden. This provides a great opportunity to play different courses in the area throughout the summer months. 10  matches played at home (always slotted in on a Friday) and 10 matches away (various days of the week). Match selection is by rotation; everyone who wants to play gets an even chance - irrespective of ability.

All these matches are supplemented throughout the year with various other competitions, such as a Texas Scramble, a 5 Club competition and of course, an annual Turkey Trot at the back end of the year.

If that is not enough, each August, the Group also organises two 18-hole Stableford Competitions; The Gordon Wood Trophy and The Peter Herrity Trophy and also arrange a team to play the Ladies Section for the Mitre Trophy around this time.

Finally, the Section also organises a Lymm GC Seniors Team that plays in the more competitive Tatton League against Antrobus, Styal, Heyrose, Birchwood and High Legh Golf Clubs. 6 very competitive matches!!

If all this is still not enough, we also arrange groups to play away together in selected “Opens” at other clubs, plus an annual Senior’s away trip – an overnight golfing trip – once you’ve been on one, you’ll never miss another!

Presentations are made three times a year – virtually. We use out newsletter to let everyone know who has won anything within 2 weeks of the final round. Once a year though ( October) we also have a presentation Lunch at the club. All the Trophies are polished up and presented on the day.

And finally, a non-golfing moment. We hold an annual Xmas lunch at the club which open to all members both past and present. Noisy? Certainly, Boisterous? Oh Yes!  . . .but not to be missed.

There is a nominal fee of £20 per annum to join the Section. This is the only fee. All prizes, cups, trophies, two’s pot balls, bottles of wine for the fun comp winners, nearest the pins – need I go on? All are included in your £20.

What else? Well , the weekly Seniors newsletter – delivered to your inbox every Wednesday evening. Packed with what’s gone on during the week and what’s coming  your way shortly!

The group is managed by an elected Gents Seniors Section Committee which reports to the  senior’s members at an Annual Business Meeting each October( runs concurrent with the Presentation Lunch) .

The Gents Section are a friendly group, who play golf the way it is meant to be played - with a competitive streak, but always with a smile on their faces. A very warm welcome is extended to all newcomers, who are of course encouraged to take part in all or any part of the events calendar that they may wish to.

The question is not “should you join”, it’s “why haven’t you joined already?”

If you want to know more, please feel free to contact the organisation through:

Mike Bennett ( Chairman) bennett10@aol.com Tel 07866603760 or 01925 758258

Steve Gosling  (Treasurer &  Membership) gosling.steve@yahoo.co.uk  Tel 07714837272 or 01619299415

Rob Taylor (Secretary to the committee) robgtaylor@ntlworld.com  Tel 07757690119 or 01565634009

Pro’s Thursday Roll-up - Played throughout the summer from April to September.  This is a 12 hole Stableford competition, ideal for a summer evening stroll.  Make yourself known to Steve (our Pro) and, I’m sure, he will introduce you to others who are playing. There are prizes for each round and you gain points towards the end of season Roll-up pot. Most members will stay and have a meal and a chat after the game. It’s a great way to meet existing members.

Other Roll-ups – Throughout the week – summer and winter - various other groups meet. Without being exhaustive – there is a Wednesday Roll-up (Gents) – meet at 11.30a.m. in the Clubhouse and a Thursday (Gents)  Roll-up, which takes an am-am format played after the Ladies – Meet in the Snooker Room at midday on Thursday for the draw for Partners.

A Ladies’ roll-up takes place on every Tuesday at 9.30am . Please be on the tee for 9.30am. (Check on times in the school holidays). There is also a ladies roll-up on Sundays, at about 1.00pm on non competition days. New Lady Members have a ‘Silver Rabbits’ competition every Wednesday at 6 – 6.30 pm during the summer.

The Friday Mixed – a long standing tradition of the club. Now played in two sections, meeting at either noon ( including for for a light lunch beforehand ) or 4.30pm The format being  a thirteen hole Mixed Greensomes. Husbands/Wives/Partners are most welcome but if you do not have a playing partner please contact Maureen Taylor ( 01925 820779 ) and she will help to organise one.

General Play – Lymm Golf Club prides itself on being a friendly club and we are committed to integrate you as best we are able but one of the problems all new members inevitably meet is walking to the 1st Tee not knowing a soul or even worse playing a round by yourself.

Please, if you are by yourself and you see another person by themselves ASK IF YOU MAY JOIN THEM!  We all started this way; it’s never easy but you will be amazed how much more you enjoy the round and the drink afterwards and, you never know, you may have found yourself a fourball partner or even a golfing partner for life.

Your membership allows you to invite guests. Members may introduce and play with up to three guests at any one time at a reduced green fee. The same guest may not be introduced more than six times in any one year.

Your Membership also allows you to obtain a "Cheshire Card" which gives you preferential green fee rates at other member clubs. Contact the office for further information.

In order to help get new men integrated into the weekend competitions, slots will be reserved for them on the startsheet at their request to either the office or the Pro Shop.The ladies competition system makes this process far easier for new players to access the ladies' competitions and they will not need the help of reserved slots, but for the new men this will be a real help in getting them started and is a real practical benefit to any new member and especially one not knowing any existing members.

The Club House

Dress code is normally smart casual but please no denim or trainers. At certain functions Dinners, Presentations, Annual General Meeting etc. dress code will be more formal.

Bar snacks and meals are available at most times and the opening times are displayed on the bar. Very occasionally if there is an external function food service maybe restricted.

As a matter of courtesy to other members please do not use mobile phones within the clubhouse (or on the course, except in an emergency).

The Social Committee organise various social events – Discos, Live Music, Quizzes - through the year to which you and your guests are most welcome. Details will be posted on the notice board in the clubhouse.

If you would like to arrange for an outside function of your own please see Karen – the Clubhouse Manager – and she will be only too happy to assist.

Pro’s Shop

Lymm is fortunate in having the services of Steve McCarthy as its PGA qualified Professional Golfer. Steve is ably assisted by Paul Verrinder (better know as Fizzer). You can be assured of friendly service and expert advice from Steve or Paul.

If you would like to improve your game why not book a lesson with Steve.

Useful Numbers

All sections 01925 755020 select option:-

Steve in the Pro’s Shop – Option 3

Karen in the Clubhouse – Option 2

Keith in the Office – Option 1

If you have any questions or require any sort of assistance at any time, the Officers and the Staff of Lymm Golf Club will do everything in their power to help.

Enjoy your Golf