Mardyke Valley Golf Club

31/07/2026

Impact of Golf Buggies on Dormant Golf Courses.
Golf buggies are a common convenience for the members at Mardyke, offering mobility and accessibility for players.
However, their use during the dormant season typically in the hotter months when turfgrass is not actively growing can lead to significant damage.
Dormant turf refers to grass that has temporarily ceased active growth due to environmental conditions, usually hot or cold temperatures. Common turfgrasses enter dormancy to conserve energy. During this phase grass turns brown or straw-coloured.
Root activity slows significantly.
Recovery from damage is minimal or nonexistent until growth resumes.
Repeated buggy traffic compacts the soil, reducing pore space, limits water infiltration, root growth, and oxygen exchange, leading to poor turf health when growth resumes.
Tires can shear or bruise the brittle dormant grass blades and weakens turf structure, increasing susceptibility to disease and w**d invasion.
Damage incurred during dormancy cannot be repaired until the turf resumes growth.
Aesthetic and playability issues will persist, affecting course quality and user satisfaction.
Traffic Patterns: Repeated use of the same paths intensifies damage.
We may restrict buggy use,
limit or ban buggy use during dormancy, especially after grass starts to emerge
We will make more effort to inform players about the importance of turf preservation during dormancy at the point of hire, ie Proshop. Ensuring we change buggy geofencing regularly will limit worn areas.
I know some of these changes will upset buggy users, but sometimes things just have to be restricted for the greater good.

25/04/2026

25/04/2026

Great turnout today for our Junior open, 74 juniors competed over 4 divisions, well done to all the winners, including a surprise entry all the way from Scotland, thank you for all the help today with registration and running of the day.

24/04/2026

05/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CQXFjAqFM/

16/07/2025

Impact of Golf Buggies on Dormant Golf Courses.

Golf buggies are a common convenience for the members at Mardyke, offering mobility and accessibility for players.
However, their use during the dormant season typically in the hotter months when turfgrass is not actively growing can lead to significant damage.

Dormant turf refers to grass that has temporarily ceased active growth due to environmental conditions, usually hot or cold temperatures. Common turfgrasses enter dormancy to conserve energy. During this phase grass turns brown or straw-coloured.
Root activity slows significantly.
Recovery from damage is minimal or nonexistent until growth resumes.

Repeated buggy traffic compacts the soil, reducing pore space, limits water infiltration, root growth, and oxygen exchange, leading to poor turf health when growth resumes.

Tires can shear or bruise the brittle dormant grass blades and weakens turf structure, increasing susceptibility to disease and w**d invasion.

Damage incurred during dormancy cannot be repaired until the turf resumes growth.
Aesthetic and playability issues will persist, affecting course quality and user satisfaction.

Traffic Patterns: Repeated use of the same paths intensifies damage.
I will restrict buggy use,
limit or ban buggy use during dormancy, especially after grass starts to emerge
We will make more effort to inform players about the importance of turf preservation during dormancy at the point of hire, ie Proshop. Ensuring we change buggy geofencing regularly will limit worn areas.
I know some of these changes will upset buggy users, but sometimes things just have to be restricted for the greater good.

16/07/2025

Parched Fairways: How Hot Droughts Are Reshaping Golf Course Management in the UK

The UK’s golf courses are facing a new kind of hazard—not from storms or floods, but from the sun. Mardyke has always been a dry course but....

With 2025 bringing the driest spring since World War II, hot drought conditions are forcing course managers to rethink everything from turf care to member communication.

Hot droughts—periods of high temperatures combined with prolonged dry spells are becoming more frequent and intense. Mardyke also has to endure drying winds that can crisp the surface.
In 2025, some regions like Wales, East Anglia and the south east recorded their driest March in over 70 years. This has led to soil moisture levels at Mardyke plummeting to as low as 1 % in our fairways, far below the ideal 10–15%

We are seeing an increased fire risk at Mardyke in our unmanaged areas, of course, with rainfall scarce and temperatures soaring, irrigation systems are being pushed to their limits:

Our water allowances are being used up earlier in the year, leaving us vulnerable later in the season.
Greens, tees, and aprons are prioritised, while fairways often go without, leading to patchy and stressed turf.
Calls for investment in more efficient irrigation systems and water recycling are growing louder but we can only water within our water allowance.
Hot droughts are not just about dryness—they also disrupt turf biology:
Cool-season grasses struggle to survive, leading to browning and dieback.
Recovery is delayed, as warm days and cold nights confuse growth cycles.
Stress-tolerant grass species are being trialled, but adaptation takes time and money.

One of the biggest challenges isn’t just the turf—it’s managing expectations. Members often expect pristine conditions in spring, not realising that drought is preventing recovery
Greenkeepers are under pressure, both physically and emotionally, to deliver results.
To cope with the new climate we are introducing drought-tolerant grass plants to reduce water useage, investing in soil health, using organic matter, and wetting agents to retain moisture.
Exploring alternative water sources, such as greywater and rainwater harvesting.

Hot droughts are no longer rare anomalies they’re becoming the new normal. For UK golf courses, this means adapting fast or risking long-term damage. With smart planning, sustainable practices, and strong community support, the industry can weather the heat and keep the game going.

11/07/2025

🚭 Important Notice: Smoking Ban on the Golf Course 🚭

Due to the extremely dry conditions on the course, we are implementing a temporary ban on smoking across all areas of the golf course effective immediately.
This measure is being taken to prevent any risk of fire and to ensure the safety of all players, staff, and the surrounding environment.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time. Let’s work together to keep our course safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Thank you,
The Mardyke management team.