High Elms Golf Club

23/04/2026

Spring is here folks………

08/04/2026

Anyone interested? Time outdoors in retirement maybe, and free golf🥳

27/02/2026

High Elms Course Reopening Update

Dear Members,

We are pleased to confirm that we are now targeting a full course reopening at High Elms on Monday 2nd.

Following an extended period of closure, the course has been untouched in terms of grass cutting for approximately 10 weeks. Due to the mild winter, grass growth continued steadily throughout this time, resulting in significantly increased sward height across all playing areas. While recent improvements in temperature and conditions have allowed us to make progress, there remain a number of areas that are still too soft or saturated for machinery to access safely and effectively.

Although we had initially hoped to reopen sooner, further rainfall forecast for Friday would result in the loss of another key cutting day and risk setting back the progress already made. As a result, reopening on Monday allows us the best opportunity to present the course to a standard that members expect and deserve after such a prolonged closure.

It is important to note that we cannot simply reduce the grass down to playing height in a single cut. Attempting to do so would place excessive stress on the turf, risk scalping and surface damage, and ultimately set back turf health and presentation. Instead, the team must gradually bring all playing surfaces back down in stages, allowing the plant to recover and ensuring consistency of cut and quality across the course. This approach protects the turf and ensures a far better standard of surface for play when we reopen.

Despite the challenges, the team has made strong progress and we are currently around 40% of the way there in terms of full course preparation. Over the coming days we will continue cutting, tidying and refining all playing areas so that the course is presented in the best possible condition for reopening.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this extended period of closure and look forward to welcoming you back to High Elms on Monday.

Kind regards, Course Management Team High Elms Golf Course

10/02/2026

Dear Members,

I wanted to provide an honest update on course conditions, the weather challenges we are facing, and the significant work planned as we move toward spring.

There is no hiding from the fact that this winter has been extremely difficult. Prolonged rainfall, saturated ground conditions, and a lack of consistent drying windows have made course presentation and recovery challenging. These conditions have limited machinery access, slowed recovery from wear, and increased disease and stress pressure on fine turf areas.

Unfortunately, the forecast suggests we are not completely out of the woods yet. Further unsettled weather is expected, and ground temperatures remain marginal. However, there are encouraging signs that spring is beginning to show. Daylight hours are increasing, soil temperatures are gradually rising, and turf growth is starting to respond when brief dry periods appear. These are the foundations we need to begin moving forward.

Ongoing & Planned Agronomic Works

To support recovery and long-term improvement, we have already begun, and will continue, a programme of air injection and solid tining to relieve compaction, improve drainage, and encourage deeper rooting. These operations will remain a key part of our approach going forward.

Looking ahead to next season, we will also be increasing inputs within our nutrition programme, with a greater focus on micronutrients to support plant health, stress tolerance, and consistency across playing surfaces.

Spring Renovation Programme

Our main spring renovation works are scheduled as follows:

Front 9 – Greens, Tees & Approaches:Monday 13th & Tuesday 14th April

Back 9:To follow Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th April.

The week prior to these works will involve further air injection and solid tining, preparing surfaces for renovation.

The renovation process will include:

Deep scarification

Overseeding:

Greens: Bent grass seed

Tees & Approaches: Rye and fescue mix

Heavy top dressing to complete the process

We expect recovery to take approximately 14–21 days, dependent on weather conditions.

Additional Works

Fairways:In the week following renovations, we will deep rake the fairways, followed by a spring liquid feed including sugars and seaweed to stimulate growth and recovery.

Tree Work:Tree works around the 13th, 15th, and 18th greens have been successfully completed this winter, improving light and airflow. We are now progressing with bunker re-edging, weeding, and sand replacement, with the aim of being spring-ready by Monday 30th March, weather permitting.

Course Presentation:Yardage markers in fairways will be cleaned and refreshed, tee markers revamped, and new flags and hole cups will be introduced.

Irrigation: Ongoing irrigation issues are scheduled to be resolved on the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th greens before the spring. This winter we have already repaired leaks and installed new pumps to significantly improve system pressure and efficiency, along with replacing broken sprinkler heads.

Investment & Direction

Over the last year, My time active has invested heavily in the course, including:

New greens mowers

New rough mowers

New cutting units

New aeration equipment

Hiring specialist machinery where required

This reflects a significant change in approach and culture, focused on doing things properly, investing for the long term, and steadily raising standards. This investment will continue, and the benefits will become more visible as conditions improve.

Thank you for your continued patience and support during a challenging period. I hope to see you out on the course soon, and please feel free to speak with any of the greenstaff or myself if you have any questions.

Kind regards,Craig

16/01/2026

Dear Golfers,

I wanted to provide an update on upcoming course maintenance works scheduled for next week at High Elms.

Due to the exceptionally difficult winter we have experienced, course conditions have suffered more than we would like. Prolonged wet weather, combined with the site’s natural characteristics, has resulted in very challenging ground conditions. As a result, we will be carrying out air injection and deep aeration works across key playing surfaces next week.

These operations are essential to improve soil structure, relieve compaction, enhance drainage, and encourage deeper, healthier root growth. While there may be some short-term disruption, these works are a critical step in helping the course recover and in setting us up to hit spring strongly in the best condition possible after a tough winter period.

Alongside this, tree canopy raising works will continue across the course. This is aimed at increasing light levels and air flow, both of which are vital for turf health, particularly through the winter and early spring months.

There is a significant amount to catch up on following the recent conditions, but please be assured that the team is fully committed to improving winter performance and long-term playing quality at High Elms.

The greenkeeping team is on site from 7:00am to 2:30pm, Monday to Friday, and from 6:00am to 10:00am at weekends. If you have any questions, please feel free to speak to us on site or contact me directly via email at [email protected].

Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Kind regards,
Craig Simms
Regional Grounds Manager

29/09/2025

Go on Ladies give it a go…..

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24/09/2025

Go on, you will want to after a Ryder Cup weekend…..

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Get Into Golf

18/09/2025

The work never stops…..

You may of seen this out on our course over the last few days. Here’s a breakdown of its benefits!

Using an Air2G2 on turf is all about improving the soil environment around the roots without causing heavy surface disruption. Here’s why we do it:
1. Relieves Compaction – Over time, foot traffic, machinery, and play compact the soil, squeezing out air spaces. The Air2G2 injects compressed air into the profile, fracturing compacted layers and loosening the soil.
2. Increases Oxygen Levels – Grass roots need oxygen to function properly. By injecting air directly into the rootzone, the Air2G2 improves gas exchange and creates a healthier growing environment.
3. Improves Drainage – Breaking up compacted layers allows water to move more freely through the soil profile, reducing waterlogging and surface puddling.
4. Promotes Root Growth – By relieving compaction and supplying oxygen, roots are encouraged to grow deeper and stronger, which makes turf more resilient to stress, drought, and wear.
5. Minimally Disruptive – Unlike traditional aeration (e.g. hollow coring), the Air2G2 creates almost no surface disruption, meaning play can resume straight after the process.

👉 In short: we Air2G2 turf to relieve compaction, improve oxygen exchange, boost drainage, and strengthen root systems — all without closing the surface to golfers.

24/08/2025

High Elms Golf Course – Report

End of Summer 2025

As summer comes to a close, I’d like to provide you with an update on the condition of the course and the progress made over the past few months.

Course Condition & Playability

This summer has been drier than average, which has placed greater reliance on our irrigation system. While some issues have arisen, we have already begun the process of carrying out repairs and improvements. The greens are our top priority, with sprinkler head replacements and system adjustments underway to ensure more efficient and consistent water coverage. Tees will follow as the next focus area, supporting both playability and turf health.

Despite these challenges, the team has worked extremely hard to maintain high standards. Regular mowing, turf ironing, and aeration programmes have kept the greens rolling well, while fairways have been cut weekly to provide clear definition. Our rough management schedule has balanced playability with ecological value, and approaches and tees have remained consistent in presentation throughout the season. Our nutrition program has been a great success and we will continue it as we approach the winter season.

Course Improvements

Several projects have been completed or are in progress this summer:
• New Course Furniture – yardage markers, and ball washers have been installed, improving presentation across the course.
• Bunker Work – Ongoing Bunkers have been re-shaped and re-edged to sharpen definition and improve playability.
• Tree Management – Ongoing canopy lifting continues to improve airflow, light pe*******on, and turf health.
• Pathways & Hedges – Enhancements have begun to improve both presentation and member experience.

Looking ahead, we are planning:
• Re-levelling of the 1st and 14th tee boxes.
• Construction of a drainage ditch along the 4th hole to assist with water management and reduce public access (subject to approval)
• Air injection aeration on the greens, strengthening root development and turf resilience.
• Ongoing irrigation system repairs and upgrades, with greens and tees remaining the highest priority for water management improvements.

Team & Operations

The greenkeeping team has shown real commitment through a challenging summer, keeping the course in good condition despite drier weather and irrigation limitations. Their effort and attention to detail have been vital in ensuring members continue to enjoy quality playing surfaces.

Looking Ahead to Autumn

Our focus will shift to essential maintenance, including aeration, overseeding, and drainage works. These programmes are key to strengthening the course ahead of winter and ensuring further improvements in presentation and playability.

⸻

In Summary
High Elms has faced drier conditions than usual this summer, but the course has continued to improve thanks to the team’s hard work and the ongoing investment into key projects. With irrigation repairs already underway and greens as the top priority, members can look forward to continued progress as we move into the autumn.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

Best regards,
Craig Simms
Regional Grounds Manager, Mytime Active

27/05/2025

Dear Customers

As we move into the height of the summer season, I’d like to take a moment to update you on the latest developments here at High Elms Golf Club.

Weather Challenges & Recovery

The start of the growing season was hampered by prolonged dry conditions, which unfortunately slowed recovery from winter wear and disease damage across the course. However, the recent spell of welcome rainfall has already begun to stimulate stronger growth and will support a much quicker recovery moving forward.

Course Conditions & Maintenance

The team has been working hard to present the course to a high standard, and we’ve seen excellent progress in turf quality across greens, tees, and fairways. Regular cutting, verti-cutting, and topdressing have continued to promote smooth, firm, and consistent playing surfaces.

We’re also continuing with our aeration and nutritional programmes, with particular focus on keeping the greens healthy and resilient through the warmer months. Fairway presentation has also been a priority, with weekly mowing and improved drainage management supporting better playability.

Rough Management

During the summer, we’ve increased the frequency of rough mowing to weekly, weather permitting, to ensure pace of play and playability remain consistent.

Course Furniture & Presentation

New tee signage, markers, bins, and ball washers are now fully installed, giving the course a fresh and improved look. Thank you for your positive feedback — it’s been great to see members enjoying the enhanced experience.

Wildlife & Sustainability

We’ve started to introduce managed wildlife areas in selected out-of-play zones. These not only support biodiversity but also contribute to the natural beauty of the course without impacting play.

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, we’ll continue monitoring conditions closely and adjusting our maintenance plans as needed to respond to weather and wear. Your feedback is always welcome — we want to ensure High Elms remains a course you’re proud to play.

On behalf of the greenkeeping team, thank you for your continued support and understanding. We look forward to seeing you on the course this summer.

Warm regards,
Craig
Regional Grounds Manager
Mytime Active Golf –