Adverse Weather Information for Visiting Golfers

Weather conditions at Forfar can change quickly. The safety of our golfers, visitors and staff, together with the protection of the golf course, will always take priority. Play may be delayed, restricted, suspended or cancelled where weather or course conditions make it unsafe or where continued play could cause unacceptable damage to the course.

Weather Conditions
Weather conditions that may affect play include:
• Lightning and thunderstorms
• Heavy or prolonged rain
• High winds
• Frost, snow or ice
• Fog or poor visibility
• Flooding or standing water
• Any other severe or rapidly changing weather conditions

The course may remain open with temporary restrictions where conditions allow. These may include restrictions on buggies, particular areas of the course, or specific routes.
Golfers should remain alert to changing conditions and follow any instructions given by Club staff.

Lightning
Lightning presents a serious risk on an exposed golf course.
If play is suspended due to lightning or other dangerous weather, golfers must stop playing immediately and return to the clubhouse or another designated place of safety.
Do not shelter under trees or remain in exposed areas.
Golfers must not return to the course until the Club has confirmed that play may safely resume.

Air Horn Signals
THREE SHORT BLASTS – PLAY SUSPENDED
Three short blasts of the air horn mean that play has been suspended.
All golfers must:
• Stop playing immediately.
• Mark their ball where appropriate.
• Return to the clubhouse and take shelter.
• Remain off the course until the restart signal is given.
ONE LONG BLAST – PLAY MAY RESUME
One long blast of the air horn means that play may resume.
Please do not return to the course until this signal has been given.
Additional instructions may apply if particular areas of the course remain restricted.

During a Suspension
If conditions improve sufficiently for play to resume within 90 minutes of the suspension, golfers may return to the course and continue their round once the restart signal has been given.
If Forfar Golf Club is hosting a competition or organised event, the decision on whether play continues, is suspended or is abandoned will be made by the event organiser in consultation with the Club. Golfers taking part in an event should follow the instructions given by the event organiser and Club staff.
If play cannot safely resume within 90 minutes, competitions affected by the suspension will normally be abandoned. The course may subsequently reopen for general play once conditions are considered safe.
If conditions deteriorate again after play has restarted, play may be suspended again.

Course Closure, Rescheduling and Refunds
If the course is closed before a visiting golfer has started their round due to weather or course conditions, we will make reasonable efforts to rearrange the booking for an alternative time or date, subject to availability.
Where a suitable alternative cannot be provided, any refund or booking credit will be dealt with in accordance with the Club’s booking terms and conditions.
If the course remains open but a golfer chooses not to start their round because of the weather, a refund will not normally apply.
If play is temporarily suspended during a round, golfers should allow a reasonable period for conditions to improve and should follow the Club’s instructions regarding the resumption of play. A golfer who chooses to leave rather than wait for play to resume will not normally be entitled to a refund.
The Club’s decision to close the course will be based on the prevailing conditions, course conditions and the safety of golfers, staff and visitors.

Frost, Rain and Course Conditions
The course may be restricted or closed even where weather conditions do not present an immediate safety risk. Saturated, frozen or vulnerable ground can be damaged by foot and vehicle traffic.
Temporary restrictions may therefore be introduced to protect the course and ensure it remains in good condition for all golfers.
A course being open earlier in the day does not guarantee that it will remain open throughout the day.

Your Responsibility
All golfers are expected to:
• Take reasonable responsibility for their own safety.
• Pay attention to changing weather conditions.
• Follow instructions from Club and Greenkeeping staff.
• Observe temporary signage and course restrictions.
• Take shelter promptly when instructed.
• Not continue playing while play is suspended or the course is closed.
• Report significant weather-related hazards to Club staff.

If you believe conditions are unsafe, you should stop playing and seek appropriate shelter.

Course Information
Weather-related closures, restrictions and suspensions may be communicated through the Club’s usual channels, including the booking system, website, social media, clubhouse announcements and direct instructions from Club staff.

In an emergency or rapidly changing situation, the air horn and direct instructions from Club staff take priority.