Loch March - Public policies??

[andrew_s_elliot]

For the first time ever, I had a problem at Loch March:

Yesterday I went in to hit balls and get the speed of the greens, in preparation for my round this afternoon and was told that I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO PRACTICE or hit balls without a tee off time on the same day.

I said that I was playing the next day and she said that "...it doesn't matter, because that's our policy now and we would like you to leave immediately if you're not playing. The practice area is ONLY for people to warm up the same day of their round.".

This is a course that I have always had positive experiences at, after playing 5-10 times a year for the last 5 years...I explained I play there several times a year and do recommend the course to friends and colleagues...

I'm just wondering if anyone has had a similar issue, either at Loch March or any other "Public" course in the area.

Does anyone have a definition for a public course?

Anyone see a problem with this?

[nokids]

see post #45 and #46 on this thread lol

http://forum.ottawagolf.com/showthre...t=51307&page=2

[Weazl]

I would have to agree that practice facilities are for paying clients and you were not in fact a paying customer on that day.

Get there early the next day when you are paying, sign in at clubhouse and the practice away.

No fault to Loch March IMO.

[John]

I agree with Weazl but they could have delivered the message a bit softer. You aren't a member at a private club and you are using the practice facility on a day you aren't playing which isn't right.

[quinner]

If you were trying to use the range for free then I see their point. There are certainly a few spots where you need to purchase tokens that you can go and practice at the course without having a tee time. Greensmere and The Canadian come to mind. I haven't played Loch March in years so I don't know if you have to pay for balls or not.

[DenisO]

I read on a Facebook update from Canadian that you can use the short game practice area for free at any time.

If you were trying to use the range for free then I see their point. There are certainly a few spots where you need to purchase tokens that you can go and practice at the course without having a tee time. Greensmere and The Canadian come to mind. I haven't played Loch March in years so I don't know if you have to pay for balls or not.

[Shivas Irons]

she said that "...it doesn't matter, because that's our policy now

Since she said it's our policy "NOW", that would indicate to me that they've had to change the policy due to people like yourself wanting to use their facilities FOC.

As John mentioned, maybe the message wasn't delivered in the best manner, but I can understand where they're coming from.

[Kilroy]

IMHO the policy is not unresonable at all. The practice facilities are there for customers.

[downhillslider]

I was at Stonebridge Monday and finished around 6:30 pm and there had to be 20 peaple, kids , fathers,already on the practice greens and more just walking on from there homes with a few balls and one or 2 clubs in there hands.

[em69]

I read on a Facebook update from Canadian that you can use the short game practice area for free at any time.

I've gone to EL many times with no issue.

[Hacker]

For the record you have to purchas a token ($6) to get 35-40 balls at the LM Range.

[Mattchew]

I go atleast twice a week to Smiths Falls G&CC and use the range and putting green without a tee time, as do alot of local people. But if that is the policy LM has then there is not much you can do about it. I have always found LM to a "private" public course! alot of snootie attitued's!

[em69]

IMHO the policy is not unresonable at all. The practice facilities are there for customers.

If he is "buyïng" a bucket of balls, doesn't that make him a customer?

I would like to understand the reason for implementing the policy. Were their practice facilities becoming over crowded? They have one of the largest practice putting greens, and the times that I have been there, I was by myself on it.