Kent Golf Limited
Winter Tees & Returning Qualifying Scores over the Winter months
Date published: 10 Sep 2025
Winter is coming
Now that we are coming towards the end of the main summer golfing season, we thought it would be timely to write a note to all our clubs to remind you about having appropriate arrangements in place to allow for the continuation of returning qualifying scores over the winter months.
Many clubs move their tees forward in the winter months, and many move onto mats, especially on par 3 holes.
The siting of these forward tees is key, as to remain a qualifying course using the existing ratings, the overall course yardage must be maintained, and the winter tees must be within 10 yards of the existing plates/fixed markers.
New Tees will require a Course Rating assessment
If new teeing areas are being used, then a new course rating will be required for your winter tees, and thus giving you a winter tee set rating.
In these situations, new fixed markers must be in place, and a supporting certified yardage measurement certificate held.
Putting the fixed markers in place is essential so that the same yardages can be used every winter. We do not want to go through the process of producing new winter ratings every year.
Once we have these details, we can then provide you with the supporting Course Rating and Slope Rating for your winter tees.
We can also help out by providing composite courses for winter play if required as an option, using a combination of existing rated holes.
England Golf have provided some excellent notes covering play in Adverse/Extreme Weather (formerly known as the Winter Checklist), the link is below:
Adverse/extreme weather reference guide - England Golf
We are here to help
Please contact your county course rating team, who will be only too happy to discuss the setting up of appropriate winter courses and any other rating questions you may have.
Mark Ward and Alan Austin
Lead Course Assessors
Kent Golf
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