Winter vision at Carluke Golf Club

Winter projects are always a balancing act. There’s the weather, the budget, member expectations and the simple reality of what can be achieved when daylight and ground conditions are against you.

At Carluke Golf Club, however, this winter has shown what can be delivered when experience, teamwork and clear communication come together behind a well-defined plan.

Following the completion of autumn maintenance, the greens team - led by Course Manager Andy Colquhoun, who has been at Carluke since April 1984 and in his position since March 1993 - turned their attention to a winter programme focused squarely on tee reconstruction. Rather than spreading effort thinly across multiple minor tasks, the decision was made to concentrate resources on two teeing areas (the 5th and 11th) that had long been showing the strain of modern play and seasonal wear.

Identifying the need

The first project centred on a mid length par three where two small tees, divided by a path, were no longer fit for purpose. Both areas were heavily used, and the path between them was steadily eroding the surrounding turf. Over time, this combination had led to a declining playing surface and increasing maintenance demands.

Instead of continually repairing the symptoms, the team proposed removing the path entirely, combining the two tees into a single, larger platform and rebuilding the area with longevity in mind. The aim was simple: create a tee that could cope with play, sit comfortably in the landscape and reduce ongoing pressure on staff time.

The second project focused on one of Carluke’s signature holes - a short par three played from an elevated position down to a well bunkered green. Despite its status as a highlight for members and visitors, the yellow tee was little more than a small platform with an artificial mat at its centre. For a hole players looked forward to, the teeing experience was falling short.

The only viable solution was to extend the tee outwards, which required constructing a timber support frame to retain the new area. It was an ambitious plan, but one that would allow the club to remove the mat entirely and return the hole to year round grass play.

Teamwork on the ground

As with many successful projects, delivery depended as much on people as on planning. Carluke benefits from a long established, close knit greenkeeping team with more than a century of combined experience. That familiarity breeds trust - not only in standards, but in the ability to adapt when conditions change.

Once the projects were approved, the whole team was involved from the outset. Ideas were discussed on site, practical refinements were suggested and a shared understanding developed around what the finished tees should look like. That collective ownership paid dividends, particularly during a six week construction period that included heavy rainfall and unavoidable disruption.

Crucially, the trust within the team meant work continued seamlessly even when Andy was away on leave. Standards didn’t slip, and the projects continued to move forward - a reflection of the confidence built through years of working together.

Left to right: JJ, Jack - apprentice and son of Andy (middle), Sammy and Gordon. 

External support also played a part. A club member who runs a fencing business constructed the timber frame for the extended tee, completing in a day what might otherwise have taken the greenkeeping team several. It was a clear example of how strong club relationships can directly benefit course presentation.

Managing budget and materials

Financially, the projects were grounded in realism. Both tee reconstructions were delivered within the club’s existing annual budget, supported by a strong financial year that allowed for targeted capital work.

Around 140 tonnes of rootzone were used across both tees, covering roughly 650 square metres. Turf was laid to complete the new surfaces, with artificial turf installed where paths were reinstated. An excavator was hired for five weeks, while most of the work was carried out using the club’s own machinery and staff.

Timber was one of the largest individual expenses, accounting for around a quarter of the total budget. Even so, by keeping labour largely in house and benefiting from member support, the total spend for both tees came in at around £15,000–£16,000 - strong value for the scale and impact of the work.

As with any construction project, surprises emerged. What initially appeared to be a minor spring turned out to be an old, long forgotten clay tile drain, which failed dramatically after heavy rain and washed out part of the new banking. Although frustrating, the issue was resolved quickly by digging deeper to intercept and repair the drainage line - a reminder that history beneath the surface can still influence modern projects.

Member reaction and communication

Perhaps the most encouraging outcome of the winter works has been the reaction from members. While there were early questions about the necessity of larger teeing areas, those concerns were addressed through clear explanation and regular communication.

By outlining why the work was needed - particularly on heavily used par threes - and sharing progress updates through the club newsletter, expectations were managed effectively. Members understood that short term disruption would deliver long term benefits, and acceptance followed.

Timing also helped. Carrying out disruptive work in winter, when play is already adjusted and ground conditions limit other maintenance activities, minimised frustration. As Andy notes, members are far more forgiving when they can see recovery time built in and a clear end goal in sight.

A finished product to be proud of

By early December, both tee projects were completed on time, within budget and, most importantly, true to the original vision. The combined par three tee now offers a robust, visually pleasing platform capable of withstanding seasonal demands, while the extended signature hole tee has transformed the playing experience, removing the need for artificial mats and restoring the hole’s full character.

For Carluke Golf Club, the project stands out as a strong example of what can be achieved through careful planning, honest communication and a committed team. It also reinforces a simple truth familiar across the profession: when you get the basics right and back them up with experience, winter can be one of the most productive times of the year.