The greenkeepers at Haverfordwest Golf Club are continuing to carry out essential course maintenance work, writes Tony Poole.

Last week the Arnold's Down club issued a statement, informing members that grass-cutting remains a top priority out on the golf course.

With temperatures rising in Pembrokeshire, the height of grass-cutting is being carefully monitored regarding fairways and surrounding areas, tees along with the rough.

The greens – that are being cut when required – receive daily brushing in order to remove any worm casts and dew.

They have also received a first feed of the year together with a verticut and finished off with a top dressing.

Tees and surrounds have also been treated for moss in a bid to stimulate growth over the coming weeks.

Weeds have been removed from the network of paths, but strimming and bunker work has been put on hold for the time being.

A decision has also been made to delay hollow-coring while the irrigation system has been topped up – and because of the dry weather conditions, it's already swung into action.

Work is now being conducted by a two-strong force of greenkeepers, who are leaving no stone unturned in a bid to get the golf course in mint condition once the government allows golf courses to reopen.

Finally, it's been widely predicted that when the government allows golf clubs to resume activities in Pembrokeshire, it will be limited to action out on golf courses with clubhouses remaining shut.

It's also likely be restricted to social golf with club competitions and league matches still banned.

Keeping the flag in the hole is one likely restriction, but even this practice has its drawbacks.

Flagsticks have to be touched in order to extract the ball from the hole – leading to the possibility of picking up germs -  and it's led to an ingenious idea that has caught on very quickly.

While many senior golfers employ a rubber grip on the handle of their putters to retrieve the ball from the hole, not everyone has one of these handy little gadgets.

So, either the use of a stiff piece of foam or a pipe - around two inches in length – has been invented by greenkeepers.

The pipe is placed at the bottom of cups to elevate balls, allowing them to be extracted without the need to touch the flagstick.

The idea has already caught on at golf clubs around the world.