Driving range collection

At Malton and norton we have a fantastic 12 bay covered driving range which is used by a good percentage of our members. As members or visitors want balls it's a simple of a token in a dispenser however for the greens staff many hours go into keeping the range running smoothly. 

Firstly the balls that are hit need collecting, in summer around 10000 balls are hit every week, around 7000 in winter.  Balls are picked up using a tractor mounted disc collector. When ground or grass conditions are not suitable then balls can be collected by hand. During summer the range outfield is cut following collection every week.

Once collected the balls are tipped into the ball washing machine

Where they go through a rotating brush and clean water. Into the elevator which lifts them into the dispenser 

And finally into the dispenser ready to be hit again. 

Collection takes around 3 hours when cutting is involved as every single ball needs to be cleared for the mowers to cut safely. Other tasks involve maintenance of the outdoor tee, cleaning out the building and ensuring baskets are returned

Having this facility ensures golfers have somewhere to fine tune there swings even if the course is closed