The Environment Agency has declared that more than half of England is officially in drought. Following a trio of significant heatwaves across May and June, in addition to a prolonged period of hot and dry weather throughout July, these warm conditions have had a major impact on daily life for much of this summer in the UK.
Natural Resources Wales reported that North Wales and the Upper Severn river basin are also now in drought, while the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, reports the BBC, instead monitors "water scarcity" and has revealed that some areas of eastern Scotland have reached the most extreme category of "significant scarcity" as this scorching summer has impacted different corners of Britain.
Looking specifically at English regions, East Anglia, Hertfordshire and the whole of London, Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, the West Midlands, and Wessex, which encompasses Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and South Gloucestershire, are all currently facing drought conditions.
What Drought Conditions Mean For Golf Courses
If you're a golfer in these parts then there is a likelihood that you will have encountered courses that have been transformed by the heat and lack of rainfall.
Parched, brown fairways are commonplace, with resources being deployed by greenkeepers to keep the greens alive, with those protected surfaces often standing out as an oasis within the desert around them.
You only have to recall the visual feast that was The Open at Royal Birkdale, which was arid and dusty, with similar scenes being replicated at Royal Lytham & St Annes during the AIG Women's Open.
BIGGA, the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association, has advised golf clubs to "check the latest guidance from their water supplier and prepare for possible disruption as drought conditions and water restrictions take effect across large parts of England and Wales."
"The most important step for every club is to establish exactly what applies in their area because the rules are not consistent from one water company to another. Clubs should check their supplier's latest guidance, understand whether their irrigation is mains-fed or relies on an independent source and review contingency plans now.
"Preparing early will help clubs make informed decisions, communicate clearly with golfers and protect the most important playing surfaces if access to water becomes more limited."
Firm and fast fairways can be enormously fun to play on - especially on links courses - as this introduces another dimension to the challenge and experience of playing the game.
But there is no question that these prolonged conditions can be problematic for those tasked with preserving and maintaining our beloved courses, especially when demands for pristine presentation can be so widespread.
What Golf Courses Are Looking Like Right Now
We wanted to see what the picture was like across the country, so we turned to everyday golfers themselves, asking them to share with us photos taken at venues this summer that demonstrate just how dry things have been.
Here are some of the most striking of them for you to look through.
(Hart Common - Dave Bradshaw)
(Sleaford - Keith Hill)
(Woodhall Spa - David Billington)
(Royal North Devon - Robert Baker)
(Seaton Carew - Brian McEwan)
(Carlyon Bay - Ron Barker)
(Mullion - Rob Waller)
(Royal Birkdale - Justin Knight)
(Cumberwell Park - Rob Knight)
(Sheringham - Arthur Ashley John Butler)
(Leasowe - Bill Townson)
(Swaffham - Colin Hutt)
(Hertfordshire - Michael Nadasdy)
(Dunstanburgh - John Pettinger)
(Porthmadog - Quinton Robertson)
(Drumoig - Walt Fos)
(Sandiway - Mark Austin)
(Blackmoor - Alan Hudson)
We're grateful to everyone who sent in their photos taken during recent weeks - they have created quite a portrait of what golf courses throughout Britain, and particularly England, look like at the moment.
The summer isn't over yet, but while we've been enjoying the dry weather and making the most of the undeniable golfing opportunities that this current climate provides, there is no doubt that our greenkeepers wouldn't mind seeing a bit of rainfall make a sustained appearance, just to offer a touch of balance to ensure that our courses will remain healthy and look at their best for the months to come.
