hmm...the land should have been surveyed for reptiles and a proper capture and translocation carried out. it shouldn't have been left to a well meaning member of the public to sort out. you may want to make a formal complaint to the council
! well done to you for caring though
. golf courses can actually provide good habitat for reptiles though, so there might be somewhere very close to their original home where they can be released. it is generally understood that reptiles moved under such circumstances should be released as close to where they were captured as possible in order to minimise distress and maximise chances of survival.
good luck josephine. i hope it works out well for you and the slowworms.
tim