10 minute intervals

[Bunkermagnet]

Thing is, do your want your club to be the one that creates a possible reversal of allowance to play or that one that makes the headlines for the wrong reasons?

 

[rosecott]

I'm not too sure how you can twist things like that. I've copied the guidelines below from England Golf for golf courses reopening. I take the wording to mean you have to do it. I don't see how it can be taken do it if you feel like it.
----------------------------
2.Before the Round
Bookings
•Clubs/facilities to organise a system of booking and allocation of tee times that ensures the safety of staff and golfers
•The maximum number of golfers in a group per tee time to be confirmed by the club/facility and must be in accordance with any government requirements
•There is to be a minimum of 10-minute intervals between tee times,but longer intervals may be more appropriate depending on the club/facility

From the England Golf document:

While each club/facility will need to adapt its procedures to ensure compliance with government restrictions, the following aspects of the golfer experience, divided into the five following categories, will need to be considered.

Don't get me wrong - I had no part in the decision on group size or tee intervals.

 

[Old Skier]

I think you'll find the E.G. guidance is what was agreed between the government and E.G. if clubs wish to ignore it there's nothing anyone can do about it, bit like SD and inviting everyone around for a BBQ, untill your caught nothing will happen.

 

[DCB]

Read an article recently that was looking at the problems they are having in Denmark with clubs doing their own thing rather than following the guidelines.

"The courses in Denmark were shut down by their national golf union because golfers didn't abide by the rules set forth and as some courses keep allowing groups of four over here, there are rather angry comments directed at those clubs as there's a chance their greed will shut down all the courses."

Wonder if this situation will scupper our return to golf ?

 

[North Mimms]

We were playing at 10 minute intervals which seemed excessively generous as I'm sure social distancing does not require 300 yards.
But the spaced out tee times does reduce the number of people potentially milling round putting green, car park and tee

 

[Sats]

Honestly, I'm sure we can all be grateful for getting out, now is not the time to start pushing or we'll end up back to no golf. 10 mins isn't going to to end the world.....Now changing shoes the car park however!

 

[PaulS]

Every club should be ten mins, that’s just common sense to ensure safety is paramount, there will always be clubs that’s try and squeeze as many on as possible and it will be those clubs that ruin it for everyone.

 

[Paperboy]

Ten minute intervals at mine. No earlier then 30 minutes before your tee time to arrive at the club.

20 minutes before your tee time, can use the practice green for ten minutes. 10 minutes before your tee 10 minutes in the nets.
Worked well last night although stuck behind a slower group. Around in 3 hours 20 minutes.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We're looking to got to 18 holes on Wednesday but only for afternoon slots between 2.00 and 5.00 and people must be off the course and premises by 7.30. As it's 2 balls with 10 minute times it should be simple enough. We were round on the longer back 9 in and hour and twenty this morning and as far as I am aware from the emails no plans to narrow the tee times to less than ten minutes. I guess it isn't a bad compromise and so people can still do a nine up until lunchtime and there are chances for others to go out for a longer round although I can see those times going quickly when released on Monday

We have 8 minute times for comps as three balls and it can get really slow and people waiting on tees so I can't see the club risking narrowing the gap and they are banking that a mix of 9 and 18 gives everyone a chance to play

 

[fenwayrich]

Interesting replies, from which it seems that clubs are interpreting the definition of guideline quite differently. I spoke to our Pro today, he has had a number of members suggesting that 8 minutes would be very workable and alleviate the problem of securing tee times. It appears that our club officials are adamant that we must comply with the England Golf guideline of 10 minutes, as not to do so might jeopardise the possibility of further concessions down the line.

I'm happy with that, but it would be good if England Golf could confirm that each club is allowed to decide that it remains compliant with smaller intervals.

 

[Old Skier]

Interesting replies, from which it seems that clubs are interpreting the definition of guideline quite differently. I spoke to our Pro today, he has had a number of members suggesting that 8 minutes would be very workable and alleviate the problem of securing tee times. It appears that our club officials are adamant that we must comply with the England Golf guideline of 10 minutes, as not to do so might jeopardise the possibility of further concessions down the line.

I'm happy with that, but it would be good if England Golf could confirm that each club is allowed to decide that it remains compliant with smaller intervals.

Clubs are supposed to be run by adults. E.G. Has stated what they want to happen and clubs should follow the instructions or they can go down the same route as the knob head that the SAR helicopter is having to deal with in N Devon at the moment. Simple really.

 

[Imurg]

We're moving to 18 holes next Sunday and keeping the 10 minute gap.
All starting on the 1st ( normally have a 2 tee start) and initially limited to one slot until Thursday when we can book 1 more until Saturday when we can book another...
A bit convoluted but a similar system for playing 9 holes seemed to work.

 

[BubbaP]

I'm not too sure how you can twist things like that. I've copied the guidelines below from England Golf for golf courses reopening. I take the wording to mean you have to do it. I don't see how it can be taken do it if you feel like it.
----------------------------
2.Before the Round
Bookings
•Clubs/facilities to organise a system of booking and allocation of tee times that ensures the safety of staff and golfers
•The maximum number of golfers in a group per tee time to be confirmed by the club/facility and must be in accordance with any government requirements
•There is to be a minimum of 10-minute intervals between tee times,but longer intervals may be more appropriate depending on the club/facility

There is a reason that rule and guideline are different words, it's because they mean different things.

 

[Sports_Fanatic]

Why the 5pm limit, our club is going till 7pm (presume those booking them are aiming for 9 holes.

I played at 5:40 last night and easily round in 2 hours 40mins for 18. Could you look at that to get more in rather than potentially bunching up?

 

[Fish]

We’re 10 minutes and only 9 holes with a 2 tee start at Coventry, getting round in 90 minutes with no delays, so working great. We might go to 18 next week with so many tee times not being taken up, which is surprising.

10 minutes at Woodhall, 18 holes, round in 3hrs 15, which was a nice pace with no delays, we pulled 2 holes clear of the pair behind though.

 

[Mandofred]

There is a reason that rule and guideline are different words, it's because they mean different things.

Are you then saying......that if all the clubs just ignore all the guidelines and do whatever they want....then nobody will do anything? I guess it's possible....but I would tend to think the hammer would come down, which it wouldn't do if they were just guidelines that you can follow if you want. I get your point....but I hope you get mine....clubs probably need to follow these guidelines or it might end up messing things up for everybody else.

 

[SammmeBee]

The guidelines set out a minimum of 10 minute intervals between groups....which clubs are playing with less than 10 min intervals?

Who’s guidelines.....?

 

[Old Skier]

Who’s guidelines.....?

Guidelines issued by E.G. and agreed with government

 

[SammmeBee]

Depending on which one you look at......

 

[brendy]

The GUI (Irish golfing union covering both the Republic and Northern Ireland) released their protocol today, max 3 balls and 14min intervals, but ok to play 18 holes casual golf. Oddly we can have caddies along from our own house but not a regular 4 ball.

• Members with colds or any symptoms of COVID-19 stay away from the golf course/clubhouse.
• Physical distancing rules are observed by all members at all times in the car park, clubhouse and on the course.
• Play is restricted to: - members only - casual golf only (no club competitions or opens).
• Personnel are on hand to monitor adherence with physical distancing rules and the rules for golfers set out in this document.
• Tee times are booked in advance online or over the telephone. Clubs must ensure that players names are recorded on timesheets and timesheets must be kept for a period of at least 6 weeks to assist with contact tracing should the need arise.
• Daily timesheets are restricted to a minimum of 10, 12 or 14 minute intervals. Clubs may only choose one interval for each day. If clubs choose 10+ minute intervals, play is restricted to a single golfer per start time. If clubs choose 12+ minutes, up to 2 golfers may play per start time. If clubs choose 14+ minutes, up to 3 golfers may play per start time. (Note: these measures will result in a maximum of 60 golfers occupying an 18-hole course at any given time, this is around 54% of full capacity in step 1).
• Bars/restaurants remain closed and off-limits as per the Executive’s 5 step plan. Clubhouse access should be confined to use of toilet facilities (provided they can be kept clean) and initial retrieval of golf equipment from lockers.
• There are no social gatherings, of any size, at the facility.
• Members are instructed not to touch the flag or flagstick.
• Rakes are removed from the course. Players are requested to smooth bunkers using their feet or a club.
• Hire trolleys (electric and pull trolleys) must be sanitised prior to each use.
• Caddies are not permitted (exception: where the group of golfers and the caddies are from the same household).

In addition, the following guidelines should be observed:

• Signage should be erected to reinforce physical distancing rules.
• Holes/cups should be altered to facilitate easy retrieval of golf balls.
• Hand sanitisers should be made available.
• Regular cleaning of toilets (on course & in clubhouse) if they are in use.
• Where possible ball washers, bins, sandbags, benches, divot boxes and non-essential furniture should be taken in off the course. Where such fixtures are permanent, they should be taken out of use.
• Where practice putting greens are open, the holes should be filled in or covered, otherwise the greens should be closed.
• Members of the same household should play together, rather than split into mixed groups.
• The use of golf buggies is discouraged. Buggies must be sanitized thoroughly after each use.
• It is strongly recommended that all golf clubs have a policy of allowing juniors to play only if they are accompanied by an adult. In addition, wherever possible juniors should restrict themselves to playing with other members of their own household.
• Clubs will have to consider ways in which social distancing can be facilitated in practice facilities. If such facilities are open, golfers must warm up on their own. Holes must be filled in on the practice putting green(s).
• If necessary, defibrillators should be moved to an accessible area and members should be notified of its new location.

Then as per NI Executive steps, GUI steps and advances towards some sort of normailty.