Is it acceptable to play golf on Christmas Day?
- Thread starter MarkT
- Start date
PJ87
Journeyman Pro
I don't think they are expecting the courses to be staffed.. litterally just sitting there.. like during lockdown when people just played
My course not a chance big locked gates and no where to walk on
Other courses you might be able to sneak on
But like @Lord Tyrion says if no one working is there insurance issue
Orikoru
Tour Winner
I could never be that desperate to play that I'd sneak on an unstaffed course - particularly on Christmas Day when you could be stuffing your face and drinking profusely instead.
PJ87
Journeyman Pro
Surely legally you need a first aider to open
Playing on your own.. you slip break your ankle nobody knows your out thsre
PJ87
Journeyman Pro
Even before the kids it was time with the wife xmas week
Next week I've turned down untold amounts of overtime because we have had a covid outbreak but I've said unless you can't cover it full stop I'm at home with the kids
Golf can wait until new year's week. Thats boring got the 9 hole come before work
greenone
Active member
How is it any different to mid summer when you could go out at 730-8pm for 9 holes after all the staff have gone home?
HarrogateHacker
Active member
I don’t think it’s acceptable that I play on Christmas Day and I wouldn’t want too, it would be selfish but that’s just based on my circumstances, i work long hours, and already use lots of free time and holidays to play. I think that its perfectly acceptable for others if their situation is different
Pathetic Shark
Tour Rookie
I have no commitments so I will be out there again for the fourth straight Christmas Day game. Just trying to decide which course to go and play.
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
If I even suggested going out for a game on Christmas Day, one of the branches on our Christmas tree would have a couple of extra decorations hanging from it.....
backwoodsman
Tour Winner
If I didn't have family commitments (ie Mrs Backwoodsman) I'd happily go and play if I could. However, she means more to me than does golf, so I wouldn't. And in any case, our course is closed that day - meaning gates are locked, clubhouse is closed, as are all facilities.
I take the point that you don't nornally need any facilities open, provided you are content to take the unprepared course as you find it. But this year? Current requirements in England are that you must pre-book your round, and (at our place at least) you must check-in at the Pro-shop/starter before going out. Elsewhere may have different rules, but at ours, I dont see how this can be complied with unless we insisted that someone would have to be on duty. (But as I say, we'll be closed anyway)
I take the point that you don't nornally need any facilities open, provided you are content to take the unprepared course as you find it. But this year? Current requirements in England are that you must pre-book your round, and (at our place at least) you must check-in at the Pro-shop/starter before going out. Elsewhere may have different rules, but at ours, I dont see how this can be complied with unless we insisted that someone would have to be on duty. (But as I say, we'll be closed anyway)
Would the clubhouse be closed then as well? No bar open? It doesn't have to be a manager or pro present, any employee is sufficient.
I'm not trying to be deliberately awkward, fill your boots if you want to play. I'm only looking at this from an insurance/ legal standpoint. Would your club be in major trouble if an accident occurred on the premises with no one present and the club knowingly allowing you to play?
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
I'm assuming that the clubhouse etc. would be closed, so any accident would be out on the course. If you have golf insurance, wouldn't that cover it???
It's whether the club could be held responsible for not having anyone present to deal with the accident. Insurance can be murky, as is litigation. My queries/ worries may be unfounded, I have simply raised it as a potential issue.
Captainron
Big Hitting, South African Sweary Person
Christmas is just a massive Sunday dinner with extra pressure on it.
chrisd
Major Champion
So long as the Club sends out a message that its closed on Christmas Day and that members are not allowed to play, and perhaps a notice to that effect on the board then I'd think they would not be responsible if someone ignored it
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
Reminds me of a very old vicar golf joke which ends when God tells St Peter .... ah but wait until the 15th when I will give him a hole in one and he will not be able to tell anyone.
JollyRedDevil
Club Champion
We have electric gates that open and you'd need the code or your club card to get out.
When my kids were younger then no chance but now that they're grown up and don't get up till 2pm then why not.
I played last year and it was almost empty except for some members like me or those who don't celebrate Christmas.
I'll be out there again this year, weather permitting.
When my kids were younger then no chance but now that they're grown up and don't get up till 2pm then why not.
I played last year and it was almost empty except for some members like me or those who don't celebrate Christmas.
I'll be out there again this year, weather permitting.
not sure what the difference is to when we came out of lockdown in May, no one was working in the club then either. at the moment our shop is shut and the bar closes at 3pm so anyone on the course would be in the same situation.
some clubs around here have a comp on new years day, everything is closed except the course.
some clubs around here have a comp on new years day, everything is closed except the course.
Captainron
Big Hitting, South African Sweary Person
When people are more worried about injury/dying than playing golf then you know the world is a mess.
Live your lives and have as much fun as possible. Anyone can die at any time.
Live your lives and have as much fun as possible. Anyone can die at any time.
Ethan
Money List Winner
That question needs answered on several levels.
First, will you wife/partner/significant other consider it out of bounds?
Second, is the course even open
Third, is it wise from a health point of view.
As discussed here before, my opinion is that golf, played outdoors with social distancing and the other procedures England Golf is pretty safe, so long as you navigate arrival and departure wisely.
In terms of the safety comparison between that and taking the kids to see granny, no contest. Fore!
First, will you wife/partner/significant other consider it out of bounds?
Second, is the course even open
Third, is it wise from a health point of view.
As discussed here before, my opinion is that golf, played outdoors with social distancing and the other procedures England Golf is pretty safe, so long as you navigate arrival and departure wisely.
In terms of the safety comparison between that and taking the kids to see granny, no contest. Fore!
