When do you think you will next play golf?

[Depreston]

“Dear Member
As you may have seen England Golf have been given the go ahead to allow courses to reopen with social distancing measures in place unfortunately this means the club house and pro shop will be closed and only current members can play. due to this we will be keeping the course closed as we can’t afford the upkeep of the course without this extra income. Hope you all can understand this has not been an easy decision”

Aye I can just see the above being sent out ??

 

[USER1999]

Are they?

I think the directives are greens cut at 5mm, they will need to come lower and not in one scalping of a mower, they'll need fed and treated. There is a difference in cutting grass and properly maintaining the course. For that they will need to bring back more of their greens team, can all clubs afford that? Do they need the profit from visitors and bars to bring back that extra greenkeeper or two?

Its going to be very tough moving forward for a lot of golf courses.

So the greens will be very slow, the rough savage, and the fairways a bit long. With no comps, wouldvthis really matter? The old adage, it's the same for everyone would apply.
Down south, we play on temporary greens sometimes. Even at 5mm, the proper greens will be better than that.

 

[USER1999]

Spoke to one of our Greenkeepers yesterday. He said they are missing golfers on the course, as without them, all this preparation is a bit pointless.

He also was laughing at how stupid some of the general public are. Families who have the whole world to picnic in, but choose the middle of a green. Not an issue, but when he turns up with a flipping great mower to cut the green, he has to turn it off, and ask them to move, as he can't just mow around them. They don't get it.

 

[Doodle]

“Dear Member
As you may have seen England Golf have been given the go ahead to allow courses to reopen with social distancing measures in place unfortunately this means the club house and pro shop will be closed and only current members can play. due to this we will be keeping the course closed as we can’t afford the upkeep of the course without this extra income. Hope you all can understand this has not been an easy decision”

Aye I can just see the above being sent out ??

If my club sent anything like that out there would be a riot.
The members would undoubtedly say stuff you & rock up to play anyway.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Thinking of when I might next play...and indeed about life at the moment - well...

We cannot change the wind...but we can adjust our sails.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

https://www.skysports.com/golf/news...-open-for-business-but-there-are-restrictions

Courses starting to open in Germany

 

[Imurg]

https://www.skysports.com/golf/news...-open-for-business-but-there-are-restrictions

Courses starting to open in Germany

I can see this happening here after the early May Bank Holiday...same restrictions.

 

[IanM]

“Dear Member
As you may have seen England Golf have been given the go ahead to allow courses to reopen with social distancing measures in place unfortunately this means the club house and pro shop will be closed and only current members can play. due to this we will be keeping the course closed as we can’t afford the upkeep of the course without this extra income. Hope you all can understand this has not been an easy decision”

Aye I can just see the above being sent out ??

Crikey, that would cause a stir... but other courses would open if subs covered enough of the fixed costs. We have full membership (or we were before this!) and most if not all of our fixed costs are covered by subs. (Which were paid in January) We raised green fees in April 2019 to a level that would reduce visitor traffic as we were struggling to accommodate it. Visitor numbers fell by 80%. Dent in revenue, but that was the decision.

The trouble is, there are still too many unknowns and variables with this for any meaningful commentary on how this will pan out. Yes, there will need to be a phased relaxation of restrictions, but "chapter and verse" currently would be a guess... and subject to revision, so not really worth it.

I'd love to be told, off you go on 1st June... but if that was cancelled on 30th May, it would be worse than what we now have!

 

[GB72]

I can see this happening here after the early May Bank Holiday...same restrictions.

Seems a sensible set of rules. Interesting one is the point about enforcement. Are clubs here going to have to put in place starters and marshals when they do not normally have them and are we going to have the same penalties, one breach off the course, 2 breaches out of the club. Cannot see clubs being too willing to enforce either but, to my mind, rigid enforcement of something like that is the only way that some members will observe social distancing.

 

[Imurg]

Seems a sensible set of rules. Interesting one is the point about enforcement. Are clubs here going to have to put in place starters and marshals when they do not normally have them and are we going to have the same penalties, one breach off the course, 2 breaches out of the club. Cannot see clubs being too willing to enforce either but, to my mind, rigid enforcement of something like that is the only way that some members will observe social distancing.

They could ask for volunteers- I'd do it as I've bugger all else to do...

 

[howbow88]

We had a starter a few years back. He worked for a few hours on a Saturday morning, which was utterly pointless as it was the one time where no one would jump on for free He passed away sadly, and was never replaced.

I would guess at our place, they'll now get one of the shop staff with an ipad out on the first tee with a link to online tee bookings. Something like that.

 

[GB72]

They could ask for volunteers- I'd do it as I've bugger all else to do...

I am sure that would make you popular at the club if you made the second report on a member that got them banned from the club

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Seems a sensible set of rules. Interesting one is the point about enforcement. Are clubs here going to have to put in place starters and marshals when they do not normally have them and are we going to have the same penalties, one breach off the course, 2 breaches out of the club. Cannot see clubs being too willing to enforce either but, to my mind, rigid enforcement of something like that is the only way that some members will observe social distancing.

How many courses have marshalls as standard? I can only think of one in my area, maybe it is different in other parts of the country? Members police themselves and I don't see any issues normally. Even the course with a marshall only has that person on the 1st tee. Once you are away that is that.

The idea of needing marshalls to manage all of this is a red herring imo. Players have to look after the situation themselves and if anyone abuses the set up they need to be reported and the club take action separately.

 

[GB72]

How many courses have marshalls as standard? I can only think of one in my area, maybe it is different in other parts of the country? Members police themselves and I don't see any issues normally. Even the course with a marshall only has that person on the 1st tee. Once you are away that is that.

The idea of needing marshalls to manage all of this is a red herring imo. Players have to look after the situation themselves and if anyone abuses the set up they need to be reported and the club take action separately.

I agree, not many courses use marshals near me at the moment. That said, these are not normal circumstances and such measures may form part of a proposal to convince the government to allow courses to open. After all, how many supermarkets or shops had 'marshals' before this and yet there are staff at many points ensuring compliance with social distancing. Sadly, golf clubs have a number of people, sadly many amongst the older members, who cannot be relied upon to self police. If I were making a point to allow courses to open I would certainly look to included strict and monitored regulations in the initial application, maybe stricter than I deemed necessary, to give the best chance of success with a view to relaxation over time. Furthermore, on a few posts it has been mentioned that golf was in a unique position in that it has the potential to sanction members over non compliance. In the absence of marshalling, any attempt to enforce becomes a matter of 6 of one, half a dozen of the other and so less chance of action being taken.

 

[clubchamp98]

They could ask for volunteers- I'd do it as I've bugger all else to do...

Me to

 

[clubchamp98]

I am sure that would make you popular at the club if you made the second report on a member that got them banned from the club

Members just have to behave themselves.
I am sure the others would have a word if the club threatened to close the course again.

 

[rosecott]

Sadly, golf clubs have a number of people, sadly many amongst the older members, who cannot be relied upon to self police.

Ageism strikes again.

 

[GB72]

Ageism strikes again.

Not ageism at all, would happily call out any group who were clearly ignoring social distancing. Only speaking from experience as to those that were totally disregarding all elements of social distancing on the weekend prior to the lockdown and the majority of those were over 60. I would also add that in the largest group of offenders (a roll up of 20 plus people) there were past captains and committee members.

 

[GB72]

Credit where credit is due, just had an email from the club with a very detailed set of rules that will be applied when courses re-open (subject to any necessary amendments in light of subsequent government advice). These include.

All golf to be arranged through the tee booking system (a big change as we only use it for comps).
Only 2 balls allowed.
10 minutes between all groups.
One loop of 18 and 1 loop of 9 open each day so no choice of course.
Only allowed to turn up 20 minutes before tee off.
One person in each group has to check in at the pro shop before teeing off.
Only 4 people allowed on the putting green at any time.
Marshalling in place where possible to ensure compliance (no mention of sanctions for not complying).
Only allowed to play through in circumstances where it is safe to do so.
Pro shop to be informed once you leave the course.
Course only open to members. No green fees or guests and reciprocal arrangements have been suspended.
Practice grounds only useable by 6 at a time and must advise the pro shop before using them.
Obviously all social distancing, flag and other rules in place before lockdown apply on the course.

Pretty solid approach from them there, shows they have been at least looking at what is being suggested/recommended and good to have these in place ready for opening.

 

[Imurg]

Credit where credit is due, just had an email from the club with a very detailed set of rules that will be applied when courses re-open (subject to any necessary amendments in light of subsequent government advice). These include.

All golf to be arranged through the tee booking system (a big change as we only use it for comps).
Only 2 balls allowed.
10 minutes between all groups.
One loop of 18 and 1 loop of 9 open each day so no choice of course.
Only allowed to turn up 20 minutes before tee off.
One person in each group has to check in at the pro shop before teeing off.
Only 4 people allowed on the putting green at any time.
Marshalling in place where possible to ensure compliance (no mention of sanctions for not complying).
Only allowed to play through in circumstances where it is safe to do so.
Pro shop to be informed once you leave the course.
Course only open to members. No green fees or guests and reciprocal arrangements have been suspended.
Practice grounds only useable by 6 at a time and must advise the pro shop before using them.
Obviously all social distancing, flag and other rules in place before lockdown apply on the course.

Pretty solid approach from them there, shows they have been at least looking at what is being suggested/recommended and good to have these in place ready for opening.

Had a very similar message from Ellesborough this morning..