When do you think you will next play golf?

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Sadly I think this is probably right. You could make an argument for bowls, singles tennis etc, all will be expecting some preferential treatment and I suspect none will get it

It's a not dissimilar argument to that used for different parts of the country coming out of lock-down at different times. This was raised on yesterday's briefing with the expert and government view being that the lock-down is best maintained if there is no differentiation between different regions, as that maintains a feeling that we (all of the UK) are all in this together. As soon as this goes then a region still needing lock-down gets restless and upset - and the lock-down starts failing where it is still required.

So it will be with sports...if one sport and then another get released from lock-down, then non-participants in these sports will inevitably look on in envy - and in many envy can very easily turn into resentment. I for one would rather not be subject to abuse arising from the resentments of others, and I would rather my club and course were not subject to such resentments and the almost inevitable vandalism...

Golf and we golfers have got to consider very carefully the optics of this in the eyes of everyone else. It's not all about us golfers and what we want.

 

[Jacko_G]

Completely serious.

In what way does the R&A affect or determine the day to day operation of recreational golf?

Well IF rule changes have to come into play they need to be consulted for a start.

They are also the ruling body and I would imagine very much in the loop re the though process of opening up golf courses and getting the game back on.

 

[GB72]

It's a not dissimilar argument to that used for different parts of the country coming out of lock-down at different times. This was raised on yesterday's briefing with the expert and government view being that the lock-down is best maintained if there is no differentiation between different regions, as that maintains a feeling that we (all of the UK) are all in this together. As soon as this goes then a region still needing lock-down gets restless and upset - and the lock-down starts failing where it is still required.

So it will be with sports...if one sport and then another get released from lock-down, then non-participants in these sports will inevitably look on in envy - and in many envy can very easily turn into resentment. I for one would rather not be subject to abuse arising from the resentments of others, and I would rather my club and course were not subject to such resentments and the almost inevitable vandalism...

Golf and we golfers have got to consider very carefully the optics of this in the eyes of everyone else. It's not all about us golfers and what we want.

Agree with this. There are some very blinkered views about golf and stereotypes assumed about golfers and to see golf getting favourable treatment could cause a huge amount of resentment and backlash

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Well IF rule changes have to come into play they need to be consulted for a start.

They are also the ruling body and I would imagine very much in the loop re the though process of opening up golf courses and getting the game back on.

Have you even bothered to read the so called leaked report "believed to come from the R&A.

The issues contained in it have very little to do with the Rules of the game and fall outside their area of authority.

If this had come from one of the national bodies it might have a little more credibility.

 

[Jacko_G]

Have you even bothered to read the so called leaked report "believed to come from the R&A.

The issues contained in it have very little to do with the Rules of the game and fall outside their area of authority.

If this had come from one of the national bodies it might have a little more credibility.

Yes I have read it I read it well before it was posted on here. I'm still insisting if you think that the R&A are not involved in the process of getting golf back up and running in this country you're wrong.

You are welcome to differ in your opinion which you clearly do.

?

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Yes I have read it I read it well before it was posted on here. I'm still insisting if you think that the R&A are not involved in the process of getting golf back up and running in this country you're wrong.

You are welcome to differ in your opinion which you clearly do.

?

I would expect them to be consulted due to the expertise within the membership.

However, I do not believe it is their role to dictate the conditions under which we will resume the game.

That's the job of the national governing bodies once Government approval is received.

 

[Mick68]

Having read that I have to say that I fear this may be fake news.

After all what has it got to do with the R&A?

How clubs operate post lockdown will surely be determined by the national bodies, England Golf and the equivalent bodies in the other nations.

Aside from Rules of Golf I cannot see that the R&A have any role in this.

I've read that all the different 'stakeholders' are collaborating and I'd expect the R&A would at least be informed of discussions and developments so something could have been leaked from them.

 

[Mick68]

It's a not dissimilar argument to that used for different parts of the country coming out of lock-down at different times. This was raised on yesterday's briefing with the expert and government view being that the lock-down is best maintained if there is no differentiation between different regions, as that maintains a feeling that we (all of the UK) are all in this together. As soon as this goes then a region still needing lock-down gets restless and upset - and the lock-down starts failing where it is still required.

So it will be with sports...if one sport and then another get released from lock-down, then non-participants in these sports will inevitably look on in envy - and in many envy can very easily turn into resentment. I for one would rather not be subject to abuse arising from the resentments of others, and I would rather my club and course were not subject to such resentments and the almost inevitable vandalism...

Golf and we golfers have got to consider very carefully the optics of this in the eyes of everyone else. It's not all about us golfers and what we want.

I don't agree at all. I think everything could and should be judged on it's merits. It wouldn't be right to stop people from playing golf just because other people can't play football. These are basic human rights - not necessarily to play golf obviously but to be free to go where we choose and do what we choose unless there's a good reason for that right to be taken away which there has been recently but if it's decided it can be done safely and within any new lockdown rules then it should be allowed. I think the premise going forward should be that anything that can be done safely and within the rules should be allowed - we don't live in a police state. My experience of speaking to non-golfers is that when I say I'm missing the golf almost every person has said (without prompting from me) that if you can socially distance anywhere it's on a golf course and most of them can't understand why we shouldn't be able to play on our own. I think the general public would completely understand why golf is being allowed and I doubt if there would be resentment.

 

[Tommy10]

National Clinical Director for Scotland has had his say today too...…..

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/scotland/52471110

 

[GB72]

I don't agree at all. I think everything could and should be judged on it's merits. It wouldn't be right to stop people from playing golf just because other people can't play football. These are basic human rights - not necessarily to play golf obviously but to be free to go where we choose and do what we choose unless there's a good reason for that right to be taken away which there has been recently but if it's decided it can be done safely and within any new lockdown rules then it should be allowed. I think the premise going forward should be that anything that can be done safely and within the rules should be allowed - we don't live in a police state. My experience of speaking to non-golfers is that when I say I'm missing the golf almost every person has said (without prompting from me) that if you can socially distance anywhere it's on a golf course and most of them can't understand why we shouldn't be able to play on our own. I think the general public would completely understand why golf is being allowed and I doubt if there would be resentment.

Sadly I think that you overestimate the general public. Would be five minutes before the press is riddled with stories about the privileged few being able to golf whilst others are stuck in small flats. Not saying it is right but to large chunks of the population have a pretty poor view of golfers and golf in general.

 

[Mick68]

Sadly I think that you overestimate the general public. Would be five minutes before the press is riddled with stories about the privileged few being able to golf whilst others are stuck in small flats. Not saying it is right but to large chunks of the population have a pretty poor view of golfers and golf in general.

I think the public will be happy to see any developments that take us on the road back to normality and people playing golf again would be one small step amongst other steps that could be taken at the same time. I think people just see golf as a walk but taking a set of clubs along with you and we're allowed to walk now. I think you're overestimating the general public's interest in golf - if it is allowed soon it wouldn't even be noticed much by the non-golfing general public as it doesn't affect them.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Sadly I think that you overestimate the general public. Would be five minutes before the press is riddled with stories about the privileged few being able to golf whilst others are stuck in small flats. Not saying it is right but to large chunks of the population have a pretty poor view of golfers and golf in general.

I suspect that to many we are middle class entitled t**ts - for them we are the epitome of privilege...us and our silly naff clothes and private clubs...

Maybe I am quite wrong - maybe we are viewed as just another bunch of folks playing a sport...

 

[Newforesthooker]

In fairness having guildlines is all well and good and a positive step. But if lockdown is extended by 3 weeks then that’s it. No exceptions!
How are members expecting there courses when they are back? How do they expect the staff on course to work if it’s literally wall to wall golf? Would you accept playing on green that are running at 5 on the stimp as money is not there to buy products? And to those saying if you rely on the bar get a new business plan, then you clearly have forgotten how desperate it is for clubs at the bottom end of the pyramid. They need every penny. Fingers crossed we can get back out there soon!!!

 

[Deleted member 17920]

While I hope that we might get some golf in June, if not late May, it occurs to me that I have several Society Days/Opens in June and July needing an overnight stop. I can see the course being open, but even if the hotel is open, do I actually want to stay there?????

This could be the thing that scuppers the Forum Meet in October. Course Open, hotel not advisable!

I am having a bad day today, feeling quite negative. Need some good news soon.

Blimey Mr doom and gloom.

If the hotels are still closed in October I doubt very much that the country will still be in business

I know some hotels in Woodhall Spa are looking at opening in early June but still waiting on news, they have put so much more into the cleaning of the hotel and what to do going forward.

 

[Deleted member 25172]

I don't agree at all. I think everything could and should be judged on it's merits. It wouldn't be right to stop people from playing golf just because other people can't play football. These are basic human rights - not necessarily to play golf obviously but to be free to go where we choose and do what we choose unless there's a good reason for that right to be taken away which there has been recently but if it's decided it can be done

Sadly I think that you overestimate the general public. Would be five minutes before the press is riddled with stories about the privileged few being able to golf whilst others are stuck in small flats. Not saying it is right but to large chunks of the population have a pretty poor view of golfers and golf in general.

I’d argue that the press isn’t necessarily portraying the view of the general public, but creating a narrative they support themselves. A “progressive” millenial freelancer writing a story and gets a thousand likes on his/her tweets within their political twitter-bubble should not be taken as what the vast majority of people think.

 

[Siolag]

I’d argue that the press isn’t necessarily portraying the view of the general public, but creating a narrative they support themselves. A “progressive” millenial freelancer writing a story and gets a thousand likes on his/her tweets within their political twitter-bubble should not be taken as what the vast majority of people think.

I agree with this. The vast majority of people probably don’t give golf and golfers a second thought.

 

[Golf_Mad]

Cant wait to get back playing. Wish they would open up now, driving me nuts.

 

[upsidedown]

I would expect them to be consulted due to the expertise within the membership.

However, I do not believe it is their role to dictate the conditions under which we will resume the game.

That's the job of the national governing bodies once Government approval is received.[/


We received two drafts in circulation from England Golf. They appear to be what was supposed to be a joint GCMA/BIGGA/R&A initiative,

 

[Imurg]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1255519639762882561

 

[GB72]

One common theme in each of the rumoured "leaks", and various snippets of info coming out, is the "members only" topic.

It looks like clubs will not initially be taking green-fees, whether this extends to members' guests remains to be seen, so that could be tough for those who aren't members anywhere.

And also how it applies to clubs who are pretty much totally pay and play