When do you think you will next play golf?

[Deleted member 1740]

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.

Imagine the free for all if it was open to all. Unfortunately they're not going to keep everyone happy.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

If tennis is allowed to restart do people really expect nets to be ripped down by an angry bunch of rugby players who can not play their sport? People wont give two hoots if golf starts again. It wont be the only sport to start up when it happens so thinking the public are going to be sending hate mail to clubs is wildly over egging golfs status in people's thoughts.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

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

Common sense needs to kick in. Online Booking and payments only for those pay and play.

 

[GB72]

Common sense needs to kick in. Online Booking and payments only for those pay and play.

Agree but also needs some on site monitoring to turn away those who do just pitch up, and they will.

 

[USER1999]

The only issue I can see with reopening post lock down is the number of people now using the golf course for recreation. There could be some resentment losing what has become a convenient facility for all, rather than a few.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

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.

In advance of whenever we might be allowed back on the course - and to enable us to manage play in accordance with how we must - we are freezing our membership after tomorrow on the basis of continuing members - even if we have vacancies. So no new members from our waiting list and no latecomers seeking conversation back to Full from Social. Also for the first month following re-opening (whenever that is) we will be cancelling any visitors or societies booked in for that month (well I believe we are going to do that - and we'll do it with sincere apologies seeking understanding of those cancelled) - and we will not accept any new requests to play from non-members or societies. Plus any Opens scheduled for that first month will be cancelled. And we will review end of the month on an ongoing basis.

Well that was the thinking of the Board a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Yorkshire Hacker]

The only issue I can see with reopening post lock down is the number of people now using the golf course for recreation. There could be some resentment losing what has become a convenient facility for all, rather than a few.

I am sure you have a point. But surely the majority of golf courses are on private land. Ours is, with about three footpaths running through it. Effectively, walkers would be trespassing wouldn't they?

 

[Mick68]

The only issue I can see with reopening post lock down is the number of people now using the golf course for recreation. There could be some resentment losing what has become a convenient facility for all, rather than a few.

But at the end of the day they are golf courses and we pay hundreds of pounds (or more) to play them so as soon as they can revert back to their intended use they should.

 

[CliveW]

More promising news...

https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/exclusive-leaked-report-paves-the-way-for-golfs-return

 

[Mick68]

In advance of whenever we might be allowed back on the course - and to enable us to manage play in accordance with how we must - we are freezing our membership after tomorrow on the basis of continuing members - even if we have vacancies. So no new members from our waiting list and no latecomers seeking conversation back to Full from Social. Also for the first month following re-opening (whenever that is) we will be cancelling any visitors or societies booked in for that month (well I believe we are going to do that - and we'll do it with sincere apologies seeking understanding of those cancelled) - and we will not accept any new requests to play from non-members or societies. Plus any Opens scheduled for that first month will be cancelled. And we will review end of the month on an ongoing basis.

Well that was the thinking of the Board a couple of weeks ago.

I doubt we'll be doing that. We need every member we can get and if we can get any new members I'm sure we'll snap them up. We've got plenty of spare capacity so shouldn't be a problem.

 

[5OTT]

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.

From my point of view the biggest issue is the number of locals who now use the golf course as an area to walk and take exercise, there are a number of public footpaths through the course and so we as a club have been unable to stop this. As such we have engaged with the public on social media and have accepted that people can use the course but ask them to respect the greens and tee areas. While we have seen littering taking place it has generally worked quite well.

The concern will be that some people will see the opening of the course to be the taking away of a safe recreational area for them to use.

It's a balancing act but the longer the courses are closed the more resentment there could be when they finally open again.

 

[patricks148]

I am sure you have a point. But surely the majority of golf courses are on private land. Ours is, with about three footpaths running through it. Effectively, walkers would be trespassing wouldn't they?

From my point of view the biggest issue is the number of locals who now use the golf course as an area to walk and take exercise, there are a number of public footpaths through the course and so we as a club have been unable to stop this. As such we have engaged with the public on social media and have accepted that people can use the course but ask them to respect the greens and tee areas. While we have seen littering taking place it has generally worked quite well.

The concern will be that some people will see the opening of the course to be the taking away of a safe recreational area for them to use.

It's a balancing act but the longer the courses are closed the more resentment there could be when they finally open again.

wish the people using the courses in my part of the world would show the same respect, the kings is full of dog walkers everyday, many not picking up after their dogs, or stopping them digging in all the bunkers. it also has a footpath running though it which is being used a lot by cyclists a lot, but now many are venturing off the path and riding the course and can't help themselves but ride on the greens

 

[badgergm]

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

Mostly reasonable. Glad to see that competitive stroke play not outlawed - I think with a bot of common sense that should be possible. With respect to rakes then shoud be noted that players may carry their own rakes. At our club, each group carries a rake (they get nicked by the local kids if left by the bunkers). Quite a few people have their own small versions that work perfectly well. Aside from that, using feet/club is acceptable (was always the case back in the day anyway......).

 

[Mick68]

From my point of view the biggest issue is the number of locals who now use the golf course as an area to walk and take exercise, there are a number of public footpaths through the course and so we as a club have been unable to stop this. As such we have engaged with the public on social media and have accepted that people can use the course but ask them to respect the greens and tee areas. While we have seen littering taking place it has generally worked quite well.

The concern will be that some people will see the opening of the course to be the taking away of a safe recreational area for them to use.

It's a balancing act but the longer the courses are closed the more resentment there could be when they finally open again.

Fair enough but we have to gradually return to some form of normality and that will include golf courses being used for golf again. The public have no choice but to accept it.

 

[Doodle]

Had this email from England Golf.
Broadly along the lines of what was expected.
No date for a return yet, but I suspect they are hoping for mid May.
Short term, it will allow a return to golf of sorts, mid to long term these proposals will sadly condemn lots of clubs to extinction.

 

[rosecott]

I am sure you have a point. But surely the majority of golf courses are on private land. Ours is, with about three footpaths running through it. Effectively, walkers would be trespassing wouldn't they?

Are they not public footpaths? I know of quite a number of courses - usually in the quite venerable category - who have public footpaths on them, and these are public rights of way.

 

[badgergm]

Are they not public footpaths? I know of quite a number of courses - usually in the quite venerable category - who have public footpaths on them, and these are public rights of way.

They will be - but I think the point is that during lockdown, the public are not restricting themselves to the footpaths. No danger of golf balls. Ive seen families on ours playing in the bunkers, hide and seek in the trees, etc. Hopefully period is not so long that wont get back to normal fairly quickly.

 

[MadAdey]

The need to get the golf clubs open back in England. THey have kept them open over here, but with certain restrictions:

Clubhouses are not allowed to be open.
1 person in the Pro shop at a time.
No cash can be used for transactions, it has to all be card. There is a card swiper fitted to the counter top in hte shop and you swipe your car through it without touching it.
Tee times are at 15 minute intervals, with no waiting allowed at the tee box.

 

[trevor]

I haven’t worked out yet how having longer tee time intervals (say 15 minutes against 8 or 10) would help things. As long as you stay 8 minutes behind the group in front wouldn’t you be okay or am I missing something. Seen this written in various articles.

 

[GB72]

I haven’t worked out yet how having longer tee time intervals (say 15 minutes against 8 or 10) would help things. As long as you stay 8 minutes behind the group in front wouldn’t you be okay or am I missing something. Seen this written in various articles.

My guess is 10 minutes should allow a 2 ball to finish a hole and so basically a hole between groups. The problem in general will be slow groups causing logjams