When do you think you will next play golf?

[Lord Tyrion]

I disagree.
The default is we play out of bunkers and rake it.
If rakes are taken away there should be a blanket rule that bunkers are either out of action or, just do what we used to do and smooth it properly with your foot.

So you get the groups who want to just chuck the ball out when everyone else is playing as it lies... Are the guys chucking the ball out going to care about their footprints? I doubt it.

You can't have some playing properly and others just marching in and out the sand with not a care.

Those that wont smooth the sand will not do it whether hitting the ball or picking it up and chucking it out. If I go in to pick my ball up I will smooth the sand as I leave, same as previously I would always rake.

This is an entirely different issue to whether it is necessary to hit out of bunkers upon golfs return, it is about courtesy and applies to smoothing sand, repairing pitch marks, divots etc.

 

[IanM]

Last game I played before lock down all bunkers were GUR to avoid that issue. It will be great to get out again regardless of "special rules."

Surely playing some form of golf is better than NO golf?

 

[howbow88]

This is sadly not golf as we know it anymore.

You mean for the moment. This is step 1 of getting back to normal.

 

[Tommy10]

I'll play any format under any conditions. Just desperate to get out there and make double bogeys

 

[Yorkshire Hacker]

Agreed. Last time I had a look at our course, it looked in fabulous condition. To get out there and give a ball a good thwacking, AND get some exercise is something to savour.
Pity about the post round drink. I'll take a flask and we can chat in the car park. Not!

 

[sunshine]

Quote me where I said that Mr Smart Ass?

I'm not trawling through 47 pages on this thread to search for your quotes. Just pointing out you've been pretty pessimistic about playing golf again. Chin up, I'm sure golf will get back to normal

 

[Doon frae Troon]

The recommendations for opening up the courses seem fair to me. [sorry if previously posted]

Two Balls only
Minimum 10 minute tee times
Social play only.
Use two separate tee markers..….four meters apart
No rakes etc.

 

[Imurg]

Not technically arguing with it but I dont really see the point of having 2 tee boxes..
I cant think of many courses I've played where you can't stand 2 metres away from someone teeing off - especially as, if you get closer than that, you might lose your head....

 

[CallawayKid]

get yourself one of those ball retrievers, mind you will have t wait to get it fitted

I've taken this downtime as an opportunity to get mine regripped...

CK

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I won't be playing out of some fat lazy sods footprints and I'll not be smoothing over any either I'll be taking my ball out. If I have to step into the bunker to retrieve my ball I'll smooth over that for any bunker players coming behind.

This is sadly not golf as we know it anymore.

What about thin lazy sods footprints............
It is golf, just be thankful you are playing again.

If I remember correctly, even with rakes in place there were still many footprints in bunkers.
Use the social golfing phase as a means of practice to overcome such problems.
Or even simpler just roll the ball over in the bunker.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Not technically arguing with it but I dont really see the point of having 2 tee boxes..
I cant think of many courses I've played where you can't stand 2 metres away from someone teeing off - especially as, if you get closer than that, you might lose your head....

Tee areas are always the most likely place to come close to your PP.
Crossover after tee shot is hit.....golfers may have a forgetful moment especially after ripping a 250 yard boomer.

My wife had one of those moments when talking to a neighbour over the wall.
To demonstrate an admired plant she picked a flower and went to hand it over to the neighbour [both teachers btw]
She is paranoid about social distancing so if she can have a forgetful moment anyone can.

I would also recommend carry bags only, to avoid the usual trolley [sheep] tracks around greens and tees.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Tee areas are always the most likely place to come close to your PP.
I would also recommend carry bags only, to avoid the usual trolley [sheep] tracks around greens and tees.

I really don't understand how that is relevant to Covid? What distancing problems are caused by trolleys compared to carrying?

 

[Jacko_G]

What about thin lazy sods footprints............
It is golf, just be thankful you are playing again.

If I remember correctly, even with rakes in place there were still many footprints in bunkers.
Use the social golfing phase as a means of practice to overcome such problems.
Or even simpler just roll the ball over in the bunker.

Or to save all the above I'll just be taking it out.

 

[Jacko_G]

Problem you have is Mr Slow Coach who will be out there. The one who thinks golf is his own enjoyment and he won't be rushed. The sort or tit who says 4 hours is more than acceptable for a round of golf, it's my free time and I'll enjoy it.

That's going to have a huge knock on effect right through the field back to the first tee and car park.

Lots of obsticles to be overcome before we can say X,Y or Z will work.

(For those who think I'm being sexist just substitute Mr Slow Coach for Mrs and use her instead of him - I thank you in advance)

 

[Jacko_G]

You seem to be madly in love with golf at the moment ?‍ ?

I'm asking genuine questions.

These things need to be factored into any decision to reopen golf courses. And every club has selfish people like that.

My links golf question is also genuine. Contagious flag sticks in the wind???

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Problem you have is Mr Slow Coach who will be out there. The one who thinks golf is his own enjoyment and he won't be rushed. The sort or tit who says 4 hours is more than acceptable for a round of golf, it's my free time and I'll enjoy it.

That's going to have a huge knock on effect right through the field back to the first tee and car park.

Lots of obsticles to be overcome before we can say X,Y or Z will work.

(For those who think I'm being sexist just substitute Mr Slow Coach for Mrs and use her instead of him - I thank you in advance)

Hopefully the stretched out tee times will allow for that. If not then Mr or Mrs Slowcoach simply has to stand aside as they should do anyway and let Mr & Mrs Normal play through. If they don't, and we all know people like this, then groups who would normally bunch up will simply not have to. A bit like leaving 2m between everyone in queues at the supermarket, golfers waiting will have to leave a space. I walk my dog every day, come across other walkers, dog walkers etc and we all manage to avoid each other quite easily. Sometimes it is an elaborate dance as we move around each other but my experience has only been good on that front so far.

 

[BrianM]

I think it’s too much of a risk, I’ve seen first hand how quickly it can spread.
When golf does come back it’s got to be as it was before.
Human nature is half the guys or girls will follow the rules, the rest wont and that’s where it will all go wrong in my opinion.

 

[Crazyface]

Maybe they will have to have a marshall driving round to monitor play. I'm sure they'd be plenty of volunteers!!!! LOL

 

[Papas1982]

Problem you have is Mr Slow Coach who will be out there. The one who thinks golf is his own enjoyment and he won't be rushed. The sort or tit who says 4 hours is more than acceptable for a round of golf, it's my free time and I'll enjoy it.

That's going to have a huge knock on effect right through the field back to the first tee and car park.

Lots of obsticles to be overcome before we can say X,Y or Z will work.

(For those who think I'm being sexist just substitute Mr Slow Coach for Mrs and use her instead of him - I thank you in advance)

It states in the directive that people can still play through when safe to do so.

Considering you've said you're not overly fussed with getting back out there, I'd not spend my time worrying about problems that may arise once we can play again...

 

[Mick68]

I think it’s too much of a risk, I’ve seen first hand how quickly it can spread.
When golf does come back it’s got to be as it was before.
Human nature is half the guys or girls will follow the rules, the rest wont and that’s where it will all go wrong in my opinion.

I think people not following the rules will be quite rare and hopefully others will put them right. We'll all want the courses to stay open and not risk them being closed again.