Amateur golf

We are encouraged under lockdown to take daily exercise in our local area while preserving social distancing. Surely this can be all easily achieved and encouraged for members of local Golf Clubs? The sooner the better.

Why the contribution is important

Amateur golf encourages physical exercise in the fresh air and allows some degree of social interaction, thus contributing to both physical and mental well-being.

by beejay23 on May 08, 2020 at 08:22AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.1
Based on: 16 votes

Comments

  • Posted by thecircle1904 May 08, 2020 at 08:41

    Agree with this. I see no reason why people can’t play golf at their local clubs. The game needs very few additional social distancing rules to make it extremely low risk

  • Posted by GA May 08, 2020 at 08:57

    Can easily social distance whilst playing golf.

  • Posted by GAElliott May 08, 2020 at 08:59

    The R&A have set out guidelines how we manage golf safety. The number of golfers per tee time isn’t stated in the guidelines but I think this should be made clear if we are allowed to resume play. My recommendation would be a maximum of a 3 ball & this would apply to family groups.
    The only area of concern is accessing clubhouse facilities for washing hands. Government guidelines should be clear if clubs are allowed to sell take away food & drink. This would be an area of concerns of it is allowed as it could leads to groups of people gathering outside a clubhouse.

  • Posted by Fenneke May 08, 2020 at 09:08

    I agree, if the local golf clubs have put in place a proper social distancing policy such as no visit to clubhouse and very limited people in locker rooms (depending on size of room). We had that before the lockdown and it worked well, especially because we are a relatively small club so it's never busy.

  • Posted by Rupert May 08, 2020 at 09:18

    Golf clubs attract visitors in to an area putting the local community at risk, they encourage gatherings and they also need to be able to operate a robust infection control and social distancing measures. The risk is to great whilst the virus is not under control, especially as the majority of golf club members and visitors are in the at risk age groups!

  • Posted by jimpaterson May 08, 2020 at 10:01

    golfers are used to rules and regulation and self administer the rules of golf, I see no reason why golf should not return, also believe that 4 golfer would maintain social distancing without any trouble

  • Posted by dimorland May 08, 2020 at 10:24

    I agree that golf could be re-established as a safe social distancing sport. Not only will it provide exercise to different age groups, golf plays a large part in a lot of peoples lives so the mental health benefits are huge as well. Booking should be done through existing systems run by clubs with suitable spaced start times.

  • Posted by Rudolph May 08, 2020 at 11:40

    It seems reasonable, fair and logical that angling and golf - two activities in which effective social distancing can be maintained - be allowed to resume. We all want ourselves and everyone else to be kept safe but applying safety measures must be done in a rational way.

  • Posted by JakeC May 08, 2020 at 14:02

    As long as people are sensible and follow the rules golf clubs could easily open soon. It's a great for of exercise and great for people's mental health

  • Posted by rusty_nail May 09, 2020 at 09:53

    Golf Courses are wide open outdoor spaces where people can easily isolate and practice social distancing whilst getting fresh air and excercise.

     I feel most clubs are ahead of the curve in terms of the safe return of golf and can easily issue a set of rules and guidelines to members when we return.

    Firstly our club could open to members only initially, it’s easier to set out rules to people we can communicate with quickly and regularly.
    All members will be booking online for their tee times which will be in a maximum of a 2 ball, the intervals will be every 10 minutes, without a booking you cannot play.

    Players will be expected to change their footwear/clothing at their car ready for their tee time. They MUST not come up to the tee area until 10 minutes before their time
    We can have a device on all the pins meaning the ball can be removed from the hole without touching the pins. All waste bins and other equipment such as benches have been removed from the course so there is nothing man made on the course for the members to touch. None of our buggies/trolleys will be available for hire at all.

    All members are aware they must socially distance throughout their round, pretty simple considering the distance you need to be from someone when they are swinging!

    Upon completion of the round members will head straight to their car and leave, no hanging around at the club at all.

    The clubhouse will be closed - except for the toilets.
    We have sanitisers in place at the club already for our members so are prepared for our members to use the course and clubhouse toilets if required.

    At the moment we have no intention to run club competitions but if our management system can provide us with a mobile online entry system using members phones then it may be considered as then there will be no handling of any scorecards required.

    Keeping clubs closed is putting a huge financial stain on a sport that is already struggling to make ends meet,

    I know from speaking to our members that this is having a huge impact on their mental health, some of them use golf as their only method of exercise and are getting increasingly depressed at not being able to play.

    I realise it may not be high on the priority list but surely if we can prove it’s possible then it’s worth looking at, for exercise and mental health.

    Thanks
    Why the contribution is important
    As discussed above our members health and mental health, as well as being able to guarantee a safe facility which will still be there in the future.
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