Golf Courses Open Again

It is obvious from the number of comments around opening golf courses and the postive feedback this must be a prioriry for the FM.
I have more chance of being infected going to B&Q than golfing with social distancing rules in place. Which have already been laid out be the Irish authorities, who are opening up golf courses on the 18th of May, see below.

• Members with colds or any symptoms of COVID-19 stay away from the golf course/clubhouse.
• Physical distancing rules are observed by all members at all times in the car park, clubhouse and on the course.
• Play is restricted to: - members only - casual golf only (no club competitions or opens).
• Personnel are on hand to monitor adherence with physical distancing rules and the rules for golfers set out in this document.
• Tee times are booked in advance online or over the telephone. Clubs must ensure that players names are recorded on timesheets and timesheets must be kept for a period of at least 6 weeks to assist with contact tracing should the need arise.
• Daily timesheets are restricted to a minimum of 10, 12 or 14 minute intervals. Clubs may only choose one interval for each day. If clubs choose 10+ minute intervals, play is restricted to 1 golfer per start time. If clubs choose 12+ minutes, up to 2 golfers may play per start time. If clubs choose 14+ minutes, up to 3 golfers may play per start time. - (Note: these measures will result in a maximum of 60 golfers occupying an 18-hole course at any given time, this is around 55% of full capacity).
• Bars/restaurants remain closed and off-limits as per government policy. Clubhouse access should be confined to use of toilet facilities (provided they can be kept clean) and initial retrieval of golf equipment from lockers.
• There are no social gatherings, of any size, at the facility.
• Members are instructed not to touch the flag or flagstick.
• Rakes are removed from the course. Players are requested to smooth bunkers using their feet or a club. • Hire trolleys (electric and pull trolleys) must be sanitised prior to each use.
• Caddies are not permitted (exception: where the group of golfers and the caddies are same household).

In addition, the following guidelines should be observed:

• Signage should be erected to reinforce physical distancing rules.
• Holes/cups should be altered to facilitate easy retrieval of golf balls.
• Hand sanitisers should be made available.
• Regular cleaning of toilets (on course & in clubhouse) if they are in use.
• Where possible ball washers, bins, sand bags, benches, divot boxes and non-essential furniture should be taken in off the course. Where such fixtures are permanent, they should be taken out of use.
• Where practice putting greens are open, the holes should be filled in or covered, otherwise the greens should be closed.
• Members of the same household should play together, rather than split into mixed groups.
• The use of golf buggies is discouraged. Where a golf buggy must be used, it should be used by one person only and cannot be exchanged between people during the round. Buggies must be sanitized thoroughly after each use.
• It is strongly recommended that all golf clubs have a policy of allowing juniors to play only if they are accompanied by an adult. In addition, wherever possible juniors should restrict themselves to playing with other members of their own household.
• Clubs will have to consider ways in which social distancing can be facilitated in practice facilities. If such facilities are open, golfers must warm up on their own. Holes must be filled in on the practice putting green(s).
• If necessary, defibrillators should be moved to an accessible area and members should be notified of its new location.

Looking through these guidelines they seem far more stringent then those we follow for going to B&Q!

So other thna all the postives that Im sure have been mentioned already, I would like to include the following :

Regular Medals we can contribute £1 or £2 for the top scores in the medal, now we will not have regular medals due to Covid19 for some time, so could we as golfers donate our £1 or £2 we would have contrubited to the NHS to help boost their funds during this challenging time. If all golfers in SCotland followed this proposal we could generate £1000s for the NHS.

All donations could be be done electronically or in buckets at the golf club (not sure if collection buckets would meet COVID rules but someone can advise).

To help people in Scotlans spirit, mental well being and help to contribute towards the NHS.