Golf Courses reopening

I believe that we can play golf and social distance. You would need ten minutes tee times apart. No one touching the flag. No rakes in bunkers. No access to the club. I truly believe it’s one sport that can be played safely thank you. Sara Bishop

Why the contribution is important

I think we need the exercise. For golfers who are active and play a lot it’s good for activity, well being good exercise and great mental health. it’s a relaxing walk that thousands of people can benefit from. It will be good for people to mix again at a distance. I believe you could play in a two and be fine. Please consider this!

by SaraBishop2157 on May 05, 2020 at 07:47PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.4
Based on: 78 votes

Comments

  • Posted by IainBlair May 05, 2020 at 19:58

    Golf is likely the safest naturally socially distanced sport. It provides exercise, fresh air and mental health benefits. Scottish Golf has issued additional guidelines which clubs had, prior to lockdown already implemented, that completely remove the need to touch any part of the course or its equipment such as flagsticks. Golf is played across the whole of society and is accessible to pretty much anyone who wishes to play at low cost and in close proximity almost everywhere. Golf is the most obvious thing to re-open and would be a tremendous boost to a large number of people.

  • Posted by richardandgilliankingslake May 05, 2020 at 20:08

    This comment has been removed by a moderator.

  • Posted by DevVeh May 05, 2020 at 20:08

    This is the same as many other posts

  • Posted by Kgc68 May 05, 2020 at 20:15

    Golf is ideal for social distancing, lots of room, it provide exercise And fresh air for all participants looking at the proposals from the golf unions to allow golf to return they makes perfect safe sense

  • Posted by WeeK May 05, 2020 at 20:19

    Golf is a sport where players are naturally physically distant. . There is no need to be within 2 metres of anyone you are playing with. There is also no need to share equipment or touch anything except for your own personal golf equipment. Before lockdown, Scottish golf clubs had already introduced several sensible safety measures e.g. no rakes in bunkers, flags left in holes at all times. There are hundreds of courses in Scotland and generally people are members of a course close to their home therefore minimal travelling would be required. It is also a sport that is played and enjoyed by older people and would permit over 70s to exercise safely outdoors. I believe that opening golf courses (but not necessarily clubhouses) would allow people to socialise and exercise safely..

  • Posted by Juliewhitelaw May 05, 2020 at 20:21

    Golf is a great sport for exercising and also mental agility. It can easily be set up with social distancing in mind.

  • Posted by DrMantisToboggan May 05, 2020 at 20:45

    This is a great idea, I don't think anyone else has posted about golf on here yet.

  • Posted by MM1592 May 05, 2020 at 21:10

    Golf courses would become overcrowded with retired and elderly (vulnerable groups).

  • Posted by GrahamWalker273 May 05, 2020 at 21:14

    I agree with earlier comments regarding golf being a sport which can easily be aligned with social distancing and where the governing body has identified changes which would support this. Often family members will all play golf and it can provide an alternative to walking the streets and provide a safer place to walk where there is no danger from traffic. I understand that the government want to limit travel to places of exercise however in most cases people live close to the course they play. I also support the statement regarding the elder citizens who play being in an environment that they can get exercise without risk of crowds.

  • Posted by Jimbo67 May 05, 2020 at 23:33

    I’d like to think golf as a great sport that could be played and I do understand clubhouses being closed although one thing I’d like to hope is that people who do not have cars etc will be able to use albeit sensibly gloves etc lockers and toilet facilities

  • Posted by AlanClark36 May 06, 2020 at 10:57

    Would be a welcome way of getting people exercising. The game also lends itself to social distancing and additional measures could be added to alleviate risk further; only permit play within bubbles (eg you only play with the same partners every time/every medal); pins remain in at all times; card is marked by the individual (to avoid passing between players); Social distancing to be observed at all times; club houses to remain closed; travel to and from course separately.

  • Posted by Colin99 May 06, 2020 at 11:04

    I strongly believe that allowing golf to be played would send out a positive message to the public at large that at least one corner has been turned. It is a healthy sport played in the open air where social distancing is easy. Expert opinion supports the view that person to person transmission is significantly less likely in the open air. My own club has created a number of rules for when we do get back to golf, all of which are in line with responsible social distancing and guidelines from governing bodies. We would even plan to have marshals on the course ensuring compliance. That gives them some fresh air and exercise too. The sooner we move to some form of normality the better. We can do this and do it safely.

  • Posted by SandyAllan May 06, 2020 at 11:26

    Agree with all this. Rules are already in place through the R&A.

  • Posted by Kxi35dav May 06, 2020 at 12:19

    At much more risk doing my daily exercise where I'm coming into contact with much more people and in closer proximity to than when I'm outside golfing with a few friends where social distancing is easily adhered to.

  • Posted by Bindingcheck May 06, 2020 at 14:50

    The politicians repeat the mantra that "we must get R down". In the absence of a vaccine the most effective way of doing this is social distancing. Golf can easily accommodate / adapt to ensure social distancing especially if all play is not 'competition play'. With no changes whatsoever individuals could play a solitary round or groupings could be 'households'. The current notion floated by the Scottish Government of 'bubbles' could be applied to allow players to regularly play with others in a 2, 3 or 4 ball with player outside their 'household'.

    The 'stay home' mantra was a crude (and effective) way of presenting the notion of social distancing especially for those in densely populated urban conurbations, but it arguably less relevant outside cities and large towns. Researchers are discovering that 'staying home' is creating a fear culture and predicting that the longer the 'stay home' message lasts the more difficult it will be for some to re-adjust to whatever is the new normal. One doesn't need to 'stay home' to stay safe, social distancing is the key and golf can facilitate social distancing as well as social intercourse.

  • Posted by Am_Broc May 06, 2020 at 15:02

    Golf courses should be open up as public parks - rather than golf courses - to the general public during the coronavirus to help people to get socially distanced exercise. This reduce the pressure on parks and mean that more people would have access to the outdoors. It would also be of aid to society as a whole across all social classes.

  • Posted by BSL May 06, 2020 at 15:36

    I would feel safer on a golf course than I would out a normal walk being passed by other pedestrians, joggers and cyclists or at any supermarket. Time to start gradually easing the lockdown

  • Posted by jvhr May 06, 2020 at 16:07

    Must be one of the first activities to be released when deemed safe as social distancing would be easily achieved and would get people out of homes and in a safe environment.

  • Posted by AlecBB May 06, 2020 at 22:38

    Golf is a big part of Scotland’s economy and many clubs need the income to survive. It is an ideal way to exercise with friends and social distancing is easily achieved. Restrictions can be imposed to avoid contamination, such as no rakes, leave the flag in place, no competitions, no swapping cards, etc.

  • Posted by beatebennek May 07, 2020 at 00:30

    We need Vitamin D to stay healthy and being on a Golf course is ideal. And you have so much space, so social distancing is not an issue at all.

  • Posted by PeterCowen May 07, 2020 at 06:09

    Golf reopening
    The golf courses should reopen as it has a structure set in place for social distancing set by the R&A
    This is good for exercise and mental health.

  • Posted by EddieClack May 08, 2020 at 09:28

    Golf is Scotlands sporting heritage. Thousands of golfers play 2-3 times a week from May- Sept , and weekly autumn winter. Golf can easily accommodate social distancing , and is probably safer than walking through most public spaces. Please reopen and set guidelines from Scottish golf union. For the physical and mental wellbeing of many Scots, please do so from 18th May as in Ireland. Driving/distance to golf courses should be up to 35 miles. Many east/ west central belt resident golfers, play along west coast and east Lothians courses Gullane etc, outwith Edinburgh, and are crucial members to courses membership viability. The physical and mental health of many 1000s of Scots will be improved immeasurably, by reopening the courses with standards agreed with SGU. Thankyou
    Ed Clack

  • Posted by IainMacIan May 11, 2020 at 10:04

    Look at idea: Restrict Sports / Touring Cycling - Equality!
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