Playing golf

Golf clubs could be allowed to reopen with the following restrictions:

Either one player or two from the same household
Limited to 9 holes
Clubhouse remains closed
Booking sheets to be re-opened and the time between tee-times increased to 20 minutes
Eligibility for all age groups as long as not in the category where they have had a letter saying they are shielded.

This change would greatly enhance our daily routines and give more people a better chance to exercise rather than walking or jogging.

Why the contribution is important

This change would greatly enhance our daily routines and give more people a better chance to exercise rather than walking or jogging.

by cartom on May 05, 2020 at 02:17PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 3.8
Based on: 56 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Alasdrum May 05, 2020 at 14:23

    Totally agree.

  • Posted by Jomccolgan May 05, 2020 at 14:23

    I know many people are desperate to get back to golf - again it is good for mental and physical health - fresh air and sunlight would also help sleep. This could be done safely if the golfers didn't remove the pin - golfed in groups of two or three and maintained social distancing . It would really boost many people's mood and tolerance for the wider lockdown.

  • Posted by IanB May 05, 2020 at 14:24

    Surely allowing golf courses simply to be used by walkers is a much more efficient use of the space.

  • Posted by EstherAllan May 05, 2020 at 14:24

    I think this is a great idea - greater freedom with little / no additional risk

  • Posted by Griffs987 May 05, 2020 at 14:24

    With sensible distancing and clubhouses closed, the risk level is extremely low.

  • Posted by Ranger2dog May 05, 2020 at 14:24

    Groups of 2 only and no clubhouse entry.

  • Posted by Louisethomson20 May 05, 2020 at 14:27

    It would ease congestion in other recreation areas such as parks.

  • Posted by HumanBeing May 05, 2020 at 14:34

    Agree groups of 2 and keep clubhouses shut...golf clubs offer recreation and also part of the economy, we don't want them all going bust!

  • Posted by Susledger May 05, 2020 at 14:35

    The R&A has already drawn up plans about a safe and controlled return to golf which respect social distancing etc. I believe that restricting play either alone or with other members of your household and not using clubhouse facilities would ensure a safe environment and restrict the spread of the virus.

  • Posted by Ann May 05, 2020 at 14:39

    Can’t see any problem with this as outside and able to maintain social distancing . This would help businesses and people’s well-being

  • Posted by GMac01 May 05, 2020 at 14:39

    Agree groups of 2/3 will not present any issues. No need to open clubhouses. Positive recreation and exercise.

  • Posted by Golferronnie May 05, 2020 at 14:45

    Every other country has reopened or actually never closed golf courses so it makes sense for the 'Home of Golf' to respond in a similar fashion. And actually the current Coronavirus (Scotland) regulations do not close golf courses only their catering etc facilities, so opening would be extremely easy., and would ease the increasing temptation for some to travel unlawfully to courses.

    Risk of spreading infection is pretty much zero so long as social distancing is observed and the usual precautions seen even in supermarkets followed. If this is followed then no need to restrict play to 2 or family members, normal (up to 4 player) arrangements totally fine.

    Golf is a huge industry in Scotland and courses and clubs need to be back in operation as quickly as possible, for the health of tens of thousands of citizens and businesses. Restricting play to those under 70 would be sensible.

    There are plenty open spaces for walkers to use without tramping over golf courses, which continue to be maintained at great cost.

  • Posted by Green07 May 05, 2020 at 14:52

    Agree seeing that as golf has been on a partial shutdown since Oct last year(winter hours) , unless you are retired of course, and as the main form of exercise for physical and mental health then restrictions need to be lifted as soon as possible.

    Don’t agree with 9 hole limit - on what basis?

    Note: Social distancing on a golf course would have been safer to implement than walking , running and cycling that has already been implemented.

  • Posted by Gerry May 05, 2020 at 14:58

    Agree that opening golf courses to members only should be implemented. Two players max per group, no looking for lost balls, play from fairways only. No flags, rakes etc. Definitely keep clubhouses closed and no competitions.

  • Posted by slammer May 05, 2020 at 14:59

    Easy to socially distance and easy to self regulate.
    Very likely that a lot of Clubs will go under, no Government help for Clubs with a RV over £51k and with a lack of visitor income they will most likely struggle.
    Open for members only at first with a gradual relaxing over time also getting players back on the course will protect it from being damaged

  • Posted by Thomas54 May 05, 2020 at 15:05

    As said in other correspondence the golfers governing body has already published an extremely easy strategy to follow, however should be 2 or 3 maximum players for initial 9 holes with 10 min intervals, no opening of clubhouse or locker rooms, but be sensible, cannot be restricted to one person per household, most only have one, minimum of 2’s.
    Easy to police RandA guidelines as golfers above anybody follow rules strictly.

  • Posted by Golferkenny May 05, 2020 at 15:06

    My wife and i have been walking the local golf courses around our home in Troon.
    We regularly see other walkers and family groups also walking the courses.
    As a golfer and club member who lives less than a mile from my club and can walk round my own course once a week I find it extremely frustrating that I cannot play golf.
    Golf is a sport where, except on tees and greens, social distancing is the norm.
    Based on the R&A plans about a safe and controlled return to golf which respect social distancing etc,. especially on tees and greens, which have already been published I find it difficult to understand why playing golf is still not allowed.
    I would suggest that if a golfer lives within 3 miles of their club they should be allowed to play golf with members of their family or one or two fellow members while respecting the guidelines laid down by The R&A.

  • Posted by sy278 May 05, 2020 at 15:11

    unnecessary.

  • Posted by Gibby May 05, 2020 at 15:13

    Don’t agree with 9 holes,there’s no problem opening the courses as there are more people on the course just now walking and cycling etc than there would be golfers.
    By all means keep the clubhouse shut until they can adhere to the rules but surely with the electronic facilities clubs can still hold a medal.

  • Posted by JohnMorton May 05, 2020 at 15:14

    With no rakes, bins, ball washers and inverted cups the risk factor is so low that it will be negligible. No clubhouse, change in car park, no more than two per group and , if necessary, then it must be same two people until restrictions ease further.

  • Posted by lowmachrimore May 05, 2020 at 15:16

    There is no reason why golf should be stopped.

    Scottish Golf issued a set of guidelines before lock down, If they are put in place, there is NO reason why it shouldn't resume again.

    If people are allowed to walk over golf courses for exercise and walk there dogs, It begs the question why shouldn't we be golfing!

    Surely If the rest of the UK returns to golf then Scotland should follow!!

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

    The R&A and the various UK Golf Unions have already submitted proposals for the safe resumption of playing golf. I won't repeat these but this is the link https://www.randa.org/[…]/golf-in-the-uk-under-covid-19-restrictions .

    There is ample scope to achieve better than normal social distancing during a round and it would be quite simple to apply a four metre distance rule in addition to the proposals by the golf authorities. Clearly clubhouse facilities would have to remain restricted in accordance with other ongoing requirements relating to catering, bars etc.

    A significant number of golfers will live in reasonable proximity to the course they are members of and travel direct to there and home which should cause minimal, if not near zero, risk of infection transmission.

    The resumption of golf can be achieved safely with little risk and could be a significant boost to mental health and general well-being. The lockdown may prove increasingly challenging to maintain as people become negatively affected, depressed or start pushing back the boundaries. Allowing a relatively safe release, increasing daily exercise and enabling safe social contact will have significant benefits and help maintain support for the current approach.

  • Posted by roddyhammond May 05, 2020 at 15:30

    Re-start golf immediately. Follow R&A guidelines. Initially, only for golf club members using Scottish Golf booking system. The risk is probably non-existent. It is necessary for people to exercise and have good mental health. Golf is the ideal way to achieve this. We need to relieve the lockdown step by step and opening golf courses is surely one of the first things that will have many positives for thousands of people with more or less zero risk and certainly less risk than other forms of exercise and relaxation. It may also encourage people to join clubs and reverse the critical and steady decline of club members, bringing much needed revenue.

  • Posted by JR1256 May 05, 2020 at 16:21

    The open space makes physical distancing easy. Absolutely no need to limit groups to same household. This would severely limit the numbers. Better to keep the courses closed than open with such a limitation.

  • Posted by scottmcmartin May 05, 2020 at 16:58

    Mental Health and lack of general exercise could have a last and long term affect on peoples health and well being for decades if easing of the 'outside' activity is not changed soon. For instance, everyone and literally their dog are using Golf Courses as their private play grounds. Yet golfers are not allowed to use the course that they have paid a membership for.

    Allow say an initial 5km as the crow flies, distance on home to course. Members only, with increased tee-times. No opening of Clubhouse/Locker rooms. All of these measures were put in place by golf clubs pre lock-down. Increase the travel distance in phases. This is what Ireland is doing.

  • Posted by GordonI102 May 05, 2020 at 17:14

    Completely agree. I have no idea why golf courses have closed when they have demonstrated many ways in which social distancing can be maintained

  • Posted by GolfDuck May 05, 2020 at 18:22

    Please reopen the Golf Courses. It is an exercise that is fully compliant with Govt guidelines - physical distancing and daily exercise.

    Why is it Ok for our golf courses to be used by walkers and joggers but golfers are not allowed to use the golf course.

  • Posted by Sjkr May 05, 2020 at 20:55

    For the reasons already mentioned this is a no brainer. There is virtually no risk involved if following the guidelines. Going to a shop carries far more risk and that’s allowed. Government will damage their credibility if they don’t demonstrate common sense in relaxing lockdown and this is an easy win.

  • Posted by GordonMichie May 05, 2020 at 23:15

    “Golf is a good walk spoiled” Keep the golf courses open to the general public for their mandated daily exercise, (not recreation)

  • Posted by MaighstirTodt May 06, 2020 at 12:49

    Seems there are a lot of golfers hijacking this at the expense of important ideas

  • Posted by Wyatt8 May 06, 2020 at 20:09

    Not sure why there is any need to limit to 9 holes, all 18 are outside. Nor any reason that it needs to be restricted to 2 people or just those in a household (realistically how would this be controlled).

    Maintaining social distance for 4 people can be easily implemented on the golf course. Golf courses had measures in place in accordance with R&A rules before lockdown was introduced such as leaving the flag in the hole, removing bunkers from rakes, changing shoes in the car park etc.
    Being outside, there is less risk playing a game of golf than there is going to the supermarket.
    All outdoor sports that can maintain social distance should be allowed to return to allow some respite from the lockdown and benefit mental health as well as the obvious physical merit.

  • Posted by simonnorris May 07, 2020 at 16:50

    It is a shame to restrict it to one player only - no-one plays by themselves by choice.
    While it is nice to play with your wife, husband or children, golf is mainly played amongst friends so we should allow everyone to play - in groups of 2, 3 or even 4 players.

  • Posted by beejay23 May 08, 2020 at 08:41

    I could not agree more. Open up golf courses ASAP.

  • Posted by CitizenGordon May 08, 2020 at 15:26

    I have read both the ScotGov and R&A proposals. I would comment that the ScotGov proposals are too restrictive in terms of the number and relationship of those allowed to play together, the nine hole limit and the excessively long gap between games. The proposal makes no mention of the additional measures that should be taken to ensure safe play.
    I consider that the R&A proposals are a more practical means of reopening golf courses in a safe and orderly manner and would commend them to ScotGov.

  • Posted by Pmille5 May 09, 2020 at 07:01

    I am perturbed at the current significant contradictory approaches to remaining safe. For example I can travel to B&Q and have over 100 people standing in a 400m2 internal space yet I cant travel to my local golf course and have 4 people standing in an outdoor space of approximately 800m2. Where is the logic? Indeed where is the significant risk? Your own experts conceed that outdoor activity is significantly less likely to lead to infection yet the approach to these issues seems intransigent and stubborn. Golf could be played safely with 4 people per group at 10 minute intervals keeping a minimum of 2 meters apart. Other controls should include maintaining shielding for those considered extremely vulnerable, not removing flagsticks, changing the order of holes to avoid pinch points and keeping clubhouse closed. The vast majority of the public know how to stay safe now and should be treated as adults where there are low risk activities that can be safely undertaken. Just as it was completely illogical for the government to allow large gatherings, of up to 50,000 people as the pandemic grew, it is equally illogical not to allow certain low risk activities to resume.

  • Posted by AlexMD May 10, 2020 at 07:59

    Golf is not unique.

  • Posted by IainMacIan May 11, 2020 at 10:02

    Look at idea: Restrict Sports / Touring Cycling - Equality!
Log in or register to add comments and rate ideas