what CoronaVirus precautions are your club taking?

Seve OB

HighLine wrote: »

For those using electronic scoring apps... which ones are you using? Trying to think of a way to keep some sort of competitive golf going but without any touch points. We have already removed flags, bunkers GUR, contactless payments etc.

golfgraffix will be the man to sort you out

FixdePitchmark

Is a fantastic effort and great thinking.

But sadly , people are just terrible (but trying) at social distancing.

See lads touching elbows instead of handshakes.

Lads it is 2 meters . Measure out 2 meters and have a look.
Same with putting, talking , car park etc.

We are probably facing a lockdown anyway.

Kingswood Rover

Golfhead65 wrote: »

Interesting now that early stages of interclub comps postponed, Another scenario at play here is..Let's say they come out and close golf courses for the forseeable future and no competitive golf played this year, What criteria will be in place for interclub 2021 eg. 4 qualifiers needed for interclub to be played in previous year ??

Ripped into me for suggesting that we call off our society outing and the GUI get off Scott free. Damn Prophets of Doom those GUI Chaps. So its is true then this is serious. By George i think he has got it.

FixdePitchmark

Kingswood Rover wrote: »

Ripped into me for suggesting that we call off our society outing and the GUI get off Scott free. Damn Prophets of Doom those GUI Chaps. So its is true then this is serious. By George i think he has got it.

I think everyone should tone it down on the Covid point scoring - same on twitter.

It is an incredibly fast emerging situation - soccer matches were on last week, we were in pubs last week.

It is a very complex area - having profound and difficult impacts for everyone - but these are very different for individuals.

There is a massive mental health aspect , that we do not understand , and long term social isolation is not straight forward. The covid measures have to be proportionate at the right time and for the right length of time.

Stopping people actually getting out of their house is a massive step and not something that people should be trying to score points on.

I actaully think most outdoor activity , with your own household is very very low risk. But you just can trust people - as they meet up with people they shouldn't , they get inside the 2 meter distance. They go over to other people with dogs, We are social creatures.

Golf is realistically incredibly low risk - but the problem is people's behavior and
in particular - we struggle a bit with rules and golf is very habitual, so changing peoples' behavior is incredibly hard.

So - I'd say , let everyone have views and let it be clear they will be very very different.

Fundamentally , we don't understand this, so it is best we leave the timing and interventions to the emerging experts (who themselves are only learning)

There is a problem with modern life - it is mob rule, internet rule and populism.

Sorry , long post. But I'd say try give people a break at this time (even if you fundamentally disagree). Just stopping golf - is incredibly difficult for some. In fact , golf is the only thing positive some people have.

When this is all over, we will have learnt so much from how we are going to try start to play golf again. But sadly, some of the old great characters and survivors and high risk members , will not be back. Let them enjoy their last few rounds. They are at far far more risk , in their own home with their kids and grandchildren coming over.

slave1

It's an emotional time too, I was golfing Saturday and saw a group of 4 together not observing "distancing" but when I got a proper look is was a dad with his 3 kids, wasn't it great they could get out together I thought, but maybe now other's think they were all wrong and they should have stayed at home.
Damned if you do....

HighLine

Seve OB wrote: »

golfgraffix will be the man to sort you out

I have just been forwarded an email sent out by ClubNet (Golfgraffix). Full credit to them for genuinely looking to help clubs out in the current crisis. We will definitely be availing of their services.

Glebee

Had to call into the club this morning to settle up the last of my sub. Lovely bright morning so course was busy enough. From what I could see social distancing was not being observed 100%. Maybe the groups I saw were all families but I doubt it. Some of the lads wanted to go for 9 holes later and I just had to say no. From what I saw this morning it would just not feel right to be playing. It just bugged me, that some people are making an effort and other are not. I did say it in the office as to what I saw but we will see what happens. If a non golfer saw the 4 balls I saw this morning the would be calling for clubs to be closed..

Golfgraffix

HighLine wrote: »

I have just been forwarded an email sent out by ClubNet (Golfgraffix). Full credit to them for genuinely looking to help clubs out in the current crisis. We will definitely be availing of their services.

It was a hard mail to write. It is a genuine offer as we rely on clubs for our business but we didn’t want it to be seen as a sales pitch either.

If any one wants to use it there is some details here

https://www.golfgraffix.com/ClubNet_for_Club_Competitions_No_Subscription_Fee.pdf

J

Euphoriasean

Glebee wrote: »

Had to call into the club this morning to settle up the last of my sub. Lovely bright morning so course was busy enough. From what I could see social distancing was not being observed 100%. Maybe the groups I saw were all families but I doubt it. Some of the lads wanted to go for 9 holes later and I just had to say no. From what I saw this morning it would just not feel right to be playing. It just bugged me, that some people are making an effort and other are not. I did say it in the office as to what I saw but we will see what happens. If a non golfer saw the 4 balls I saw this morning the would be calling for clubs to be closed..

Same at our club. To be fair the club committee have sent out stern emails in this regard. Fourballs strolling up the fairway huddled together,same on the tee and green. Social distancing is not a hard thing to follow and Golf can be played quite safely if people would adhere to social distancing in a proper manner.

FixdePitchmark

Euphoriasean wrote: »

Same at our club. To be fair the club committee have sent out stern emails in this regard. Fourballs strolling up the fairway huddled together,same on the tee and green. Social distancing is not a hard thing to follow and Golf can be played quite safely if people would adhere to social distancing in a proper manner.

This is it for me , people can't, wont or dont care to do it right.

Why I felt golf was facing problems.

Keano

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

This is it for me , people can't, wont or dont care to do it right.

Why I felt golf was facing problems.

First time around my club today since this all broke. Had to tell one guy I was in the Q waiting for pro shop and not just randomly standing around! Out to car park I went and saw 2 groups like it was any other day just side by side chatting.

Golfhead65

Glebee wrote: »

Had to call into the club this morning to settle up the last of my sub. Lovely bright morning so course was busy enough. From what I could see social distancing was not being observed 100%. Maybe the groups I saw were all families but I doubt it. Some of the lads wanted to go for 9 holes later and I just had to say no. From what I saw this morning it would just not feel right to be playing. It just bugged me, that some people are making an effort and other are not. I did say it in the office as to what I saw but we will see what happens. If a non golfer saw the 4 balls I saw this morning the would be calling for clubs to be closed..

I don't think that social distances mean that passing by someone within 2 metres you will catch the virus, I think it says that you are in close proximity for 15 mins it's a problem...

Keano

Golfhead65 wrote: »

I don't think that social distances mean that passing by someone within 2 metres you will catch the virus, I think it says that you are in close proximity for 15 mins it's a problem...

From WHO website
Maintain social distancing

Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

GolfNut33

Golfhead65 wrote: »

I don't think that social distances mean that passing by someone within 2 metres you will catch the virus, I think it says that you are in close proximity for 15 mins it's a problem...

Load of rubbish, sorry. I could be talking to someone that's infected for 30 seconds and they could cough in my face and infect me.

Maybe the 15 minutes means general talking and not coughing or sneezing.

downthemiddle

GolfNut33 wrote: »

Load of rubbish, sorry. I could be talking to someone that's infected for 30 seconds and they could cough in my face and infect me.

Maybe the 15 minutes means general talking and not coughing or sneezing.

You clearly don’t understand how it works. The corona virus sits there counting and after fifteen minutes shouts out “Time’s up. Here I come ready or not “.

CalamariFritti

Lets be fair lads and call it what it is. Most of the stuff is just people going into mental overdrive. The high vis & liability brigade having a field day. And we have to do it, I'm not arguing against it, if for nothing else but perception. Keep your distance be really really clean personally and in your environment.
But this is golf which is a fairly solitary game to begin with. Stuff like can't touch a flagstick or a rake in case someone else sneezed on it or has touched something someone else sneezed on and now touched the thing that you are about to touch. After which you'd still have to be unlucky enough for a virus to be transferred all down that chain finally over to your fingers AND after which you'd still have to put your fingers into your mouth, up your noose, rub your eyes without washing your hands first.... We are going a bit down that road where madness lies.
After all this is about case reduction on a macro scale, about getting the numbers down. We still won't be able to totally rule out future individual infections altogether.

downthemiddle

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Lets be fair lads and call it what it is. Most of the stuff is just people going into mental overdrive. The high vis & liability brigade having a field day. And we have to do it, I'm not arguing against it, if for nothing else but perception. Keep your distance be really really clean personally and in your environment.
But this is golf which is a fairly solitary game to begin with. Stuff like can't touch a flagstick or a rake in case someone else sneezed on it or has touched something someone else sneezed on and now touched the thing that you are about to touch. After which you'd still have to be unlucky enough for a virus to transferred over to your fingers AND after which you'd still have to put your fingers into your mouth, up your noose, rub your eyes.... Seriously? We are going a bit down that road where madness lies.
After all this is about case reduction on a macro scale, about getting the numbers down. We still won't be able to totally rule out future individual infections altogether.

Nobody is claiming we can rule out infection. The potential infection rate is 60% of the population. However we must do everything in our power to slow down the rate of infection otherwise our health service will be overwhelmed. They are now putting their own health at risk on a daily basis for the greater good. The least we can do is be as responsible as possible and in doing so we will save lives.

CalamariFritti

Not arguing against doing it. I'm as clean and separate these days as I ever was and everyone should be the same.

All I'm saying is that some of these measures seem a bit extreme given the odds of actually catching something that way.

Which is still not saying that I'm arguing against doing these things. Just that people should step back a moment and use their heads too. Some are calling for even more drastic measures after all.

downthemiddle

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Not arguing against doing it. I'm as clean and separate these days as I ever was and everyone should be the same.

All I'm saying is that some of these measures seem a bit extreme given the odds of actually catching something that way.

Which is still not saying that I'm arguing against doing these things. Just that people should step back a moment and use their heads too. Some are calling for even more drastic measures after all.

Most people are being responsible but the call is there for extra measures because there is still a minority behaving quite selfishly.

FixdePitchmark

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Not arguing against doing it. I'm as clean and separate these days as I ever was and everyone should be the same.

All I'm saying is that some of these measures seem a bit extreme given the odds of actually catching something that way.

Which is still not saying that I'm arguing against doing these things. Just that people should step back a moment and use their heads too. Some are calling for even more drastic measures after all.

I generally would go along with this.

But this thing is a bastard - we have had to deal with it in work . Incredibly in can live on surface for a surprisingly long time. We have to use gloves and spray for documentation.

It is also why gatherings are a problem - because the surfaces , even bloody paper can hold it. So like of shop counters here are not being wiped down very often it is a problem.

This is why in china they were going around actual streets and using robots to spray surfaces.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-03-20/how-long-does-coronavirus-last-on-surfaces/12074330

We haven't a hope of doing this

I still think - outdoors in a field a totally different issue.

GolfNut33

Surly we won't be back playing qualifying golf for a while either with these measures in place.

ProV

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Fantastic effort.

Was watching people at club , at start they just didn't get the 2 meters , even a day ago .

Elbow tapping
Talking very close to each others

Kids on course daft too, so good call.

I know it's very hard for people to cope with the current crisis, and give good guidance but, Definitely not good advice from the GUI to encourage elbow bumping which by it's nature will be inside the 2M distance. Impossible for Committees to forward on any links to the Golfnet Covid-19 giving this advice.

gypsy79

We have closed clubhouse and have someone at the door. One person at the door doing registration and contactless payment

BigChap1759

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Not arguing against doing it. I'm as clean and separate these days as I ever was and everyone should be the same.

All I'm saying is that some of these measures seem a bit extreme given the odds of actually catching something that way.

Which is still not saying that I'm arguing against doing these things. Just that people should step back a moment and use their heads too. Some are calling for even more drastic measures after all.

Is that a qualified medical opinion?

prawnsambo

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Not arguing against doing it. I'm as clean and separate these days as I ever was and everyone should be the same.

All I'm saying is that some of these measures seem a bit extreme given the odds of actually catching something that way.

Which is still not saying that I'm arguing against doing these things. Just that people should step back a moment and use their heads too. Some are calling for even more drastic measures after all.

You're focusing on the remote likelihood that people could sneeze or cough onto a rake or pin. However that's not the most likely scenario. Somebody could cough or sneeze into their hand and then handle the pin or rake. Or touch their mouth or nose and then handle them. Or touch something that somebody else touched and contaminate their hands and then handle the pin or rake etc.

The virus can survive for up to three days on surfaces such as plastic or stainless steel. Up to 24 hours on cardboard, 3 hours in the air. Those are from laboratory tests and mileage may vary depending on environmental factors. But it's worth bearing in mind. For everyone.

Seve OB

prawnsambo wrote: »

The virus can survive for up to three days on surfaces such as plastic or stainless steel. Up to 24 hours on cardboard, 3 hours in the air. Those are from laboratory tests and mileage may vary depending on environmental factors. But it's worth bearing in mind. For everyone.

Can you quote source on that please

GreeBo

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Not arguing against doing it. I'm as clean and separate these days as I ever was and everyone should be the same.

All I'm saying is that some of these measures seem a bit extreme given the odds of actually catching something that way.

Which is still not saying that I'm arguing against doing these things. Just that people should step back a moment and use their heads too. Some are calling for even more drastic measures after all.

I think you need to go look at the state of Northern Italy before you post again.

thecomedian

Seve OB wrote: »

Can you quote source on that please

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200320192755.htm

I’m on the phone so you might need to copy and paste

Kingswood Rover

Seve OB wrote: »

Can you quote source on that please

There is a fuller article currently on the BBC Website
"Neeltje van Doremalen, a virologist at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), and her colleagues at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana, have done some of the first tests of how long SARS-CoV-2 can last for on different surfaces. Their study, which has yet to be published in a scientific journal, shows that the virus could survive in droplets for up to three hours after being coughed out into the air. Fine droplets between 1-5 micrometres in size – about 30 times small than the width of a human hair – can remain airborne for several hours in still air."
We are still learning about this but these Corona Viruses seem quite resilient and i think this hardiness is a major contributor to its spread. I played casulan golf this morning in my club with two guys i know and who are take this seriously but there were people this morning not adhering to the 2 meter recommendations re Social Distancing. I think its important that you know the guys you are playing with and their attitude to this health emergency.

Seve OB

GreeBo wrote: »

I think you need to go look at the state of Northern Italy before you post again.

Or maybe we should send him there to do a report for us on why we don’t need the further drastic measures that are being called for.

willabur

Played with upturned cups today. Had a few putts pop out on me on the practice green but no complaints in the round.

I saw on Instagram that castleknock have installed a collar on each hole. Hit the collar = a made putt which for me will mean people will just ram the ball at the holes.

youcancallmeal

My club have shallow cups and flag has to stay in. Flag in is really annoying, missed 2 putts yesterday which bounced out off flag. It doesn't help that the flags sway with the wind and can be leaning towards you. Anyway I'm just happy to be playing golf at all, it's really helps when you have something to look forward to at the weekend

CalamariFritti

GreeBo wrote: »

I think you need to go look at the state of Northern Italy before you post again.

Seve OB wrote: »

Or maybe we should send him there to do a report for us on why we don’t need the further drastic measures that are being called for.

I don't think touching flagsticks was what lead to the Italy case.

And in any case....
Its not the individual prevention that matters. Its pointless, we're all going to get it at some stage. Its how many are going to get it over what time. Its about controlling the curve. What difference to the curve would closing golf clubs make especially with the way we're already playing right now not touching anything etc..

BigChap1759

CalamariFritti wrote: »

I don't think touching flagsticks was what lead to the Italy case.

And in any case....
Its not the individual prevention that matters. Its pointless, we're all going to get it at some stage. Its how many are going to get it over what time. Its about controlling the curve. What difference to the curve would closing golf clubs make especially with the way we're already playing right now not touching anything etc..

There you go again with unqualified “thoughts” - you’re speaking as though you’re an expert on the subject but I suspect your post above is just you rehashing what you’ve heard in the media/social media

what2do

I have played golf this week and I enforced the social distancing all the time..... when my partners stepped towards me I put my arm up and tutted 2 metres!!!

I’m completely paranoid and would love to continue playing golf as it really helps at the moment (no matter how bad the golf!) but everyone needs to adopt a similar approach and it’s hard to see this happening and you do tend to wander towards each other around the green without realising.

Seve OB

CalamariFritti wrote: »

I don't think touching flagsticks was what lead to the Italy case.

And in any case....
Its not the individual prevention that matters. Its pointless, we're all going to get it at some stage. Its how many are going to get it over what time. Its about controlling the curve. What difference to the curve would closing golf clubs make especially with the way we're already playing right now not touching anything etc..

With respect your attitude stinks.
If you want it so bad, go walk a few hospital wards.
I don’t want to ever get it and I hope we don’t all get it.

So therefore I for one don’t think it’s pointless to take all the precautions that we can. F the curve, let’s just flatten it by not giving the fire any fuel.

RoadRunner

CalamariFritti wrote: »

I don't think touching flagsticks was what lead to the Italy case.

And in any case....
Its not the individual prevention that matters. Its pointless, we're all going to get it at some stage. Its how many are going to get it over what time. Its about controlling the curve. What difference to the curve would closing golf clubs make especially with the way we're already playing right now not touching anything etc..

Be responsible. Most older people have isolated themselves from their own families and are doing the only outdoor activity of their week on your course with you there too.

Pdoghue

I'm a bit surprised by the general reaction of the golf communuity to the coronavirus crisis, as exemplified both here and in my club. I think generally we could be doing more. For example, I think that at least competitions should be stopped, players playing in groups, and maybe all golf. I've decided to stop playing until this is over. I'm wiling to contribute financially and in other ways to keep our club afloat.

I last played golf on Saturday 14th March in our Saturday comp. Slight restrictive measures were in place then (bumping elbows, etc.) but have obviously been ramped up since. I met the competition secretary out on the course and I remarked to him that I thought we wouldn't be playing golf by the following Saturday, i.e. last Saturday 21st and he seemed to agree. Lo and behold, after a slew of emails and texts were sent out during the week about the further restrictive measures, the competitions went ahead at the weekend. I noted the timesheet on BRS was fairly full with the usual groupings playing in their usual slots.

I love my golf. I had been having a great start to the golfing year, having a few lessons, winning a few non-qualifying comps and making good progress on my swing, so I'm really disappointed that I'll have to stop playing for a while. However, I think it's for the greater good and part of my contribution to flattening the curve. I can get by with swinging a club in my back garden for a while. I can go for a solo walk or a cycle as an outlet. Maybe I'm overreacting - golf is probably relatively safe in comparison to other activities where people group together. Maybe it's good that the oul lads in the club are out there still playing - this thing could wipe out a good few of them if they get it..

I might revise all this after a few weeks/months.. I read somewhere that the human need for social interaction, companionship and intimacy will overcome the fear of death in the long run..

Thoughts?

GreeBo

Our comps are all cancelled
Clubhouse and pro shop closed
Casual for only and everyone must be signed in via brs and check-in with caddy master before play
Practice areas are closed
Flags are in place but cups are 1 inch above ground
Clubs to be taken from clubhouse
Rakes removed from bunkers
Junior members are not allowed hang around after playing

GreeBo

Actually pro shop is back open, 2 members at a time limited access
Lessons available for adults only

mike12

We are going online score cards for next weeks competition.
No matter what u are doing there is a risk golf is a lot lower than doing your weekly shop.
Most courses are now set up where u can play the round without touching anything.

How many people have touched your sliced pan before you pick it up? Are we going to stop eating bread? There is no way to avoid people going up and down the isles of a super market.

There are stupid people everywhere who won't follow any rules, at the end of the day everyone should follow guidelines and be as safe as possible until we are told to go into complete lockdown.

SEORG

Pdoghue wrote: »

Maybe it's good that the oul lads in the club are out there still playing - this thing could wipe out a good few of them if they get it..

Thoughts?

I expected a smiley face after this sentence tbh

Like most our clubhouse closed.
On course toliets closed.
Rakes & divot bags removed, ball washers covered, bins covered, benches roped off, air hoses removed.
Pro shop is open but limited to one person at a time.
Juniors must be collected immediately after their round.

Casual golf for members only(you must be on the brs timesheet), no green fees, scorecards removed.
The timesheet has been adjusted to increase interval time.

The main issue with tackling the social distancing is that it comes down to individual decisons which brings ignorance & stupidity into the equation & some people just don't give a sh*t. Briandead f*cks need to realise that it's not just something nice to do but that it will save lives.
With co-operation and understanding casual golf should be able to continue safely until further restrictions come from those making decisons on public health.

Everyone in our club is encouraged to call people out if they don't comply with the 2 club social distance rule & it's happening.

Pdoghue

SEORG wrote: »

I expected a smiley face after this sentence tbh

Like most our clubhouse closed.
On course toliets closed.
Rakes & divot bags removed, ball washers covered, bins covered, benches roped off, air hoses removed.
Pro shop is open but limited to one person at a time.
Juniors must be collected immediately after their round.

Casual golf for members only(you must be on the brs timesheet), no green fees, scorecards removed.
The timesheet has been adjusted to increase interval time.

The main issue with tackling the social distancing is that it comes down to individual decisons which brings ignorance & stupidity into the equation & some people just don't give a sh*t. Briandead f*cks need to realise that it's not just something nice to do but that it will save lives.
With co-operation and understanding casual golf should be able to continue safely until further restrictions come from those making decisons on public health.

Everyone in our club is encouraged to call people out if they don't comply with the 2 club social distance rule & it's happening.

Right! I didn't phrase that sentence particularly well.

Golfhead65

what2do wrote: »

I have played golf this week and I enforced the social distancing all the time..... when my partners stepped towards me I put my arm up and tutted 2 metres!!!

I’m completely paranoid and would love to continue playing golf as it really helps at the moment (no matter how bad the golf!) but everyone needs to adopt a similar approach and it’s hard to see this happening and you do tend to wander towards each other around the green without realising.

That's the way to approach it to keep courses open, one thing anyone can try something I've done myself is wear a pair of well fitting latex gloves, then wear my golf glove as normal, im right handed(it feels ok holding the club) then use the right hand to remove ball from cup or lift out flag if allowed, I also have hanging on my bag a spray bottle of disinfectant .Try it,it's not uncomfortable

ChippingSodbury

GreeBo wrote: »

Our comps are all cancelled
Clubhouse and pro shop closed
Casual for only and everyone must be signed in via brs and check-in with caddy master before play
Practice areas are closed
Flags are in place but cups are 1 inch above ground
Clubs to be taken from clubhouse
Rakes removed from bunkers
Junior members are not allowed hang around after playing

Our Clubhouse/ Bar/ Shop are closed.
All Competitions suspended. Casual rounds must be booked via BRS.
Bunkers are GUR (rakes removed)
Pins in and hole proper depth but they've ty-rapped a little piece of foam pipe insulation to the bottom of the pin so your ball only drops about an inch so very easy to pick it out.

Seve OB

GreeBo wrote: »

check-in with caddy master before play

why is that necessary?

Glebee

There goes golf in the UK...

GolfNut33

Glebee wrote: »

There goes golf in the UK...

We're not far behind.

newport2

GolfNut33 wrote: »

We're not far behind.

I'd say today will be the last chance for a round

youcancallmeal

Glebee wrote: »

There goes golf in the UK...

I wonder does 'one form of exercise a day' count for golf though? I'm guessing not. As much as I look forward to some golf at the weekend I think we should do the same lockdown here as soon as possible. It's clear some people just aren't taking social distancing seriously