Golf Lockdown Discussion ** No discussion of breaking Restrictions **

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opinionated3 wrote: »

And when the "elite" amateurs of the GAA are allowed back in march, what will be the excuse then?

This post makes a good point accidentally. The government wanted the intercounty gaa back so probably 0.1% of players back playing. In reality this was so that people could watch it on TV, not for the players benefit.

This would be the equivalent of one or two golfers from each club in Ireland being allowed back to play. As someone said, similar to allowing the top amateur competitions to take place. Although with no-one watching them, you'd have to say the reason for allowing intercounty gaa isn't there for elite amateur golf.

But with all that in mind, people from one sport can't look at another and say fair enough, good luck to them. They can't even look at the other sport and see that the set of circumstances are different for both sports so they should reasonably have a different set of restrictions. People here looked at gaa and said they're amateur, we're amateur, and if we're not allowed to play they shouldn't be allowed either.

There was lots of negative publicity from running off the gaa championships, but they balanced it off against the hundreds of thousands who watched it and decided it was worth it. There would be similar negative publicity if golf was allowed to open and other sports weren't, but without the hundreds of thousands of viewers each weekend to balance it off against.

Whiplash85

Varadkar did say this morning that he hopes level 4 in some form on March 5th. He emphasised meeting friends and family outdoors again. But it will probably be level 4 with some modifications. I think golf might be allowed in those circumstances but not for those living beyond a certain mile radius from their golf club and maybe limited to same household and 1 other from a different household. It came with usual caveats of numbers of cases and hospital numbers which do seem to be plateauing ever so slightly. Does anyone think golf is a possibility in early March and if not when can you see the earliest it will be allowed open?

opinionated3

Whiplash85 wrote: »

Varadkar did say this morning that he hopes level 4 in some form on March 5th. He emphasised meeting friends and family outdoors again. But it will probably be level 4 with some modifications. I think golf might be allowed in those circumstances but not for those living beyond a certain mile radius from their golf club and maybe limited to same household and 1 other from a different household. It came with usual caveats of numbers of cases and hospital numbers which do seem to be plateauing ever so slightly. Does anyone think golf is a possibility in early March and if not when can you see the earliest it will be allowed open?

Honestly, I think the government will do whatever Tony tells them to do. So no golf, no socialising etc. Construction and schools seems to be the top end of it. Which is totally fine, but bear in mind it probably means another 4-6 weeks of lockdown generally speaking.

Whiplash85

opinionated3 wrote: »

Honestly, I think the government will do whatever Tony tells them to do. So no golf, no socialising etc. Construction and schools seems to be the top end of it. Which is totally fine, but bear in mind it probably means another 4-6 weeks of lockdown generally speaking.

So if we take the ultra conservative NPHET scenario you painted above i.e. 6 weeks from 5th March that would bring us until the 16th April. By which time we will have been in level 5 restrictions for exactly 6 months with a 3 week in between. Its quite staggering and hard to comprehend that last sentence I am after typing but what you said is entirely plausible. We have given up so much of our freedoms and rights without so much as a whimper. You would wonder what kind of Ireland we will have when this is over. I think we pride ourselves on our welcome to tourists and visitors who invest so much in Irish tourism including golf tourism. We also like to advertise we are open for business. The messaging and tone of media, authorities be they in political or health circles while necessary and important at various stages will have become as endemic in the minds of people as the virus itself. It will be very hard to unring that particular bell but the messaging does need to change now over the next weeks and months. We cannot stay in a state of paralysis forever.

Mushy

Whiplash85 wrote: »

Varadkar did say this morning that he hopes level 4 in some form on March 5th. He emphasised meeting friends and family outdoors again. But it will probably be level 4 with some modifications. I think golf might be allowed in those circumstances but not for those living beyond a certain mile radius from their golf club and maybe limited to same household and 1 other from a different household. It came with usual caveats of numbers of cases and hospital numbers which do seem to be plateauing ever so slightly. Does anyone think golf is a possibility in early March and if not when can you see the earliest it will be allowed open?

I don't think it will be early March. I think it'll be Easter weekend or the weekend after. We'll be buoyed on by the upcoming Masters/just finished Masters only to snap hook thr first drive oob

opinionated3

Whiplash85 wrote: »

So if we take the ultra conservative NPHET scenario you painted above i.e. 6 weeks from 5th March that would bring us until the 16th April. By which time we will have been in level 5 restrictions for exactly 6 months with a 3 week in between. Its quite staggering and hard to comprehend that last sentence I am after typing but what you said is entirely plausible. We have given up so much of our freedoms and rights without so much as a whimper. You would wonder what kind of Ireland we will have when this is over. I think we pride ourselves on our welcome to tourists and visitors who invest so much in Irish tourism including golf tourism. We also like to advertise we are open for business. The messaging and tone of media, authorities be they in political or health circles while necessary and important at various stages will have become as endemic in the minds of people as the virus itself. It will be very hard to unring that particular bell but the messaging does need to change now over the next weeks and months. We cannot stay in a state of paralysis forever.

Totally agree. I think people misunderstood my earlier post about protest. I meant " in general" not just "middle aged golfers outside the dail" protest. But anyways we're veering off topic.
It would be great to be given a definitive date to actually look forward to though wouldn't it!

willabur

opinionated3 wrote: »

Totally agree. I think people misunderstood my earlier post about protest. I meant " in general" not just "middle aged golfers outside the dail" protest. But anyways we're veering off topic.
It would be great to be given a definitive date to actually look forward to though wouldn't it!

And like a flock of sheep the GUI will just accept it......

Not much room for misinterpretation there buddy. Very specific about GUI

bailey99

Like I've always said Tuesday 6th April is the very earliest. At this stage I'd nearly go for the may bank holiday weekend. They know if the open golf courses, people will travel regardless of distance restrictions. By may bank holiday how many will be vaccinated? Theres your answer?

opinionated3

willabur wrote: »

And like a flock of sheep the GUI will just accept it......

Not much room for misinterpretation there buddy. Very specific about GUI

I was referring to a different sentence but seeing as you brought that one up, I simply meant approach the government on our behalf and emphasise the benefits and safety of playing the sport. The GAA will do the same for their members so why not the GUI?

Ivefoundgod

Whiplash85 wrote: »

So if we take the ultra conservative NPHET scenario you painted above i.e. 6 weeks from 5th March that would bring us until the 16th April. By which time we will have been in level 5 restrictions for exactly 6 months with a 3 week in between. Its quite staggering and hard to comprehend that last sentence I am after typing but what you said is entirely plausible. We have given up so much of our freedoms and rights without so much as a whimper. You would wonder what kind of Ireland we will have when this is over. I think we pride ourselves on our welcome to tourists and visitors who invest so much in Irish tourism including golf tourism. We also like to advertise we are open for business. The messaging and tone of media, authorities be they in political or health circles while necessary and important at various stages will have become as endemic in the minds of people as the virus itself. It will be very hard to unring that particular bell but the messaging does need to change now over the next weeks and months. We cannot stay in a state of paralysis forever.

Not sure that's what the poster was suggesting, I think they meant 6 weeks from today which be around the 18th of March. Not a bad estimate IMO but I would say after Patricks Day, week commencing the 22nd is more likely as they'll want to avoid any meet-ups/celebrations on the 17th. Whether that easing will include golf I'm not sure. I think most people are more or less on board with this lockdown being longer but also the last one. Personally I would be furious with government if they opened us up in early March and we were back locked down by July. I'd rather we get through these few months as crap as it is but look forward to a summer of meeting friends, holidaying in Ireland and playing some links golf on the west coast.

I'm not really going into the rest of your post as that's more suited to the Covid section rather than golf.

willabur

opinionated3 wrote: »

I was referring to a different sentence but seeing as you brought that one up, I simply meant approach the government on our behalf and emphasize the benefits and safety of playing the sport. The GAA will do the same for their members so why not the GUI?

I don't think there is much of a comparison between Elite GAA intercounty and members golf. What would be a legitimate comparison would be full calendar gaa (all club levels) to members golf

GAA just ran the Intercounty championships under level 5 restrictions. that's about 30 games in each code, 60 games in total with half the teams getting knocked out each weekend. The number of people involved altogether is probably around 3000 which is a tiny number in the bigger picture. They weighed up the risk of this versus the boost it gives thousands of people all over the country.

Golf on the other hand just doesn't have the same impact. Its great for the people playing or directly involved with it but no one else really. Golf Ireland just recognises its place in the pecking order

Kiith

slingerz wrote: »

50KM? That’s a trip every Sunday

ClutchIt wrote: »

Ya that's an awful long way, is that by choice?

New house has 2 clubs within a 5 minute drive (5 minute walk for one), but neither are within my price range unfortunately. Dooks (40km) or Ring of Kerry (50km) are my only options. So not much choice unfortunately.

Wichita Lineman

When are people going to drop 'GUI' from their dictionary and replace it with 'Golf Ireland'?

It seems to me like they are trying to buy themselves enough time to avoid having to put the country back into another full scale lockdown when they do open up again.

They seem to be all in on the vaccine numbers but at the moment it looks like they have been dealt 2,3 off suit pre flop.....

slave1

Kiith wrote: »

New house has 2 clubs within a 5 minute drive (5 minute walk for one), but neither are within my price range unfortunately. Dooks (40km) or Ring of Kerry (50km) are my only options. So not much choice unfortunately.

Surely you'll get to know some Waterville members and get out, obviously Hogs is out of the question (assume these are the two you are talking about).
Waterville is a lovely spot but not the most challenging of links unless it's howling

Whiplash85

slave1 wrote: »

Surely you'll get to know some Waterville members and get out, obviously Hogs is out of the question (assume these are the two you are talking about).
Waterville is a lovely spot but not the most challenging of links unless it's howling

I rang Waterville yesterday and they are doing a gui rate of €140 for a weekend day in June. Might be a little less on say a Monday or normal week day. Always wanted to play that course.

Anatom

I used to get out for about €70 in the off-season, so once we're back playing I plan on getting down there as soon as I can. They were asking €140 mid-week back in September when I was there last, but that was too much for me.

Waterville is probably my favourite golf course. Its not overly difficult, unless you make it one by constantly finding the rough or its howling as slave said, but it is a genuinely fantastic experience.

If you are interested in joining, I'd ask about in O'Dwyer's in Waterville or in Cahirciveen. Local members seem to have their own thing going on - they don't use the clubhouse much (or used not to), preferring the hotel in town instead for their post-round coffee / drink.

I wouldn't touch Hog's Head with a barge pole - even if you could join, its an over-hyped sump of a piece of land. Fantastic views of course, but not a quality golf course yet.

golfguy1

slave1 wrote: »

Surely you'll get to know some Waterville members and get out, obviously Hogs is out of the question (assume these are the two you are talking about).
Waterville is a lovely spot but not the most challenging of links unless it's howling

you must be some player to not find waterville challenging

Seve OB

Anatom wrote: »

I used to get out for about €70 in the off-season, so once we're back playing I plan on getting down there as soon as I can. They were asking €140 mid-week back in September when I was there last, but that was too much for me.

Waterville is probably my favourite golf course. Its not overly difficult, unless you make it one by constantly finding the rough or its howling as slave said, but it is a genuinely fantastic experience.

If you are interested in joining, I'd ask about in O'Dwyer's in Waterville or in Cahirciveen. Local members seem to have their own thing going on - they don't use the clubhouse much (or used not to), preferring the hotel in town instead for their post-round coffee / drink.

I wouldn't touch Hog's Head with a barge pole - even if you could join, its an over-hyped sump of a piece of land. Fantastic views of course, but not a quality golf course yet.

Have you played hogs head?

Seve OB

It’s amazing reading through all the know it all post on here about when golf will reopen.
For the hell of it I’ll just say no golf till September

Ollieboy

Seve OB wrote: »

Have you played hogs head?

Wasn’t it called something else before?

Golfhead65

Ollieboy wrote: »

Wasn’t it called something else before?

Skelligs Bay Golf Club, The locals in Caherciveen still refer to to it by this

Ollieboy

Golfhead65 wrote: »

Skelligs Bay Golf Club, The locals in Caherciveen still refer to to it by this

That’s what I thought, I didn’t rate it. Very wet but some great views.

bailey99

Kiith wrote: »

New house has 2 clubs within a 5 minute drive (5 minute walk for one), but neither are within my price range unfortunately. Dooks (40km) or Ring of Kerry (50km) are my only options. So not much choice unfortunately.

Killarney is it? Dooks is a great track would you take life membership there?

ROK is an awful track.

slingerz

Kiith wrote: »

New house has 2 clubs within a 5 minute drive (5 minute walk for one), but neither are within my price range unfortunately. Dooks (40km) or Ring of Kerry (50km) are my only options. So not much choice unfortunately.

What about Beaufort/Kenmare?

slingerz

Whiplash85 wrote: »

I rang Waterville yesterday and they are doing a gui rate of €140 for a weekend day in June. Might be a little less on say a Monday or normal week day. Always wanted to play that course.

I’d give it a whirl for €140 myself. Always wanted to play it

ClutchIt

Kiith wrote: »

New house has 2 clubs within a 5 minute drive (5 minute walk for one), but neither are within my price range unfortunately. Dooks (40km) or Ring of Kerry (50km) are my only options. So not much choice unfortunately.

That's rough. I want to guess your local club... is it Waterville?

opinionated3

The times reporting golf set to get the green light in England around middle of march, just after they reopen all schools. Hopefully we might not be too far behind

Kiith

slingerz wrote: »

What about Beaufort/Kenmare?

Kenmare was also on my list, and is only a few minutes further out. Hadn't heard of Beaufort. Would these be better?

Whiplash85 wrote: »

I rang Waterville yesterday and they are doing a gui rate of €140 for a weekend day in June. Might be a little less on say a Monday or normal week day. Always wanted to play that course.

slave1 wrote: »

Surely you'll get to know some Waterville members and get out, obviously Hogs is out of the question (assume these are the two you are talking about).

ClutchIt wrote: »

That's rough. I want to guess your local club... is it Waterville?

Yeah, living in Waterville. Would love to join there, but membership is around the 15k mark as well, from what i was told recently. Not sure how accurate that was, but either way i imagine its out of my price range. I definitely plan to get out in there a few times, but at €75 a pop (that's the off season rate they quoted me recently), it won't be very often. Will try get to know some of the locals for sure, and see if they'll get me out for cheaper.

Once pubs open, i'll use it as an excuse to sit in the pub watching golf :P

Anatom wrote: »

I wouldn't touch Hog's Head with a barge pole - even if you could join, its an over-hyped sump of a piece of land. Fantastic views of course, but not a quality golf course yet.

How is Hogs Head so highly ranked? No 34 on the top 100 last year. It looks fantastic, from what i can see of it. Super exclusive from what i've heard though.

flanzer

opinionated3 wrote: »

The times reporting golf set to get the green light in England around middle of march, just after they reopen all schools. Hopefully we might not be too far behind

The only difference with them and us, is that most of their population over 65, will have maximum protection by then. We on the other hand won't be anywhere near that. I hope I'm wrong though