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

benny79 wrote: »

I get what you are saying ForeRight and I understand a blanket ban but it isnt working and other counties aren't doing it. As someone mentioned golf is allowed in Scotland. Plus it was allowed before xmas when other sports were closed. My point is the need to open sports that are deemed less risk Golf, tennis the likes if for any other reason than to spread people out. Take some away from the parks etc.

The problem is that you keep referring to countries that didn't impose a restriction of movement of people for non-essential journeys a.k.a the 5km rule.

We all know why that was in place so I'm no going to reiterate that but when we opened up last year golfers were breaking the 5km and county restrictions flat out. A certain captains day in wicklow was all over the news if I can remember correctly.

Golf in itself may be safe but the movement of people is what spreads Covid from communities, if you open golf then other sports and segments have to open which ultimately increases the movement of people and risk of it spreading. There are higher priory segments that will open first, schools & construction, including allowing people to move more freely. The arguments seem to always be that golf should be the exception which is not going to happen, it's just futile.

Imagine is Lahinch had an open but there was country travel restrictions in place? There would be people from all over the county at it because they can't help themselves, "shur what harm is it doing" :rolleyes:

not yet wrote: »

I played last year under the new rules, I can tell you I never came closer then I came to people out walking in the park, take what you want from that.

Yeah but it was the same people you were "close" to for those 3/4 hours, that makes a difference afaik.
In the park each "pod/bubble" doesnt interact with anyone else and is pretty much constantly moving, with golf we are standing on the tee and green beside each other for a few mins on each hole, so more chance of spreading something.

The Big Easy wrote: »

I fully agree they are worthy of respect, but anyone fully engaged and allowed to be fully engaged with their own work at this time, naturally will have a different outlook and perspective on restrictions.

I’m confused here. Anyone who is in work now cannot understand why golf should be going ahead?

ForeRight wrote: »

The blanket ban I was referring to was on sports. I wasn’t comparing golf to any shops that are open which some may consider non esssntial.
If golf was open a whole world of screaming starts for government from other sports who could argue they are safe also and then the full retail, restaurants and pubs follow that was my point.

so to use your own words and flip it around a bit, some shops are open which some may consider non essential, but that is allowed. there is a world out there of other shops who are closed who are screaming at the government to say they are safe.

the point the government are making is that the ones which are open are safe (because there is no way in the world you are going to convince me that a takeaway coffee shop with queues of people gathering outside it all day long is essential).

how would opening golf but keeping gyms closed be any different to this annecdote?

ForeRight wrote: »

I understand your dads situation and it’s crap, I get that but unfortunately the bigger picture is about way more than a situation that’s quite personal to you.
My parents go nowhere. Health wise not great and they are at home with my adult special needs brother. My dad would love to go to golf too.
It’s a terrible situation for everyone. We are nearly there now though imo.

my example re my dad was more about the mental health issue which you seem to be fobbing off as a bigger problem than a well needed escape to a golf course.... it's not. be it golf, bingo, walking, a pint..... everyone has different things to help keep them sane. the lack of being able to get out to the golf course is most definitely affecting many peoples mental health

bustercherry wrote: »

Imagine is Lahinch had an open but there was country travel restrictions in place? There would be people from all over the county at it because they can't help themselves, "shur what harm is it doing" :rolleyes:

NOBODY is suggesting anything other than golf clubs should be open for their own members only

Seve OB wrote: »

so to use your own words and flip it around a bit, some shops are open which some may consider non essential, but that is allowed. there is a world out there of other shops who are closed who are screaming at the government to say they are safe.

the point the government are making is that the ones which are open are safe (because there is no way in the world you are going to convince me that a takeaway coffee shop with queues of people gathering outside it all day long is essential).

how would opening golf but keeping gyms closed be any different to this annecdote?


my example re my dad was more about the mental health issue which you seem to be fobbing off as a bigger problem than a well needed escape to a golf course.... it's not. be it golf, bingo, walking, a pint..... everyone has different things to help keep them sane. the lack of being able to get out to the golf course is most definitely affecting many peoples mental health

Seve you seem to be missing my point. I’m not arguing what is and what isn’t essential re shops etc. I understand what you’re saying clearly with that point and as I’ve said I am completely convinced golf is safe. I’m simply saying I can understand why it’s not open yet as the situation is far more complicated that a simple black and white of what’s safe and what’s not. I’d love nothing more than to be out playing today.

In regard to golf being essential to mental health my point was that’s not a reason to open it up. Mental health that’s held together by swinging a golf club is not actually very healthy.
I understand your personal situation and can see you’re frustrated over your dad but you know yourself decisions like this don’t be made over isolated situations that are effected. Your dads situation is crap, of course and I empathise but it would be in the extreme minority.
I fully expect multiple replies now of how it’s not but let’s be honest 95% of golfers walk the course which means they can walk the park or wherever they like for fresh air and exercise.

The Big Easy wrote: »

I fully agree they are worthy of respect, but anyone fully engaged and allowed to be fully engaged with their own work at this time, naturally will have a different outlook and perspective on restrictions.

You think that argument follows naturally but it doesn’t. There’s no basis for the link that because these essential workers are working they must not understand the effect the restrictions are having on others.

These people like healthcare workers would be delighted to see restrictions eased, they have lives and kids and loved ones outside of their work. It’s baseless nonsense but it’s more of the “us” and “them” mentality - they (politicians, workers etc) don’t understand how hard I have it - if they did the rules would be different.

gypsy79 wrote: »

Carr golf can confirm there wasn't one case of a virus transmission at any of there courses

They are guessing and go with shut everything carte blanche

Pay peanuts....get monkeys

I would argue it's literally the exact opposite of this.

Pay way over the top, still get monkeys

The Big Easy wrote: »

Ok, I used broad terms when I shouldn't have, I apologise. In case there is some confusion I am particularly referring to those responsible/have influence in the decision-making process i.e. members of Nphet, members of cabinet, RTE and Irish newspaper editors. I am not talking about nurses and doctors working 12 hour and double and triple shifts.

Tell me that a senior HSE official or cabinet minister with a big house and large garden in the suburbs who continues to travel daily to work, having meetings with colleagues, believing they are working together to overcome the crisis of a generation can easily understand what someone living in a house/apartment share unable to work or leave the house apart from essential exercise.

I'm not saying none of them can, but not enough to bring any humanity to the process. If you think being ranked third to two totalitarian states in terms of global restriction levels is justified, fair play to you, I don't.

Those said people I assume have children and family members affected by all the measures just like you or I.
Their kids still need to get home schooled, missing sports, probably play golf just like every other normal person etc. No holidays, 5k rule all applies to them also unless going to work.

Strange way to think that they are somehow out of touch due to having a garden.

Over the weekend after having a lunch a market at the royal canal like hundreds of others. I later cycled with the little one to visit bull island. We crossed the packed wooden bridge just like hundreds of thousands of other people that day. I didn't go to the spot where the coffee queue normally starts but I've seen that queue over 50 meters when the place was not busy. The futility of it all grabs you when you walk past the entrance to one of the two golf courses on the land - shoulder to shoulder with everyone living in the area. That golf is closed for our "safety" is ridiculous.

RoadRunner wrote: »

Over the weekend after having a lunch a market at the royal canal like hundreds of others. I later cycled with the little one to visit bull island. We crossed the packed wooden bridge just like hundreds of thousands of other people that day. I didn't go to the spot where the coffee queue normally starts but I've seen that queue over 50 meters when the place was not busy. The futility of it all grabs you when you walk past the entrance to one of the two golf courses on the land - shoulder to shoulder with everyone living in the area. That golf is closed for our "safety" is ridiculous.

Dear lord, give us all the strength to endure this.

bustercherry wrote: »

Dear lord, give us all the strength to endure this.

Ah it was good craic though :pac:

ForeRight wrote: »

Seve you seem to be missing my point. I’m not arguing what is and what isn’t essential re shops etc. I understand what you’re saying clearly with that point and as I’ve said I am completely convinced golf is safe. I’m simply saying I can understand why it’s not open yet as the situation is far more complicated that a simple black and white of what’s safe and what’s not. I’d love nothing more than to be out playing today.

In regard to golf being essential to mental health my point was that’s not a reason to open it up. Mental health that’s held together by swinging a golf club is not actually very healthy.
I understand your personal situation and can see you’re frustrated over your dad but you know yourself decisions like this don’t be made over isolated situations that are effected. Your dads situation is crap, of course and I empathise but it would be in the extreme minority.
I fully expect multiple replies now of how it’s not but let’s be honest 95% of golfers walk the course which means they can walk the park or wherever they like for fresh air and exercise.

yes sorry, i think we have crossed wires. i do realise you were not arguing the toss of what is essential and not essential. i was just trying to analogise and i do realise you think golf is safe to open.

re the mental health stuff, i am not actually trying to make a case for my dad. in fact, i don't really think he has any mental health issues, i was just using his situation as an example that some people really don't have much else going on in their life (be it golf or a pottery class) and to take the little that they do have away from, cannot be a good thing.

ClutchIt wrote: »

People use mental health as an excuse for anything nowadays. Absolute nonsense.

TBH, I kinda agree with this. I suppose I am whatever the opposite of a snowflake/millennial is when it comes to things like this and don't generally buy the complaining. But I do realise that there are some people out there who really do have issues. I agree with you though, it's to easy to wheel it out as an excuse and woe betide the person who speaks ill it.

Russman wrote: »

Not sure if golf is covered by “outdoor activities”, if it’s not then it doesn’t look good for April......

https://www.independent.ie/news/varadkar-warns-no-major-easing-of-restrictions-until-may-as-he-tells-tds-to-stay-on-message-40145692.html

I read that as good news for potential golf in April

Seve OB wrote: »

i was with you till you said this about Leo. thats a bit unfair. of course, that is unless you know him personally and he told you that in confidence. or maybe you are Leo.

I am personal friends with two doctors who have worked with him

It is a well known fact that he was one of the laziest junior doctor in history. Everyone hated to work with him because of his laziness