Golf Lockdown

benji79 · 22-10-2020 1:33pm

almostover wrote: »

I was at the driving range in Ballincollig Tuesday night and the place was rammed full of teenagers sharing clubs and arriving in the same car. I love to see younger folk playing the game but over the last while it became clear to me that driving ranges became a social meet up for youngsters who were denied that privilege in normal meet up locations due to the restrictions. I can understand full why driving ranges would close.

This living with COVID strategy is about as useful as a chocolate teapot. The spirit of the rules in this scenario is far more important that the rules themselves. Golf is utterly safe, as is driving more than 5km to play it. Problem is human behaviour. That goes for the GAA too, the matches themselves can be conducted in a very safe manner. What goes on around that is the issue. Theres no way the people of Ireland will cope with rolling restrictions for another 12 months.

I’ve used that range recently, couldn’t get over how busy it was. Couple years back nobody would be there.
They’ve really turned it into a decent spot

Euphoriasean · 22-10-2020 1:46pm

Would be interesting to know what discussions were had. It would appear that the GUI put forward a proposal or number of proposals that were shot down. Would be good if they came out and said what the reasons were and what was proposed. I doubt they will as they wont want to get on the wrong side of Sports Ireland for future funding. Surely even at 2balls the case was strong to keep golf open.

In my opinion Golfgate played a big part in this and also the ability to control the 5km travel restrictions. Its a pity as you couldn't get a more applicable sport to social distancing. Now to try and find a field i can sneak into hit a few 7 irons. Might be difficult in suburban limerick.

AOH77A · 22-10-2020 2:04pm

almostover wrote: »

I was at the driving range in Ballincollig Tuesday night and the place was rammed full of teenagers sharing clubs and arriving in the same car. I love to see younger folk playing the game but over the last while it became clear to me that driving ranges became a social meet up for youngsters who were denied that privilege in normal meet up locations due to the restrictions. I can understand full why driving ranges would close.

This living with COVID strategy is about as useful as a chocolate teapot. The spirit of the rules in this scenario is far more important that the rules themselves. Golf is utterly safe, as is driving more than 5km to play it. Problem is human behaviour. That goes for the GAA too, the matches themselves can be conducted in a very safe manner. What goes on around that is the issue. Theres no way the people of Ireland will cope with rolling restrictions for another 12 months.

Good to see a sensible post on the issue.

finglashoop · 22-10-2020 2:41pm

Seve OB wrote: »

where does anything say this?

Email recieved said range open. I assune its classed as individual practice

Dtoffee · 22-10-2020 2:43pm

.

I am very disappointed with the GUI on this to say the least, they appear to have just rolled over and ignored their members.

I can understand the 5km travel rule being an issue ....... but as golf's governing body here, the GUI should have had expected the Government to try and close courses and had a few viable alternatives to stop the full closure situation.

Social distancing ia not an issue on the golf course, so how about the GUI asking golf clubs to offer a limited number of time slots to all gui members within 5km of their course with say a €20 green fee. Obviously proof of identity as in your GUI card and photo id would be needed, but it would have two benefits ...... it allows golfers get a casual game of golf and it would generate some income for the club. No doubt it is easy to shoot holes in that idea, but maybe a bit of fine tuning and some leeway from the clubs would see a way forward.

I know some clubs are already offering reciprocal tee times to clubs who's members can't travel. As golfers we are all in this together .... a bit of goodwill goes a long way.

John Divney · 22-10-2020 2:48pm

AOH77A wrote: »

Good to see a sensible post on the issue.

Teenagers are out the back of my house in their hundreds on the weekend drinking, school and college means kids are back to normal no matter what we want. The driving range is a fart in a hurricane. If the schools are open socialising is open. Shutting down things that have no impact is just a propaganda effort to try and effect others things that are causing the issue, scholes re-opening.

DeanAustin · 22-10-2020 3:23pm

Dtoffee wrote: »

.

I am very disappointed with the GUI on this to say the least, they appear to have just rolled over and ignored their members.

I can understand the 5km travel rule being an issue ....... but as golf's governing body here, the GUI should have had expected the Government to try and close courses and had a few viable alternatives to stop the full closure situation.

Social distancing ia not an issue on the golf course, so how about the GUI asking golf clubs to offer a limited number of time slots to all gui members within 5km of their course with say a €20 green fee. Obviously proof of identity as in your GUI card and photo id would be needed, but it would have two benefits ...... it allows golfers get a casual game of golf and it would generate some income for the club. No doubt it is easy to shoot holes in that idea, but maybe a bit of fine tuning and some leeway from the clubs would see a way forward.

I know some clubs are already offering reciprocal tee times to clubs who's members can't travel. As golfers we are all in this together .... a bit of goodwill goes a long way.

I honestly believe that golf hasn't been stopped because the activity itself is risky, it's because people wouldn't adhere to the 5k rule. We know that's the case because that's what happened last time and that's what golfers said they would do this time. It's what I'd probably do if I lived 10k or 20k from my course if I'm being honest. The government are simply trying to limit the populations' movement.

In theory, there are dozens of ways you could enforce/police the 5k restriction. But it'd really be up to clubs to do it and, if we're being honest, we all know a lot of clubs wouldn't do it because they have no wish to be the policeman for this and because they don't want to be the ones to piss off their members.

So it's a simple, blanket instruction that leaves no one in any doubt and that removes the temptation. It'll contribute to the government's aim of limiting our movements. I don't like it, I don't necessarily agree with it but, for what they are trying to achieve, it makes sense.

prawnsambo · 22-10-2020 3:30pm

DeanAustin wrote: »

I honestly believe that golf hasn't been stopped because the activity itself is risky, it's because people wouldn't adhere to the 5k rule. We know that's the case because that's what happened last time and that's what golfers said they would do this time. It's what I'd probably do if I lived 10k or 20k from my course if I'm being honest. The government are simply trying to limit the populations' movement.

In theory, there are dozens of ways you could enforce/police the 5k restriction. But it'd really be up to clubs to do it and, if we're being honest, we all know a lot of clubs wouldn't do it because they have no wish to be the policeman for this and because they don't want to be the ones to piss off their members.

So it's a simple, blanket instruction that leaves no one in any doubt and that removes the temptation. It'll contribute to the government's aim of limiting our movements. I don't like it, I don't necessarily agree with it but, for what they are trying to achieve, it makes sense.

Yeah. Disappointing but true that people were just ignoring the restrictions earlier. Even the county lockdown that happened a couple of weeks ago was being completely flouted. We had visitors at our club last weekend from Dublin. Pretty sure there were more during the week too. What do you do when people just ignore the advice?

B-D-P-- · 22-10-2020 3:36pm

Complaining about other sports is like a 10 year old complaining that their friends are allowed stay up later.

The gaa doesn't decide what golf does, & golf doesn't decide the other.
Different govern bodies decided their own rules. Don't try to say "Well Tennis/gaa/soccer/Irish Ladies Mud Fighting championship is still going ahead, Why cant we?"

Ya show your own level of maturity if ya do, The GUI decided that its best if people lower their movements to stop spreading, if that means closing the courses, then they made the right decision, you might be within 5km & you might not touch the pole, Neither do I. But lets be honest many dont care what the guidance is & will travel & break the guidelines.

This is coming from someone whos played 3/4 times a week last few months, I'm at as much a loss as anyone else to the sport.
But in the greater sight of things, Its a hobby, others are loosing family/friends & loved ones. Its a small price to pay.

monkeybutter · 22-10-2020 3:38pm

its only fair then to shut it down for everyone

Just cause you happen to be 5k or 5.1k

Seve OB · 22-10-2020 3:47pm

B-D-P-- wrote: »

The GUI Government decided that its best if people lower their movements to stop spreading,

FYP

Hoboo · 22-10-2020 3:53pm

B-D-P-- wrote: »

Complaining about other sports is like a 10 year old complaining that their friends are allowed stay up later.

The gaa doesn't decide what golf does, & golf doesn't decide the other.
Different govern bodies decided their own rules. Don't try to say "Well Tennis/gaa/soccer/Irish Ladies Mud Fighting championship is still going ahead, Why cant we?"

Ya show your own level of maturity if ya do, The GUI decided that its best if people lower their movements to stop spreading, if that means closing the courses, then they made the right decision, you might be within 5km & you might not touch the pole, Neither do I. But lets be honest many dont care what the guidance is & will travel & break the guidelines.

This is coming from someone whos played 3/4 times a week last few months, I'm at as much a loss as anyone else to the sport.
But in the greater sight of things, Its a hobby, others are loosing family/friends & loved ones. Its a small price to pay.

If club championships in golf had caused this latest eruption of cases I'd agree with you.

But it didn't. And the very sport that did continues. It's also a hobby. Even at county level. It's not a job.

RGS · 22-10-2020 3:53pm

B-D-P-- wrote: »

The GUI decided that its best if people lower their movements to stop spreading, if that means closing the courses, then they made the right decision

The GUI didn't decide to close they were told to close by Sport Ireland.
Tennis Ireland decided to stay open and were duly slapped down this morning.

As I previously said there is inconsistencies in the approach towards kids which Phillip Reid nicely put in this mornings Irish Times

"And there is an anomaly at the very root of all this. I know. Last night my daughter could go football training in her pod of 15 players on one side of a pitch. Tomorrow, she can’t go golfing – in a group of three or four – on a golf course of over 200 acres. Where’s the sense in all of that?"

bmc58 · 22-10-2020 3:56pm

Golfhead65 wrote: »

So with that logic. Why are other sports
allowed?? (Rightly so)

One in all in oh,except the GAA.

prawnsambo · 22-10-2020 3:57pm

RGS wrote: »

The GUI didn't decide to close they were told to close by Sport Ireland.
Tennis Ireland decided to stay open and were duly slapped down this morning.

As I previously said there is inconsistencies in the approach towards kids which Phillip Reid nicely put in this mornings Irish Times

"And there is an anomaly at the very root of all this. I know. Last night my daughter could go football training in her pod of 15 players on one side of a pitch. Tomorrow, she can’t go golfing – in a group of three or four – on a golf course of over 200 acres. Where’s the sense in all of that?"

I think the basis for all this is that the rest of the country is taking a hit so that kids can continue their education and (certain) sporting activity for their long term health and wellbeing. If you look at it in that light, I think you can make sense of it.

John Divney · 22-10-2020 4:21pm

B-D-P-- wrote: »

Complaining about other sports is like a 10 year old complaining that their friends are allowed stay up later.

The gaa doesn't decide what golf does, & golf doesn't decide the other.
Different govern bodies decided their own rules. Don't try to say "Well Tennis/gaa/soccer/Irish Ladies Mud Fighting championship is still going ahead, Why cant we?"

Ya show your own level of maturity if ya do, The GUI decided that its best if people lower their movements to stop spreading, if that means closing the courses, then they made the right decision, you might be within 5km & you might not touch the pole, Neither do I. But lets be honest many dont care what the guidance is & will travel & break the guidelines.

This is coming from someone whos played 3/4 times a week last few months, I'm at as much a loss as anyone else to the sport.
But in the greater sight of things, Its a hobby, others are loosing family/friends & loved ones. Its a small price to pay.

Golf isn’t a hobby it’s a massive industry, if you’re happy not to play for no good reason other than propaganda that’s great. Others might like to keep their job or club and do it safely. If it’s helping no one and destroying something then it’s not a public good being done.

almostover · 22-10-2020 7:54pm

B-D-P-- wrote: »

Complaining about other sports is like a 10 year old complaining that their friends are allowed stay up later.

The gaa doesn't decide what golf does, & golf doesn't decide the other.
Different govern bodies decided their own rules. Don't try to say "Well Tennis/gaa/soccer/Irish Ladies Mud Fighting championship is still going ahead, Why cant we?"

Ya show your own level of maturity if ya do, The GUI decided that its best if people lower their movements to stop spreading, if that means closing the courses, then they made the right decision, you might be within 5km & you might not touch the pole, Neither do I. But lets be honest many dont care what the guidance is & will travel & break the guidelines.

This is coming from someone whos played 3/4 times a week last few months, I'm at as much a loss as anyone else to the sport.
But in the greater sight of things, Its a hobby, others are loosing family/friends & loved ones. Its a small price to pay.

Two observations:

1. It's not up to the golf clubs to enforce the 5km guidelines. They dont have to enforce if you break the speed limit or drive under the influence of alcohol on the way to the course. What happens outside the gates of the club is not the responsibility of a golf club. I'd say the very same for the GAA, if players meet up to go on a drinking session after a match it's not the clubs fault provided they did not sanction the event in any way. Personal responsibility is no longer fashionable in our society unfortunately. Golf courses should be open for those living with a 5km radius of them. That's coming from a person who lives outside that radius.

2. Irish ladies mud fighting championship? How have I not known about this until now? And they said the GAA championship was needed to boost the national moral!!!

FixdePitchmark · 22-10-2020 9:54pm

DeanAustin wrote: »

I honestly believe that golf hasn't been stopped because the activity itself is risky, it's because people wouldn't adhere to the 5k rule. We know that's the case because that's what happened last time and that's what golfers said they would do this time. It's what I'd probably do if I lived 10k or 20k from my course if I'm being honest. The government are simply trying to limit the populations' movement.

In theory, there are dozens of ways you could enforce/police the 5k restriction. But it'd really be up to clubs to do it and, if we're being honest, we all know a lot of clubs wouldn't do it because they have no wish to be the policeman for this and because they don't want to be the ones to piss off their members.

So it's a simple, blanket instruction that leaves no one in any doubt and that removes the temptation. It'll contribute to the government's aim of limiting our movements. I don't like it, I don't necessarily agree with it but, for what they are trying to achieve, it makes sense.

I Agree with above.

If golf is going to take a lockdown - take it now (mid October).

Golf has had bad pr for a while - and there is a focus on why are things staying open all male dominated / privileged activities.

If you agree with it or not - anything staying open now is going to be very seriously scrutinized.

I'd seen a good bit of arrogance and complacency and poor activities at my club. We probably deserve a kick in the arse.

We all know people would break the 5km.

So take the hit now - keep the head down and get back into it in December and then the full of next year.

Even Golfgate is still in the Sunday papers and twitter.

Take the hit now is my genuine thinking.

But be banging the door with a week to go.

Personally I've given up on 2020.

John Divney · 22-10-2020 10:21pm

Looking for pats on the head with this Government is not a good strategy. I haven't seen any public will for a golf lockdown so there's no reason to think there is a need to go cap in hand to the nation for the right to play. The lockdown can't reverse the virus at the rate it spread, there will always be another lockdown with this strategy, probably in a matter of weeks.

Moon Dice · 22-10-2020 10:40pm

With courses closed any recommendations for a good putting matt?

almostover · 22-10-2020 10:46pm

Moon Dice wrote: »

With courses closed any recommendations for a good putting matt?

I have a putt out mat with the putt out ramp thingy. Was an xmas present from the gf last year. I use it a lot, good way to practice indoors. However, I will say that there is no substitute for putting on a green

FixdePitchmark · 23-10-2020 12:09am

John Divney wrote: »

Looking for pats on the head with this Government is not a good strategy. I haven't seen any public will for a golf lockdown so there's no reason to think there is a need to go cap in hand to the nation for the right to play. The lockdown can't reverse the virus at the rate it spread, there will always be another lockdown with this strategy, probably in a matter of weeks.

Going down the route of further antagonization of the public atmosphere is not a good strategy.

I've seen significant anger towards golfgate - extraordinary actually.

Then you had a couple of golf society events that had a very significant impact.

At the end of the day lockdown is lockdown - there is lots of bull**** doing the rounds about exceptions for x. y and z.

Golfers were not willing to observe the 5km - they have to accept the consequences of that.

the greatest game · 23-10-2020 8:59am

I finished a great game of Golf on Wednesday evening, Word was filtering across the course that golf was to shut down, all over the course golfers keeping distance, getting away from stain of the current situation.

I had to go in to Dunnes Stores on the way home, it was mobbed, nobody adhering to any distancing, free for all as such.

Some here are calling for to take it on the chin, I am very annoyed over this, I have contacted my Local TD's , Better option than worthless petition's imo.

Thy GYM movement have got more traction than golfers.. FFS.. they are sharing each other sweat on equipment ?

Golfers should not take this lying down.. 6 weeks could easily be 3 months.

RoadRunner · 23-10-2020 10:12am

The GUI actually WANTS golf to stop for this period. They were never ready for the new handicap system to be implemented next weekend and this gives them the perfect easy way out.

*claims to the contrary on this*

John Divney · 23-10-2020 11:56am

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Going down the route of further antagonization of the public atmosphere is not a good strategy.

I've seen significant anger towards golfgate - extraordinary actually.

Then you had a couple of golf society events that had a very significant impact.

At the end of the day lockdown is lockdown - there is lots of bull**** doing the rounds about exceptions for x. y and z.

Golfers were not willing to observe the 5km - they have to accept the consequences of that.

Why are you giving legitimacy to the golfgate nonsense it had nothing to do with golf they were in a hotel. Don’t give them the air to have a go and destroy an industry. I couldn’t give a **** if some Karens who don’t know what they are talking about want to take it out on the game. You don’t give in to smears when the people who are to blame are punishing the innocent for their own crimes. It makes it more egregious that the elites shut it down

prawnsambo · 23-10-2020 12:06pm

RoadRunner wrote: »

The GUI actually WANTS golf to stop for this period. They were never ready for the new handicap system to be implemented next weekend and this gives them the perfect easy way out.

They are ready. Clubs have got access to the portal this week to check everything. I've seen it myself.

RoadRunner · 23-10-2020 2:54pm

prawnsambo wrote: »

They are ready. Clubs have got access to the portal this week to check everything. I've seen it myself.

Well, that's simply not scandalous at all

I'll edit my post if there's evidence to the contrary.

ligerdub · 23-10-2020 5:12pm

RGS wrote: »

The GUI didn't decide to close they were told to close by Sport Ireland.
Tennis Ireland decided to stay open and were duly slapped down this morning.

As I previously said there is inconsistencies in the approach towards kids which Phillip Reid nicely put in this mornings Irish Times

"And there is an anomaly at the very root of all this. I know. Last night my daughter could go football training in her pod of 15 players on one side of a pitch. Tomorrow, she can’t go golfing – in a group of three or four – on a golf course of over 200 acres. Where’s the sense in all of that?"

Don't expect logic from the guys running the show in this country. This whole situation is an absolute farce. If I were a business owner I would be irate with the government and their authoritarian approach to this lockup of the populace.

The govt and media have somehow managed to skillfully create the narrative that the only 2 options available are shutdown or excessive "precautionary" measures with very debatable efficacy.

People are being tested at huge rates and "cases" are ramping up. Let's start seeing the % of tests that are positive, or better yet let's see the level of hospitalisations. If you don't know you have it then you're not sick. What we're hearing now is that cases are going up and it's all because people can't follow orders. What nonsense!

So let's make the rules more draconian. All to thunderous applause. Give me strength.

So despite having a low level of people getting sick as a result from playing golf this year, we're somehow to expect that those pesky golfers have put the country under threat and we must close down the courses. I'm not buying it, and people need to wake the hell up about this sham.

bustercherry · 23-10-2020 5:25pm

ligerdub wrote: »

Don't expect logic from the guys running the show in this country. This whole situation is an absolute farce. If I were a business owner I would be irate with the government and their authoritarian approach to this lockup of the populace.

The govt and media have somehow managed to skillfully create the narrative that the only 2 options available are shutdown or excessive "precautionary" measures with very debatable efficacy.

People are being tested at huge rates and "cases" are ramping up. Let's start seeing the % of tests that are positive, or better yet let's see the level of hospitalisations. If you don't know you have it then you're not sick. What we're hearing now is that cases are going up and it's all because people can't follow orders. What nonsense!

So let's make the rules more draconian. All to thunderous applause. Give me strength.

So despite having a low level of people getting sick as a result from playing golf this year, we're somehow to expect that those pesky golfers have put the country under threat and we must close down the courses. I'm not buying it, and people need to wake the hell up about this sham.

This couldn't be serious...... surely you've missed the point of all the measures in place since this pandemic started?

prawnsambo · 23-10-2020 5:27pm

ligerdub wrote: »

People are being tested at huge rates and "cases" are ramping up. Let's start seeing the % of tests that are positive, or better yet let's see the level of hospitalisations. If you don't know you have it then you're not sick. What we're hearing now is that cases are going up and it's all because people can't follow orders. What nonsense!

We do see this daily on the app. Test positivity is running at about 7-8%. Hospitalisations are running at around 30 per day with around 300 in hospital and 30-40 in ICU.

Golf Lockdown

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