Return to golf

Has anyone else in England had an email from their club about what it is going to do for the return to golf on the 29th? (I am presuming you can still play golf in Scotland in two balls, and Wales hasn't released its roadmap details yet.) Ireland? Are you still playing as normal?

My club has sent out an email regarding booking tee times for that week - it will be a mad online scramble for us. We can book one tee time on the Monday beforehand, and then back to normal on the Tuesday.

As regards fees, my club has been most generous, in my view. No annual 3% increase this year, bar levy reduced from £150 to £100 (I spend way more than that, so that won't affect me), and best of all a 15% reduction in overall fees for the coming year. (from 1st May) That's worth a few £££ to me. All in all most acceptable.

First two weeks members only
Online bookings open 6pm Sunday 21st March - expecting the mad rush and scramble!
2 rounds only per member in the first week
4-ball golf only, with a minimal amount of 2-ball allowable from 7.30am first tee-off time.
First 4 weeks social golf only, club competitions and members roll ups resume 26th April. Limited visitor Green fees reintroduced
County competitions resume 10th May
Opens and Charity Days resume 31st May
Club friendly matches resume 28th June
Annual Fees due on 1st April as usual. 4% increase

Our seniors have booked a spring trip 20 guys to Hawkstone Park on 17th and 18th May which is the first possible date restrictions would allow.They are also planning shared rooms which may not be a possible and rule of 6 may still be in place.All a bit optimistic but credit for having a go.

Seems like Scotland has escaped lightly. As of this Friday outdoor non contact sports can be held with up to 15 people, which I assume means we can play four balls again this weekend. Just need SGU to confirm.

What's the situation regarding hotels reopening Mac? Any amendment to the scheduled date of 17th May? Supposed to be staying at Trump Turnberry on the 9th

Sorry, no idea about hotels. Pretty much only follow the updates that impact golf.

Thanks anyway

Blue it may well be sharing a room thats the problem,My son works away a lot in Scotland and they are having to have single rooms but most of the hotels are only charging for the one.Hope you get there ,the boy and his firm fitted out the gym at Turnbury and stayed in one of the lodges.He said it was great but a bit Las Vegas(as you may expect)

Thanks Dyna going up for a mate's birthday trip, not stayed or played there before so looking forward to it. Although EasyJet have just cancelled our early morning Stansted flight, so looks like we will have to reschedule to later in the year irrespective of any hotel restrictions.

BlueCoverman wrote:What's the situation regarding hotels reopening Mac? Any amendment to the scheduled date of 17th May? Supposed to be staying at Trump Turnberry on the 9th

Latest announcement was hotels opening on 26th April “subject to restrictions” but no idea what that means! Also may still be restrictions on travel from outside Scotland, so your guess is as good as mine I’d try 2022

Well, today was the day the booking opened. It's on a new website, so that was different. Then when I logged on, it showed today with no tee times available. It wouldn't switch to next week. Came out and went back in and success. Tee time booked and my mates all got one as well. Can only book one tee time today to give everyone a chance, but will try again tomorrow to see if I can get another game in. Happy bunny.

LadyPutt wrote:

BlueCoverman wrote:What's the situation regarding hotels reopening Mac? Any amendment to the scheduled date of 17th May? Supposed to be staying at Trump Turnberry on the 9th

Latest announcement was hotels opening on 26th April “subject to restrictions” but no idea what that means! Also may still be restrictions on travel from outside Scotland, so your guess is as good as mine I’d try 2022

Thanks LP. Your Golf Travel have said it now looks promising for 9th May, saying they should be able to confirm at the beginning of April. Unfortunately Easy-Jet have already cancelled our flights from Stansted, so may have to drive up the day before. Not sure I fancy the drive back to Essex on the evening of the 12th after four rounds of golf!

I'm never wrong wrote:Well, today was the day the booking opened. It's on a new website, so that was different. Then when I logged on, it showed today with no tee times available. It wouldn't switch to next week. Came out and went back in and success. Tee time booked and my mates all got one as well. Can only book one tee time today to give everyone a chance, but will try again tomorrow to see if I can get another game in. Happy bunny.

Our system worked well also, tee-booking opened for the first week back at 6pm yesterday. We were allowed two tee times in the first week, I'm booked to play Monday and Thursday

BlueCoverman wrote:

I'm never wrong wrote:Well, today was the day the booking opened. It's on a new website, so that was different. Then when I logged on, it showed today with no tee times available. It wouldn't switch to next week. Came out and went back in and success. Tee time booked and my mates all got one as well. Can only book one tee time today to give everyone a chance, but will try again tomorrow to see if I can get another game in. Happy bunny.

Our system worked well also, tee-booking opened for the first week back at 6pm yesterday. We were allowed two tee times in the first week, I'm booked to play Monday and Thursday    

Got my second tee time. One of my "mates" mucked it up, so I had to phone another member of our group and get him to book. Then I had to ring up the club to get them to change the pairings around so that one of the group wasn't playing on his own. I "organise" our group in terms of who books, and who plays with who, swapping them all around so it evens out. Email goes out at the start of the week prior to booking. But if one person doesn't do what he is told it mucks it up for the rest of us.....GRRRR.

One more sleep until golf!

Im on the range in a hour or so see if I can find a way to hit a reasonable ball without collapsing in pain.Trying to keep the weight on front foot all the way and just use the right leg for balance.If I can manage it 9 holes on the local council track tomorrow.My daughter also back at work now at the club part time so small steps but welcome.

Fantastic day out on the course, beautiful weather played in shorts! Pleased with 31 points after 3 months off and really enjoyed it.

2:24 today, woohoo 1st day back
6:24 today...I hope it’s not...”can we go back into lockdown please?”

No game yet. Hopefully will find a place soon!

Ben

I really feel for you. I can't imagine how painful it would be for the golf lockdown to lift and not being able to tee it up.   #thoughtsandprayers

Most round here seem members only for the initial period.

I'll get there, hording of holiday during lockdown will have helped. Carrying over 11 days is great for the odd midweek day off

Get this one on Monday the club owners announced that fees(dues 1st April) would be increased by over £500 FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS a year for a five day member to £1140 . A lot of this increase is going to be what they call 'resort credit' to be used on the refurbished driving range.As you can imagine everyone is bloody furious about this the seniors section is just about ready to leave en bloc.Seems like a very big gamble by the owners and an attempt to boost cash flow.Most people dont use the range at all ,a lot of the big spending promises havent happened,and folk have frankly got used to not playing.Be interesting to say the least

dyna

Seems like your owners are aiming for a new type of clientele?

Hi Mac yes they have big ambitions which may not match the current profile we are in Leicester not Surrey.About 2 years back I was playing with a bunch of seniors any they were all talking about the new owners great spending plans of £1m plus.I happened to say they would no doubt want that money back
A lot of clubs down here have this £350 deal where you purchase points which can get you 20-30 rounds depending on times handicap full EGU which is a good deal frankly and that is probably where I will be heading

Been doing a bit of research locally re fees and the nearest club to me is just £500 for senior 5 day ( not a great track but Ok and socially very good)and several clubs do this £350 points based membership which can get you up to 30 rounds on some very good courses.So you wonder what will be the end result re my course which would be a shame to leave .
By the way its snowing big time here mind it is april