Martin Dempster: Flexibility the key as golfers face dilemma over travel to Scottish courses

Headache for clubs as demand for tee times outweighs supply
The majority of bookings at Scottish golf clubs are for two-balls and the sooner that is increased the better. Picture: SNSThe majority of bookings at Scottish golf clubs are for two-balls and the sooner that is increased the better. Picture: SNS
The majority of bookings at Scottish golf clubs are for two-balls and the sooner that is increased the better. Picture: SNS

I       f there’s one thing that has shone through from a golfing perspective over the last nine weeks, it is the undoubted passion that Scots have about the game in general and, in particular, their own golf club.

It has been difficult for members to see their home course closed yet, at the same time, being used by walkers, runners, cyclists and, in some cases, for football kickabouts and sandcastle building in bunkers.

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Anger and frustration has been expressed about this happening at a time when golfers were increasingly becoming like caged tigers, feeling they should be back out on those fairways and, hopefully, that is now only a few days away.

Contrary to what some people think, there should be no confusion about where we stand in Scotland in terms of falling into line with the rest of the courses in the UK and Ireland.

Subject to final confirmation from Nicola Sturgeon when the First Minister delivers the next official review of the country’s lockdown restrictions on Thursday, venues in Scotland will swing back into operation the following day.

As things stand, that should happen, but no-one knows for certain until that eagerly-awaited briefing and the groan of disappointment from an army of golfers will be heard on the other side of the world if the coronavirus closure is extended, even if it is for a day or two.

Less clear, perhaps, or perhaps not depending on your particular view on this, is how far golfers should be travelling for that much-anticipated first game and even commenting on that feels akin to stepping into a minefield.

Those guidelines from the governing body clearly refer to the “broad five miles” outlined by the Scottish Government in the first phase of its lockdown exit route map, but the First Minister has also spoken about how there can be some “flexibility” and has urged people to use their own “judgement”.

By my reckoning, that is likely to mean Edinburgh-based members, for example, feeling comfortable enough travelling down to East Lothian clubs and Glasgow golfers doing likewise in Ayrshire.

Though trying to be careful what I am saying here, because I am lucky to live within five miles of my home club, should that really be frowned upon if it is a car journey from door to door, both there and back, by an individual and social distancing measures are followed at all times while out playing?

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All around the country, people are desperate to get back out on golf courses, from a wellbeing and mental health aspect as much as anything, and you only need to see what’s been happening over the past few days for evidence of that.

At every single club, tee times were snapped up in a jiffy, the demand, of course, being increased by the fact the majority of bookings are for two-balls, as per Scottish Golf’s guidelines.

At the outset, clubs are going to be faced with a balancing act and how they are able to cope with that is going to be crucial because, first and foremost, they need to do their utmost to ensure that existing members are getting a fair crack of the whip.

Some clubs are limiting the number of bookings an individual member can make per week – three in some cases, four in others – and that seems to be a sensible approach for the time being because this has to be about the entire membership, not only the ones who are quickest off the mark when online booking opens up.

By the looks of things, some members are already feeling aggrieved and the sooner groups can be increased to three-balls and four-balls the better because that, in truth, is the only way they are going to have a proper chance of catering for the demand in the height of summer.

Make no mistake, golf courses reopening at a time when gyms remain closed and football and rugby, either in terms of playing or spectating, are still not an option, presents a massive opportunity for the sport, but only if people can actually get out for a hit.

One club south of the Border, Stonebridge in the Midlands, has reportedly attracted 100 new members in a week after it reopened just under a fortnight ago, while around 50 people have taken up the offer of a three-month trial membership at Worthing in Sussex.

Dark times inevitably lie ahead for some clubs due to the financial hit they have taken over the past couple of months but, for others, this can be an opportunity to be galvanised and start turning the tide in the fight against dwindling memberships by adding to those ranks of passionate club golfers.

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