Golf is back ---yaaaaaay!

[Hood]

Missing the mental torture of this.
The irony of it being the best weather in years at this time of year too.

[Montybaber]

Took 2 days off from work when I heard courses were opening. It has been hard work spending every day at work through this, putting myself and girlfriend at risk and worrying about family etc. I also had to take a reduction is hours/salary and I am earning less than if I was furloughed (just to add to the stress).

I vsited the range this morning and thoroughly enjoyed playing 9 holes this afternoon. I have got 18 holes at another course booked first thing in the morning :)

Smug maybe but ah well

[Kevin]

Took 2 days off from work when I heard courses were opening. It has been hard work spending every day at work through this, putting myself and girlfriend at risk and worrying about family etc. I also had to take a reduction is hours/salary and I am earning less than if I was furloughed (just to add to the stress).

I vsited the range this morning and thoroughly enjoyed playing 9 holes this afternoon. I have got 18 holes at another course booked first thing in the morning :)

Smug maybe but ah well

Amazed you are playing at more than one course.
Everywhere I know it is members only with pre-booked tee times.
At my club they turned away a few people this morning who turned up hoping to pay and play

[Montybaber]

Amazed you are playing at more than one course.
Everywhere I know it is members only with pre-booked tee times.
At my club they turned away a few people this morning who turned up hoping to pay and play

Yeah we worked hard to find anywhere accepting visitors and had to travel a while but it seems people were slow to book up, getting out again will be tough I think so glad I got some in before I get back to work, my membership was not renewed when lockdown started unfortunately
due to financial uncertainty

[wildheart]

Played nines holes this morning at my club, it’s a centre, so all sorts were turning up. I was a bit rusty, but enjoyed it. I’ve booked nine for Saturday.👍⛳️

[wildheart]

Gutted by this

Live next to a golf course and it's been lovely during shutdown, walks with the dogs, let the kids have a run around, play in the 'sand pits', even had a game of kwik cricket and a picnic with the kids on VE day

Hmmm that’s trespass and not very nice behaviour for the clubs staff. The Shire in Barnet was broken into all sorts of damage done to the greens, family had their children riding bikes across them. The club are reviewing CCTV to identify the culprits.

[eagletower]

Hmmm that’s trespass and not very nice behaviour for the clubs staff. The Shire in Barnet was broken into all sorts of damage done to the greens, family had their children riding bikes across them. The club are reviewing CCTV to identify the culprits.

I’m joining The shire In a few weeks, I’ve recently taken up golf so will join to play on their 9 hole. I live on the lanes that back onto them so it’s literally a few minutes from my house . Hope to play in the evenings .

[sevvy]

I’m joining The shire In a few weeks, I’ve recently taken up golf so will join to play on their 9 hole. I live on the lanes that back onto them so it’s literally a few minutes from my house . Hope to play in the evenings .

Join Old Fold Manor across the road instead, more enjoyable

[maccer]

Missing the mental torture of this.
The irony of it being the best weather in years at this time of year too.

Stunning!! which course is that?

I played 9 yesterday and today, its a bit weird with the regulations but so enjoyable to be out and socialising with friends and playing, having some fun.

[eagletower]

Join Old Fold Manor across the road instead, more enjoyable

Have to say I’m spoilt for choice with Golf courses where I live , must 5 within a 5 minute drive round here . I did look into Old Ford too.

The reason I was going for The Shire was purely for the dedicated 9 hole academy course which I thought would be ideal for a beginner like me. Is there any reason in particular you recommend Old Fold Manor.

[Peck]

Join Old Fold Manor across the road instead, more enjoyable

Yes I agree - I like Old Fold a lot and prefer it to the Shire (my club is half an hour up the road - Letchworth)

[guinea]

Stunning!! which course is that?

Looks like Troon.

I looked at getting out this week, but every golf course is completely rammed. Booked solid from 5.30am to 6pm.

I hate playing when stuck in a queue, it wrecks my rhythm and score card. Hopefully this rush will die down and I'll get out.

Went to the range to hit some balls and was impressed by the sanitiser everywhere. The guy was cleaning all the baskets after each customer and the ball buying process was hands free other than one press. Good job.

[sevvy]

Have to say I’m spoilt for choice with Golf courses where I live , must 5 within a 5 minute drive round here . I did look into Old Ford too.

The reason I was going for The Shire was purely for the dedicated 9 hole academy course which I thought would be ideal for a beginner like me. Is there any reason in particular you recommend Old Fold Manor.

Won’t quite be in as good a condition as The Shire but you’ll find it much easier to get a game, especially if you’re like me and like to get a few holes in the evening.
Its also a good test. Front nine is shorter but tricky and back nine is great set of holes with two of the toughest finishing holes to be found.
The Shire probably has more going for it but it’s a proprietary club where the aim is to make money. Old Fold Manor is a proper members club.

[eagletower]

Won’t quite be in as good a condition as The Shire but you’ll find it much easier to get a game, especially if you’re like me and like to get a few holes in the evening.
Its also a good test. Front nine is shorter but tricky and back nine is great set of holes with two of the toughest finishing holes to be found.
The Shire probably has more going for it but it’s a proprietary club where the aim is to make money. Old Fold Manor is a proper members club.

Thanks that makes sense. Evening is exactly when I would be looking to play too.

[wildheart]

I’m joining The shire In a few weeks, I’ve recently taken up golf so will join to play on their 9 hole. I live on the lanes that back onto them so it’s literally a few minutes from my house . Hope to play in the evenings .

I play the Shire a few times a year, love their relaxed etiquette to golf attire and their commitment to supporting Disability Golf.
Cae who manages the course is so helpful.
You won’t find a tougher opening hole off the whites especially if it’s blowing.


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[Gordon76]

Stunning!! which course is that?

I played 9 yesterday and today, its a bit weird with the regulations but so enjoyable to be out and socialising with friends and playing, having some fun.

That is the 7th at Western Gailes. I’ve played everything from a wedge to a 3 wood dependant on the wind!


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[eagletower]

I play the Shire a few times a year, love their relaxed etiquette to golf attire and their commitment to supporting Disability Golf.
Cae who manages the course is so helpful.
You won’t find a tougher opening hole off the whites especially if it’s blowing.


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I have to say the relaxed attitude is what really appeals to me too. As a complete beginner my only experience is the range. The idea of all the rules, attire, shoes in car parks etc can be quite daunting. I may be over thinking it. But I really like how relaxed The Shire come across, the only criticism which I've seen in reviews and its been echoed here is that it feels more like a gym than a club- but to be honest at this stage of learning to play golf I am not so fussed by that.

I've spoken to Cai too, when I made some enquires and complete agree really helpful and welcoming.

[sevvy]

I have to say the relaxed attitude is what really appeals to me too. As a complete beginner my only experience is the range. The idea of all the rules, attire, shoes in car parks etc can be quite daunting. I may be over thinking it. But I really like how relaxed The Shire come across, the only criticism which I've seen in reviews and its been echoed here is that it feels more like a gym than a club- but to be honest at this stage of learning to play golf I am not so fussed by that.

I've spoken to Cai too, when I made some enquires and complete agree really helpful and welcoming.

The owner’s in it to make money but he’s improved the facilities no end. Not to mention you’re likely to see Joe Miller doing his long drive practicing there.
The most important thing is what’s right for you. The owner financed the club through my old work and he took me round in a buggy when it was being rebuilt and tried to get me to join. I love going straight from work and being able to get a few holes in but I wasn’t sure it would be as easy at The Shire to do that, that’s what put me off.
As an aside, Seve is my golfing idol and he put his name to the design of The Shire. My boss who arranged the loan said to me one day “guess who I was sat with last night?” As the lender he was invited to grand opening and was on the same table as Seve!! I was so envious.

[Hood]

That is the 7th at Western Gailes. I’ve played everything from a wedge to a 3 wood dependant on the wind!


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Correct and good spot.

Not sure Ive played a wedge though but definitely a driver.

[village]

Another lovely morning for a round!...even managed to go round on handicap.

My club is working on 6 minute gaps between tee times, pairs or singletons only,with a starter and a couple adjustments to rules. These are (a) only 1 minute looking for balls (b) no provisional shots of the tee. If you fire your ball into the jungle or out of bounds then you just wander down and drop a ball about where it went in the crap/oob. Obviously,depending on the gap between you and the following pair these are flexible.
From the experience of the last three days I would say this system is working well. A round hasn't been longer than 3 hours and it's never felt like you are hanging around waiting.

The only drawback so far is the loss of a couple of balls that I am sure I would've found given a bit longer to hunt for them....a small price to pay though!

[Andyg]

Had a 3 hour 10 minute round today. It was like playing millionaires golf. Very enjoyable.

The course was in excellent condition (as expected), but the greens were are bit slower than expected.

A bit of a mixed round for me, everything from birdies to double bogeys, but no lost balls. Hopefully I will find a bit of consistency when I play again on Monday.

[Chukas]

Hopefully Thursday for us.
Max 2 balls and 10min intervals according to draft rules!!

[leo1790]

I'm booked in for next Wednesday, can't wait. Probably play crap but I normally play crap anyway.

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[boris9]

Played yesterday evening.

Weather was amazing, course pretty good (slow greens as they start dropping heights slowly) and nice to be out of the house with a mate so all in all very enjoyable.

2 ball, 10 minute intervals and we got round in about 3hr 40.


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[Chukas]

Played yesterday evening.

Weather was amazing, course pretty good (slow greens as they start dropping heights slowly) and nice to be out of the house with a mate so all in all very enjoyable.

2 ball, 10 minute intervals and we got round in about 3hr 40.


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Nearly 4 hours for a round as a 2 ball.......
What was the hold up?

[Peck]

I played on Tuesday and Wednesday and it was glorious - the course is back to his best as the green keepers are all back from furlough. I even played to my handicap! Can’t wait for Saturday now

[Bigstam]

Nearly 4 hours for a round as a 2 ball.......
What was the hold up?

We are getting round in the same format in 2 hours 50 minutes and we were by no means rushing.

I must admit I am enjoying the spacing out of tee time's that has meant no bunching on the course.

Ross

[Chukas]

We are getting round in the same format in 2 hours 50 minutes and we were by no means rushing.

I must admit I am enjoying the spacing out of tee time's that has meant no bunching on the course.

Ross

Ive heard from guys down south that they are flying round the course and it’s a lot more enjoyable.

[village]

We are taking between 2.5 to 3 hours on average. We were stuck behind the lady captain and her friend the other day and it took almost 3.5 hours. Quite frankly it was a blatant disregard for the current rules by them....took more than 2 minutes ball searching on several occasions,played three of the tee a couple of times when we aren't supposed to be,ignored the call up condition on the call up hole and were hanging around chatting on the tees rather than getting on with it. Most annoyingly they had lost 3 holes by the turn and just wouldn't play people through.
On the plus side it was sunny,hot and I scored 38 points of 80 so I was fairly happy overall!

[boris9]

Nearly 4 hours for a round as a 2 ball.......
What was the hold up?

The two ball in front. In and out of every wooded area, lake or other hazard you could think of. There was clear fairway in front of them for at least a couple of holes. That’s the problem with irregular visitors during such times. We could of been 45-60 mins quicker with ease.


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[MikeB687]

Everyone's enjoying fast games but sooner or later we'll be back to medals taking hours longer and sitting outside the clubhouse afterwards talking about how slow it was!

[deepreddave]

Most annoyingly they had lost 3 holes by the turn and just wouldn't play people through.

At my club there'd be words exchanged at every opportunity to enquire about the reasons for delay and playing through. If that didn't work I'd expect them to receive a few shouts of 'fore' as drives rolled out towards them....

I'm not a fan of unduly slow play as there's really no excuse for it.

[459GMB]

Playing tomorrow, and got to decide which of the three eBay lockdown iron purchases are going to make it into the bag.

Mizuno MP33s ... Hogan Apex Redlines or Hogan Apex IIs ... I'm leaning to the Japanese steel as it stands ... :)

[deepreddave]

Playing tomorrow, and got to decide which of the three eBay lockdown iron purchases are going to make it into the bag.

Mizuno MP33s ... Hogan Apex Redlines or Hogan Apex IIs ... I'm leaning to the Japanese steel as it stands ... :)

I'd go with whichever match your fitting stats. If you weren't fitted then I'd seriously recommend it as it can make a huge difference.

[Chabsy]

The Covid update tonight says we can meet upto 6 people outside, does this now mean we can play 4 balls?

[Andyg]

The Covid update tonight says we can meet upto 6 people outside, does this now mean we can play 4 balls?

looks as if we can expect an announcement from Golf England this weekend - I believe the answer will be yes, but social distancing etc will continue to apply.

[Andyg]

3 and 4 balls to start from the 1st June. Huzzah!

[MikeB687]

My club is going with 3 balls from Monday, opening the half way house and looking at ways to provide takeaway drinks outside the clubhouse sometime later.
Still on 10 minute tee times so it shouldn't slow the games down too much.
It's progress I suppose :-)

[village]

Back to normal next week at my club. That'll make the bookings a bit easier.

They also opened stableford comps up this week which are handicap applicable. This was handy as I pottered round in 79 and scored 42 points today.

I think my next few cards might just be +0.1s

[sevvy]

We’ve had quite strict restrictions in place. No one to play consecutive days and 9 holes only at weekends to ensure everyone gets a game.
Our half way hut has been selling bottles of Peroni at £2 a bottle so good way to end game at least. Looking forward to resuming 18 holes.

[Andyg]

4 balls starting this Monday. 12 minutes between groups and no limit on the number of rounds you can play in a week. Still no rakes in bunkers and no touching of the pins.

The driving and practice ranges still need to be booked in advance, but things are slowly getting back to normal.

[village]

I said it earlier in the year,and I will say it again now....yaaay!
It was nice to get out this morning after an enforced month off. God knows what the weather will throw at us from here on in but at least that’s one round under the belt....I even played to handicap (or is it index now?).

[Brighty]

Boooo
I've enjoyed the golf course out the back being empty during lockdowns, dogs love having a run on the fairways.
Hadn't realised golf was back on in tier 3, but my wife just found out, walking the dogs on the lead and some grumpy old codger told her it was private and to leave. She was politer than i'd have been, it's a public footpath, guess the old boy must be new

[Peck]

I said it earlier in the year,and I will say it again now....yaaay!
It was nice to get out this morning after an enforced month off. God knows what the weather will throw at us from here on in but at least that’s one round under the belt....I even played to handicap (or is it index now?).

Amen!!! Playing tomorrow and I don’t care if a monsoon blows in!

[village]

I appreciate she didn’t know the course was open again ,but do you or ally walk the dogs on the course when it is open?

[Bucko]

Can’t wait. Booked in 8 rounds in the next 3 weeks so fingers crossed for some nice weather!!!


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[crazyp]

I appreciate she didn’t know the course was open again ,but do you or ally walk the dogs on the course when it is open?

Quite normal on one of my local courses - woodland attached which has public paths which cross over onto the course at times.

[leo1790]

Just got back from playing 18, backs in pieces and I'm currently lying down. I thought a break would do me good.

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[village]

Quite normal on one of my local courses - woodland attached which has public paths which cross over onto the course at times.

I understand that some courses have public rights of way but what I’ve never understood is why anyone would want to take a stroll or walk the dog on an active golf course. Those little white balls hurt like buggery when they hit you!

[Brighty]

I appreciate she didn’t know the course was open again ,but do you or ally walk the dogs on the course when it is open?

Yeah, quite often, the path through the woods out the back pops out on one of the tees that's in the furthest corner of the course, there's then a public footpath along the edge of the course that is pretty clear of any danger, don;t use it myself, then another that cuts right across about 4 fairways that i wouldn't ever risk. I usually hang a right from that first tee and off into farmland, then go through the middle of the coarse on a gravel roadway a bit further on, as thats pretty much out of any danger zone, just one spot that's near another tee that tees off across the road, but you can see if anyones there long before you get there. That path/road is used alot by walkers and horses