Summer golf trips vs Covid 19

[Malvern]

Thanks@duffer987 keep us informed of progress (or lack thereof) if you could.
Looks like post Covid, Carnoustie is another one to come off my rota.

[scott_Donald]

Seems Scottish Course might be given the go ahead tomorrow to open.

We got an email saying the online system is offline so they can make adjustments to the tee sheet. WE are getting sent ut the guidelines also when the booking system is activated again.

Good news, just need quarantine to be stopped so I go golf for the month of August.

 

[jonnymc44]

We've been able to play in England since last Wednesday but members only (at our club). I'm not sure how it affects munis or other club but they are our guidelines until further notice. My round on Monday was pretty quick at 3h10. All rounds had to be pre-booked in 10 minute slots in two-balls only, and we had to sign in so that people on the course could be traced. Our course is booked up 730am-8pm for the next 2 weeks. Tee times are like gold dust!

 

[scott_Donald]

how many members do you have?

my dad was scared the tee times are fully booked at my club and we only have 350 full members, think 500(420 golf playing) in total!

[jonnymc44]

I think we have 350 male + 100 female members. With a lot of the playing membership on furlough at the moment people are going crazy playing as much as they can. I understand it, but for me, having to work Monday to Friday, the only time I can play is evenings and weekends and all the times are gone! I'm going to have to log on at midnight to book 2 weeks in advance. Who knows what the weather will be like in 2 weeks!

[scott_Donald]

good luck!

It will settle down once everyone gets into a routine. Still hard here in Texas to get a tee times some days when before Covid it was easy.

Now UK remove the Quarantine please!

[tad950]

I’m not sure if it’s been mentioned here yet, but it’s been announced that all incoming travelers to the U.K. will be subject to a 14 day quarantine beginning June 8th. Which happens to be the first day of my cancelled trip to Edinburgh/St. Andrews. Seems I made the right call, for a change.

[CMCSGolf]

I saw this too. I'm really curious how long this will last. I saw some articles proposing a tentative set of euro tour events in the British Isles in August or September, so presumable the restrictions would be lifted by then to allow players to come. But who knows...

[scott_Donald]

Yes there is going to be so much pressure from airlines and the public.

I have a friend who works from Scotland but has to physically travel to Dubai, Abu Dhabi etc, he is goosed now and can't do his work.

Me personally right now to go to Scotland would mean sitting in my house for 14 days when I arrive then 2 weeks of golf then back to Texas, ill take freedom first. I am still fingers crossed for August trip without quarantine but who knows.

Is there a quarantine in the USA right now? I thought there was.

[Chanceman]

With all this happening, I am now looking ahead 12 months. New plan is for me and the missus to go to Scotland in May/June 2021 and head up to the Hebrides where I can play at Askernish and Isle of Harris. We will then go back to Glasgow where I will put her on a flight to visit her relations in Europe and I will then head South.

The Golf plan from Glasgow is for a 10 day solo tour. This itinerary seemed reasonably efficient :

Prestwick / Silloth on Solway / Alwoodley / Ganton / Woodhall Spa / Hollinwell / Cavendish / Prestbury / Delamere Forest / Reddish Vale and then fly out of Manchester.

That's five top courses I have not played as yet and five under the radar types. I think its a nice blend.

Hopefully it will happen but its a volatile situation and the best layed plans have a habit of falling apart, just like the last lot.

 

[jonnymc44]

Sounds great. Have you been up to Isle of Harris before? I got engaged there on Luskentyre Beach 4 years ago. Stunning part of the world Askernish is on my wish list as well, hopefully get up there next year. I can get the ferry across from close to my in-law's house.

If you're hiring a car and driving from Prestwick to the end, I would slip in Southerness between Prestwick and Silloth. Very much underrated and doesn't feature on too many people's radar with it being a bit of a drive from the motorway. You can even see Silloth from across the Solway!

Also come and play my course before/after Reddish Vale before flying home, it's only 30mins drive to Manchester Airport from here!

[El Gringo]

You may want to consider Seascale near Silloth. Same for Seacroft near Woodhall Spa. Both are good links, very affordable and only 30 mintutes away.

[Chanceman]

In the UK especially, there are always plenty more beautiful and interesting courses to play! All three of those courses (Southerness, Seascale and Seaforth) are very worthy but each one requires an extra few hours to get to and in the end probably an extra few days travel. But Bolton OL could be a good closer.

[FairwayFred]

Askernish is one of my few favorite courses in the world. Probably the first place I will go once I can travel again. Harris is also a special little course and heaven for tweed lovers.

[jonnymc44]

Scotland has opened up its golf courses today for members only. Some good news finally for those living north of the border. They will begin to let non-members play in line with the stance England Golf is taking in due course. https://scottishgolf.org/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/

Non-members will be permitted at courses in England from 1 June in 3 or 4 balls, with some heavy restrictions on play. Our course is fully booked with member bookings for the next week in 8 minute intervals from 730am to 8pm so visitors won't be allowed back just yet until the initial rush is over. Three and fourball play to re-commence from 1 June - England Golf

[scott_Donald]

Yes my dad is raging, he was supposed to play with his friend today but he played with someone else. think he is just playing a few holes later this evening.

Tee times are fully booked a lot of the days looking at the tee sheet, weird - the hype and novelty will relax in a week or so.

[jonnymc44]

Did he manage to get on? Is he a member at both RA and Cruden Bay? That's the dream! And the weather couldn't have been more perfect. My in-laws said it got to 28C over the weekend on the west coast of the Highlands.

Since we've gone to 3 and 4-balls today there has been a very noticeable increase in the amount of available time slots. Good in one respect, but round times will be longer. I'm just happy to play so I don't mind.

[scott_Donald]

He has been a member of both since he was a wee one! think over 60 years on each now.

He didn't play, he has a time Thursday and Friday this week, I have no idea why he didn't just go down at 7 at night, you can still play 18 if you wanted. He says he might do that this week.

I still have no idea why it is not 4 balls from the start but oh well.

[babyfade]

Does anyone one something about the 14 day quarantine in ireland? Will it still be there in august? Europe is opening up in June... only GB and I have the quarantine rule.

[milesgiles]

I wasn’t there, but my club golf tour famously confused Bolton Old Links with where they were supposed to play (Bolton golf club, Open pre qualifier)

long story short, it got the worst word of mouth reviews I’ve ever heard, although in its defence my parents had a place there at the time and it had been about the wettest spring on record..

[jonnymc44]

Ahhhhh Bolton Golf Club. A lot of the holes are on the side of a hill and when it rains it runs like a river across them. I was a member there for 3 years, not very enjoyable. I won 2 board competitions in that time so have my name forever immortalised in the clubhouse! I moved back to BOLGC and wondered why I ever moved in the first place.Have a look at the Road Map on the Irish Government's website. Appears that international travel may be possible in Phase 5 from 10 August. Doesn't specifically mention quarantine. Easing the COVID-19 restrictions on 10 August (Phase 5)

[babyfade]

Thank you. We would fly 8th August. I think we will need to cancel. Don't get it. We in Switzerland let people in from GB and Sweden (worst hit countries in Europe atm) ...

[Max21]

At this point getting ready to postpone my September trip to St Andrews :(

[scott_Donald]

I would hold on still.

I am still hopeful of the quarantine(bridges for certain nations) not being there for an August/September trip home to Scotland.

[buckI]

We were supposed to leave today for 9 days. Now we wait til next year with all of the rebooking.

[kcsf]

I just booked an Ireland trip beginning Aug 11th (the day after the pubs open!!).

Flying solo at this time, hopefully I can talk a buddy or two into the trip. Fingers crossed Ireland will be open for visitors w/o needing the 14 day quarantine.

[babyfade]

we have a trip starting 8th august. we could live without pubs the first days. but we are also hoping that the 14 day quarantine will be dropped soon.

[Schley]

Agree that the 14 day quarantine is going to prevent me and millions of others from the UK until rolled back. Had a trip to London, Aberdeen and Dornoch cancelled already.

[kcsf]

If I'm reading the Irish Gov.ie website correctly, tourist travel is slated to now begin on July 20th. According to https://www.gov.ie/en/news/58bc8b-taoiseach-announces-roadmap-for-reopening-society-and-business-and-u/

 

"On Friday 5 June, the government agreed to accelerate the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which has been made possible thanks to the progress made by the Irish people in suppressing the virus.

This means certain sectors and public amenities will be able to reopen earlier than previously planned. The reconfigured Roadmap will consist of 4 Phases, instead of 5, with Phase 3 beginning on 29 June and Phase 4 on 20 July. Work is underway to determine what can open in each phase."

 

Phase 5 includes opening bars/pubs and travel to resume. Good news!

[Phireside]

My first planned trip of the year was cancelled. I took the opportunity for staycation golf. Playing courses I would normally not play. Some were out of my normal at home budget and others were much more of a drive than I would normally do. In the end, I saved money and played some great courses.