Golfers take shot at organisers as booking system branded a ‘mess’

Golfers at Dundee’s Caird Park have again been left furious after changes to a booking system caused clashes just days before the course reopens.

The Leisure & Culture Dundee rejig means strangers are being booked into the same time slots from Monday.

The organisation has reportedly said data protection laws mean it cannot reveal the names of those they will be playing with.

Usually, golfers book a tee-off time and then invite friends to play with them or play solo.

Michael Tidcombe, treasurer at Caird Park Golf Club, says competitive golfers could be paired with complete novices.

He is adamant no other course would allow such a system.

He said: “They are using the same app for booking things like swimming, football and golf. Booking individually online doesn’t work for golf. A seasoned golfer could end up playing with someone who can’t get the ball 10 yards off the tee.

“It’s a bit of a mess, really.”

Current Covid-19 rules in Scotland restrict each tee-off time to two people, rather than the four of pre-pandemic days.

Players already recently threatened to boycott the course when a new ballot system was introduced in September.

That change meant many golfers were missing out.

Leisure & Culture Dundee, which runs Golf Dundee, says it listened to the complaints before making the latest change.

It said the changes are necessary to ensure golfers are socially-distanced and spread throughout the day, as well as making the course available to as many people as possible.

A spokesperson for Leisure & Culture Dundee said: “These changes have been brought in to allow as many of our members as possible to play our courses.

“We are aware that these changes are causing issues for some and we are working on solutions to address this.

“Our booking system is fully functional and has been since relaunching.”

The Caird Park course.