The tee times, they are a-changing . . .
the cup raised. That wasn’t an issue for your correspondent. It is fair to say not playing for so long had done nothing for my game. But it was a joy just to be swinging a club again. The quality of the round was, for a change, of little consequence.
The government has demanded that bins, fountains, ball washers, rakes, benches and divot boxes should be removed from courses. The lies I was left with in the bunkers I visited left much to be desired. But there is a simple solution to that problem. Don’t go in them.
Many clubs are finding, with people having less disposable income and free time now than in the past, it increasingly difficult to attract members and survive and an alarming number have been forced to shut in recent years.
Secretary Smith, though, is hopeful that clubs could see their memberships rise in the coming weeks and months as a consequence of the coronavirus and the implementation of the new guidelines.
“For too long we have had transient golfers searching for the best deal online,” he said. “If golf courses are looking for members, it doesn’t help them. This could see that change.”
As for the introduction of tee times for the first time in over a century? “We are the only club in the area that doesn’t work with tee times,” he said. “It’s not an elitist thing. We are not a big course, we only have nine holes, and we have a relatively small membership. It’s never been necessary.
“But now it’s very important for two reasons. One is to keep the 10 minute gap between groups and manage those who are on the course. One is to get as many people as possible playing.”
MATTHEW LINDSAY