A well-earned rest
As autumn 2020 segued into winter and various national lockdowns deprived us of yet more golf, I tried hard to think of silver linings and whether the obvious frustrations of closed courses had any upside. Happily, following some vigorous head scratching, there were several. The first of these revealed itself in the replies I received when corresponding with the managers of the contender clubs about the Top 100 rankings process. I had asked them about any possible pandemic benefits.
A regular theme based on the first lockdown was that places like the normally heavily played Castle course at St Andrews had benefited from a good rest! This may sound obvious, but when greens are battered with aerial approaches every few daylight minutes, the lay-off from March to May had given them, and indeed all playing surfaces, a well-deserved rest.
The second various national lockdowns saw another upside, with winter works at many courses brought forward. Hard-working greenkeepers were able to complete many projects without members and visitors getting in their way, or having to constantly wait while the next four-ball slalomed through. It also meant golfers didn’t have to contend with these disruptions.
Finally, we golfers also had a couple of substantial time-outs. As much as most of us didn’t want them, there is definitely something to be said for taking a break. The main benefit seems to be that the bad habits we have adopted can be forgotten as we return fresh and keen. I have had a few enforced lay-offs over the years, and each time returned to the game I love with a renewed vigour and appetite. I would also reflect that this has generally led to an improvement in my golf. So, win-win-win.