I have to say that I was quite surprised by the thought process that lead to this post. I thought I had found the perfect lead in with yesterday’s article on Course and Slope Rating. I figured that these two stats would be the driving factor for most golfers when selecting the tees to play at a new golf course. I could not be so far off base, but thanks to the many Grateful Golfers who responded my Twitter poll, I was set me straight!
Continue readingOsprey Links Course Rating Has Changed!
This is the first time I have had the opportunity to discuss a change in a golf course’s rating. It is something I have thought about over the years, but never have seen a change actually happen. Well, last fall, Osprey Links, my home course, went through the process of establishing a new course rating. As it turns out, Osprey Links is a more difficult course than previously thought. And frankly I am not surprised!
Continue readingGaining a Stroke Through Luck
How many times have we complained about an unlucky bounce. About that time you had a great round going until something completely unexpected changed everything. Probably more times than when a good bounce lowered your golf score. Well, being a grateful golfer, I choose to remember the good bounce and whine about the bad. It is a mental approach that has really helped keep my game grounded over the years.
Continue readingRemembering The Right Things To Do When Chipping
After chipping 500 golf balls over the last five days, I am finally starting to remember what makes my chipping successful. After clanging, sculling, mishitting, and chili dipping, I am finally starting to feel like I am on the right track. I figure I still have another couple of thousand chips to go, but I am getting there!
Continue readingThe New Normal After The Coronavirus
The LPGA and PGA Tours are frantically trying to find a solution to resume play. Golf, at all levels especially the pros, is a business. Like all other businesses at this time, they are struggling to remain afloat and viable. Without question, the landscape of the future will not be the same as was just a few short months ago. Because of this, a new normal will emerge whether we want it to or not. The question for most golfers is what will golf look like at the grass roots level? How will this affect my ability to hit the links? These and many more are great questions that are very difficult to answer.
When golf finally returns at the amateur level (local golf courses), social distancing will be the key to keeping them open. If golfers do not respect that fact that at least for the 2020 golf season we have a six foot bubble around us, then there could be challenges. Not coming close to my fellow golfer is an easy thing needs to be continued. We are not out of the woods yet and COVID-19 is going to be around for quite some time. So if we do not follow the social distancing on and off the course, and the infection numbers start to rise, I can see the powers to be reversing their decision to open golf courses as a first step to #flattenthecurve again.
Whatever method your course has implemented to avoid touching the flag or removing your golf ball will be in place for most if not all of the 2020 season. Not touching these items will be important to help golfers do their share of stopping the spread of COVID-19. It does not seem like much, but it only takes one person who is infected to have an immediate impact on their surroundings.
Clubhouses, proshops and other facilities will operate in a limited capacity in 2020. This is not the best of solutions for the golf courses, but it is a business reality at this time. For the short term, they will be operating at a reduce capacity. I think the 19th hole will be closed for the 2020 season, but solutions will be found for players to have a libation after their round; but, it will take time. This restriction is not permanent, but could last for quite a bit.
When the golf courses open, at least initially, there will be no walk on playing. Everything will have to be booked and paid for prior to showing up. Additionally, hanging out at the course for an hour or two before and after your round will be greatly discouraged. The current coronavirus restrictions do not allow for gathers, so hanging around the course when not playing will be part of most of the 2020 golf season.
All of the above sounds like a whole bunch of doom and gloom. Some feel that we have over-reacted by closing golf courses because they feel that it is one of the few sports that can be played while following the COVID-19 restrictions to help #flattenthecurve. I disagree with those people, at least initially. The problem for decision makers is that they did not know what they were dealing with. As it turns out, the coronavirus is very contagious and it is easier for clamp down on the populace movements for the short-term than try and tighten the reins as things got worse (and they would have gotten worse). As much as we hate the situation, we will be dealing with this virus for some time and a new normal on the golf course is inevitable.
Ontario is on the cusp of opening its golf courses. To ensure they stay open we need to ensure that social distancing remains in place, we do not touch the flagstick, we arrive at our designated times to play, and don’t needlessly hang around after our round. This is the new normal and will likely be around for most if not all of the 2020 golf season. It is the minor restrictions we have to endure to be able to play the sport we love. Personally, I will do what I can and follow all the safety guidelines implemented by the great team at Osprey Links Golf Course. I do not know about you, but I want our keep playing golf for the entire season and this new normal can make it happen.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 