Colville Park Golf Club official assesses arguments for and against course closures

This pre-lockdown picture shows Colville Park GC members standing in front of the first tee. Its changed days now, with the course closed to everyone except the head greenkeeper due to the coronavirus.

All play is currently banned at clubs due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, which recently led to English golf legend Sir Nick Faldo arguing that – although social distancing was vital – play could be continuing.

Faldo told a national newspaper: “I just think with a little imagination you could keep the actual courses open. What would be the harm in staggering tee-times and people going straight from the car park to the first tee and playing on their own?

“You’ve got hundreds of acres of open land where you could be belting a ball around with no one anywhere near you. Imagine how that would help keen golfers in terms of mental health?”

Assessing Faldo’s comments, Colville Park GC match committee man David MacFarlane (59) told the Times and Speaker: “Exercise is exercise But I’m being honest, is there a lot of fun in playing golf on your own?

“One of the main aspects of playing golf, is the camaraderie and companionship with your fellow golfers.

“While it’s not impossible to do that and still maintain 2m distance, it’s certainly not the same.

“And much of the experience about competition golf in particular is about the clubhouse afterwards, talking about what happened in the event. And all that’s taken from you.

“So much of the enjoyment of the golf experience that most people want would be gone if you play under those restricted conditions.

“However, if you just want exercise there is no doubt there’s an argument that says if you can get to the golf course and walk round on your own, and we took all of the recommendations that were provided to golf clubs, you could play.

“These include not touching the flags, removing all the rakes from the course, converting the holes so you don’t need to bend down to the hole to get your ball out, not sharing a golf ball with anybody else and staying 2m apart.

“In principle, if we’re trying to prevent the NHS from becoming overcrowded, are we increasing the risk if we allow people to golf courses? I would say, to some extent we are.”