Will golfers get courses back from walkers after lockdown? – Helen Martin

As people get used to walking on golf courses, and building sandcastles in bunkers, will players face a new hazard when they return, writes Helen Martin.
Will golfers have to beware a new hazard in the bunker courtesy of kids with buckets and spades? (Picture: Wilfredo Lee/AP)Will golfers have to beware a new hazard in the bunker courtesy of kids with buckets and spades? (Picture: Wilfredo Lee/AP)
Will golfers have to beware a new hazard in the bunker courtesy of kids with buckets and spades? (Picture: Wilfredo Lee/AP)

UNLIKE many Americans or some Londoners whose protests or ignoring of Covid-19 lockdown rules have been publicised, most Scottish people are pretty obedient.

There have been around 30 fines and a handful of arrests by police in Edinburgh coming across those who breach government lockdown. But following instructions on which your life depends is logical to the majority.

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When other conflicts arise, it seems to be between different sections of the public who disagree between right and wrong, especially when it comes to open space.

The classics in the city of Edinburgh and its surrounds are golf courses. Some golfers feel hacked off that they are banned from playing when, especially if it’s just a duo, they can keep metres apart throughout the game.

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Very few might be frustratedly sneaking on for four-balls which is more risky. And any members who do that will not be admired by the governing committee or board!

Even more complicated are golf clubs’ fears and reactions to the public using their territory as a public park. My husband’s a golfer – and he hears the worries.

Sandcastles in the bunkers

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Some dog walkers (who don’t have a golfing mentality) see the vast space as a means of letting their pooches off the lead. Some have poo bags, some don’t. Some bags are placed in bins, others just dumped on the course. Non-golfing families have taken to walking the course, hence the children see a bunker and take buckets and spades to make sandcastles. Little kids with bicycles spot putting greens as the nice, flat, short grass area for their tyres.

It’s not possible to fence off an entire golf course but greenkeepers are reluctant to tell off members of the public ”abusing” the land, yet some of these keepers are still working there in order to keep the territory perfect throughout seasons so that it’s in top form when golfing comes back.

One of the greatest fears is that the same members of the public might carry on walking round these now familiar courses once lockdown is eventually over, in which case there’s every chance they’ll get hit, injured or even killed by a golf ball crashing into their head.

Supermarket and private park squabbles

Another conflict arose with the notion that people in the city centre should be allowed to stroll in posh, square, community gardens by having the gates unlocked. Obviously, those who live around and own these gardens are just as appalled by strangers ambling in as anyone in a bungalow would be if unknown folk sat down in their back garden to have a picnic.

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Many dog walkers put their dogs’ desires to run free before other people, or even themselves. Dogs should be on the lead and under control, otherwise they (or tame strolling cats) might be petted by strangers who could have the virus, with the infection then picked up by the owners.

The most common conflict is between supermarket shoppers. Everyone queues outside with a two-metre gap. But inside, these gaps sometimes disappear when two or three are hunting at the same shelf or passing in opposite directions – despite the one-way arrows . Some wear masks or scarves, and disapprove of those who don’t. At least that’s now clarified by the First Minister’s advice.

In a potentially deadly, boring and frustrating lockdown, it’s understanding that we try to get our best from the limits imposed, find new ways to explore and exercise, and make sure we can buy what we need or want. It’s sometimes harder, but just as important, to consider if any of that affects other people.

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