Golfers return to practice as Chandigarh Golf Club opens doors

Chandigarh Golf Club and several other golf facilities around the country opened doors on Wednesday.

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CGC_Golfers_Image: Jesse Grewal

20 May 2020: The breath of fresh air and the music from the club striking ball offered relief and rhythm to several golfers making their way back to the course after a long break. The Chandigarh Golf Club and several other facilities around the country opened up again with the relaxed guidelines of lockdown taking effect this week.

Clad in masks and distanced from one another, young golfers took to the range at the iconic CGC today morning. Jesse Grewal, one of the most eminent coaches in India was at hand to guide his wards back to action. “It’s going to take very long to get back. I don’t feel it will ever be the same again,” said Grewal.

Chandigarh Golf Club - CGC Images
Chandigarh Golf Club – CGC Images

Several caddies at the club live in a section of Chandigarh that is badly affected by the spread of the virus. The political economy of the situation around COVID-19 exacerbates the impact for some individuals and communities at the expense of others. This is a feature that shall repeat itself as the processes of capitalism cause an uneven distribution of the suffering.

The folk in Bapu Dham, where many of the caddies emerge from, is marked out for isolation after the rapid spread of the coronavirus. Unlike the golfers, these caddies will have to wait longer before they can aspire to put their feet back on the pristine surfaces inside the premises of the golf clubs. “CGC has to open without caddies as Bapu Dham colony is the epicentre of COVID-19 in Chandigarh and many of the caddies come from there,” lamented a disappointed Grewal.

Playing golf without a caddie is a unique experience of many of the golfers. If fitness is an issue, Grewal has a suggestion for a mild start before loading your shoulders. “I might suggest that you start with a lighter load. You can select, say, 5 clubs and carry them in own bag initially. Once you get used to it, you can keep adding clubs till you eventually play with a full bag.”

Even when golf returns, the PGA TOUR expects to play at least four events without any spectators. And for the professionals used to being cheered on for their efforts, the silence can be unnerving. “I think the atmosphere will definitely not be the same. Quite often the electricity you feel in the air comes from the anticipation of the spectators,” reminded Anirban Lahiri.

“So that will be a dampener to some degree. Having said that it is the most sensible way to proceed. Also in times of technology like today when 99% of the viewership is through media it won’t actually make a big economic impact.” In an era where television and electronic devices make up a significant chunk of the economic bubble, money may not be an issue. The challenge though will be the experience for both players and spectators. When the Bundesliga returned to action last week, some of the matches felt like practice drills in an empty cup. That will take some time to adapt for everyone around sport. Or perhaps, as some suggest, we could address that on broadcast through augmented reality.

Lahiri also believed that the situation presents a unique opportunity for young golfers. “I think at a club level and amateur level it a great thing. People will have to take responsibility for picking clubs and choosing lines, something most club golfers prefer not to do,” explained Lahiri. “Also it will give all golfers a better understanding of their game and what is truly deficient. It could just be course management for instance. It’s also going to improve the physical ability of the average golfer having to carry his bag or pull a cart.”

On Sunday, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff trekked around Seminole Golf Club carrying their own bags for an exhibition to raise money for the frontline heroes in the battle against COVID-19. “At a professional level it does make a larger impact to competition. I doubt that a lot of pros will want to play without caddies,” said Lahiri.

It will be interesting to see what measures the PGA TOUR takes when the season returns at Colonial in June.