Golf clubs can reopen their clubhouses next week – provided they carry out risk assessments and ensure strict hygience procedures are followed to minimise transmission of COVID-19. Picture courtesy of The PGA

GOLF bodies in England have welcomed further changes to COVID-19 lockdown rules and restrictions.

But they have made it clear they remain vigilant as golfers and staff return to play and work.

Following the changes announced yesterday by Boris Johnson – which come into effect on July 4 – golf clubs should be able to reopen their clubhouses and resume catering and bar services.

And those courses which have onsite holiday apartments, flats and chalets in particular, can look forward to increasing revenues after a barren three-month spell during lockdown.

With holiday bookings recommencing in England – allowing overnight stays for the first time since March 23 – golf clubs can look forward to allowing more visitors out on the fairways.

Clubs will have to work out the maximum number of customers they can safely accommodate, taking into account the new social distancing guidelines (see below).

A statement on behalf of the PGA, the Golf Club Managers’ Association (GCMA) and BIGGA – representing greenkeepers across the UK – said: “In the first instance, a risk assessment should be carried out, the details of which should be shared with your workforce.

“For organisations of over 50 employees, this should be published on your website.

“In order to make it more viable for the hospitality industry to open, the government has given scope to relax the current two metres social distancing rules in certain instances in favour of ‘one metre-plus’, which means remaining one-metre apart – while taking other mitigation to reduce the risk of transmission.”

Clubhouses across England should be able to resume serving food and drink from July 4

Clubs must keep records for 21 days

EVERY club that serves food and drink must keep a record of customers for 21 days to assist with NHS ‘Track and Trace’ requests.

They must provide clear guidance on arrival at the venue regarding social distancing and hygiene measures in place.

Table service will be preferred using mobile phone apps to place orders. And contactless payment should be used wherever possible.

In instances where bar or counter service is unavoidable, customers will not be allowed to remain at the bar after ordering.

The statement added: “All involved in golf in England should review the full guidance as soon as possible so they can begin putting in place the necessary steps to ensure your business can continue to open-up safely.”

England Golf chief executive Jeremy Tomlinson welcomed the latest relaxation of lockdown restrictions which mean clubhouses can reopen

England Golf chief executive Jeremy Tomlinson said: “The work done by those involved in golf during lockdown has been tremendous.

“And that has enabled us to respond quickly and decisively. Like all, we welcome the safe easing of restrictions and look forward to welcoming back even more people – players and staff – to golf.

PGA chief executive Rob Maxfield said “Golf professionals have been working incredibly hard in recent weeks since golf returned.

“And with restrictions easing, we hope to see more people getting to clubs throughout England and the UK.

“We will encourage our members to review the updated guidance and put in place the steps they need to ensure people can get back onto courses as soon as possible.”

“That we have been given time to prepare the changes and the way in which the guidance has been presented is very helpful to clubs, shops and the wider industry.”

Social distancing can be relaxed to one metre – but extra restrictions to reduce transmission will be required such as not sitting face to face in bars and restaurants and wearing masks

New COVID-19 lockdown rules

HOUSESHOLDS face less restrictions on gatherings indoors and outdoors in England following the Prime Minister’s announcement.

The biggest change sees the minimum social distancing rule of two metres being relaxed to one – although health advisers want the public to wear masks wherever it is difficult to maintain the two-metre gap.

Scotland, Ireland and Wales continue to introduce their changes on a different timetable to Westminster.

As part of its regular series of meetings with golf bodies, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf met immediately after the Prime Minister’s Statement on Tuesday afternoon.

They discussed the upcoming changes and their implementation, as well as how the industry is responding to current Government regulation.

Speaking on behalf of the group, North Warwickshire MP Craig Tracey – its chairman – said: “Golf as an industry worked hard to be one of the first sports to resume as restrictions were lifted.

“All industry bodies involved in the group have worked closely together to ensure adherence to lockdown rules have been implemented, sharing their experience to ensure golfers, club staff, and the wider industry, have returned securely.

“The feedback we have received is that golfers have returned to the sport with enthusiasm, and did so complying to social distancing rules.

“Those who have been working should be praised for their part in ensuring that smooth transition and are confident the easing of restrictions will be no different.”

On the timing of the relaxed lockdown rules, Tracey added: “For those of us in England, we have been given time to consider the new rules.”

He added they should be used to, “consider the implications fully and put in place the necessary steps the sport needs to continue to rebound quickly and – above all – safely.”

Scotland expects to reopen pubs from July 15

In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said the five-mile restriction on travel for recreation and leisure should be lifted from July 3.

Pubs and restaurants will be allowed to reopen north of the border from July 15.

In Northern Ireland, holiday accommodation will be allowed to open from Friday, June 26, while pubs and restaurants will be allowed to open from July 3 – giving golf clubs the same freedoms.

Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford has said decisions on lifting restrictions on hospitality and the holiday sector will be taken in early July.

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The Keep Golf Open petition launched by the UK Golf Federation was taken down after Monday’s announcement by the Government to put the UK into a lockdown.
Picture by ANDY HISEMAN / MAGIC HOUR MEDIA

THE Keep Golf Open petition launched by the UK Golf Federation – which gained more than 21,500 signatures in just seven days – has been removed.

The decision followed UK Government announcement warning people to stay at home and avoid all social gatherings, on Monday, as the spread of the coronavirus showed no sign of slowing.

UK Golf Federation chief executive Doug Poole said: “Our intention was to highlight how golf is one of the rare sports which can be played safely during the COVID-19 outbreak – to promote golf’s many positive benefits for your health and wellbeing – and to do what we could to help thousands of golf clubs and related businesses to remain trading safely during this unprecedented time.

“However, this is no longer a time for campaigning. Instead it is a time for us all to follow the new government advice to stay indoors, act responsibly, and minimise the spread of COVID-19.

“If you voted in the petition and shared it with friends, you have our thanks.

“The overwhelmingly generous support which the petition received, both from golfers and from all corners of the golf industry itself, emphasises the valuable role which our much-loved sport plays in millions of lives in the UK.

“But for now, please stay indoors, stick to the new rules which are there to keep us all as safe as possible.”

The petition was launched a week ago after the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance told the House of Commons Health Select Committee he thought golf was a good and “safe” form of exercise.

Sir Patrick said as long as players observed social distancing advice and took simple hygiene precautions both on and off the course, there was no need for golf courses to shut.

England Golf and the governing bodies for Scotland, Wales and Ireland issued advice to the near-3,000 clubs in the UK and Ireland on Tuesday, confirming that all golf clubs, courses and driving ranges should close immediately.

Only greenkeeping staff have been exempted as essential workers in the industry to carry on basic maintenance and ensure security.

Club secretaries and managers are left with the job of trying to claim business rate relief and apply for government support for those companies forced to lay off staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But many PGA professionals face a more uncertain future as the majority are self-employed – and the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has yet to confirm details of a proposed scheme that matches the fund paying up to 80 per cent of workers’ wages, up to a limit of £2,500 a month.

Mr Poole added: “Good luck during these unpredictable times and we’ll see you on the golf course again soon.

The PGA has a dedicated page on its website to help members and golf clubs keep up to date with the latest information about the COVID-19 outbreak.

Irish Government follows UK lead and closes all golf facilities

THE Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golf Union issued advice to close all golf facilities in the Republic of Ireland, late on Tuesday afternoon, after the Eire Government followed the UK’s lead on closing all golf facilities.

A GUI spokesman said: “Following the recent announcements by the UK and Irish Governments in relation to the coronavirus pandemic, the GUI and ILGU recommend that all golf clubs, practice facilities and courses across the island close with immediate effect until April 19.

“You will appreciate that this is a very fluid situation with new developments almost daily.

“We will continue to liaise with the appropriate authorities, and will ensure that our clubs are kept informed as to recommended best practice at all times.”

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England Golf have urged golf clubs to take appropriate steps to minimise the risk of coronavirus infection – both in the clubhouse and out on the course. Picture by ANDY HISEMAN / MAGIC HOUR

GOLF clubs and golfers must take appropriate steps to make sure they minimise the risk of infection from the COVID-19 virus, according to England Golf.

In general, golf is a healthy pursuit played in the open air, the game’s governing body said after the Government urged the public to avoid social gatherings, and pay heed to social distancing, earlier this week.

The risk to players, who are of good health and not classed in a vulnerable age category, is smaller than most other sports provided the expert advice is followed, England Golf said in its latest statement released late on Wednesday afternoon.

The vast majority of golfers can continue to play at golf faciliites across the country, it added.

However, golf facilities must be mindful of the older age profile of their membership, and understand it is only prudent to implement sensible policies to limit the potential spread of any outbreak, England Golf warned.

England Golf has taken the decision to postpone its championship events until June 7 to minimise the risk of infection from the coronavirus.

The online statement said: “Our championships involve large numbers of people travelling and working together to run a successful event, and we consider it impossible to ensure the safety and welfare of all concerned.

“Golf clubs should consider if it is appropriate to take a similar stance for open competitions on the basis of government advice on travel and other social restrictions.

“Clubs should also carefully consider if it is possible and appropriate for them to run club competitions and matches in line with current government guidance on social gathering and social distancing.

“These are unprecedented and extremely tough times for golf, but we would ask all our clubs and golfers to adopt a common-sense approach.”

Simple do’s and don’ts to reduce risk of infection from coronavirus

ENGLAND Golf have issued the following guidelines to clubs and golfers to reduce the risk of infection from COVID-19:–

• Indoor, social aspects of golf club life should be curtailed based on expert advice on social gatherings
• Golfers suffering from or showing symptoms of the COVID-19 infection must self-isolate and stay away from their club. The length of time spent in self-isolation should be in line with government recommendations
• Vulnerable groups or those with underlying health issues should heed advice to self-isolate
• Golf clubs should prominently display public health posters available via NHS England’s website in all washrooms and at entrances to the course and clubhouse. They should urge visitors to follow the 20-second handwashing recommended by Public Health England.
• Install extra hand-sanitizers including on or near teeing areas and practice areas
• Golfers should be allowed to change shoes in the car park to avoid contact in locker rooms.
• Staff and volunteers – while taking precautions for their own health such as wearing protective gloves – should carry out regular cleaning of surfaces and door handles. Where possible doors should be left ajar
• Cash transactions should be avoided and card payments encouraged
• Clubs may wish to offer a takeaway service for food to minimise social contact
• Golfers should maintain a minimum distance of two yards between playing partners, especially on the tee and greens
• Encourage play in smaller groups – ie two-balls
• Increase gaps for tee times to prevent groups bunching
• Leave the flagstick in the hole at all times and clubs should remove rakes from bunkers to reduce risk of hand-to-hand infection
• Buggies should be for solo use only and cleaned after every outing
• Golfers should use their own trolley and clean it after every round
• Avoid handshakes and embraces in accordance with accepted etiquette – give a thumbs-up or similar greeting instead
• Do not hold group coaching sessions. Individual coaching should be based on expert advice on social distancing
• Greenkeepers should remove pins from practice putting greens
• A review of how practice balls are dispensed and cleaned is also recommended

The Golf Club Managers Association – in conjunction with the R&A, BIGGA, the greenkeepers association, and the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) – has compiled a raft of advice for clubs on how to cope with prolongued or sudden staff absences.

England Golf added: “The UK government has recently announced financial relief plans to help small businesses.

“When more details become available we will update accordingly and signpost to online links.

“This remains a fluid situation and advice and guidance to clubs may change according to government and expert advice.”

Golf clubs needing to access government advice can go to:
World Health Organisation
Public Health England

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