Golf courses across the UK have been told they must close immediately after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new national lockdown last night. Picture by ANDY HISEMAN

GOLF clubs have been told they must close with immediate effect after the UK Government announced a complete national lockdown on Monday night.

Golf clubs, golf facilities – both indoor and outdoor – and driving ranges will be required to close during the new full lockdown. Coaching will not be permitted the government has confirmed.

Golf retailers will be able to operate a click-and-collect service where goods are pre-ordered, and either collected off the premises – or delivered.

England Golf  – as part of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf, along with other leading industry bodies – said today it was extremely disappointed by the news.

The group has made a strong case in recent months to keep golf open during the national lockdowns – and under the regional tier system introduced in the autumn.

An England Golf spokesman said: “It is with great regret that we share this news with you.

“But please be assured we will continue to make the case for golf to reopen whenever possible.

“England Golf’s website and social channels are being updated regularly, and we will communicate any new information as soon as it is available.” the spokesman added.

Full UK government guidance and details of the national lockdown in England can be found here.

The first lockdown which forced the UK’s near 2,000 golf clubs was announced at the end of March.

Clubs in England were allowed to re-open with certain restrictions in place, while clubs in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland came back into play at later dates after the devolved governments in the Home Nations managed their restrictions differently.

*The All Party Parliamentary Group for Golf (APPGG) consists of MPs and Peers from any political party working with industry bodies during the COVID-19 crisis.

The group is chaired by North Warwickshire MP Craig Tracey. The industry is represented by: American Golf; The Belfry; British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGA); British Golf Industry Association; England Golf; Golf Club Managers’ Association; Golf Ireland; Golfing Union of Ireland; Irish Ladies’ Golf Union; IMG; Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA); Ping; The R&A; Scottish Golf; Syngenta; UK Golf Federation; Wales Golf.

The post Golf courses must close as Government announces new national lockdown appeared first on Golf North.

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.

The post Golf bodies welcome PM’s new lockdown rules which let clubhouses serve food appeared first on Golf North.

Rounds for three and four-balls will be allowed at golf clubs across England from next week under the new lockdown rules, England Golf has confirmed today. Picture by ANDY HISEMAN

GOLF clubs in England can allow rounds to be played in three and fourballs from next week, under the new lockdown rules introduced by the UK Government.

Golf England has confirmed that the latest relaxation of the rules during the COVID-19 pandemic will allow the current limit on two-balls to be lifted in time for play on Monday, June 1.

At present, golfers can play with a member of their own household or with another player from a different one.

But from next week, the new lockdown rules announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on Thursday night, will allow up to four golfers, from up to four different households, to play 18 holes in one single group.

England Golf confirmed the changes – the second in the phased return to play allowed – after consultation with Whitehall overnight.

While many golfers have lauded the speed of playing rounds in two-balls widely on social media in the past two weeks, clubs that have been badly hit financially during the coronavirus crisis have been pressing for three and four-balls to be allowed, to increase capacity and revenues.

The need to earn more cash from green fees is greater at pay and club clubs, in particular.

But private clubs are also struggling to meet demand from their members, who are unable to play while fewer players can access the course in two-balls.

Rules for coaching being checked

ENGLAND Golf has stressed that the impact of the latest Conservative government changes remain unclear when it comes to coaching by PGA professionals.

An England Golf statement said: “The PGA are working in collaboration with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf to seek confirmation.

“Further guidance will be communicated once clarity can be provided.”

England Golf has also stressed it is essential that golfers continue to strictly observe social distancing and safety regulations relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement added: “All other industry guidelines pertaining to the playing of the game remain unchanged from those issued ahead golf’s phase one return on May 13.

“While COVID-19 remains a live threat in our communities, we would ask everyone involved in the game to act responsibly, show respect and protect the wellbeing of golfers, staff and volunteers.”

Golf clubs in England were able to reopen on May 13, but different rules have applied in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Courses north of the border – including the famous Old Course at St Andrews – only reopened today (Friday) for the first time since the third week of March when the UK went into lockdown.

Welsh clubs were able to reopen on May 18, while it was two days later in Northern Ireland.

•For latest England Golf updates on the COVID-19 crisis click here.

The post New lockdown rules does mean three and four-balls can return next week appeared first on Golf North.