How the tier system will affect your golf club

Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that golf courses will be able to reopen in England at 00:01am on Wednesday. But, with every area of the country going into either Tier 1, 2 or 3, and each level including slightly different rules since before Lockdown 2.0, some of you might be a bit uncertain about what is and isn't allowed in your area.

For everyone

The PGA has confirmed that golf courses and pro shops can reopen in EVERY tier.

All visitors and members will still need to wear a face covering inside at all times.

The rules vary in each tier for hospitality services, where you can socialise and the setup for coaching groups.

Golf clubs in Tier 1

• You can socialise, eat and drink INSIDE or OUTSIDE with people from other households, as long as it is in groups of no more than six people.
• Clubhouse bars and restaurants are table-service only, and must close at 11pm with last orders 10pm.
• Coaching can still take place indoors and outdoors. Indoor coaching must follow the rule of six (ie one pro and five students).
• If you are travelling to play golf in a higher tier you must follow the rules in that area.
• You should avoid travel or overnight stays in Tier 3 areas, but you can travel through them on the way to another destination.

Golf clubs in Tier 2

• You now CANNOT socialise with members or visitors from other households INSIDE the clubhouse.
• However, you can socialise, eat and drink OUTSIDE with people from other households, as long as it is in groups of no more than six people .
• Clubhouses must operate a table service for all food and drink.
• Clubhouses must close between 11.00pm and 5.00am.
• Pubs and bars must close and you can only have alcohol with a substantial meal, including in clubhouses.
• Coaching can still take place indoors and outdoors. Indoor coaching must follow the rule of six (ie one pro and five students).
• You should avoid travel or overnight stays in Tier 3 areas, but you can travel through them on the way to another destination.

Golf clubs in Tier 3

• People must not socialise with anybody they do not live with, or have formed a support bubble with, in any indoor setting or most outdoor settings.
• People must not socialise in a group of more than six in an outdoor public space, including golf courses.
• Restaurants, bars and pubs must close. But they can serve takeaway food and drink.
• Coaching can still take place indoors and outdoors. Indoor coaching must follow the rule of six (ie one pro and five students).
• Tier 3 residents should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK unless it is necessary for work, education or medical care.
• Tier 3 residents should avoid travelling outside of their area… other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities”.

Driving ranges

Driving ranges are more of a grey area...

As they can be classed as 'indoor facilities', The PGA has said it is up to "each facility to read and interpret the guidelines against their own venue and facility”.

Travel confusion

As stated above, if you live in Tier 3 you are advised to only travel "where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities”.

However, this poses a problem for golfers who live in a Tier 3 area but have a membership at a golf club in Tier 2, and also for those the other way around.

CEO of England Golf Jeremy Thomlinson has therefore written to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, asking for the travel guidelines in Tier Three of the government’s Covid-alert system to be amended to include outdoor recreation and organised sport.

At the moment England Golf's advice for someone who wants to travel to a different tier to play golf is: "The government advice is to avoid travelling into Tier 3 areas for anything other than essential purposes - therefore our guidance reflects that. It is in the club's and individual's responsibility whether they should make the journey."

So, it's not exactly crystal clear...

Read the full guidance from England Golf HERE.

And find out which tier your area is in HERE.