Fourballs have been given the green light to return from Friday, pending final approval from the Scottish Government.

Fourballs should be able to return in Scotland this week, with Scottish Golf requesting a change of the rules.

Following Nicola Sturgeon’s latest Covid-19 address earlier this week, Scottish Golf has submitted a request to sportscotland and the Scottish Government asking to permit the return of fourballs.

While the governing body is still awaiting final confirmation from the government, it has advised clubs "that operational changes to welcome fourballs can begin".

There is expected to be no limit on the number of households playing in every fourball, however golfers are still asked to remain within their local area.

Outdoor group coaching is also anticipated to resume for groups of up to 15 adults, and up to 30 for those under 12 years' old.

These changes follow the First Minister's announcement that from Friday four adults from two households can meet outside and groups of up to 15 can gather for non-contact outdoor sports.

Fourballs in Scotland for unlimited households

Scottish Golf has said that updated guidance will be shared as soon as they get confirmation from the government.

A statement from Scottish Golf read:

“Scottish Golf welcomes the news that we are continuing to progress through the road map out of lockdown.

“Within an hour of the First Minister’s update, Scottish Golf submitted updated guidance to our partners at sportscotland and the Scottish Government.

“As has been the case throughout the pandemic, this final check can take some time as further details are considered and legislation published.

“These checks remain ongoing and must be complete before we can share a full updated version of our guidance to affiliated golf clubs for implementation across the country.”

“Where golfers are required to travel up to five miles across a local authority boundary, players will be required to adhere to informal exercise guidance which is subject to household limits of 4 players from 2 households.

Proposed changes

“Therefore, changes announced yesterday mean that from Friday 12 March:

  • Golf courses with a designated COVID Officer can permit organised golf for members who live within the local authority area. Play can take place in four-balls with no restrictions on the number of households.
  • Golf courses without a designated COVID Officer, or where members are crossing a local authority boundary to play, can remain open for play with a maximum of four players from two households.
  • For groups over the age of 12, coaching should not exceed group sizes of 15.
  • For groups under the age of 12, coaching should not exceed group sizes of 30.

“We anticipate further guidance from our partners at sportscotland and the Scottish Government relating to children and young people. We will communicate these updates to all clubs as soon as possible.

“We also look forward to a more substantive update from the First Minister next week relating to the return to a protection levels approach. That update is likely to include more details for clubhouses, retail and travel and will again be subject to the same sign-off process as outlined above.”

Meanwhile, golf courses are set to reopen in England from March 29, while Welsh golf clubs are still waiting on an exact date.

You can read the full statement from Scottish Golf here.