Golf in lockdown across the UK explained

With lockdown restrictions slowly easing across all of GB and Ireland, here's an update on the rules for golf where you are.

England

As lockdown lifts fourballs, outdoor driving ranges, outdoor coaching in groups of no more than six are permitted to take place in England when golf reopens on March 29.

This differs from last summer, when fourballs were forbidden for the first few months after golf was allowed to open after lockdown.

But this time there's no two-ball only rule and instead fourballs are back from the day of reopening.

As well as fourball golf, club, regional, and county competitions and tournaments can also take place from this date, providing they are held under strict Covid-19 controls and where overnight accommodation is not required for either staff or players.

Club changing rooms will be closed but indoor toilets can remain open, while food and drink will be takeaway only.

Step 2 (no earlier than April 12)

• Indoor driving ranges can reopen
• One-on-one indoor coaching can resume
• Outdoor catering can reopen to the rule of 6
• All professional retail shops can open
• Changing rooms can open

Step 3 (no earlier than May 17)

• Indoor catering facilities can reopen to the rule of 6
• Outdoor catering can resume for parties of up to 30 people
• Outdoor group coaching up to 30 people
• Indoor coaching up to 6 people
• AGM and committee meetings permitted provided they are covid safe

Step 4 (no earlier than June 21)

• All restrictions end

You can view the full guidance from England Golf here.

Scotland

Scottish golf is still updating guidance for golf club's following the First Minister's announcement on March 16.

From March 12, fourballs were allowed with no limit on households, however golfers are still asked to remain within their local area.

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

From April 26 pro shops are expected to be able to reopen along with all other non-essential shops.

Guidance on food and beverage outlets (clubhouse bars, restaurants etc) from April 26 includes:

• outdoor hospitality to open till 10pm with alcohol permitted. Indoor hospitality permitted without alcohol and closing at 8pm.
• social mixing in indoor public places will be subject to current maximum of 4 people from up to 2 households

For updates from Scottish Golf click here.

Wales

Lockdown lifted slightly in Wales on March 13, alllowing golf courses to reopen with fourballs of up to two households.

Guidance from Wales Golf included:

"Golf will be able to be played with a maximum of four people from two households (Children under 11 and carers do not count towards this limit.). No society golf bookings should take place until further notice.

"Currently, clubhouse facilities, locker rooms and professional shops must remain closed. However, toilets and washrooms are permitted. Therefore, controlled access to toilets will be required. Clubs must ensure toilets are regularly cleaned and well managed to minimise the risk of the transmission of the virus.

"Subject to confirmation at a later review, all shops, including close contact services, may be able to re-open on the 12^th of April.  Click and collect services can still operate but collections must take place from a shop entrance or side entrance and not from inside a shop.

"Outdoor coaching can resume with up to four people from two households, inclusive of the coach (Children under 11 and carers do not count towards this limit). Organised children’s activities outdoors may be able to restart from 27^th March.

Outdoor driving ranges may be able to re-open. However, facilities must check with their Local Authority prior to opening. All Facilities must conduct full risk assessments."

You can read more from Wales Golf here.

Northern Ireland

Golf courses across Northern Ireland are set to reopen on April 1.

As restrictions ease across the country, rules state that up to 10 people from two households to meet for certain outdoor activities such as golf.

Clubhouses and other such indoor facilities must remain closed until further notice. Click and collect from pro shops is expected to resume from April 12.

Outdoor sports training (group golf coaching) for up to 15 people has been given the all clear to return on April 12 with certain protocols in place.

Find details on Northern Ireland's path out of lockdown here.

Republic of Ireland

By April 5th, courses in Ireland will have been closed for a total of 189 days – 27 weeks – since last March.

The Irish Times recently reported that "Golf courses in the Republic of Ireland have faced the longest closures in the world as a result of Covid-19 restrictions with golfers banned from playing for longer than across the UK, the rest of Europe, the United States and beyond."

Level 5 restrictions are in place until April 5 and it is hoped that golf courses will be able to reopen on that date, however this is yet to be confirmed.

Visit www.golfireland.ie for more information.