England Golf has issued an update to its ‘Play Safe, Stay Safe’ support and guidance for golfers and golf clubs ahead of the UK government’s planned relaxing of Covid-19 restrictions on Monday, July 19.
As far as the new rules apply to golf, clubs can now return their courses to pre-covid set ups, with benches, dustbins, ball washers, bunker rakes and standard hole cups back in play, while players will be able to remove the flagstick and pick up each other’s golf ball if required.
Clubs are recommended to continue to offer hand sanitiser stations on the golf course to ensure that golfers can regularly clean their hands.
Pro shops, changing facilities, bars, lounges, restaurants and other indoor areas may revert to pre-pandemic operations.
Many clubs will continue to offer online-booking only or keep a player registration system in place, but golfers will now be able walk into the pro shop and book and pay for a tee time in person.
Practice areas, including driving ranges, practice nets and indoor facilities, may operate without any restrictions on the number of users.
Competition and scoring for handicap functions, including the registration process, handling and submitting of scorecards, and administration may also revert to pre-pandemic operations.
Coronavirus-related changes to the rules of golf and all handicapping provisions that enabled the game to be played competitively during the period in which restrictions have been set are also to be removed.
For the very latest advice, visit www.englandgolf.org.