05
March
2021
A guide produced by industry bodies, including the GCMA, reveals what you can do when golf reopens in England Outdoor coaching of any group size can resume when golf courses reopen in England after the country's industry bodies laid out guidance for the sport's return on March 29. The document, Covid-19: A roadmap for the return of golf in England, also reveals that fourballs can resume from March 29, while professional and retail shops could open from April 12, along with outdoor catering facilities – subject to the Rule of 6. It is hoped indoor catering facilities, including clubhouses, can open their doors from May 17, while in-person committee meetings and AGMs will not be permitted before that date. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf met with industry bodies, including the GCMA and England Golf, to consider the impact of prime minister Boris Johnson's four step plan to ease the country out of lockdown. They looked at the different aspects of golf and how they could resume within the Government's timeframe - including playing, coaching, retail and club fitting, as well as looking at the implications for driving ranges and practice facilities. They've separated what can and can't be done into steps, with step one covering March 8 and March 29. Step Two comes into effect no earlier than April 12, with Step Three arriving from May 17 and leading to the hoped removal of all restrictions from June 21. The dates for Steps Two, Three and Four are all subject to Government review and the activities outlined are indicative of what could be expected for each of these steps. But at every stage, from March 29, the industry bodies have outlined that golf can be played in fourballs. Club, regional and county competitions and tournaments are also permitted from that date, providing they are under strict Covid-19 controls and where overnight accommodation is not required for either staff or players. No national finals, though, will be staged before May 17. As far as facilities are concerned, driving ranges will be permitted to open from March 29 providing they are outdoor, with all driving ranges expected to open from April 12. Club changing rooms will be closed when golf reopens, though the use of indoor toilets will be allowed. They will be allowed to open once again from April 12. For the full details, including information on coaching and what the guidance is for fittings and swing studios, click here. What's the latest in the rest of the UK? Wales Golf courses have been closed since December 19. Following the statement from First Minister Mark Drakeford on February 19, Wales Golf said they were "disappointed" there was no relaxation of the current Stay at Home regulations. They added: "We hope that golf and other outdoor sports will be able to return in some capacity following the next review on the 12th of March. "The First Minister made it clear that for the time being all exercise must still start and finish... Please LOGIN to read the full article.
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