Welsh Golf Courses Can Reopen From Monday

Following UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's address to the nation on Sunday, England Golf soon confirmed that golf courses were reopening from Wednesday, but different restrictions outlined by the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland recommended that venues remain closed at this time. 

However, reviewing the latest guidance from the Welsh Government, Wales Golf has now presented further details for clubs, opening the door for them to reopen from next Monday, May 18.

Leaving the ultimate decision in the hands of club, the statement notes that this is entirely at each golf club's discretion, making it their choice on when and how they reopen, but only after ensuring that they have protocols established to follow the guidelines imposed by the Welsh Government.

Crucially, golf courses are not listed as a business or premise that must remain closed, but when they do reopen, golfers must remain within their local area and not travel beyond that for exercise.

“The regulations state that exercise should be done locally, which means people cannot drive to exercise outside their local area; people also cannot exercise with anyone other than a member of their own household. More than two people congregating in a public place is regarded as a gathering, which is an offence under the regulations.

“We are continuing to prepare for the future, working with our partners and stakeholders. We would expect Wales Golf, working with the R&A and other UK governing bodies, to monitor the situation in England closely where golf will be permitted from May 13 and prepare detailed protocols for a potential partial resumption in Wales when the conditions are right."

You can see the R&A's guidance here.

Golf courses will remain closes in Scotland until further notice, while in Northern Ireland no date has been specified, but the Stormont Executive has revealed its five step plan for emerging from full lockdown, with golf set to be among the first activities to return. 

This a continually developing story, but much will be learned from the example of England, where courses are reopening widely this week.

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