The R&A has launched a £7 million funding package, The R&A Covid-19 Support Fund, to help national golf associations in the UK and Ireland deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has said that ‘outdoor activities such as golf’ can resume ‘within a few days’ of the next review of lockdown restrictions, which will take place on Thursday, May 28.
Some golf club managers in England are reporting a surge in membership applications as there appears to be huge demand to play golf after two months of lockdown.
Golf courses across Northern Ireland can reopen to their members on Wednesday, May 20, the Stormont Executive has confirmed.
A Bournemouth golf club was attacked by vandals and arsonists, causing widespread damage, just days before it reopened after the Covid-19 lockdown.
Some golf clubs in Wales have already reopened and allowed golf to be played on them provided it is with only a maximum of one other golfer who they live with, according to reports.
The Sunday Times has claimed that the first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, will reveal when golf courses can reopen on this coming Tuesday.
A Manchester golf venue that allowed walkers to use its course during the lockdown has now reopened – but didn’t do so immediately at least partly because it was clearing up the damage that they caused, according to reports.
There are renewed warnings that some Scottish golf clubs are on the brink as new reports emerge of golfers threatening golf club staff in Scotland because they are still not allowed to play.
The government has updated its guidance to the golf industry and has stated that golf tuition can resume in England with immediate effect.
One golf club made staff redundant, which led to members quitting, one’s raised more than £20k via a crowdfunder and another has said subscription refunds could lead to closure. We look at the financial plight of three clubs in the Covid-19 lockdown.
Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish golf clubs are being advised to prepare now for the reintroduction of tee times, after several clubs in England experienced problems due to demand.
Six golf clubs in South Lanarkshire are in danger of not reopening when golf in Scotland resumes as it is claimed that no greenkeepers have been working on them during the lockdown.
Golf clubs in Wales can reopen ‘to allow for a managed and coordinated reintroduction of golf across Wales from Monday 18 May’, according to unexpected guidance from Wales Golf.
A new survey has found that 144 private members’ golf clubs in the UK and Ireland are now in a ‘critical financial position’, following the Covid-19 lockdown.
Some English golf clubs are reporting that they have experienced the busiest period for tee time bookings in their history in the aftermath of the confirmation that golf courses can reopen.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf has said it will be raising questions with ministers on pro shops, driving ranges and golf coaching, as it currently remains unclear whether these can resume.
The government has updated its guidance regarding what people in England can and can not do from Wednesday, May 11, and it now states that you can play golf with someone you do not live with.
Golf is now one of the first sports deemed to be no longer out of bounds as the lockdown is starting to be relaxed.
Golf courses and tennis courts in England can reopen from Wednesday, May 13, following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s address to the nation.
Reports from across Europe where golf courses have reopened in the last few days suggest there is strong demand to play the game but venues have been fined and even closed down for not complying with new Covid-19 regulations.
The governing golfing unions of Ireland have issued a five-phase plan for the resumption of golf which could see clubhouse restaurants and changing rooms reopening next month.
Longniddry in East Lothian has furloughed staff, cancelled events, negotiated payment holidays for services and, thanks to course maintenance prioritising, is looking forward to the resumption of golf with some optimism.
At least three golf clubs have launched appeals after their bids for Covid-19 grants were rejected due to controversial rateable values, while an MP has called on the government to clarify guidance to golf clubs and offer them more support.
The Welsh Assembly has stated that from Monday, May 11, a rule on exercising will be relaxed, but the wording of it suggests that golf courses will not be allowed to reopen.
The Daily Mail has stated that golf will be included in the first wave of the easing of lockdown restrictions – but, unlike most of the rest of Europe, this will not kick in until June.
UK golf courses are set to find out this weekend when they can reopen following the Covid-19 lockdown, with some warning the notice period could be less than 24 hours.
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