Revealed: New measures proposed to resume golf in Britain... possibly next week
Britain’s golf authorities are sending proposals to the Government aiming to show that the sport is ready to resume, with safeguards including strict booking systems and bunker rakes being removed.
The R&A has prepared and submitted plans on behalf of the industry bodies, including the home unions, the PGA, the British Greenkeepers’ Association and the Golf Club Managers Association and Craig Tracey, the chair of Parliament’s All-Party Group on Golf, is so impressed that he believes golf “can, and should, return quickly”.
Insiders believe that could come as soon as May 7, with the game being the first to resume at grass-roots level when the restrictions are lifted.
Golfers can expect a much more controlled scenario to before the courses were closed on March 23. But it could have been even more draconian.
A draft proposal, first reported on Wednesday by bunkered.co.uk, has been seen by The Daily Telegraph and includes a maximum number of to two per group, as well as golfers playing from different tee boxes to their playing partners. When the R&A released the updated guideline on Wednesday afternoon, these regulations had been dropped.
However, members might still blanch at not being able to turn up whenever they fancy for for a few holes. Unless they have pre-booked a time they will not be allowed on the premises. The tee-times will be staggered at a minimum of 10-minute intervals.
Obviously the two-metre gap must be observed and they will not be able touch each other’s equipment. With no bunker rakes, players will be expected to smooth over the sand with clubs and feet. Benches, bins and water stations will not be in operation.
Flagsticks will remain but it is strongly recommended that a sign affixed stating that it is not to be touched. Clubs will be instructed to insert “hole-liners” so the ball cannot fall below the surface of the green and can be easily retrieved by handling the ball only. The R&A further states that “friendly” matchplay should be favoured and that strokeplay competitions involving players in different groups should be avoided.
Golfers will be reminded that social distancing is just as important after a round, so when play has been completed they must leave the facility immediately to ensure “that there are no gatherings around the clubhouse area”.
Tracey, the Tory MP for North Warwickshire, was positive in his appraisal. “I would like to say well done to all the different bodies involved,” he said. “Members of Parliament know how valuable golf is to the UK as it has a huge economic impact, employs large numbers and has significant positive influence on people’s health. The nature of the game means it can, and should, return quickly provided there are steps taken by all involved to maintain social distancing and to meet any other Government instruction.”
Tracey paid special reference to the collaborative efforts of British golf’s notorious factions and that was a point also noted by England Golf chief executive, Jeremy Tomlinson.
“The way everyone in golf has rallied together in these uncertain times fills me with great optimism for the future,” he said.
“Throughout these challenging times, England Golf has collaborated like never before with our colleagues in golf administration and presented a united front during many conversations with government. This collective approach has continued this week as we work with government to try and find the right conditions under which golf can return.”
