Golfers urged to act 'responsibly' as courses across Northants get the green light to re-open

The playing of golf has been suspended since early March due to the coronavirus pandemic that has decimated sport across England and the rest of the world.

England Golf have praised all golfers for the way they have handled the lockdown of sport, and urged them to carry in a responsible manner as they return to courses as they open again in the coming days and weeks.

Golfers will be able to play alone, with fellow members of the same household, or with 'one other person from outside your household' as long as social distancing rules are followed.

Following Monday's latest government announcement on the health crisis, England Golf joined forces with the other major golf bodies to release a statement about golf’s resumption, and how it will work across Northamptonshire and the rest of the country.

Although golf courses in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales remain closed, the sport can be played in England as long as the golfing community continues to work together to prevent any further spread of Covid-19.

England Golf said: “The UK Government has announced that golf will be able to resume in England on Wednesday, May 13th 2020. All outdoor sport must be done alone or within a household group and that includes golf.

“It is important to stress that this remains an extremely difficult situation throughout the UK and we are acutely aware that many lives have been lost to the Covid-19 pandemic. The effects of the virus will continue to be felt for a long time to come.

“As a sport we must work together to resume play responsibly. We must ensure that the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved from golfers, to club staff and greenkeepers is maintained at all times.

“Golf clubs and golfers have observed the lockdown very well and must keep it up and act responsibly as play resumes.

“We recently provided documents giving guidance on operations and resuming play, and golf clubs should consider this carefully as they restart their businesses.

“We also provided essential maintenance guidelines to help greenkeepers to prepare their courses for play.

“We fully appreciate the huge amount of expertise that exists within golf clubs throughout the country and this best practice guidance simply aims to achieve as consistent an approach as possible to protecting everyone.

“The pandemic has already had a substantial impact on golf clubs and venues and the focus will soon turn to trying to recover from the crisis. As a group we will continue to do all we can to provide support and guidance in that effort.”

England Golf Chief Executive Jeremy Tomlinson added: “The safe return of playing golf will be incredibly important for the physical and mental wellbeing of millions of golfers.

“Let’s see this period of lockdown through together and then re-start the playing of our beautiful game with the same passion, integrity and character we have always shown.”

Golfers are urged to contact their clubs and local courses to check on if and when they are re-opening.