Posted on May 13, 2020

Members of the British Golf Industry Association are delighted with the Government’s decision to allow golf to resume safely from today.  Under new government rules released yesterday, the following groupings will be permitted upon resumption of play today, Wednesday 13 May:

  • Individuals playing golf on their own
  • Two-balls comprising individuals from different households
  • At the discretion of the golf club, members of the same household playing in two, three or four-balls.

Social distancing rules must be strictly adhered to at all times, alongside good hand hygiene, particularly with respect to shared surfaces.  Those responsible for public places should also be able to put appropriate measures in place to follow the new COVID-19 Secure guidance.

BGIA Chair, Martin Wild, says:

Whilst we know it is the first tentative step to ‘the new normal for golf’ it is certainly a positive move for the game. “With many professional sporting events cancelled, there is a genuine feeling from within the industry that we may see a significant increase in participation levels of our great game. “Stay safe, enjoy the wonderful green space and remember to respect the social distancing guidelines.”

Further clarification is being sought from Government relating to retail and driving ranges as well as the carrying out of club fitting and coaching sessions.

Useful Information:

Essential maintenance guidance update

These are the updated Essential Maintenance Guidelines following Governments’ revised regulations in relation to England and Wales.

The guidelines have been prepared by The R&A and the British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association (BIGGA).

This is supported by the following organisations which have come together to help golf in the UK during the COVID-19 crisis:

The Belfry; the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association; the British Golf Industry Association; England Golf; the Golf Club Managers’ Association; Golf Ireland; the Golfing Union of Ireland; the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union; IMG; The Professional Golfers’ Association; PING; The R&A; Scottish Golf; Syngenta; the UK Golf Federation; Wales Golf.


Latest statement from The PGA on the re-opening of golf (12.05.2020)