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It's back to two balls only but at least you can play
Words: GolfPunk
Photography: Andy Hiseman
Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s address to the nation swathes of London and the south-east of England move into a new Tier 4 level from Sunday 20 December. Fortunately, golf courses in Tier 4 areas can remain open for play in the following formats:
Individual play
Two-balls from same or different households/bubbles
Three or fourballs involving people from the same household/bubble
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf in the UK issued the following statement which addressed the issues of play, retail, coaching and travel:
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf is happy to confirm that golf courses will be able to remain open when the new Tier 4 restrictions become effective in parts of England from 06:00 GMT on Sunday 20th December. In Tier 4 areas, golf courses can remain open for individuals playing with members of their own household or support bubble, or with one person from another household. As usual, social distancing is to be observed and all necessary steps are to be taken to ensure a COVID-19 secure environment. Under Tier 4 restrictions, non-essential retail – including Pro Shops and golf retailers – must close. Click and Collect will, however, be permitted. Outdoor coaching will be allowed on an individual basis or for multiple members of the same household or support bubble. Indoor coaching will be not be permitted. There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes, and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, which can take place with larger groups mixing. Custom fitting can take place outside on a one-to-one basis but is not permitted indoors. Some golf ranges can be classified as indoor settings, but it would be for each facility to read and interpret the guidelines against their own venue – it is suggested that if confirmation is required they contact their local authority who will be best placed to advise. Unless it’s essential for work or other reasons, Tier 4 areas must not be left by occupants or entered by anybody from a Tier 1, 2 or 3 area. Full details of Tier 4 guidance can be found on the government’s website.
Looking at the UK Governments website the guidance for Sports and physical activity is:
Indoor gyms and sports facilities will close. Outdoor sports courts, outdoor gyms, golf courses, outdoor swimming pools, archery/driving/shooting ranges, riding centres and playgrounds can remain open for individual exercise, and for people to use with others within your household, support bubble, or with one person from another household. Organised outdoor sport for under 18s and disabled people will be allowed.
So ar least there is golf to look forward to over the festive period even if other plans have had to be scrapped.
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