Golfers across Wicklow have their clubs at the ready

WHILE they’ve fallen quiet in recent weeks, the lush green landscape of Wicklow’s golf courses are set to see an increase in footfall once again this week as we start the slow return to some form of normality following the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s been a difficult few weeks for us all and we have given up a lot. For those used to playing the fairways of Wicklow’s finest courses, it was a bitter pill to swallow when restrictions finally consigned the golf clubs to the shed. It was a source of frustration for many, as when it comes to sport, few can claim to adhere to social distancing like golf.

However, where there’s light, there’s hope and golfers across Wicklow have been taking the clubs back out of the shed and ensuring they are ready to roll as restrictions are lifted. Under the latest guidelines, golf courses were to begin the process of re-opening from yesterday. With a lack of traffic in recent weeks, greenkeepers and maintenance staff have been busily taking advantage of the time to ensure that the courses are in tip-top shape. In the current fine weather, with the smell of freshly cut grass all around, there are few finer places to be.

However, we’re not completely out of the woods yet and before making their way to the first tee, golfers are being asked to carefully read the conditions and guidelines being imposed. For some this may mean a slightly longer wait as yesterday’s lifting of restrictions caters only for people living within 5km of their local Golf Club. A good source of information on guidelines is golfnet.ie.

However, it won’t be long before this is opened up further and Wicklow’s Golf Clubs are in outstanding condition and awaiting your play. The model county is blessed to have some of the finest courses in the country and, in normal times, people travel far and wide to play them. For now, however, perhaps one perk of this whole crisis is that, for a while at least, locals will have these stunning courses all to themselves. So if you’re not already a member, the timing has never been better to sign up and get out and enjoy the fresh air, the beautiful surroundings and of course the sporting challenge that some of Wicklow’s beautiful courses have to offer.