It’s not a level playing field

Golf courses will have the choice to open the gates or stay closed under Covid-19 level three.

New Zealand Golf CEO Dean Murphy said yesterday golf will be able to be played from Tuesday when the country moves into level three, but it will come down to individual clubs to decide whether the gates are opened.

Guidelines released by Sport New Zealand are strict and include the need for clubs to sanitise all surfaces – including gates, flags, holes and nets – after each use. Golfers must stick to people in their own bubble and must maintain social distancing.

‘‘Clearly it won’t be for everyone. Clubs will open at their discretion,’’ Murphy said.

Clubs were waiting yesterday receive specific guidelines. They include removing flags and not sharing equipment, such as clubs, balls, towels and water bottles.

While public courses will remain closed, club courses can be opened to members and visitors, but stringent contact tracing measures will also be required for those that do open.

Murphy is pleased golf is able to be played again.

‘‘This is a really serious thing the country’s going through and we are going to follow the guidelines,’’ he said. ‘‘But it’s good that in some manner we’ll be able to get some people golfing next week.’’

Canterbury Golf general manager Grant Lewis said his initial feeling was around half of all Canterbury golf courses would open.

‘‘All of our clubs want to open, but not all will be able to meet the guidelines which are very restrictive,’’ Lewis said.

Clubs in Christchurch city would be open to members only and those in rural areas may be ‘‘a bit more relaxed,’’ he said.

‘‘Just because some courses are opening doesn’t mean it’s normal golf. There will be no scorecards, no flags, no handicaps – just going for a walk and hitting a ball with a club.’’

‘‘It’s good that in some manner we’ll be able to get some people golfing next week.’’

Dean Murphy NZ Golf CEO

Harewood Golf Club in Christchurch will open to members only as of Tuesday and will explore allowing non members as the week goes on, general manager Neville Bamford said.

‘‘We are fortunate to be a bigger club and can meet the guidelines that have been set out,’’ he said.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Grant Robertson said all golfers would need to book a time to play online with their club and he predicted for that reason many golf clubs would not open up during level three.

At yesterday’s Covid-19 press conference Robertson said tennis could also be played and encouraged Kiwis to check the Sport New Zealand website for the level three guidelines relating to sport.

Robertson encouraged New Zealanders to be active but also be responsible and not put others at risk.

‘‘One thing to make clear, level three is still a very restrictive