Sturgeon gives green light to golf, bowls and tennis to exit lockdown

Golf clubs in Scotland can begin to prepare for a return to play from the coronavirus lockdown on May 29, subject to approval by the Scottish Government at its review of lockdown procedures next Thursday.

Scottish Golf released a document of guidance for member clubs after it was confirmed by the first minister that golf would be one of the sports allowed to restart in Phase One of the easing of lockdown restrictions.

It was not clear from Nicola Sturgeon’s comments the exact date of the restart under strict social distancing requirements, but the document of guidance from Scottish Golf indicated that this would be after May 29, when clubs can start to prepare for a return to play. The likely start date would be that weekend or the following Monday.

Once play resumes, as in England and Wales, two-balls will be permitted involving players not from the same household while maintaining the physical distancing requirements of two metres.

Groups of up to four players will be permitted at the discretion of the golf club, if no more than two households are represented in the group, and those playing solo will also be permitted.

Competitions will not be permitted, while players will be expected to adhere to travel distance restrictions – no more than five miles from their home. All tee times will be managed and booked in advance, but two-tee start times will be allowed.

As in the R&A guidance released some weeks ago, it will be prohibited to touch all course fixtures and equipment, including benches, ball washers, flags and bunker rakes, which should be taken out of use if possible.

“The golf community has been extended the opportunity to be an early sporting recipient that benefits from the relaxed restrictions,” states Scottish Golf’s guidance document.

“We urge everyone to be respectful of the preliminary guidelines and to apply good individual judgment, to ensure that in time we can move to a fully phased reintroduction of the game as we all know and love it.

“It should be noted that the Scottish Government continues to monitor the situation closely and has not ruled out the reintroduction of restrictions, which could see golf suspended once again if public health measures dictate, or if the guidelines are not followed.

“It is therefore imperative that golf clubs take the necessary steps outlined in this document prior to opening their courses for play and adhere to the guidelines, which could be subject to update or change at any time.”

Members will be able to make appointments in advance to access clubhouses to retrieve equipment but they will otherwise remain closed. Some facilities, such as pro shops, will be open in limited fashion but require to have safe hygiene procedures for hand cleaning.

Persons in the highest risk (shielding) group identified by the Scottish Government will not be permitted to play. Clubs will require to retain booking data in case it requires to be used in contact tracing of the virus.

AberdonianRichie Ramsay admits golf is fortunate to be one of the first sports – along with tennis, bowls and fishing – set to be permitted when lockdown restrictions are relaxed.

Ramsay said: “It has been frustrating but we are in a fortunate position because for contact sports such as football and rugby, there is very little light at the end of the tunnel, especially at grassroots level.

“We aren’t back playing golf as quickly as golfers in other countries but if you are a rugby player you could be looking at the possibility of missing a whole season.

“We have had to wait but if it helps us get out of the situation quicker in the long term then I am all for it.”

Blane Dodds, Tennis Scotland chief executive, welcomed the developments, adding: “We have been developing guidelines with the support of the LTA and sportscotland, which will set out consistent guidance to allow clubs and players to prepare for getting back on court safely.

“We are all looking forward to getting back to tennis as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Meanwhile Bowls Scotland welcomed the first minister’s announcement.

A statement read: “We have been developing our own bowls specific guidelines with the support of sportscotland and the Scottish Government.

“We are all looking forward to getting back on to the bowling green in a restricted capacity as soon as it is safe to do so.”