Golf pushes to lead way out of lockdown

Recreational golf will restart once the English lockdown is loosened in a few weeks’ time – that is the conviction of England Golf, anyway.

With the Prime Minister preparing to outline his plans to ease restrictions that have meant golf has been banned in England since early January, Jeremy Tomlinson, the chief executive of the ruling body for the amateur game, sent an open letter insisting the sport should be one of the first to resume, with March 8 the anticipated date.

“For in excess of two million golfers in England, the mental and physical health benefits of playing our sport can be clearly documented. This isn’t anecdotal, this is based on solid scientific data,” Tomlinson wrote. “The fact that these benefits can be enjoyed without presenting any undue risk to wider public health is hugely significant.

“We see no reason why golf can’t be one of the first sports to return, to help with the healing process for our country and to ensure that the sun can once again shine on us all through the 2021 season.”

Wales Golf indicated that it, too, had held “positive” talks with the Welsh Government and wants the fairways repopulated next month – if not sooner.

With Scottish golf courses having remained open – albeit with strict regulations – there is optimism that the game will have the chance to capitalise on the significant rise in participation levels witnessed in summer of last year.

“Our golfing community has struggled without access to the game they love,” Tomlinson added.

“For many, the mental hardships have been tougher to endure than the physical ones.”