UK Covid restrictions: How your golf club is affected
Governments across the United Kingdom continue to impose some sort form of coronavirus restrictions. We’ve set out the golf covid rules for England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as they stand and what they mean for your club…
England
Updated: January 27
Face coverings and Covid passes are no longer required after the relaxation of Plan B rules came into effect.
The Government said mask wearing is a matter of “personal judgement”, although clubs and pro shops can continue to ask members and visitors to wear them.
Public heath guidance remains for people to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces and when coming into contact with strangers. Work from home guidance has been dropped.
Scotland
Updated: January 24
Temporary restrictions, which were introduced by the Scottish Government on December 26, have been lifted.
Scottish Golf said this means table service is no longer required where alcohol is served. The one metre physical distancing requirement between groups in indoor public places is also no longer in force.
The governing body’s website says: “The baseline mitigation measures that were in place before Omicron are being retained and will not be extended, at this stage, to other premises.
“However, this will be reconsidered if the situation changes. These measures include the use of face coverings in indoor public places and businesses collecting customer data for Test and Protect purposes.”
People are still being asked to reduce social contact, and keep gatherings “as small as circumstances allow” until at least the end of the month, while work from home guidance remains in place.
You can download the latest Return to Golf updates from Scottish Golf’s website.
Wales
Updated: January 28
Restrictions on meeting people in hospitality have been removed and there is no requirement either for table service or two metre physical distancing.
However, face coverings are still required in most indoor public places.
You can get the latest guidance on the Welsh Government’s website.
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
Updated: January 22
Golf Ireland has issued new advice for all club activities in “accordance with the Northern Ireland Executive’s Reopening Pathway” and following the Republic of Ireland government’s announcement, the day before, to “remove the majority of public health measures currently in place”.
Those documents covered general advice for golf clubs and players including, for example, that face coverings must still be worn in indoor retail and hospitality settings, including pro shops, golf club bar and restaurants in Northern Ireland.
To view both sets of guidance, visit the Golf Ireland website.
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
