How to make sure you don’t break any rules while playing under Covid regulations
There are plenty of guidelines doing the rounds for staying safe in the big golf reopening across the UK – so we’ve put together this very quick guide to make sure you don’t fall foul of any rules once you’re back out there.
Here are a handful of dos and don’ts for you – the golfer – to stick to before, during, and after your round.
Golf reopening dos and don’ts: Pre-round
+ DO book your tee time online, or through whatever system your club decides to use
– DON’T forget to get changed into your golf attire at home and put your shoes on in the car
+ DO check if your club is serving food – some will be open but for takeout only
– DON’T arrive at the club earlier than 15 minutes prior to your tee time
+ DO wait your turn to go on the putting green – those next on the tee have priority
– DON’T forget to manage expectations – greenkeepers have been furloughed too
Golf reopening dos and don’ts: During the round
+ DO stay two metres apart at all time
– DON’T go onto the 1st tee until it is your time to play, ensuring 10-minute gaps between groups
+ DO follow any special routing laid out by your club
– DON’T forget to adhere to the Rule of Six
+ DO be respectful of the condition of the course – the greenkeeping staff have been under tremendous strain during the lockdown period
– DON’T touch anything other than your clubs and ball – this includes flagsticks, bunker rakes, ball washers, stakes, and your playing partner’s equipment
+ DO keep your hands cleaned and sanitised at regular intervals
Golf reopening dos and don’ts: Post-round
+ DO mark and sign your own card – or follow whatever system your club decides to use
– DON’T shake hands or hang around after your round – head straight to your car
And most importantly…
+ DO play safe, stay safe.
And hopefully that will be it for golf courses closing if the country does lock down again…
If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below or you can tweet us.
More on golf reopening across the UK
- Make sure your golf equipment is ready for the Covid world
- Five things to remember about the World Handicap System
- The biggest challenge facing golf this summer
Alex Perry
Alex has been the editor of National Club Golfer since 2017. A Devonian who enjoys wittering on about his south west roots, Alex moved north to join NCG after more than a decade in London, the last five of which were with ESPN. Away from golf, Alex follows Torquay United and spends too much time playing his PlayStation or his guitar and not enough time practising his short game.
