All at mygolfGroup were delighted to hear the recent good news from the Irish Government that golf was one of the first sports to resume while exiting the current lockdown. While all of us wish it was sooner, the countdown is well and truly on, and in just a short few weeks, we look forward to seeing golfers back on course.
With the ongoing seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a number of limitations on the initial phase of the “Return To Golf” from the 26th of April 2021. Following consultation with Sports Ireland and the Expert Group on Sport, Golf Ireland have published a Living with COVID protocol document and a Frequently Asked Questions document to help clubs and golfers when play resumes. Both documents can be downloaded by clicking the links below. We have summarised some of the critical details below to help get you started.
Golf Clubs can reopen from Monday 26th April for members only; Golfers must only travel from within their county or within 20km of their home to play golf.
In the initial phase, the Irish Government have decided that participants in sport and exercise activity must be from no more than two households. Therefore, groups playing on golf courses during this initial phase must be confined to a maximum of two households. This means that all tee times must be either twoballs, or alternatively three-balls and four-balls where players in the group are from no more than two households.
Daily timesheets are restricted as follows:
Two balls at eight-minute intervals or longer
Three-balls from no more than two households at nine-minute intervals or longer
Four-balls from no more than two households at 10-minute intervals or longer
To give clubs as much scope to accommodate golfers within these requirements, golf clubs will not be required to confine themselves to one standardised starting interval each day (for example, should a club decide to organise most of its tee times in eight-minute intervals for two balls, they may choose to include a block of 10-minute interval times for three-balls and four-balls where the golfers are from no more than two households)
No organised social gatherings of any size, are permitted at golf facilities. All golf activities should be organised based on "arrival-play-depart without delay"
Clubhouse access should be confined to the use of toilet facilities and initial retrieval of golf equipment from lockers. If toilet facilities are open, clubs should adopt a one-in, on-out approach. Pro-shop access may need to be curtailed and can be used for check-in purposes only
All cafes and restaurants, including bars, should only offer takeaway or delivery (please consult www.gov.ie for details)
The protocols will be reviewed regularly and all clubs should keep an eye on communications from Golf Ireland for the latest information and guidelines here: Covid 19 - Golf Ireland
If you would chat about how to prepare your club to re-open, please get in touch with Damien on 0872484862 or via email at damien@mygolfgroup.ie