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ourballs can resume when golf courses reopen in England after the country’s industry bodies laid out guidance for the sport’s return on March 29. The document, Covid-19: A roadmap for the return of golf in England, also reveals professional and retail shops could open from April 12, along with outdoor catering facilities – subject to the Rule of 6. It is hoped indoor catering facilities, including clubhouses, can open their doors from May 17, while in-person committee meetings and AGMs will not be permitted before that date. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf met with industry bodies, including the GCMA and
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England Golf, to consider the impact of prime minister Boris Johnson’s four step plan to ease the country out of lockdown. They looked at the different aspects of golf and how they could resume within the Government’s timeframe – including playing, coaching, retail and club fitting, as well as looking at the implications for driving ranges and practice facilities. They’ve separated what can and can’t be done into steps, with step one covering March 8 and March 29. Step Two comes into effect no earlier than April 12, with Step Three arriving from May 17 and leading to the hoped removal of all restrictions from June 21. The dates for Steps Two, Three and Four are all subject
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to Government review and the activities outlined are indicative of what could be expected for each of these steps. But at every stage, from March 29, the industry bodies have outlined that golf can be played in fourballs. Club, regional and county competitions and tournaments are also permitted from that date, providing they are under strict Covid-19 controls and where overnight accommodation is not required for either staff or players. No national finals, though, will be staged before May 17. For the full details, including information on coaching and what the guidance is for fittings and swing studios, click HERE.
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