Scottish clubs and golfers are in 'privileged position', says governing body

Scottish Golf has urged clubs and members to appreciate “a privileged position” of courses remaining open for play in the home of golf as Covid-19 restrictions remain in place.

Scottish Golf has had its latest updated guidance to clubs signed off by the Scottish Government and sportscotland. Picture: Scottish Golf

The message was delivered by the governing body as it informed clubs that updated guidance on Wednesday had now been “signed-off”.

Chief operating officer Karin Sharp said: “We remind all clubs and golfers in Scotland that we remain in a privileged position, with courses across the country remaining open for play.

“Being able to benefit from playing golf should not be taken for granted, and we kindly ask that all clubs and golfers adhere to the latest guidance to ensure we can continue to make positive progress out of lockdown.”

Under the updated guidance, fourballs with no restrictions on the number of households were permitted as from today for members who live within a club’s local authority area at courses with a designated Covid officer.

For those without or where members are crossing a local authority boundary area to play, a maximum of four players from two households are permitted.

“Since our last update, we have received several queries relating to the new group numbers and limits,” added Sharp. “We wish to provide clubs with further clarity on this.

“The guidance to permit four-ball play from four different households to members who live within the local authority area is in-line with new sport-specific guidance developed by sportscotland and the Scottish Government for organised sport.

“Cross-border travel from one local authority area to another for organised sport is not currently permitted.

“Within the latest guidance, golf continues to be considered a form of informal exercise, where participants are permitted to travel up to five miles from their local authority boundary to take part. However, where this is the case, household limits of four people from two households apply.

“Scottish Golf does not set the rules or parameters for these distinctions. However, we will continue to provide feedback on their practicalities for our member clubs.

“In comparison with most other sports across Scotland, we are in a unique and fortunate position to benefit from being identified as both organised sport and informal exercise at this time.”

Courses in Wales are set to re-open tomorrow but the ones in England and Ireland remain closed for the time being.

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