Wales Golf COVID-19
Page last updated 8th January 2021
The Welsh Government has today (8th January) announced that all current alert level four restrictions will remain in place until the next review (29th January).
Wales Golf is taking the spread of COVID-19 extremely seriously. Our number one priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our community of golfers, clubs, volunteers and staff, ensuring that everyone can enjoy golf in a safe environment.
Wales Golf will continue to promote the benefits of golf as an activity with established COVID-19 secure practices and a sport that can be played safely by thousands of people under lockdown restrictions across the country. We hope that this data will provide the Welsh Government with accurate and up to date information to assist with future decision making.
This week, BIGGA has provided an important update regarding golf course maintenance concerning latest UK lockdown measures. There are no limitations placed on maintenance activities able to be undertaken by the green-keeping teams at golf facilities, driving ranges and other venues where golf and shorter forms of the game take place. Full details can be found here.
Read more from the Welsh Government here
A review of the amended regulations can be found here
Open Letter to the First Minister
Wales Golf has today (21 December) sent an open letter to the First Minister regarding the closure of golf courses in Wales. Please read here.
UPDATE TO GOLF IN WALES – 19TH DECEMBER
The First Minister today announced that the Tier 4 plans have been accelerated and will come into force from midnight tonight (19 December).
The First Ministers statement can be found here
The current conditions mean that the whole of Wales will move into alert level 4 in the new Coronavirus Control Plan.
This means that golf courses will need to close from midnight tonight, 19th December.
Wales Golf will provide an update to clubs when further information becomes available.
A note for our CEO – Richard Dixon
I would like to thank all our Welsh Clubs for the excellent work you have been doing in helping to keep our sport, golfers and communities safe. By continuing this effort, we will put golf in a strong position to return as soon as it is safe to do so.
We are disappointed that Golf clubs face closure during tier 4 restrictions (equivalent to a lockdown/ firebreak). However, we will continue to work hard behind the scenes and have today issued the following statement clarifying Wales Golf’s position:-
Wales Golf feels there is a strong case for golf courses to remain open alongside public parks and playgrounds under Tier 4 restrictions and continues to work with the Welsh Government to make this point.
We totally understand the wider concerns, but golf is a sport that can be played safely outdoors while providing exercise. The whole golf industry has adapted to the restrictions imposed to ensure people’s safety, developed significant operational experience and established COVID secure practices, including rule changes and other mitigation measures that meet the Hands, Face, Space directive.
The health and wellbeing benefits of playing golf are well documented in scientific studies. Leaders in public health, public policy and sport from across the globe recognise that golf tackles physical inactivity and contributes to the prevention of a range of non-communicable diseases. Combining the undeniable benefits golf offers to a significant proportion of the country, and the steps taken that ensure golf is a sport that can be played safely, it is ideally placed to be able to be played safely under lockdown restrictions.
Our colleagues in the golf industry around the UK are also united in pushing these messages. We want to assure golfers in Wales we are representing them at the highest levels.