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The governing bodies of Irish golf have pleaded with golfers to responsibly return to the course or risk another closure as clubs tentatively reopen on May 18.
While there are still no instructions for Northern Ireland clubs as they wait for the UK Government and NI Executive to confirm the arrangements, the GUI and ILGU published their protocol for a safe return with clubs ready to operate with a capacity maximum of 55% in phase 1, with the maximum group size limited to three balls until June 8.
“As one of the first sports to be allowed to resume, there is a great responsibility on golf clubs and golfers to ensure that our sport is performed safely and responsibly,” the unions said in a statement.
“Full adherence to the provisions of this Protocol is absolutely essential.
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“It should be noted that the Government continues to monitor the situation closely and has not ruled out the reintroduction of restrictions that could cause golf clubs to close again if the Protocol is not followed.”
The protocol is established in five phases and although many of the safety measures are not unexpected, there are no exceptions to the mandatory 5 km distance limit for exercising, which must be observed until the start of Phase 2 (20 km) on 8 of June.
Unions warned clubs that demand for tee times is likely to be high and that members should not only be prepared for limited playing opportunities, but should also moderate their expectations after eight weeks of minimal maintenance on the field. .
Clubs are advised to consider limiting members to three rounds per week or restricting golf to nine holes just to allow all members a fair chance to play.
Unsurprisingly, all members must observe physical distancing rules at all times with play restricted to members for casual golf only, meaning that there will be no competitions or openings allowed.
Departure times must be booked in advance online or by phone and clubs must ensure that player names are recorded on time sheets, which must be kept for a period of at least six weeks to assist with tracking contacts, if necessary.
During Phase 1, daily schedules are restricted to a minimum of 10 minutes (singles), 12 minutes (two balls), or 14-minute intervals (three balls), meaning that a maximum of 60 golfers will occupy a course of 18 holes. course at any time (55% capacity).
Bars and restaurants must remain closed and off limits based on government policy and limited clubhouse access to use of restrooms (provided they can be kept clean) and initial retrieval of golf equipment from lockers.
Social gatherings, of any size, are prohibited and members are instructed not to touch the flag or the flagpole while the rakes are removed.
Rental cars must be disinfected before each use and caddies are not allowed unless they are from the same home.
The signage should be erected to reinforce the rules of physical distance, the cups (holes) should be altered to facilitate the recovery of the golf ball; Hand sanitizers available and all toilets are cleaned regularly.
Ball washers, containers, sandbags, benches, separation boxes, and nonessential furniture should be removed from the field or covered, and holes should be filled or covered on practice courses, and is recommended to golfers put them in a game place.
Unions also recommend that all clubs have a policy of allowing youth to play only if accompanied by an adult.
Golfers are encouraged to arrive at the club no more than 15 minutes before playing and to travel alone with members of their household.
They must park in such a way as to facilitate physical distance, change in the parking lot, warm up on their own and reach the first tee more than five minutes before their assigned tee time.
The protocol is identical for Phase 2 (June 8), when golfers will be able to travel 20 km to exercise.
Members of the same household should play together, rather than split into mixed groups and return directly to their cars with all of their equipment before leaving.
Fourballs will be allowed from Phase 3 (June 29) with intervals between all groups gradually reduced in Phases 4 (July 20) and 5 (August 10) to allow for increased capacity.
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