Are golf courses open and what are the new rules?
GOLF fans have been flocking on to greens after lockdown after restrictions were lifted from the end of March 29.
Here's all you need to know about the coronavirus restrictions surrounding golf...
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When will golf courses reopen?
Boris Johnson confirmed that outdoor sports will be able resume from March 29.
Adults and children will be allowed to take part in organised outdoor sports - including golf.
Golf courses will reopen along with outdoor swimming pools.
Before Johnson's roadmap announcement, England Golf boss Jeremy Tomlinson told him in an open letter golf should be included in the first phase as restrictions are lifted.
He said: "England Golf has been clear from the start – golf is a sport played safely in the open air with social distancing part and parcel of every round.
"With the introduction of our Play Safe, Stay Safe protocols after the first lockdown, we made our sport even more secure."
He added: "In short, golf remains a sport that’s safe and good for both body and soul."
Following the initial lockdown in March 2020, golf courses were one of the first sports facilities to be reopened.
Golf courses and driving ranges were closed during the third lockdown which started in January 2021.
Golf is currently permitted in Scotland, but only under strict restrictions.
What are the new rules?
The “” protocols are likely to be in force which will apply to golf players and clubs.
These include the removal of furniture, such as rakes and ball retrievers, but flags can stay although they should not be touched.
The protocols also provide information about tee-time bookings and social distancing on the course.
Four-ball groups are permitted on-course with no restriction on the
mixing of households but group sizes must not exceed six.
Clubhouses are still closed.
Guidelines set out by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf (APPGG) include: “Social distancing is to be observed and all necessary steps are to be taken to ensure a Covid-19 secure environment.”
The rules add: "Outdoor coaching will be allowed on an individual basis or for multiple members of the same household or support bubble. Indoor coaching will be not be permitted.
“There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes, and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, which can take place with larger groups mixing.
“Custom fitting can take place outside on a one-to-one basis but is not permitted indoors.
“Some golf ranges can be classified as indoor settings, but it would be for each facility to read and interpret the guidelines against their own venue – it is suggested that if confirmation is required they contact their local authority who will be best placed to advise."
Are golf courses reopening in Ireland?
Golf courses in Ireland are currently closed until Monday, April 26.
On March 16, 2021, it was announced that courses in Northern Ireland would open from April 1 and they are currently open now.
The head of the governing body for golf across Ireland wrote to the Stormont Executive, calling for courses to be reopened.
Golf Ireland regional manager Kevin Stevens said: “We’re saying that golf should be being played at the moment.
“We’re wanting to see it come back as soon as it’s possible and allow people to get out and exercise.
"It’ll help their mental health and there are a whole lot of other benefits to playing the sport.”
Have golf courses opened in other countries?
Golf courses around the world are beginning to open again, including in Portugal and New Zealand.
Spain reopened its courses in May 2020.
The sport can be played at six resorts in Thailand.
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The six resorts include three in Kanchanaburi, West of Bangkok, one in Nakhon Nayok, North of Bangkok, and one in Petchaburi, south of the Thai capital.
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There is also an approved resort in Chiang Mai, in the country’s north.
Anyone travelling to Thailand though must have had a negative Covid test no more than 72 hours before departure.