Frequently asked questions in relation to the Guidance for Golf Clubs and Golfers on returning to Golf in Scotland

A. These protocols allow golf to resume in a controlled and phased manner, in line with the advice and guidance of public health officials. The guidelines were drafted in consultation with Golf Industry Partners, Golf Club Managers, Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland.

A. No, golfers are always expected to observe ALL public health guidance.

A. Golf Clubs must maintain an accurate record for 6 weeks of all golfers using the facility. This may be used to assist in contact tracing.

A. Whilst the golf clubs must ensure the game is played safely and in accordance with the protocol, it is the individual golfer’s responsibility to adhere to the laws of the land.

A. The updated regulations state that a “drive of broadly 5 miles is considered to be local”, the travel advice is for an individual to apply good judgement and not for the golf club to determine or police.

A. This is for the club to determine in line with their own playing regulations.

A. Yes – provided it is sanitised prior to and after use. Also will depend on whether the club chose to put buggies in operation and have the manpower to ensure sanitisation is undertaken.

A. All golf clubs are asked to put guidelines and measures in place to manage practice facilities. It is a matter for each club to determine availability and usage limits.

A. Yes – however, members who are in the highest risk (shielding) group outlined by the Government should stay away from the golf club.

A. Golf Club premises will remain closed, but golf clubs can provide a one-off appointment for the sole purpose of retrieving your equipment on a one by one basis.

A. The R&A have published changes to rules to allow competitions to proceed safely. Clubs must use digital scoring and cashless entry fee / payment methods to avoid contamination risks. It will be at the discretion of the golf club when competitions resume.

A. Yes – as long as they continue to meet the rules of CONGU and scorecards can be verified by an approved method. Contact handicapping@scottishgolf.org for approved methods.

A. If it meets the government guidelines.

A. It is recommended everyone brings their own hand sanitiser and uses frequently during their round.

A. Once golf has resumed, the following groupings will be permitted to play Golf in Scotland:

• Individuals playing golf on their own.
• Two players, with household members or with a non-household member (subject to limit of mixing with one household per day) so long as they adhere to the Government’s physical distancing rules.
• At the discretion of the golf club and subject to adherence of only mixing with one other household group per day, play in groups of three or four-balls is permitted.

A. If the driving range is indoor, or a combination of indoor and outdoor then the facility is not permitted to reopen in phase 1. If the driving range is fully outdoors (regardless of whether bays are covered or not) and if access to the bays can be controlled with physical distancing and all appropriate hygiene measures in place these could reopen.

Risk assessments would need to be completed to ensure all areas are safe i.e. surfaces cleaned between use, ball vending machines restricted, sanitisation measures active. Facilities should also check with their own insurers that they were covered to restart operations.

A. At present, toilet facilities on and off the golf course should remain closed to limit the risk of transmission. Scottish Golf will continue to provide updates on when toilet facilities can open as we move into the next phases of golf’s return.