Golf: Courses to reopen on Wednesday 13 May

Marland Golf Course

Local golf courses will be re-opening from tomorrow (Wednesday 13 May) which means they will now be inaccessible and potentially dangerous to the public who may have been exercising on the courses.

Some golf courses have public footpaths that will of course, remain open to the public but people are strongly advised to keep to those footpaths, keep dogs on a short lead and take care.

Local courses that will be re-opening include: Blackley, North Manchester, Manchester, Castle Hawk, Rochdale, Tunshill, Marland and Whittaker.

Under new government rules released on Monday (11 May), the following will be permitted upon resumption of play:

• Individuals playing golf on their own.
• Two-balls comprising of individuals from different households
• At the discretion of the golf club, members of the same household playing in two, three or four-balls.
• Social distancing rules must be strictly adhered to at all times.

In a statement, representatives from Tunshill said: “Tunshill Golf Course will open to its members only, on Wednesday 13 at 6am. If you are going for your usual walk around the course please stay on the public footpaths, if you are anywhere else it is at your own risk.

“On behalf of our Captain we would like to thank those of you that have respected our course. Please stay safe.”

A statement from Marland reads: “After the government’s announcement and guidance from England Golf we are pleased to announce that Marland Golf Course will open for play on Wednesday 13 May 2020.

“It is your responsibility to follow social distancing and government guidelines. To manage expected high demand, a midweek booking system has been introduced until further notice.

“No golf can be played without a pre-booked tee time. Bookings are open to everyone and are available seven days in advance.”

In a statement Golf England said: “Government is updating the rules so that, as well as exercise, people can now also spend time outdoors subject to: not meeting up with any more than one person from outside your household; continued compliance with social distancing guidelines to remain two metres (6ft) away from people outside your household; good hand hygiene, particularly with respect to shared surfaces; and those responsible for public places being able to put appropriate measures in place to follow the new COVID-19 Secure guidance. People may exercise outside as many times each day as they wish.

You can only exercise with up to one person from outside your household – this means you should not play team sports, except with members of your own household. People may drive to outdoor open spaces irrespective of distance, so long as they respect social distancing guidance while they are there, because this does not involve contact with people outside your household.

“Further clarification is being sought from government relating to the opening of professional shops and driving ranges as well as the carrying out of club fitting and coaching sessions.”