Golf Courses In England To Re-Open On Wednesday

England's golf courses will re-open on Wednesday 13th May for the first time in over six weeks

Golf Courses In England To Re-Open On Wednesday Raab Says It Will Be Difficult For Amateur Sports To Return
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England's golf courses will re-open on Wednesday 13th May for the first time in over six weeks

Golf Courses In England To Re-Open On Wednesday

Golf courses in England are to re-open on Wednesday after the Prime Minister's announcement on modifying the current Coronavirus lockdown.

Boris Johnson said that sport can continue on Wednesday, exercise can be unlimited and journeys are now permitted to exercise.

This meant that golf courses could open, and the R&A has confirmed that.

UPDATE: Golfers in England allowed to play with someone from another household from Wednesday

"Golf can resume in England on Wednesday following the latest update by the UK Government," the R&A said in a joint statement with golf's stakeholders and home unions.

"All outdoor sport must be done alone or within a household group and that includes golf.

"Golf clubs and golfers have observed the lockdown very well and must keep it up and act responsibly as play resumes."

However, golf courses will only be opening on Wednesday in England, with courses in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland currently remaining closed.

Wales and Northern Ireland remain in lockdown for another three weeks whilst Scotland's lockdown continues "for now," according to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Golf courses in the Republic of Ireland will be opening on 18th May for members who live within 5km of their clubs.

On Wednesday when golf gets back up-and-running in England, the game can only be played with others in your household and restrictions will be in place as per the R&A's guidance that was recently released.

Flagsticks must not be touched, rakes will be out of play and clubhouses will remain closed.

“From this Wednesday, we want to encourage people to take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise,” UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

“You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own household.”

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV