Golf Membership Applications Increase After "Safe And Successful" Re-Opening

Courses in England have been open for nearly a week and the reports are that golf has had a safe and successful return

Golf Membership Applications Increase After "Safe And Successful" Re-Opening
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Courses in England have been open for nearly a week and the reports are that is has been a safe and successful return for the sport

Golf Membership Applications Increase After "Safe And Successful" Re-Opening

The Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf, North Warwickshire MP Craig Tracey, has called the reopening of golf courses in England “safe and successful” and also confirmed that membership applications had increased.

Courses in England opened last week after Covid-19 lockdown guidelines were loosened, with courses in Wales and Northern Ireland now also open.

There are plenty of restrictions in place but the news is that the re-opening has gone very well and this period could turn out to be a very positive one for the game of golf as one of the very first sports to restart in the UK.

Membership applications are up, pace of play has drastically improved due to two-ball only play and many casual players must now be thinking about getting their clubs out of the garage.

Craig Tracy warned golfers to remain vigilant but was very positive about the sport's return, saying that "the overwhelming feedback was that the restarting of golf has been safe and successful."

"We heard that players were keeping to social distancing requirements with little or no instruction from staff and the new temporary rules were being diligently followed," he said after meeting with the golf industry.

"With only two-balls being allowed, play has become faster and it was not surprising that many courses were at full capacity.

“One of the terrific pieces of news that we had picked up on over the week, and was confirmed by industry bodies today, is the increase in membership applications and innovation that has resulted.

"This should be a really significant positive impact for the sport moving forward.”

Related: The best golf membership deals we've spotted

The UK Golf Federation also praised golf's successful return in England due to the safety measures put in place and the brisk pace of play.

Doug Poole, the Chief Executive of the UK Golf Federation said: "Across the country we have had excellent reports from clubs of all different types and sizes.

"The UK Golf Federation has been keen to share best practice on all government’s safety procedures throughout its membership and we are proud that we have been able help golf resume safely.

"Importantly, all of our members realise that this is a critical time for the country and we are very grateful to be open at all.

"Being one of the first sports to re-open to the public is especially important for the country’s well-being and fitness.

"We have set the highest safety standards and I am extremely impressed with this level of restraint and understanding of everyone involved, from customers to operators”.

Ian Bonser, owner of the 3 Hammers Golf Complex, was delighted with some of the comments made about his safety policies: "Several of our customers have commented that they feel safer at our golf centre than at their local supermarket due to the thoroughness of the social distancing and signage my team have deployed.

"I couldn’t ask for better feedback than that.”

Neil Burke, who runs Horsham Golf and Fitness, said that his club may even be putting more emphasis on two-ball play post-lockdown.

"The pace of play has been a major advantage and we are considering adjusting our future management style to include times when people can play in two-balls only," he said.

"There has been quite a lot spoken about the fact that golf is too time-consuming but most of our players are getting round in less than three hours and that gives them more time to enjoy other activities with their families.

"There is obviously a market for faster golf. In addition, the attitude of our members and visitors has been excellent. They have been polite and eager to fit in with our new operating rules and restrictions and a delight to deal with.”

For all the latest golf news, check the Golf Monthly website and follow our social media channels @golfmonthlymagazine on Facebook and @golfmonthly on Twitter and Instagram

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