How Social Media Reacted To English Golf Courses Re-Opening

The announcement that golf could re-open in England led to both delight and confusion

How Social Media Reacted To English Golf Courses Re-Opening
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The announcement that golf could re-open in England led to both delight and confusion

How Social Media Reacted To English Golf Courses Re-Opening

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation on Sunday evening to ease and modify some of the current Coronavirus lockdown measures.

That meant that golf courses in England could re-open on Wednesday although there has been much confusion since the announcement.

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

The official advice was for one-balls or groups within households but that is now clouded after Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a television interview that people can meet up in parks as long as social distancing is practised.

England Golf tweeted that they are lobbying the government for official best practice guidance:

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Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, confirmed that golf courses could re-open:

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Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon was confused by the advice:

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Director of Golf at The Shire Golf Club said that golf clubs will now have tough decisions to make.

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Leicester Golf Centre's owner Anders Mankert posted this video welcoming golfers back:

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BBC presenter and keen golfer Dan Walker retweeted Oliver Dowden:

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2016 Amateur Championship winner Scott Gregory called for golfers to stick to the rules set out:

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Five-time European Tour winner Matt Fitzpatrick is hoping to be first out at the Hallamshire on Wednesday:

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Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan was initially confused about whether he could play golf on Wednesday:

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TalkSport presenter Georgie Bingham joked that she is on the lookout for new golfing housemates:

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English tour pro Dale Whitnell said he is grateful to play again but also feels it could be a bad move:

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Another English tour pro Richard Mansell said "If you don't want to play on your own, then don't play at all"

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However, the advice still has not been 100% clear and clubs are awaiting further guidance before officially re-opening:

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Here's how Golf Monthly readers reacted to the news:

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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