Petition To Re-Open Golf Courses Reaches 100k Signatures

Parliament will now consider debating the petition to allow golf to be played

Petition To Re-Open Golf Courses
(Image credit: Tom Miles)

Parliament will now consider debating the petition to allow golf to be played

Petition To Re-Open Golf Courses Reaches 100k Signatures

A petition to get golf back open has reached 100,000 signatures, meaning that parliament will consider it for debate.

The petition is titled 'Allow golf to be played with appropriate safety measures' and has been backed by both Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell.

"The Government should allow golf courses to remain open during the second lockdown, and any future restrictions," it reads.

Related: Could this pave the way for England's courses to re-open?

"Shops and clubhouses can close, but courses should be allowed to remain open, with social distancing in place.

"The risk of Covid transmission is lower outdoors, so there is no reason for golf to be stopped.

"It provides important exercise for many people and has numerous mental health benefits. Don’t allow golf to be stopped."

Related: Why are golf courses open in Scotland but not England?

Lee Westwood shared the petition on social media with his fellow Ryder Cup star Graeme McDowell adding his support.

"I think this is something worth supporting in the UK," the 2010 US Open champion wrote.

With correct safety measures, golf is a sport which can easily function in these tough times. Great for exercise and general well being."

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Parliament was due to debate re-opening golf courses last month after another petition but courses had re-opened already by that point when the second lockdown ended.

England Golf says that it, along with the wider industry, is doing its best to change the government's view on golf during the pandemic.

Related: England Golf CEO: Closing courses "an opportunity missed"

It hopes that the game can be part of the solution with more than two million players in England set to miss out on golf's well-known mental and physical health benefits.

Do you think courses will re-open during lockdown? Let us know on social media

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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