Following the announcement from the Government on 11th May that certain restrictions in the COVID-19 lockdown will be relaxed, England Golf has agreed to a phased re-opening of golf courses under the banner of ‘Play Safe/Stay Safe’. The Board can confirm that our golf course will re-open on Wednesday 13th May with the following restrictions applied, in line with guidance from the R&A and England Golf. These rules must be followed until further notice is given by the Board.

In this first phase, golf will be restricted to 9 holes only, and in groups of 2 players.

Course Set Up

The latest guidelines issued by BIGGA and the R&A will be followed.

1.1 On-Course Items
o All rakes and ball-retrievers have been removed.
o Ball washers are covered up.
o Benches, bins, air compressor & shoe cleaners should not be used.
o Equipment in the golf trolley store & lockers should be removed and the facilities will be open on Wednesday 13th May between 08:00h to 10:00h and again from 17:00h to 18:00h. This will be repeated on Saturday 16th May from 08:00 to 10:00h. After this, the lockers and trolley store should not be used until further notice, and all equipment should be stored at home.
o Buggies are permitted, only for single use by the owner, who is responsible for cleaning and hygiene. No buggies will be available for hire.

1.2 Hole and Flagstick
o Flagsticks are retained but must not be touched.
o Foam inserts are in use on all holes, to enable safe ball retrieval.

1.3 Practice Areas
o All shared balls and flags have been removed. Foam inserts have been added to holes. Own balls can be used but must be removed after practice, with limit of two players on the putting green and one player in the nets at any time. Driving range is closed.

Before the Round

2.1 Bookings
o Tee times should be booked remotely on BRS. For members without access to the Internet, please call Steve Willis on 07779085035, who will make the booking.
o The BRS will give an option of 9-hole options on the 1st or 10th Tee, with bookings limited to three times per week per member and groups of 2 players at 10-minute intervals.
o There will be no block bookings for Ladies, TOFFs or other categories, and bookings will be on a first come/first served basis.

2.2 Arrival and Waiting to Play
o Players should arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before tee time.
o Cars must be parked at least 4m apart.
o Members must adhere to 2m social distancing at all times
o Players must remain by their vehicle until 10 mins before tee time, then go to Pro shop or toilet, to sanitise hands.
o Pro shop will only be open for hand sanitising and scorecards.
o The clubhouse will be closed. Access to locker rooms will be allowed with 1-way traffic signage applied to Ladies & Gents facilities. Lockers will be allowed to initially retrieve clubs, etc for the 1st game, then kept at home. Gents mid-urinal is out of use.
o Go to practice area only when group ahead is on the 1st or 10th tee.
o No trolleys, carts or clubs will be available for hire.

During the Round

Golfers must maintain 2m apart at all times.

3.1 Teeing Areas
o Golfers must be 2m apart at teeing areas due to the normal close proximity of golfers to one another when tee shots are being played.

3.2 General
o Golfers must stay more than 2m apart when walking to the ball, searching for a ball and playing shots.
o Golfers must not touch stray balls.

3.3 Bunkers
o There are no rakes on the course so golfers must make their very best efforts to smooth the sand using their club and/or their feet.

3.4 Putting Green
o Golfers must keep 2 metres apart on the putting greens and not touch the flagstick.
o The ball is considered “holed” with the next stroke if it is within 12 inches of the hole.

3.5 Forms of Play and Scoring
o Non-competition play will be used in this initial period of golf.
o At this stage we will not use these scores for handicapping purposes.
o No exchange of scorecards is allowed.
o Players will mark their own scorecards, with verbal certification by their playing partner.
o If competitions are introduced, scorecards should not be handed in, with results communicated to the Competition Secretaries by e-mail/text, as allowed in the Rules of Golf.

After the Round

Golfers must leave the course and the club/facility immediately with no gatherings around either the 18th or the clubhouse/carpark areas.

The Board
RGC
11th May 2020