STATEMENT FROM THE IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION AND GOLFING UNION OF IRELAND IN RELATION TO GOLF IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND UNDER LEVEL 3
6th OCTOBER 2020
Please find below, guidance which applies to golf club activities in clubs situated in counties assessed at Level 3 in the Irish Governments Living with COVID plan.
At a time when the trajectory of the disease is not where we want it to be, it is essential that all golf clubs operate within this guidance and in doing so continue to show the high levels of safety consciousness that has been a feature since reopening.
It is essential that all club officials and members familiarise themselves with this guidance, and play their part in ensuring our sport remains open and accessible at this uncertain time.
Following the Irish Governments announcement in relation to increased restrictions due to COVID-19, golf clubs and golfers located in the Republic of Ireland must adhere to the following:
Golfers must not travel outside their county of residence to play golf
All-Ireland GUI Inter-Club matches and National Championships are covered by separate guidance which will be issued by GUI to clubs and participants involved.
Clubs may continue activities which are qualifying for handicapping purposes but all participants must abide by the domestic travel restrictions at Level 3 (see first point above).
Members, their guests and staff with colds or any symptoms of COVID-19 must stay away from the golf course/clubhouse
Physical distancing rules are observed by all members and their guests at all times in the car park, clubhouse and on the course.
Personnel are on hand to monitor adherence with physical distancing rules and the rules for golfers set out in this document.
Tee times are booked in advance online or over the telephone. Clubs must ensure that players names (including members guests) are recorded on timesheets and timesheets must be kept for a period of at least 6 weeks to assist with contact tracing should the need arise.
Daily timesheets are restricted to a minimum of 8, 9 or 10 minute intervals. Clubs may only choose one interval for each day. If clubs choose 8+ minute intervals, play is restricted to 2 golfers per start time. If clubs choose 9+ minutes, up to 3 golfers may play per start time. If clubs choose 10+ minutes, up to 4 golfers may play per start time.
Those aged 70 years and over and the medically vulnerable should exercise judgement regarding the extent to which they engage with others and in activities outside home. Specific Government guidance will be provided.
Training: Outdoors non-contact training only in pods of up to 15. Indoors individual training only.
All cafes and restaurants, including bars, should only offer takeaway or delivery, or outdoor dining/service (maximum 15 people with strict physical distancing please consult www.gov.ie for details noting that different restrictions apply in Dublin)
Clubhouse access should be confined to use of toilet facilities (provided they can be kept clean) and initial retrieval of golf equipment from lockers. If toilet facilities are open, clubs should adopt a one-in, one-out approach.
There are no social gatherings, of any size, at the facility.
Players are instructed not to touch the flag or flagstick.
Rakes are removed from the course. Players are requested to smooth bunkers using their feet or a club. (See Appendix 2 as previously published for measures which can be taken in qualifying situations)
Hire trolleys (electric and pull trolleys) must be sanitised prior to each use.
Caddies are not permitted (exception: where the group of golfers and the caddies are from the same household or an individual has a disability/additional needs).
Committee of Management