Golf courses in Tier 4 areas can remain open for play in the following formats:
- Individual play
- Two-balls from same or different households/bubbles
- Three or fourballs involving people from the same household/bubble
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf – of which England Golf is a member – has issued the following statement addressing issues of play, retail, coaching and travel:
“The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf is happy to confirm that golf courses will be able to remain open when the new Tier 4 restrictions become effective in parts of England from 06:00 GMT on Sunday 20th December.
“In Tier 4 areas, golf courses can remain open for individuals playing with members of their own household or support bubble, or with one person from another household.
“As usual, social distancing is to be observed and all necessary steps are to be taken to ensure a COVID-19 secure environment.
“Under Tier 4 restrictions, non-essential retail – including Pro Shops and golf retailers – must close. Click and Collect will, however, be permitted.
“Outdoor coaching will be allowed on an individual basis or for multiple members of the same household or support bubble. Indoor coaching will be not be permitted.
“There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes, and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, which can take place with larger groups mixing.
“Custom fitting can take place outside on a one-to-one basis but is not permitted indoors.
“Some golf ranges can be classified as indoor settings, but it would be for each facility to read and interpret the guidelines against their own venue – it is suggested that if confirmation is required they contact their local authority who will be best placed to advise.
“Unless it’s essential for work or other reasons, Tier 4 areas must not be left by occupants or entered by anybody from a Tier 1, 2 or 3 area. Full details of Tier 4 guidance can be found on the government’s website.”
For details of the Play Safe, Stay Safe playing the game protocols, click here
To discover which tier of the alert level system you are in, please check the government postcode tracker.
Further information and updates will be provided when government guidance changes.
We are delighted to be able to continue to welcome golfers.
Naturally we are working under some constraints as we all still try and maintain social distancing for the safety of all our customers and our staff.
We would ask that you all respect the two metre rules when on our site and masks must we worn at ALL times on the Premises except when playing on the course. We are doing our best to make the distancing as clear as possible for everyone’s convenience.
CAR PARKING.
We will continue to allow for free movement from the Car Park, over the bridge and for potential queueing.
Please follow the directional signage on entry and park with care and consideration to other cars.
BRIDGE TO PRO SHOP.
No queuing on the bridge into the Pro Shop. In busy times please stay back from the bridge until the shop area is clear. Access over the bridge is for entry to the shop only to pay green fees or range fees, exit from the golf facility will be via the alternative route alongside the Practise Putting Green and back to the Car Park to avoid congestion. Note customers will also be queuing at busy periods for the Driving Range – lines are clearly marked.
PRO SHOP
We will have staff on a rota in the Pro Shop to take green fees, we cannot carry out normal shop sales. Only one person at a time in the shop please. Payment by card if possible (minimum spend of £1 for the time being) and there will be a screen between customers and staff.
TOILETS
Gents toilet – one only – will be open for Players on the course on the Driving Range- please ask first to check access with staff.
Ladies toilet – one only – will be open in the main building on the right of the shop entrance.
If there are other ladies waiting please stand back from the door to allow distancing from others..
DRIVING RANGE
The Driving Range is open with controlled access – see separate notes on this web site.Please make sure you are in the right line from the Car Park if it is busy! Sorry Players on the course can no longer at this stage use the Range to warm up.
LESSONS
Lessons will resume during the coming week, please call for the limited times James and Richie can offer. Peter (Putting) is available during the mornings at Southport Old Links Pro Shop and here at the Golf Academy each afternoon. James and Richie can accommodate Playing Lessons at Southport Old Links, and all facilities ( except the Performance Room at SGA.
CAFÉ
The café is closed for the time being – hot and cold drinks are available when paying green fees..
PRACTICE AREA.
Will remain closed at present.
PUTTING GREEN
Players can use the putting green before play, but access is restricted to all other users of the facility
GOLF COURSE.
Tees between 8.00am and 10.00am on Monday to Friday will be reserved for Contract Holders use.
ALL Contract Holders will have to book a tee time.
Pay and Play customers will require a tee time, no walk ups allowed.
No player will be permitted to play without a tee time and must adhere to it. Late arrivals who miss their time will be unable to play.
We can now take booking for 18 holes rounds, 3 balls and 4 balls, however the distancing measures will mean there may be a holding delay through the Car Park route.
Single players, two balls, three balls and four ball can all be accommodated subject to tee time line with GOVERNMENT instruction on social distancing under Tier Four rules.
Tee times for single players will be five minutes apart – Tee times for two balls will be ten minutes apart and larger groups 15 minutes apart.
The tee off area on the 1st will be marshalled.
It is suggested that you do not come to the site until approximately 20 minutes from your tee time. Please do not come over the bridge to the Pro Shop to pay or sign in until ten minutes before your time.
Advice is no bag or club sharing between players.
No rakes in bunkers. Please smooth out sand with club/shoe. Bunkers will be GUR until further notice if you wish. Lift out and play from a club length from point of entry – no loss of shot. Bunkers will be maintained from the next few days, but without rakes – it will be optional to play from them.
No removal of flagsticks. Cups will be lifted so that if the ball hits it, you are deemed to have holed.
Please do not lift any other players ball or if you find someone else’s lost golf ball.
No sitting on bins.
Shoe cleaner will be out of use.
At the 9th Green please exit the course via the bridge there and turn left back to the car park.
If you hire a trolley from us please leave it by the putting green as you leave the course where it will be sanitised for next use.
No return route past the 1st Tee and café bridge to the Pro Shop/Bridge.
Your help and adherence with all of the above is greatly appreciated.
Our staff will refuse entry or ask you to leave our site if any of the above measures are ignored, without exception. Security continues to be employed on our site during the early mornings and late evenings due.
The above measures may be subject to change at any time in accordance with Government guidelines.
29.05.20