R&A makes plans for safe return to our golf courses

At the moment all facilities are closed on government instruction, but there are murmurings that, when it’s safe to do so, golf will be amongst the first to be given the green light to resume.

But even if our courses are opened again, there will obviosuly need to be some strict hygeine measures put into place to protect those playing from coronavirus.

The Fife based R&A, a governing body for golf, has been working with a range of bodies to consider what these measures are and how best to introduce them.

It covers five main areas: course set-up, before, during and after the round and rules of golf related matters.

This guidance has formed part of a submission to the government and may be subject to change.

A spokesman for the R&A said: “There are many different types of golf clubs and golf facilities, requiring safe golf procedures to be finalised and implemented locally.

“However, the fundamentals are the same throughout the sport, which has a good record of compliance with rules and procedures.

“These procedures will include all aspects of the golfing experience, from arrival in the car park shortly before the round to departure straight away on completion of the round.

“Golfers will be required to comply with the rules on social distancing throughout.

“Some temporary provisions in relation to the rules of golf will also be necessary to ensure safe play.”

Full details of the precise measures being proposed are available at www.randa.org

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspapers; the Fife Free Press, Fife Herald, St Andrews Citizen, East Fife Mail and Glenrothes Gazette.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty.

The support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with your community during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this, and your continued support of our newspapers across Fife will help to protect their viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Allan Crow, Editor, Fife Free Press