Statement - clarification on club fitting and driving ranges in England

Last week we were able to provide clarification and guidance around coaching and retail following the re-opening of Golf. We are now able to provide further information relating to club fitting and driving ranges in England.

We are advised that the UK Government are unlikely to provide specific guidance on club fitting and driving ranges. We have therefore considered all available Government advice and have reached the following conclusions.  

Club Fitting

Like coaching, it is advised that club fitting can commence outside. However you must be able to complete the entirety of the activity under social distancing and infection control measures. Once again, it is recommended that PGA Professionals complete a comprehensive risk assessment to ensure maximum safety.  

When considering whether to custom fit golf clubs at your facility, the following points need to be followed: 

• Carry out a comprehensive risk assessment considering current Government advice.
• All club fitting should take place outdoors and social distancing must be adhered to.
• Consideration needs to be given to the strict hygiene measures relating to the sharing of equipment.

Driving ranges

The UK Government have issued guidelines for providers of outdoor facilities on the phased return of sport and recreation in England. These guidelines specifically mention the re-opening of outdoor sports facilities. Driving ranges have been constructed in a variety of different ways, with varying features of indoor and outdoor facilities, making it impossible to provide a blanket response as to whether they can or cannot open.

In addition, driving ranges contain a number of hard surfaces and remain a high risk area for the spread of COVID-19. Because of this risk and the variable nature of their construction, we are not able to confirm if driving ranges are allowed to open.

If you are considering opening your driving range, you should carry out a comprehensive risk assessment considering current Government advice. 

CLICK HERE to view full details on the Guidance for providers of outdoor facilities on the phased return of sport and recreation.

Further Clarification

If you have any doubts around operating a club fitting service at your facility or opening a driving range, we recommend getting in touch with your local Environmental Health and trading Standards office who will be able to provide further advice.

The following organisations have come together to provide direction for golf in the UK during the COVID-19 crisis: The Belfry; the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association; the British Golf Industry Association; England Golf; the Golf Club Managers’ Association; Golf Ireland; the Golfing Union of Ireland; the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union; IMG; The Professional Golfers’ Association; PING; The R&A; Scottish Golf; Syngenta; the UK Golf Federation; Wales Golf and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Golf.

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