You can still tee up – but keep your distance

The sport is one of the few recreational activities the government has advised can still go ahead with players naturally in the open air and able to keep apart.

A host of additional measures have been taken to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

They include rakes being taken out of bunkers and pins being raised or protected so the ball doesn’t drop into the hole which means players don’t have to touch the flags.

But the worldwide pandemic is still hitting the hospitality and catering side of the game – revenues some golf clubs rely on in order to stay afloat.

“It’s a very challenging time for the golf industry as it is for everybody else,” said Sue LeBeau who is the club manager at The South Staffordshire Golf Club, in Tettenhall. “We are in a more fortunate position than some because we are a private members club and that is where the bulk of our income comes from.

“But last week we took the decision to close the clubhouse in response to the government guidelines.

“That will have a big impact. But all our green staff will continue to work.

“Playing golf is very good for your fitness levels and it’s a sport that can still be played as it is in the open air.

“There have been less people coming through the door, but we are continuing to the maintain the course so that we can get through this period and then when it has passed it will be back to business as usual.”

Mick Woodhouse, secretary of Penn Golf Club, said his club was also staying open.

“We are staying open, but it is an ongoing situation and we will be governed by government guidelines,” he said. “But we have made restrictions such as we have removed all rakes from the bunkers and there is now no contact with pins.

“For etiquette purposes, members are not usually allowed to change their shoes or into waterproofs in the car park, but that has been changed now.

“We are doing what we can because we want to stay open.

“Our members pay their fees and it’s an open-air sport and one that is very easy to play while separated from other people.

“But we are taking things day by day and our directors are holding daily meetings.

“We want to do our absolute best for our members, but we also have a duty of care to our staff. Everyone’s health is the most important thing.”