Ava Romero
Golf is a popular sport in the UK, with courses and clubs across the country. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were questions about whether golf was allowed to be played under certain lockdown restrictions. In England, golf courses and driving ranges were included in the list of non-essential businesses and were forced to close. In Wales, all golf courses were required to close under alert level 4 restrictions. However, outdoor coaching was allowed to continue on an individual basis or for members of the same household.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is golf allowed in the UK during the COVID-19 lockdown? | Golf was allowed in Scotland during the lockdown, but not in the rest of the UK. |
| Tier 4 areas in England | Golf courses could remain open, but pro shops and retailers had to close. |
| Wales | Golf courses had to close. |
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What You'll Learn
Golf in Tier 4 areas in England
Golf courses in Tier 4 areas in England can remain open, but there are several restrictions in place. Social distancing must be observed, and golf clubs must take all necessary steps to ensure a COVID-19 secure environment. Pro shops and golf retailers are classified as 'non-essential retail' and must close, although 'Click & Collect' is permitted.
Outdoor coaching is allowed on an individual basis or for multiple members of the same household or support bubble. Indoor coaching is not permitted, except for 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 outdoors but is not permitted indoors. Driving ranges, particularly indoor venues, are advised to contact local authorities to determine whether they can remain open.
Travel restrictions in Tier 4 areas mean that they must not be left by occupants or entered by anyone from a Tier 1, 2, or 3 area unless it is essential for work or other permitted reasons.
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Golf during the COVID-19 pandemic
Golf has been a contentious issue during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. While the sport is allowed in Scotland during lockdown, it has been banned in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This discrepancy is due to the fact that Scotland's regulations and laws are made by its devolved parliament, while England's regulations are set by the UK Government of Westminster. The First Minister of Scotland has allowed golf to be played, provided social distancing is observed and COVID-secure measures are implemented. However, golf courses and driving ranges in England have been forced to close as part of non-essential businesses. Wales has also pledged to keep golf courses open, but due to the acceleration of COVID-19 mitigation measures, all golf courses in the country had to close.
The UK Government's position on golf during the pandemic has been met with criticism, as some believe that the sport can be regulated in a secure way compared to other permitted activities. A petition to exempt golf courses in England gained over 250,000 signatures, and the England Golf chief executive Jeremy Tomlinson challenged the government's rationale for closing golf courses. He argued that golf is a sport that can be played safely outdoors while providing exercise, and the industry has adapted to restrictions with established COVID-secure practices.
Despite the efforts of golf governing bodies and petitions, the UK Government maintained its decision to include golf courses and facilities in the list of activities forced to pause during the pandemic. This decision was made to restrict travel and time away from home, as people were only allowed out once per day for exercise and had to stay local.
During the pandemic, there was a push to keep golf courses open in Tier 4 areas of England, with some success. Golf courses in these areas were allowed to remain open as long as play was restricted to certain formats, social distancing was observed, and COVID-secure environments were maintained. However, pro shops and golf retailers were required to close, with only 'Click & Collect' options available.
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Golf in Wales
Golf is a popular sport in Wales, with around 180 golf courses and 23 links courses scattered across the country. The sport's governing body, Wales Golf, was founded in 2007 after the merger of the Welsh Ladies Golf Union and the Welsh Golfing Union.
The first golf course in Wales was constructed in Pontnewydd, Monmouthshire in 1875, but this was a short course. By the mid-1880s, nine-hole courses were built at several sites in Wales, and the first amateur golf competition was held in 1895. The first professional championship was held in 1904.
Several sites claim to be home to the oldest golf club in Wales, but it is generally accepted that Tenby, formed in 1888, was the first. Another early course is found stretching between Borth and Ynyslas and has been in use since 1885. Other notable courses include the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, Southerndown Golf Club, Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club, Ashburnham Golf Club, Machynys Golf Club, and the Twenty Ten Course at Celtic Manor Resort, which hosted the Ryder Cup in 2010.
Wales has produced several notable golfers, including Ian Woosnam, who won one of the Men's major golf championships and led Europe to victory in the 1991 Masters Tournament at Augusta. Wales has also won the golfing World Cup twice, in 1987 and 2005.
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Golf in Scotland during lockdown
Golf is a sport with a long history in Scotland, dating back to the 15th century. The game originated on the eastern coast of Scotland, where players would attempt to hit a pebble over sand dunes using a bent stick or club. The first official golf club was formed in 1744 by the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith, who set up an annual competition with silverware prizes. The rules for this competition were drafted by Duncan Forbes and included a provision for what to do if a ball landed in "water or any watery filth".
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, golf courses in Scotland were subject to various restrictions and guidelines. While the specific measures varied depending on the local public health guidelines, here is an overview of golf in Scotland during the lockdown:
In March 2025, during the COVID-19 pandemic, residents of Turnberry, Scotland, experienced a "partial lockdown" due to US President Donald Trump's visit to his family's golf resort. This lockdown included road diversions, security checkpoints, and an increased police presence. Protests were held across Scotland, with demonstrators expressing their disapproval of Trump's presence in the country and his handling of various issues, including his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
During earlier lockdowns in Scotland, golf courses were closed to the public. For example, in January 2021, golf courses in Scotland were closed as part of the country's lockdown measures to control the spread of COVID-19. However, as the lockdown restrictions eased, golf courses were allowed to reopen with certain guidelines in place. These guidelines included social distancing measures, restrictions on the use of clubhouse facilities, and enhanced cleaning protocols. Local golf governing bodies in Scotland provided detailed guidance to golf clubs to ensure the safety of golfers and staff.
Overall, the impact of lockdown on golf in Scotland varied depending on the specific restrictions in place at different stages of the pandemic. While courses may have been closed during stricter lockdown periods, they were able to reopen with safety measures in place as the situation improved. Golf has a strong following in Scotland, and the sport's governing bodies played a crucial role in navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 restrictions.
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Golf's impact on travel
Golf is a sport that has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the 15th century. The game has since spread worldwide, with golf clubs and competitions emerging during the Victorian era, thanks to the advent of railways. Today, golf continues to have a significant impact on travel, particularly in the UK, where it attracts travellers seeking to play on the country's renowned courses.
Brexit has had a notable influence on golf-related travel to the UK. The weakened pound sterling has made the country a more affordable destination for American golfers, increasing their purchasing power in restaurants, pubs, golf courses, and accommodations. Conversely, the stronger euro has made travel to Ireland more expensive for Europeans, potentially reducing the number of golfers visiting from the continent.
The impact of Brexit on the movement of golfers between the UK and Ireland has been a significant concern. Initially, there were fears that a "hard border" between Northern Ireland and Ireland would deter golfers from combining these destinations. However, the border issue has been resolved, maintaining a “soft border” without passport checks, thus preserving the ease of travel between these popular golfing regions.
Brexit has also sparked discussions about the potential impact on the ownership and management of golf courses in the UK. The financial implications of Brexit, including fluctuations in currency exchange rates, could influence the buying and selling of golf courses, as seen with the acquisition of Turnberry by Donald Trump.
Overall, while the short-term effects of Brexit on golf travel have been mixed, the long-term consequences remain uncertain. Industry experts acknowledge the many unanswered questions, highlighting the potential impact on European golfers' travel decisions due to currency preferences and political sentiments.
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Frequently asked questions
During the COVID-19 pandemic, golf courses were forced to close in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, golf was allowed in Scotland during lockdown.
The closures were a devastating blow to the golf industry, which had experienced a boom in participation over the summer. A petition to exempt golf courses in the UK during the pandemic garnered over 250,000 signatures.
Outdoor coaching was allowed on an individual basis or for members of the same household or support bubble. Indoor coaching was not permitted.
