19/07/21 Scottish Golf Update
Dear Members
As we enter into another easing of Covid restrictions tomorrow, I wanted to make you aware of the latest ‘Scottish Golf’ update.
I have summarised below the key points, and these changes take effect from Monday 19th July.
• Outdoor bubbles (coaching & competition) up to 500 with no participant limit per day
• Indoor Hospitality extended to groups of 10 people from 4 households
• All golf course furniture may be returned for normal use, including the removal of
flagsticks, standard hole cups and bunker rakes
• Preferred lies in bunkers may remain in place at club’s discretion, recognising that not
every golfer will wish to use a communal rake.
Harvey and his team will have rakes in place for start of play tomorrow.
The full update can be seen on Scottish Golfs website, though I have attached a link below if you wish to read this.
David Dick
Club Secretary
23/06/21 Scottish Golf Update
Dear Affiliated Club,
Following the latest COVID Update from the First Minister, Scottish Golf wishes to inform all clubs that our current COVID-19 Guidance remains unchanged. We do not anticipate any further changes in the Protection Level system until 19 July 2021.
There has been an increase in enquiries regarding on-course furniture, i.e Rakes and Pins and we would take this opportunity to advise that our guidance (along with that of the other Home Nations) also remains unchanged at this time. These should remain out of use to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 and we do not foresee this position changing until we move to Level 0.
Any club who has chosen to re-introduce rakes or permit the removal of pins, should ensure they have undertaken a full risk assessment and have checked with their local authority, health and safety advisors or insurance provider to be sure that they are in no way negating any public health liability cover they might have in place.
The latest indication we have from the Scottish Government is that all local authority areas will move to Level 0 from 19 July 2021. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep all clubs updated should anything change.
Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 Updates from Scottish Golf here.
Kind regards,
Scottish Golf
25/04/21 Opening up Hospitality
Dear Members
I hope you are all as excited as I am, about the further easing of restrictions tomorrow, and a further step nearer normality. Including competitive golf for ALL members.
The clubhouse facilities will reopen including locker room and toilet facilities, though we have to remember that there are still some Covid conditions, and licensing conditions attached to these. Here are the headline rules below.
Within the locker rooms and toilets:
Masks to be work within these areas, and social distancing maintained. Please keep good hand hygiene and use the gels provided at each entrance.
Within the lounge areas:
Signing in and out if you are going to be seated, no alcohol available for consumption within the building, and maintain 1 metre social distancing. One-way system in place (in the front door, and out through the corridor and the golfers door when possible).
Table service only, and use your till credit or contactless payment if possible.
Outdoor hospitality areas:
Only the rear South facing terrace is a smoking area. No children permitted in this area.
Table service only at both front and rear terrace for now, though you are permitted to pay for your drinks at the bar. There are table numbers on each of the tables.
You MUST be seated in both outside areas, when consuming alcohol.
No foul language in either area, and be respectful of players on the 1st tee and 18th green when using the front hospitality area.
Only alcohol purchased on the premises can be used within the hospitality areas.
Apologies for the long winded sets of rules and conditions, though please remember we are not completely out of the woods yet, and need to do all we can to get further restrictions lifted in a few weeks time.
David Dick
Club Secretary
23/04/21 Relaxation of Covid Rules
Dear Members
We have today received an update from Scottish Golf outlining a further relaxation of covid rules which allows us more golfing freedom from Monday 26th April.
I’ve copied the bulletin below and you can read more detail within the Scottish Golf covid updates within their website.
David Dick
Club Secretary
Dear Affiliated Club,
Following this week’s announcement by the First Minister, Scottish Golf welcomes confirmation that mainland Scotland will be entering Level 3 on Monday 26th April.
We have received final approval from our partners at sportscotland and the Scottish Government on our updated guidance which is available here.
Our updated guidance means that from Monday 26th April, the following changes will take place:
• Adults living in Level 3 or Level 4 areas may leave their local authority area to participate in informal exercise and organised sport that starts and finishes in the same place.
• Clubhouse facilities may open.
• All indoor hospitality may operate until 20.00, allowing 6 people from 2 households to meet. No alcohol is permitted.
• All outdoor hospitality may resume. Groups may consist of up to 6 people from 6 households. Alcohol may be served, and licensing times apply.
Clubs should note that the Scottish Government has issued updated guidance, available here, with additional precautions for hospitality venues. The guidance highlights that hospitality venues should gather contact details for all their customers – not just for the lead member of each group.
We know that 26th April is a date that will have been circled in the diaries of both golf clubs and golfers across Scotland for some time now, and we are delighted that we can continue to make progress out of lockdown. We would remind everyone to continue to follow the latest guidance and take the required precautions to ensure we can continue to benefit from these new relaxations.
Please note that detail for all other levels remains indicative at this stage and could be subject to further relaxation or change. You can continue to keep up to date on all the latest COVID-19 updates on our dedicated webpage here.
Kind regards,
Karin Sharp, Chief Operating Officer, Scottish Golf.
14/04/21 Covid Guidline Update
Dear Members
Following the Scottish government update and subsequent ‘Sports Scotland’ and ‘Scottish Golf’ guidance, the restrictions on 4 balls for members outwith the Clackmannanshire local authority area has been lifted from Friday 16th April for ‘Casual Golf’ only.
As you will see below from the extract there is hope that competitive golf can return from Friday 26th April for members living outwith the local authority area, though this will be confirmed nearer the time.
It is good that we are moving in the right direction with the loosening of restrictions and hopefully we will be back to a more golfing normal in the very near future.
Thanks for your continued patience, support, and understanding.
David Dick
Club Secretary
Dear Affiliated Club,
Following the First Minister’s latest update, Scottish Golf welcomes the news that the early easing of some lockdown restrictions will now take place from Friday 16th April.
We have received final approval from our partners at sportscotland and the Scottish Government on our updated guidance which is available here.
Our updated guidance means that from Friday 16th April, the following changes will take place:
• Adults living in Level 3 or Level 4 areas may leave their local authority area to participate in informal exercise that starts and finishes in the same place.
• Groups can consist of up to 4 golfers from within Scotland, with no restrictions on number of households.
Golf continues to benefit from being classified as informal exercise by the Scottish Government and we recognise that this is a privileged position in comparison to some other sports at this time. This means that players from outwith the club’s local authority area can now travel to participate in a casual game of golf. However, where cross-border travel is required, competitive play will not be permitted at this time. We anticipate that from the 26th April, subject to further announcements, this restriction will also be lifted.
This announcement is welcome news for the golfing community. We know many golf clubs and golfers have endured significant sacrifices during the recent lockdown, but we hope that today’s update will provide an opportunity for more people to get back out on the golf course and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that a round can provide. We thank you again for your understanding and, as the lighter nights and better weather return, we hope you enjoy being able to meet up with friends and family for a game.
Keep up to date on all the latest COVID-19 updates on our dedicated webpage here.
Kind regards,
Karin Sharp, Chief Operating Officer, Scottish Golf.
12/03/21 – Further Guidance From Scottish Golf
Dear Members
We have today received further updated guidance from ‘Scottish Golf’ regarding Covid.
I have attached the message in its entirety below for your information.
We continue to receive e-mails of concerns from members, regarding other members either knowingly or unknowingly breaching the guidance by playing in 4 balls with members from outside of the clubs local authority area (Clackmannanshire).
Following consultation with our match secretary, we are now instructing members who reside outwith Clackmannanshire to book 2 balls and fill the remaining slots within the tee time booked, with ‘guests’ to prevent anyone else joining you.
The rules around 4 balls (or 3 balls in competition) for members living within Clacks remains unchanged and can be booked as normal.
As the Scottish Golf message states within the bulletin, we are in a very privileged position to be playing golf at all with all the other countries in the UK prohibiting any golf for some time now.
The instruction we now put out will have a minimal impact due to most of the membership living within the Clacks area, and compared to a week ago we now have many more tee times than we did have before the lates government easing of restrictions.
I realise this has come too late for the tee time booking for next week, but with a little communication and cooperation this can be resolved between you all.
The last thing we want to do as a committee is to reprimand individuals knowingly failing to adhere to guidance, but if examples are highlighted we will follow up, and investigate.
The bulletin from ‘Scottish Golf’ is below:
David Dick
Club Secretary
Dear Affiliated Club,
Following our latest COVID-19 update, we have worked with our partners at sportscotland and the Scottish Government to gain final approval on our updated guidance.
Clubs should note that from Friday 12 March:
• Golf courses with a designated COVID Officer can permit organised golf for members who live within the local authority area. Play can take place in four-balls with no restrictions on the number of households.
• Golf courses without a designated COVID Officer, or where members are crossing a local authority boundary to play, can remain open for play with a maximum of four players from two households.
• For groups over the age of 12, coaching should not exceed group sizes of 15.
• For groups under the age of 12, coaching should not exceed group sizes of 30.
Since our last update, we have received several queries relating to the new group numbers and limits. We wish to provide clubs with further clarity on this.
The guidance to permit 4-ball play from 4 different households to members who live within the local authority area is in-line with new sport-specific guidance developed by sportscotland and the Scottish Government for organised sport. Cross-border travel from one local authority area to another for organised sport is not currently permitted.
Within the latest guidance, golf continues to be considered a form of informal exercise, where participants are permitted to travel up to five miles from their local authority boundary to take part. However, where this is the case, household limits of 4 people from 2 households apply.
Scottish Golf does not set the rules or parameters for these distinctions. However, we will continue to provide feedback on their practicalities for our member clubs. In comparison with most other sports across Scotland, we are in a unique and fortunate position to benefit from being identified as both organised sport and informal exercise at this time.
We remind all clubs and golfers in Scotland that we remain in a privileged position, with courses across the country remaining open for play. Being able to benefit from playing golf should not be taken for granted, and we kindly ask that all clubs and golfers adhere to the latest guidance to ensure we can continue to make positive progress out of lockdown.
Thank you for your continued co-operation and understanding.
Kind Regards,
Karin Sharp, Chief Operating Officer, Scottish Golf
10/03/21 – Change to Covid Restrictions
Dear Members
We have just received further guidance from ‘Scottish Golf’ as an update to the information I provided yesterday. I have attached the bulletin in its entirety below.
The communication confirms the return to 4 balls provided the club has a ‘Covid Officer’ (which is me), and the 4 ball ARE RESIDENT WITHIN THE LOCAL AUTHORITY AREA. (Clackmannanshire).
As a result of this, our Match Secretary will be amending BRS to reflect 4-ball tee times with effect from Friday 12th March onwards.
Dear Affiliated Club,
Following the First Minister’s latest update on COVID-19 restrictions, Scottish Golf welcomes the news that we are continuing to progress through the road map out of lockdown.
Within an hour of the First Minister’s update, Scottish Golf submitted updated guidance to our partners at sportscotland and the Scottish Government. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, this final check can take some time as further details are considered and legislation published.
These checks remain ongoing and must be complete before we can share a full updated version of our guidance to affiliated golf clubs for implementation across the country. However, we do appreciate that clubs require time to make operational changes ahead of any changes coming into place so we have provided this update until such time as we are given the green light to publish a full updated guidance grid.
Guidance previously allowed golfers to travel up to five miles outside their local authority area to take part in informal exercise using household rules.
Yesterday’s announcement to allow organised sport will allow four-ball play with no restrictions on the number of households; however, this is only applicable to members who live within the golf club’s local authority area.
Where golfers are required to travel up to five miles across a local authority boundary, players will be required to adhere to informal exercise guidance which is subject to household limits of 4 players from 2 households.
Therefore, changes announced yesterday mean that from Friday 12 March:
• Golf courses with a designated COVID Officer can permit organised golf for members who live within the local authority area. Play can take place in four-balls with no restrictions on the number of households.
• Golf courses without a designated COVID Officer, or where members are crossing a local authority boundary to play, can remain open for play with a maximum of four players from two households.
• For groups over the age of 12, coaching should not exceed group sizes of 15.
• For groups under the age of 12, coaching should not exceed group sizes of 30.
We anticipate further guidance from our partners at sportscotland and the Scottish Government relating to children and young people. We will communicate these updates to all clubs as soon as possible.
We also look forward to a more substantive update from the First Minister next week relating to the return to a protection levels approach. That update is likely to include more details for clubhouses, retail and travel and will again be subject to the same sign-off process as outlined above.
In the meantime, it is important to remind all golfers that they must remain close to home, travelling only for essential purposes in line with the current travel legislation.
Keep up to date on all the latest COVID-19 updates on our dedicated webpage here.
Kind Regards,
Scottish Golf
Please remember to adhere to the guidance, and it hopefully won’t be long till restrictions are lifted further if we all do the right thing.
If anyone needs any further guidance or clarity, please drop me a note to the clubs e-mail as I pick these up daily.
Thanks for your onward cooperation.
David Dick
Club Secretary – Covid Officer
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24/02/21 – Covid Restrictions Update
Dear Members
I wanted to share with you the latest information from ‘Scottish Golf’ following yesterday’s update from the Scottish Government. Please see below:
Following the First Minister’s latest update on COVID-19 restrictions, please note that there is no change to the current position for golf. This means:
• Golf courses can remain open for play with a maximum of two players from up to two households
• Outdoor coaching will be restricted to 2 people (including the coach) for those 12 years or over. Under 12s do not count towards the number so a coach can take larger groups of up to 30 U12s
• Golfers must stay close to home, travel only for essential purposes (which includes golf as part of the permitted exercise activities) and in line with the new legislation
The next update is not anticipated until mid-March. Should anything change, we will keep clubs up to date on our COVID-19 page below.
David Dick
Club Secretary
02/02/21 – Social Distancing at the Golf Club
Dear Members
It has been pointed out that there are small groups gathering, and social distancing is not being maintained, at the front of the professional shop, and at the rear of the first tee, particularly at weekends.
I must remind you of the importance of social distancing, as we have already had a few members test positive for Covid-19, and we do not want to put at risk anyone’s health by not adhering to guidelines.
I remind you that you should only turn up to play 10 minutes before your allotted (pre-booked) tee time, and once finishing your round should maintain social distancing before leaving the club.
Thanks for your cooperation
David Dick
Club Secretary
15/01/21 – Covid Restrictions Update
Dear Members
Following the latest guidelines from the Scottish government, and updated guidance from ‘Scottish Golf’, we are having to make a further change to the starter arrangements at Ron’s shop.
From Saturday 16th January, there will be no entry to the shop for members/guests.
Payment for competition and issue of cards will take place at the doorway only. With no-one permitted to enter the shop.
The sale of ANY goods within the shop will now also cease until further notice, in line with the new guidance.
Outdoor lessons are still available on a 1:1 basis, and can be arranged with Ron direct to the shop, and group coaching of under 12’s up to a maximum of 30 is still permitted.
Remember you have to adhere travel guidance to the club, to social distancing on arrival and on the course, and you should arrive no more than 10 minutes before your tee time which MUST be booked prior to arrival.
David Dick
Club Secretary
05/01/21 – Further Covid Restrictions
Dear Members
In light of Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement today and following updated guidance from ‘Scottish Golf’, we brought forward our committee meeting to tonight – Monday 4th Jan.
We are having to make changes to the current arrangements at the club with regard to playing conditions, from midnight tonight (0000hrs – 5th Jan 2021)
With effect from tomorrow we are now limited to 2-ball bookings only, and as a result, our Match Secretary has altered the BRS booking system to only allow 2 bookings for each time slot. Each booking is limited to 2 players from 2 seperate households as a maximum.
We are now also closing off the toilet facilities in line with previous guidance.,
There will be further information issued tomorrow, when we have received it from Scottish Golf, on the impact for competitive golf, and we will assess the next steps for the ‘Sewell’ Winter league competition.
Members names have been moved within BRS for later this week to split up 4-balls, into 2-balls in line with guidance, and there will be no visitor bookings accepted for the rest of the month on BRS.
Times cannot be changed tomorrow but each group will be limited to 2 balls only.
I’ll be back in touch tomorrow night with more information, though remember the key Covid rules:
Members MUST adhere to government guidance on travel restrictions to the club
If anyone feels unwell or has symptoms DO NOT COME TO THE CLUB
Bookings MUST be made in advance
Limited to 2-balls
Arrive 10 mins before tee time
Don’t touch the flags
Observe social distancing at all times
I’m sorry I’m the bearer of bad news, though we have to stick to the guidance to get through this and come out the other side.
I’ll be back in touch soon
David Dick
Club Secretary
24/12/20 – Tier 4 Restrictions
Dear Members
Following the announcement regarding implementation of Tier 4 restrictions from Saturday 26th December, the committee met via ‘Zoom’ to discuss the impact of these changes, and what this means for forthcoming events and competitive golf.
It has been decided that the Junior/Adult event planned for Tuesday 29th December will go ahead as planned, but will be limited to juniors and members of their family. Our Junior Convenor will be looking at the makeup of these groups to ensure the bubbles are adhered to where possible, and will be in touch with the Junior groups soon to confirm teams.
The Scramble event planned for the other times that day has been postponed, as the primary reason for the event was to support the caterer, and due to restrictions and temporary closure of the catering facility, this is not worthwhile continuing. The tee will be closed off from 1000hrs-1130hrs that day to host the Junior event and all other times will be opened for casual golf only.
The ‘Sewell’ Winter competition will proceed as normal subject to tier 4 restrictions including:
Tee times booked in advance
Government advice on travel restrictions adhered to when travelling to the club
Turn up 10 minutes before your time and no social gathering.
Club house and Locker facilities closed
Only one permitted within the starter/pro shop at any time.
Face coverings MUST be worn indoors
The rules on the course are unchanged and should be adhered to.
It is a difficult time right now as we wait on the role out of vaccines and a better year ahead, though I hope you all stick to the current rules and protect yourself, your families and other members too.
Myself and the rest of the Committee would like to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS, and hope to see you all soon.
Will keep you updated on any other news
David Dick
Club Secretary
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19/11/20 – Further Covid travel advice
Dear Members
I have contacted ‘Scottish Golf’ to seek further guidance on the variation in travel advice from the Scottish Government and Scottish Golf, their reply is below the latest ‘Scottish Golf’ update link.
https://scottishgolf.org/covid-19-update-19-november-2020/
Good afternoon David
With travel restrictions being put into law from 6pm on Friday 20 November, Scottish Golf encourages all golfers to limit travel where possible. Participants should not travel into or out of Level 3 or Level 4 areas unless absolutely necessary.
While there is a list of limited exceptions from the guidance not to travel into or out of Level 3 and 4 local authority area from the Government, sport-specific guidance has been produced in partnership with sportscotland which outlines that where a golf course straddles a local authority boundary, golfers may travel within around five miles of your local authority area for outdoor exercise.
We urge all golfers to continue to adhere to the law to ensure that everyone across Scotland can continue to benefit from playing golf.
Kind Regards
Scottish Golf Team
David Dick
Club Secretary
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8/10/20 – Dear Members
Following the announcement from the Scottish Government yesterday, we are unfortunately having to close the bar and lounge, from 1800hrs on Friday 9th October (tomorrow), until at least Monday 26th October. Both Joyce and Cath (our bar staff) will also now be put back on furlough for this period.
The locker rooms and toilet facilities will remain open, and to date there are no further restrictions on golf. I’ll advise if this changes.
Corinne – our caterer will continue to operate a take away service from the rear kitchen door, and will operate the times below until 26th October when they will be reviewed in line with government restrictions at that time. Please continue to support her during this difficult time for hospitality.
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday – 0800hrs – 1100hrs
Thursday – Closed
Friday – 1100hrs -1600hrs
Saturday – 0800hrs – 1300hrs
Sunday – 0800hrs – 1300hrs
Please remember to continue to maintain social distancing, good hand hygiene and face masks inside the corridors, locker rooms and pro shop.
David Dick
Club Secretary
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10/09/20 – SCOTTISH GOLF UPDATED GUIDANCE
Following the First Minister’s update in Parliament on 10th September, Scottish Golf would like to clarify that on-course golf activities can continue under our current Phase 3 Guidance, with up to four players from four different households allowed to participate together.
Golf Clubs with hospitality venues should also note that the following changes are effective from Monday 14 September:
A maximum of six people from two households can meet both indoors and outdoors.
Staff will be required by law to wear face coverings.
Customers will be required to wear face coverings while moving around inside a hospitality venue such as entering or exiting a venue or going to the toilet.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation
David Dick
Club Secretary
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17/08/20 – SCOTTISH GOLF UPDATED GUIDANCE
Dear Members
We have received updated guidance from ‘Scottish Golf’ regarding hygiene, social distancing, test & trace etc, which I need to make you aware of, as there will have to be changes to the way we are currently operating.
There is a link to S.G Covid-19 updates below the document, though some of the key points for members to note are:
No more than 3 separate family groups to gather together inside the clubhouse.
No queuing at the bar.
Strict adherence to signing in and out of the ‘test and trace’ log book
David Dick
Club Secretary
Dear Affiliated Club,
Scottish Golf wishes to make all affiliated clubs aware of new changes made to the Scottish Government’s regulations for hospitality settings.
Effective immediately, it is now mandatory for hospitality venues to collect contact details of visitors to their premises in support of Test and Protect. The new regulations apply to all restaurants, cafes, pubs and hotels in which food or drink are sold for consumption on the premises.
Businesses must now record the name and contact number of an individual – or lead member of each household in a group – that visits the premises. They must also record the date of visit, the time of arrival, and where possible the departure time.
For golfers checking in for food or drink in clubhouses before play, they should check out when they take to the course, and back in again should they visit the clubhouse following their round.
The new regulations include customers, staff working on a particular day and visitors such as delivery drivers or cleaners. Premises must store the information for 21 days and share it when requested to do so by public health officers within 24 hours.
New statutory guidance for the hospitality sector has been published which explains how to keep a record of customer and visitor contact details securely ensuring data protection principles are upheld. To view this guidance, please click here.
The Scottish Government has also published updated guidance for hospitality customers to reinforce key safety measures. To view this guidance, please click here.
This includes the need to maintain physical distancing and the strict limits on the number of households that can meet at a time – 8 people from up to 3 households indoors and 15 people from up to 5 households outdoors.
While 4-balls from four households is permitted, it is important to note that this is not the case in clubhouse settings. We recognise this will pose clubs with a significant challenge but ask for your cooperation in adhering to the latest guidance to ensure everyone can continue to enjoy clubhouses being open at a time when the virus is still in circulation.
To keep up to date on all the latest COVID-19 guidance, please visit our dedicated webpage here.
Kind Regards,
The Scottish Golf Team