Updated Return to Golf Protocol for Republic of Ireland

To: Club Communication Officers, Club Managers and Honorary Secretaries,

We have been delighted to see our sport make a return over the past number of weeks. With the removal of household and domestic travel restrictions, we hope that the majority of club members will now have returned to play at your clubs.

We would like to draw your attention to updated versions of the Return to Golf Protocol and FAQ's, particularly in relation to the use of buggies.

The protocol will be reviewed dependent on the public health situation in line with the Irish Government “Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead plan”.

Golf Ireland’s priority continues to be the safe resumption of all golfing activities at the earliest possible opportunity. Hereunder is an indicative list of activities permitted from particular dates as agreed with Sport Ireland:

From May 10th onwards

• Casual-play rounds for handicap purposes for members and visitors with no restrictions on number of households per group

• Club competitions for members

*The above activities must be organised on the basis of arrive-play-depart. Club competitions for members do not include qualifiers for Golf Ireland competitions such as the Men’s Club Challenge, Women’s Australian Spoons, Women’s Silver and Bronze Medals and R&A Nine-Hole Challenge.

From June 7th onwards (subject to public health outlook at the time)

• So-called ‘Major’ competitions and events (e.g. Captain’s Prize, President’s Prize, etc.)

• Internal Club Match Play Tournaments (e.g. Club Championships)

• Club Open Competitions & Scratch Cups

• Inter-Club Matches (Please note Golf Ireland will be reissuing Inter-Club draws tomorrow with finalised round dates) Championships

Once again, we commend golf clubs and your members for the track record of compliance with the Return to Golf Protocol, which significantly contributed to golf being one of the first sports to resume and for this further easing of restrictions to be possible.

We urge all club officials and members to familiarise themselves with the updated Protocol so that we can all play our part keeping our members and communities safe.