Golf & Covid-19

This advisory contains:

• Restrictions Lifted Thursday 21 May
• Golf at Alert Level 2 (Updated Guidelines)
• COVID-19 Related Guidance on the Rules of Golf

Restrictions Lifted Thursday 21 May

The government has updated its advice related to the requirement for hospitality operations. From 8am on 21 May, the requirement for supplying alcohol only to those present to dine will be revoked.

Golf at Alert Level 2 (Updated Guidelines)
At Alert Level Two, playing of golf can be undertaken however there are firm measures in place to ensure the health and safety of all in the golf sector and the community. It will take some time before sporting life in Aotearoa returns to normal and it's important we all play by the rules to prevent another wave of COVID-19 cases. The Government guidelines for sport at Alert Level 2 can be viewed at https://sportnz.org.nz

Exercise and recreation is an important part of maintaining our health and wellbeing however we must continue to be aware the playing of golf presents a risk of transmission.

There will be a natural desire to get back to normal business quickly, however we strongly encourage all clubs and facilities to thoroughly understand the guidelines. This information should support your planning however your club or facility will need to make your own decisions and take responsibility for understanding any restrictions and requirements. We are happy to provide advice however we cannot confirm or endorse operational plans.

The most important principle is to ‘play it safe' and remain physically distant from others. The health, safety and wellbeing of your staff, members, golf participants and the wider community is of paramount importance.

If your club opens its facility for play at Alert Level 2, it must do so under the following updated guidelines (effective 21 May at 8am):

General Guidance

1. The golf course, clubhouse, pro shop, changing room and any other facility at the golf club can open at Alert Level 2.
2. All staff, players, visitors must adhere to general government advice; particularly all recommended hygiene measures. Click here for further hygiene and sanitisation information.
3. For golf clubs, strict hygiene and sanitisation practices must be maintained throughout the facility including all common touch points and surfaces. Facilities must have a written plan for safe operation in place - guidance on this topic can be viewed at https://sportnz.org.nz.
4. A system to record and retain the contact details of all staff, players and visitors must be in place to enable contact tracing should it be required. Click here for information and guidance on contact tracing.
5. Physical distancing (2 metres encouraged) between all staff, players and visitors should be maintained. Distancing should be maintained on the golf course and throughout all club facilities.
6. All indoor facilities at a club need to restrict entry to a maximum of 100 people. Operations across any indoor facilities must follow government guidelines as published at https://covid19.govt.nz.
7. Groups of guests in the clubhouse must be limited to 10 people per group. All groups should be seated, have separation from other groups, and be served by a single server if possible. Golfers should only sit with the group they played golf with and in any event, as part of a group that is strictly no more than 10 people in size. Regarding customers entering/exiting the clubhouse and paying, clubs should manage these processes in line with the distancing and serving guidelines.
8. Any staff who are on site should be provided with any appropriate personal protection equipment to ensure they can remain healthy and safe.

General Golf Operations Guidance:

1. All players should wash and dry their hands before and after play.
2. Shotgun or multiple tee starts should only be held if they can be managed in a manner that does not see groups of golfers congregating. A minimum interval of 10 minutes is suggested for four ball groups.
3. Groups of golfers should maintain a minimum distance of 2 metres between themselves and other groups on the course.
4. Club events and competitions can be held so long as there is strict adherence to hygiene, distancing and gatherings regulations.
5. While the national handicap system will be operational, physical scorecards should be avoided if possible. If scorecards are used, exchanging of cards should not occur.
6. All pins should be removed from practice putting greens.
7. Pins / flagsticks can be on the course however they should be left in the hole and should not be touched or removed by any player.
8. Bunker rakes can be on the course however a local rule will be provided by New Zealand Golf for bunker play should clubs not want to have bunker rakes on the course.
9. All drinking fountains, ball washers, and shared sunscreen stations should be closed.
10. Any shared club equipment must be cleaned and sterilised after each use.
11. Coaching can be undertaken on a contactless basis and with strict 2 metre distancing being observed.

COVID-19 Related Guidance on the Rules of Golf

New Zealand Golf has received a large number of enquiries from our golf clubs regarding the Rules of Golf and the continued playing of golf during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we move into Alert Level 2, thankfully the playing of golf starts to return to some form of normality.

The key difference between Alert Level 3 and Alert Level 2 is that under Alert Level 2 the New Zealand Golf Handicapping System is live again and golf can be played outside your bubble.

New Zealand Golf has developed COVID-19 related guidance on the rules of golf that specific covers matters such as Scoring in Stroke Play, Flagsticks and Holing Out and Bunkers.

Click Here to view COVID-19 RELATED GUIDANCE ON THE RULES OF GOLF.

Please be in touch with New Zealand Golf if you have any queries.

Kind regards,

Dean Murphy
Chief Executive
New Zealand Golf
 

 

 

Previous news on this subject.

Keep yourself up to date on the following links:

NZ Golf & Covid 19 Update

Alert level summary 16th April

Alert level detailed version 16th April

MOH - Covid-19-novel-coronavirus

 

Previous news on this subject.

This petition link has now gone. Okay so you don't need to sign it now as we have great news from the Government. More details to follow after Easter but this means we can get the course back in the ball game. Thanks to all who joined the cause.

 

With the recent news and events surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we are taking every possible precaution to protect the health of our members, guests and employees. 

Member & Guests – Temporary changes to manage risk

• Do not come to golf or visit the club if you are unwell.  If you do present unwell you may be asked to leave.
• Adhere to new border measures that are in place. Travellers arriving in New Zealand are now required to self-isolate for 14 days. If you have arrived into NZ in the last 14 days, please do not visit the club.
• Advise the Club immediately if you contract Covid-19 or have been in contact with someone suspected of having the virus and have visited the Club within the past 14 days. This will enable us to identify and communicate with possible close contacts.
• Avoid personal contact such as handshakes or hugs.
• Maintain social distancing and avoid large social gathering including while playing and in the Clubhouse. This will mean sitting appropriate distances apart.
• It is compulsory to Putt with the flag in.
• After your game of golf, please wash your hands before proceeding to the Golf shop, Bar, Café or Office.
• We are now required to have less than 100 people for all indoor gatherings at any point in time. Management and staff will be monitoring numbers so please keep in mind that staff may ask you to leave an area or move to assist manage risk and meet our obligations.

We have implemented the following precautionary steps to help prevent the spread of this virus:

• Golf Shop staff will regularly clean the check-in counter, card printing kiosk area, entrance doors and other guest contact areas.
• Golf Shop staff will clean steering wheels, seats, side handrails and contact points to all golf carts prior to customer use. Hire equipment will be cleaned after use.
• Greens staff will regularly clean machinery, ball washer handles, water fountains on course.
• Bar staff will regularly clean the bar counter, table-tops in the Clubhouse.
• Foodsters Cafe staff will regularly clean the cafe counter, table-tops, menus and guest contact areas after members and guests have completed their meal / coffee/ tea.
• Office staff will regularly clean their desks, computers and other guest contact areas.

We have COVID-19 signs displayed around the clubhouse and are following the Ministry of Health guidelines on health and safety protocols. We all have a role to play in preventing further spread of the virus so please help us protect yourself and others.

As of now, we believe that the club remains a safe environment for our members, guests and employees and will be closely monitoring further updates on COVID-19.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Kind Regards

Rajnesh Goundon

General Manager