Can I Go To The Driving Range?

With golf opening up in England and Wales, many have been asking whether the driving range can be used as well.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

With golf opening up in England and Wales, many have been asking whether the driving range can be used as well.

Can I Go To The Driving Range?

With golf in England and Wales re-opening recently it was only a matter of time before questions started to be asked about driving ranges.

After so many weeks of not swinging golf clubs it comes as no surprise that people want to start honing their techniques once again.

So the question remains, can golfers use driving ranges?

Well, at the moment the golf industry is seeking further clarification from the government on whether driving ranges can re-open.

So as things stand right now driving ranges are not open for general use.

However, England Golf have told us that individual facilities may develop their own guidance.

"As we don't have definitive answers at present, its for individual facilities to develop their own guidance on reopening to best fit themselves, but always in line with the govt's advice," England Golf said.

"Where there is any room for doubt, clubs & facilities pursue the simplest and safest option."

That being said, recently it was announced that golf coaching could restart in a joint statement from the golf industry, including The R&A, England Golf and the PGA.

To conduct lessons safely, professionals will be adhering to the measures recommended by the golf industry, which include –

  • If using a practice ground or similar, create a 2 metre exclusion zone around the lesson tee/golfer that no one enters
  • If you have to move a player into position, use an alignment stick, which is easy to wipe down with a sanitising wipes before and after the lesson
  • Wash hands with soap and water before and after the session
  • Provide sanitising wipes for you and your golfers
  • Offer short game coaching sessions that allow the golfers to use their own golf balls, that way they are not sharing equipment that other people have touched
  • Take flags out of the holes on practice areas

We can assume then that provided you are getting a socially distanced lesson with a professional, then the driving range would be open for that.

Otherwise driving ranges will be shut until further clarification is given from the government.

We will of course update you with any new information in this regard and we also recommend checking with your local club or driving range for information.

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Sam Tremlett
E-commerce Editor

A golfer for most of his life, Sam is a Senior Staff Writer for Golf Monthly. 

Working with golf gear and equipment over the last six years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes. 

He combines this knowledge with a passion for helping golfers get the best gear for them, and as such Sam manages a team of writers that look to deliver the most accurate and informative reviews and buying advice. This is so the reader can find exactly what they are looking for.


Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website, whilst he is also responsible for all content related to golf apparel. 

He also oversees all Tour player content as well so if you need to know what clubs Tiger or Rory has in play, Sam is the person to ask. 

Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a handicap of five. 


Sam's What's In The Bag: 

Driver: Titleist TS3 (9 degrees) 

Fairway Wood: Callaway Paradym (15 degrees), Nike Covert Tour 2.0 (19 degrees) 

Irons (4-PW): Titleist AP2 

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 54˚, 58˚ 

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 

Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond

Shoes: G/FORE Gallivanter/Nike Air Zoom Infinity NEXT%/Cuater The Ringer