English Golf Courses To Close In Lockdown 3.0
The news we feared - courses in England will be closing for at least six weeks
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to Golf Monthly Newsletter Newsletter

The news we feared - courses in England will be closing for at least six weeks
English Golf Courses To Close In Lockdown 3.0
Golf courses in England must close from tomorrow (5th January) after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a third Covid-19 lockdown.
It was hoped that England would follow Scotland, which is also going into lockdown, in allowing golf to continue but that is not the case.
People are only allowed to exercise once daily and that will not be allowed on a course with clubs in hand.
Courses in Scotland will remain open for two ball play but England's courses will be closed for the next six weeks at least.
The new lockdown sees golf courses, tennis courts and other outdoor sports all closing in the toughest Covid-19 restrictions seen since March.
Boris Johnson said that people must stay at home unless for work that cannot be done at home, shopping for food or medicine, to provide care or attend medical appointments.
Exercise is allowed once per day and can be done with one other from another household, just not on the golf course.
Check back for official guidance and reaction from England Golf and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf.
For all the latest golf news, check the Golf Monthly website and follow our social media channels @golfmonthlymagazine on Facebook and @golfmonthly on Twitter and Instagram
Elliott Heath is our Senior Staff Writer and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news, features, courses and travel sections as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. Elliott has interviewed some huge names in the golf world including Sergio Garcia, Thomas Bjorn, Bernd Wiesberger and Scotty Cameron as well as a number of professionals on the DP World and PGA Tours. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as four Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays at West Byfleet Golf Club in Surrey, where his handicap index floats anywhere between 2-6. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: TaylorMade SIM2 Max
Hybrid: TaylorMade SIM Max
Irons: Mizuno MP5 4-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
-
WGC-Match Play Field And Groups 2023
There are some standout groups for the tournament at Austin Country Club as Scottie Scheffler defends his title
By Mike Hall • Published
-
2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Odds and Betting Preview
The 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play kicks off this Wednesday. Matt MacKay breaks down the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and shares his best bets.
By Matt MacKay • Published
-
Is This FootJoy's Most Exciting New Golf Shoe In Years?
Dan Parker discusses whether the new FootJoy Fuel golf shoe has the potential to be FootJoy's most exciting to date...
By Dan Parker • Published
-
Governing Bodies Crack Down On Distance As Driver Shaft Lengths Limited
The R&A and USGA have introduced a new local rule to ensure professionals and elite amateurs do not use 48-inch driver shafts
By Elliott Heath • Published
-
Five-Year-Old Prodigy Raising Money And Awareness For Organ Donation
George is taking on the challenge to raise money and awareness for organ donation
By Andrew Wright • Published
-
Robert MacIntyre Returns To Shinty After Ryder Cup Disappointment
The left-hander has been in action for his local shinty side, Oban Celtic
By Andrew Wright • Published
-
Pro Plays 36 Holes In Under 80 Minutes To Win British Speedgolf Championship
Buckinghamshire professional Luke Willett took the British Speedgolf title
By Fergus Bisset • Last updated
-
"A Real Kick In The Teeth" - Greenkeeper After "Embarrassment" Course Comments
We chat to James Tibbles, head greenkeeper at Andover GC, after he was subject to negative comments on the course's condition
By Elliott Heath • Published
-
Tiger Woods' 2002 Backup Putter Sells For $393,300
Tiger Woods' 2002 Backup Putter Sells For $393,300
By Matt Cradock • Published
-
Olivia Lee Wins 2021 Peter McEvoy Trophy
Olivia Lee has become the first female to win the historic Peter McEvoy Trophy.
By Dan Parker • Published