Ireland Hoping To Re-Open Golf In Early May
Irish golfers may be back out on the course in less than two weeks
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Irish golfers may be back out on the course in less than two weeks
Ireland Hoping To Re-Open Golf In Early May
There is increasing hope in Ireland that golf courses will be able to re-open on the 5th May.
The latest Coronavirus restriction measurements in the country will remain in place until after the Bank Holiday weekend in May, but it is hoped that there will be some easing of those restrictions from there on.
Ireland's Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan said in a press conference that the resumption of certain sporting activities is among the broad range of measures being considered in the medium-term, provided social distancing measures can still be adhered to, according to the Irish Independent.
The Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golf Union are said to be hopeful that the country's 494 golf courses can re-open.
The ease in which social distancing can be practised on the golf course means that it will likely be one of, if not the, first sporting activities to get back up and running.
As you may expect, social golf with restrictions in place to keep safe and hygienic will be how the game gets back up on its feet.
Full club operations recommencing including things like roll-ups and competitions as well as bars and clubhouses fully opening are likely still some time away.
Golf could also be one of the first sports to re-open in the UK too, after the government said that it is "gathering evidence" on whether golf courses could safely re-open.
Courses are beginning to slowly re-open across Europe as well as in the wider world, with Canada being one of the latest countries to allow play to continue in parts of the country.
Related: Why we all need to work together to help golf clubs survive this Covid-19 crisis
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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
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