Restrictions On Rakes And Flagsticks Set To Be Removed

Golfers will soon be able to putt into a flagless cup and rake the odd bunker or two

Restrictions On Rakes And Flagsticks Set To Be Removed

Golfers will soon be able to putt into a flagless cup and rake the odd bunker or two

Restrictions On Rakes And Flagsticks Set To Be Removed

As of July 19, golfers in England will once again be able to remove flagsticks and rake bunkers. 

Further to the Prime Minister’s announcement on July 5 in which he confirmed that restrictions were to be lifted, England Golf updated its ‘Play Safe, Stay Safe’ framework with a breakdown of what can be expected in a little under two weeks.

It includes guidelines related to on-course items and states that “all golf course furniture may be returned for normal use, including the removal of flagsticks, standard hole cups, bunker rakes and ball-washers”. 

However, it is recommended that clubs provide hand sanitiser stations on the course and around practice facilities to ensure that golfers can regularly clean their hands.

Related: England Golf reveals 2021 award winners

It has also been advised that clubs continue to operate the booking system for tee times and player registration. 

Elsewhere, the running of pro shops and clubhouses can return to normal, as can practice areas such as driving ranges and indoor facilities.

Any alterations to the rules and handicapping provisions that enabled competitive golf to be played during the pandemic are also set to be removed.

Subject to any changes, this all means that, as of July 19, there will be “no restrictions on the golf course with regards to course furniture, sharing equipment, touching golf balls or the size of groups, beyond those set by the club”.

At the time of writing, there is no change to the Covid-19 guidance for golfers in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Andrew Wright
Staff Writer

A lifelong golf fan, Andy graduated in 2019 with a degree in Sports Journalism and got his first role in the industry as the Instruction Editor for National Club Golfer. From there, he went on to enjoy a spell freelancing for Stats Perform producing football reports, and then for RacingNews365 covering Formula 1. However, he couldn't turn down the opportunity to get back into the sport he grew up watching and playing and now covers a mixture of equipment, instruction and news for Golf Monthly's website and print title.


Andy took up the game at the age of seven and even harboured ambitions of a career in the professional ranks for a spell. That didn’t pan out, but he still enjoys his weekend golf at Royal Troon and holds a scratch handicap. As a side note, he's made five holes-in-one and could quite possibly be Retief Goosen’s biggest fan.


As well as the above, some of Andy's work has featured on websites such as goal.com, dailyrecord.co.uk, and theopen.com.


What's in Andy's bag?

Driver: Callaway Mavrik Sub-Zero (9°)

3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (15°)

Driving iron: Titleist U500 (17°)

Irons: Callaway Apex Pro '19 (4-PW)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM9 (50°, 54° and 58°)

Putter: TaylorMade Spider X

Ball: TaylorMade TP5x