Parliament To Debate Re-Opening Golf Courses In England

Parliament will debate a petition on re-opening golf courses next week after it received over 130,000 signatures

Parliament To Debate Re-Opening Golf Courses In England
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Parliament will debate a petition on re-opening golf courses next week after it received over 130,000 signatures

Parliament To Debate Re-Opening Golf Courses In England

Golf courses in England are set to re-open on 29th March, although there looks to be a chance of them opening earlier.

That's because is has been confirmed that parliament will debate the petition to 'allow golf to be played with appropriate safety measures.'

The petition received over 130,000 signatures and will be debated on 22nd March.

Whether the debate does anything to speed up golf's return, which is due just a week later anyway, we don't know.

The debate will be able to watch live on the UK Parliament YouTube Channel.

The petition was launched in January after courses were forced to shut, with it saying: "The risk of Covid transmission is lower outdoors, so there is no reason for golf to be stopped. It provides important exercise for many people and has numerous mental health benefits. Don’t allow golf to be stopped."

The government responded to the petition on 18th January, saying: "Sport is crucial for our mental and physical health. That’s why we have continued to make sure that people can exercise. Given the seriousness of the current situation golf courses have had to close."

Related: 6 positives to come from golf's Covid-19 lockdown

As things stand, golf is allowed to be played in both Scotland and Wales now, with Scotland's courses being open since May last year and Wales' courses opening last week for the first time since pre-Christmas.

Golfers in England are eagerly anticipating the 29th March when four balls will immediately return, although could golf be opening sooner?

We'll know more after the debate on Monday.

It is worth mentioning that the 'rule of six' is returning outdoors on 29th March, so golf would only be allowed for two balls if it were to open earlier than that date - and that may cause clubs issues in terms of tee booking.

Outdoor food and beverage will continue on 12th April according to the current roadmap, which is the same date as to when pro shops will also be opening.

In Northern Ireland, it was recently announced that golf courses will be opening on 1st April.

Related: Golf in England post-lockdown: What you need to know

Do you think the petition will allow golf to open sooner? Let us know on social media

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. 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: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV