LEAKED: R&A report reveals golf's imminent return
Bunkered reveals "confidential draft" of document outlining golf's return during coronavirus lockdown...
A leaked R&A report outlining golf's return during the UK lockdown has been picked up by Bunkered.co.uk.
The report claims to have seen a "confidential draft" of an R&A document that will apparently be entitled 'Playing golf and adhering to COVID-19 regulations in the UK."
This leaked document comes just 24 hours after an MP claimed golf "can and should return quickly" despite the UK lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Golf has been shutdown in the UK, at least for the majority of courses, since the UK government's lockdown measures came into place on March 23.
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According to the leaked report, the R&A document goes into greater details about the social distancing that must be adhered to on the golf course, as well as the temporary provisions to ensure human contact with bunker rakes and flagsticks is avoided at all costs.
The document also highlights it will be down the local committee as to whether players will be assessed a penalty for touching the flagstick during this period.
Practice facilities and clubhouses will remain closed, scorecards are to not be exchanged, and clubs are being encouraged to set up booking systems for tee times if they have not already got that in place.
It also addresses what will happen to scores in terms of handicapping purposes.
Bunkered claims the leaked R&A report states the following:
"When the government decides it is safe to begin lifting or loosening restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is hoped that golf will be one of the sports which will be deemed safe and practical for people to play as they look to enjoy the health benefits of fresh air and exercise in a natural environment.
"It is vital that, in beginning to return to normal life and activities, people do not place themselves at further unnecessary risk.
"The R&A has carefully considered the social distancing restrictions that are likely to remain in force and devised a set of temporary provisions which will ensure that people can play golf while continuing to observe these restrictions."
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The document highlights a need for different tee boxes to be set up on the golf course, at least four metres apart, as players will be advised to play from different areas to keep their distance.
"Ideally, there will be two sets of tee-markers that provide an equal challenge over a round," continues the report.
"For example, on the first hole, the yellow tee-markers are four metres ahead of the green tee-markers, on the second hole the green tee-markers are four metres ahead of the yellow tee-markers, and they continue to alternate for the rest of the round."
NO BUNKER RAKES
The document also explains that all bunker rakes will be removed, along with ball retrievers. Benches, bins and drinking fountains are to either be removed, covered or sign-posted in a way that ensures players do not touch them on their way around the course.
With no bunker rakes, players are encouraged to make their best efforts to "smooth" the sand using their clubs or feet. If this becomes an issue for some clubs, then preferred lies may be encouraged, but this is likely to become a local rule in the short term.
It goes on to also address that practice facilities such as the range, putting green and practice nets will be closed, along with halfway huts and on-course toilets.
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FLAGSTICK PENALTY
Flagsticks are permitted on the course, but the document claims it is "strongly recommended" that signs indicate they may not be touched by players.
The document also highlights it will be down the local committee as to whether players will be assessed a penalty for touching the flagstick during this period.
Clubs are advised to setup a local rule where flagsticks are concerned, and it is encouraged that clubs "use a method of inserting the hole liner so all of the ball does not fall below the surface of the putting green, and it can be easily retrieved by handling the ball only."
15-MINUTE WARNING
Clubhouses will continue to remain closed, and players must not get out of their cars with their clubs until "15 minutes before their tee time". Players must also "adhere to social distancing in the car park" prior to teeing off and exiting the club.
Hired carts, trolleys and other on-course items will not be allowed and caddies will not be permitted.
The leaked document also reveals how players must stay more than two metres apart when walking to their ball, or searching for lost balls and playing shots.
DO NOT SHAKE HANDS OR EXCHANGE CARDS
On the greens in either matchplay or strokeplay scenarios, the document addresses a need for the first player putting to hole out before the next player takes their putt.
Players must not shake hands after the round or exchange scorecards, and they must maintain a two-metre distance from each other at all times.
The report also claims how the R&A has "strongly recommended" that friendly matchplay is favoured during this period.
"In the event that any competitive strokeplay is played, a method of scoring is be implemented that does not require any handling or exchanging of scorecards. In this instance, committees may choose to allow methods of scoring that do not strictly comply with Rule 3.3b.
"For example, players may be allowed to enter their own scores; it will not be necessary to have a marker physically certify the player’s hole scores but some form of verbal certification should take place; and it will not be necessary to physically return a scorecard to the committee provided they can accept the scores in another way. This may include emailing or texting scores to the committee."
CLUBS TO DECIDE ON HANDICAPPING PURPOSES
Celtic Manor director of courses Jim McKenzie told GolfMagic on Tuesday that he will be proactively campagining to "scrap handicap-counting tournaments" for the rest of the year, in a bid to give some leeway to the maintenance of golf courses following the lockdown.
The R&A document claims it will be down to golf clubs to speak to their relevant handicapping authority as to whether scores will be acceptable for handicapping purposes.
