PROPERTY SEARCH

Linea Directa Home Insurance Cross content

Date Published: 11/05/2020

ARCHIVED - Golf courses re-open in Spain during phase 1 of Covid de-escalation

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

Players must observe social distancing and pre-book

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Golf courses re-open in Spain during phase 1 of Covid de-escalation

On Sunday the Spanish Golf federation, the Real Federación Española de Golf (RFEG) announced that the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the Secretary of State for Tourism, has approved the technical specifications which will enable golf courses to re-open and resume trading during phase one of the de-escalation, whilst minimizing the risk of contagion of coronavirus.

Golf courses can only re-open in the areas which have entered phase one (this includes the Region of Murcia). Travel between provinces is not permitted. (NB The Region of Murcia is a single-province region, so travel within the Murcia Region is permitted if this is your principal residence. It is NOT permitted to enter the Murcia Region from neighbouring provinces of Albacete, Alicante or Almería and Murcian residents are not allowed to play on courses outside of the Murcia Region.) Two people are permitted to drive to a course in the same vehicle if they are from the same household without wearing masks, but must wear masks in the car if they are not from the same household.

Click to see full information about phase 1 de-escalation.

The long list of protocols which aim to protect staff and players has been prepared by the Committee of Technicians constituted by the Institute for the Spanish Tourist Quality (ICTE) in collaboration with the RFEG and the Autonomous Federations of Golf, the Spanish Association of Golf Courses (AECG), the Spanish Association of Greenkeepers (AEdG), the Spanish Association of Golf Managers (AEGG) and the Association of Golf Professionals (PGA), and agreed with the Spanish Association of Labor Prevention Services (AESPLA), PRLInnovación, and with the CCOO and UGT unions.

They also take into account the recommendations of international organizations in the world of golf, and the total process is being coordinated by the Secretary of State for Tourism, the Autonomous Communities and the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP).

The actual working document is extensive and can be read by clicking here

What this means for golfers:

Before play:

- Social distancing must be observed, and in cases where this is not possible, ie travelling together in a buggy, masks must be worn, avoiding all physical contact with staff and other golfers. The use of gloves at all times is also recommended.

- Pre-booking is essential.

- Greenfees must be paid online or using credit cards, no cash.

- The use of buggies is permitted, but they must be disinfected after use.

- Manual golf karts must be disinfected by club personnel before and after use.

- 4 people per game, respecting social distancing.

- Changing rooms are closed, so players should arrive wearing the correct clothing.

- All social club facilities remain closed. Only toilets will be made available to golfers.

During play:

Social distancing must be maintained throughout the round.

- Players may not use sinks to wash balls, fountains, or sit on benches, etc. these must remain closed.

- In order to clean the balls each player must carry in their own equipment a suitable spray to wash the balls, a brush to remove any remaining dirt and a cloth to dry the ball.

- Bunkers must be repaired by the player without the use of rakes.

- The hole flags must always remain in place and cannot be removed or touched.

- The holes must have a stop that prevents the ball from descending completely at the end of the hole. This also applies to putting greens.

- The player must pick up the ball with caution. It is recommended to use an accessory to collect the hole ball.

Following play:

- Avoid any physical contact at the point of departure

- Cleaning of clubs and shoes is not allowed in the cleaning area.

- It is recommended to go directly from the course to the car park as all club facilities are to be closed.

Remember: LOCKDOWN MEANS LOCKDOWN. STAY AT HOME. STAY SAFE AND DO YOUR BIT TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS.

Follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest updates locally for the Region of Murcia and the main information for the rest of Spain: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/.