CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Golf’s three professional governing bodies have issued further advice to golfers and the operators/professionals for golf clubs as a game to be enjoyed “sensibly and safely” during the Coronavirus outbreak.

The Government has continued its advice that exercise in the fresh air away from human contact should be continued. The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), Golf Club Managers’ Association (GCMA) and the British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association (BIGGA) have issued joint guidance on how golf clubs and professional shops can continue to allow golfers to enjoy the game whilst observing some simple guidelines.

Whilst ‘business as usual’ may not be the case, the game offers one of the safest ways to take exercise and interact socially with minimal personal contact whilst meeting current Government guidelines.

We will continue to monitor and adhere to the government guidelines and will continue to operate our professional services at West Malling with the following advice to our customers:

PRIOR TO VISITING THE PROFESSIONAL SHOP/LESSON/CLUB FITTING:

• Upon entering the clubhouse (if you need to do so) West Malling Golf Club have provided hand sanitisers at the entrance to the clubhouse for everyone to use prior to entering the building.

• We are consistently wiping our PDQ machines and EPOS system with anti-bacterial wipes during the day.

• We would ask where possible for golfers to use their contactless or card means of payment rather than cash until further notice.

• Customers with colds, or coughs or any symptoms of COVID-19 should not attempt to visit the golf club or professional shop.

• On government advice no hand shaking or physical greeting is advised.

• The changing of shoes in the car park is encouraged until further notice.

• The professional shop re-fit has been completed and a thorough clean of all walls, fixtures and fittings has been undertaken and will continue for the foreseeable future.

ADVICE FOR LESSONS/CLUB FITTINGS:

• We would ask anyone in the governments ‘at risk’ category (the over 70’s, pregnant women and anyone with underlying health conditions) to postpone any lessons or club fittings they may have booked until the ‘self-isolation’ restriction is lifted.

• We would advise customers to use the hand wash facilities and use the hand sanitisers in the clubhouse before and after a lesson/club fitting.

• We’re observing the social distancing rule set out by government during lessons and club fittings.

• Our professionals have been requested not to handle any of your equipment during lessons and club fittings.

• Our professionals are sanitising the grips on our fitting clubs prior to use, during the club fitting and after the club fitting has been completed.

• Please do not use the airline shoe cleaning facility near the clubhouse.

As pre-mentioned we are monitoring the governments guidelines daily and if they change we will change our approach in line with the recommendations.

Golf is one of the few hobbies that comes with a very low risk of infection so we hope you can still enjoy a game, a lesson or trying something new during a club fitting; all performed outside in the fresh air.

Stay safe, stay healthy and keep golfing whilst we’re able to.

Duncan & the team.