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bunkered.co.uk has discovered that almost HALF of the golf courses in Europe have been forced into temporary closure as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Our research has found that playing golf has been suspended in at least nine different countries across the continent as governments step up measures to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

At least 4,121 of Europe’s 8,940 courses are currently in lockdown – 46.1%. 

Germany accounts for the highest proportion of those, with all 1,050 of its layouts closed. A short statement on the German Golf Association website stated: “Play operations on golf courses are forbidden nationwide from Wednesday, March 18, 2020.”

• Organisers rubbish Ryder Cup claims

• Tiger Woods breaks silence on COVID-19

• Augusta National closed until further notice

France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, the Netherlands and Norway have also put a halt to golf for the time being, with similar measures in place in Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Poland and the Czech Republic.

All told, around TWO AND A HALF MILLION registered golfers have nowhere to play as a result of these closures.

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At it stands, there has been no blanket ban on golf in the UK and Ireland, although some council-run courses have shut in the last 24 hours, including all courses operated by North Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council in the Scottish central belt.

The courses that are remaining open have been encouraged to implement a range of ‘best practice’ measures to combat the spread of the disease, including social distancing and putting with the flagstick in.

• US PGA Championship postponed

• PGA Tour cancels four more events

Professional golf has come to a near-complete standstill as a result of the sweeping pandemic. 

Last night, the PGA of America followed the lead of The Masters by announcing the postponement of May’s US PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park. Meanwhile, there will be no tournament golf played on either the European Tour or PGA Tour until May 21 at the earliest. 


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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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