From the archive · 2020 to 2021
When the pandemic hit, golf courses closed, then reopened with new rules. Millions of people took up the game, and research suggested that, played safely, golf’s benefits outweighed the risk. This page keeps a record of what happened and the guidance the golf world shared at the time.
What happened
5.2m
The highest figure recorded this century. 16% of them started or tried golf for the first time because of the pandemic, and the average golfer was five years younger, at 41.
Source: The R&A, 2021
What the research said
01
Golf is played outside and players can keep their distance. If the rules are followed, the risk of passing on COVID-19 while playing is likely to be low. Source: Murray et al., 2021
02
With effective measures in place, the benefits of playing golf in most circumstances outweigh the risk of transmission, so policy makers and golf bodies were urged to support it. Source: Murray et al., 2021
03
When UK courses reopened after the 2020 lockdown, golfers’ sense of belonging and life satisfaction went up. Source: Sorbie et al., 2021
The archive
Guidance gathered from golf bodies and health agencies in 2020 and 2021. It’s kept here as a historical record and is no longer current, so check today’s advice before you rely on any of it.
Golf’s contribution to physical and mental health benefits are becoming increasingly recognised. Countries have adopted a range of restrictions to playing golf during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Log in to downloadDocument Title: PGA of New Zealand - Guidelines for Golf Coaching
DownloadDocument Title: PGA of Sweden - Checklist for PGA Pros
DownloadLink Title: PGA of America Coronavirus Resources
DownloadLink Title: PGA of America Back2Golf Three - Phased Approach
DownloadLink Title: International Golf Federation - COVID-19 Information
DownloadLink Title: The R&A - Golf in the UK Under COVID-19 Restrictions
DownloadLink Title: PGA Tour - 'PGA Tour outlines Health and Safety Plan for events when play resumes | Golf Channel'
DownloadDocument Title: INFOGRAPHIC - "Fore" Reasons Why Golf Can Support Health During the COVID-19 Era
DownloadLink Title: PGA of Great Britain & Ireland - COVID-19 Resource Hub
DownloadDocument Title: CPG - Member Country PGA COVID-19 Joint Statement
DownloadLink Title: CPG - Member Country PGA COVID-19 Joint Guidelines
DownloadLink Title: BGIA, BIGGA, GCMA, Foremost, PGA of GB&I, TGI Golf, UK Golf Federation - Operational Guidance for the Future Phased Re-Opening…
DownloadDocument Title: GCSAA / USGA - Minimum Maintenance for Golf Courses During COVID-19 Outbreak
DownloadDocument Title: World Health Organisation [WHO] - Sports Federations / Sports Event Organizers - Planning Mass Gatherings in the Context of COVID-19:…
DownloadLink Title: World Health Organisation [WHO] - Guidance for the use of the WHO Mass Gatherings Sports: addendum risk assessment tools in…
DownloadDocument Title: World Health Organisation [WHO] - Event Risk Assessment Decision Tree
DownloadLink Title: Coronavirus [COVID-19] Update | Golf & Health
DownloadLink Title: World Health Organisation [WHO] Rolling Updates On Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
DownloadLink Title: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - National Information Resources on COVID-19
DownloadLink Title: PGA of France - Fédération française de golf - Protective Measures for Playing Golf
DownloadLink Title: PGA of France - Fédération française de golf - Work Measures Under COVID-19
DownloadDocument Title: PGA of Spain - Procedures for Teaching Professionals
DownloadDocument Title: England Golf - A Framework for Playing Golf [11-May-2020]
DownloadLink Title: UK Government - Guidance for Personal Trainers and Coaches on the Phased Return of Sport and Recreation in England
DownloadDocument Title: PGA of America - Back2Golf Operations Playbook (Version 3.0- May 18, 2020)
DownloadDocument Title: PGA of America - Back2Golf Allied Presentation Guidelines for Opening Up Golf - Final 5-15
DownloadDocument - CPG & Golf & Health: Coronavirus COVID-19 Re-Opening Guidelines
DownloadThe Golf & Health Project brings together published research on golf and health. Page last reviewed: November 2026.
