By Kent Gray
While Dubai will remain in COVID-19 lockdown until at least the end of this week, restrictions on golf in the UAE capital and now Ajman continue to be slowly loosened.

Abu Dhabi’s three Troon International-managed clubs re-opened to members on April 7 and now, just over a week later, non-members look set to be welcomed to Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Yas Links Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.

An email to Yas Links members, obtained by Golf Digest Middle East, says “Members Guests” will be permitted to play from Wednesday, April 15, along with “Troon Executive Card Holders and Troon Advantage Members only”.

Golf Digest Middle East has also learned Abu Dhabi City Golf Club and the Troon International managed Al Zorah Golf Club in Ajman have reopened. Tower Links in Ras Al Khaimah is opened to members only.

Strict social distancing restrictions are in place with the clubs limiting their daily tee sheets to 30 percent of capacity. In the case of the Troon Abu Dhabi clubs, masks must be worn at all times and “thermal sensors for individual temperature controls will be enforced upon check-in”.

Maximum groups of three players are permitted but golfers must not share buggies. Walking is available – at least 2m apart – and there are no rakes in bunkers while the adjustment of holes allows players to retrieve their ball without touching the flag.

Previously food and beverage was not available but the email from Yas Links Abu Dhabi noted that its restaurants will be open for takeaway only and that the “beverage cart will be open on course” in addition to two water bottles being provided in each cart.

Even golf lessons are available – but only as playing lessons where social distancing is more easily policed. Further, the Yas Links ‘Golf Shop’ is open but only allowing a maximum of three people inside at any given time and is not taking cash payments. The club’s showers and locker rooms, as well as gyms, pools and spas, are closed.

The encouraging easing of restrictions in Abu Dhabi and Ajman comes as the region’s governing body, the Emirates Golf Federation, continues to walk a tight-rope between following the different restrictions implemented by local authorities in each emirate with the need to help the golf industry get back on its feet as soon and as safely possible.

A detailed list of questions from Golf Digest Middle East received the following blanket statement from the EGF:

“As directed by the UAE General Authority of Sport all sports activities have stopped since March 24th. Being that all golf clubs in the UAE fall under the EGF we advised the clubs to adhere to this ruling,” the statement began.

“With that said, we understand that some clubs are working with local authorities (Emirate to Emirate) in order to slowly reopen for golf operations while implementing precautionary measures enforced by the EGF in order to safeguard golfers and staff.

“We take this as a step forward to some type of normalcy for UAE golf clubs. The EGF is in direct communication with the clubs and we hope that golf will return to the entire UAE soon. We have been monitoring the situation closely across the entire globe and will continue to do so until things are back to normal.”