If local golfers are feeling a sense of whiplash, there is an easy explanation.
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Less than 48 hours after advice from the NSW Office of Sport caused Golf NSW to close all clubs in the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that decision was reversed.
On Wednesday afternoon, another announcement was released by the Office of Sport, clarifying its previous statement, which was made on Monday.
"As you know, there are now restrictions around public gatherings and rules around leaving your home," it said.
"These new measures are in place to keep the community safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. But it is important to note that people are allowed to leave their homes for the purpose of exercise.
"The NSW Government has issued guidelines allowing people to go outside and exercise.
"Any form of exercise is to be undertaken in compliance with the Public Health Orders, meaning that people must not participate in groups greater than two persons at any point in time. Therefore, individual sports such as golf and tennis can continue provided the Public Health Orders are complied with."
While good news for golf enthusiasts, some restrictions are still in place.
Public gatherings of more than two people are still prohibited, meaning social golf will be restricted to two players and competitions will have to be likewise thinned or possibly halted altogether.
Similarly, the players must continue to practice social distancing during games and follow similar guidelines which were already in place.
Though stringent, the rules are in place to protect the health of players while allowing them to remain involved and active.
"Maintaining the public's physical and mental well-being is now as important as ever," the Office of Sport said.
"Where possible, it is important sporting clubs and organisations continue to allow people to exercise, so long as social distancing is practised and rules around public gatherings of no more than two people are complied with."
Golf NSW also stated that decisions whether to remain closed or re-open will be left to individual clubs.
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