Canberra golf clubs have been the victims of government mixed messages, backflips and silence in the wake of increased restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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But the good news is they're free to remain open with their strict social-distancing measures - although some clubs might remain shut having already made the tough decision to close.
The NSW government declared golf was a non-essential activity that didn't count as exercise and Golf Australia notified clubs they should shut down on Monday.
But in the space of 24 hours, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, her sports minister and police minister all stated golf was fine they reversed the initial decision.
It came as a majority of golf courses in the region were shut, with others waiting for the ACT government to make a decision - which they finally did on Wednesday afternoon.
"Golf ... may proceed. However, it should not be business as usual. All mitigation measures should be put in place to lower the risk of disease transmission," a government spokesperson said.
"Individual golf clubs are advised to use their own discretion in deciding to remain open or closed based on individual circumstances related to COVID-19."
Golf NSW chief executive Stuart Fraser said confusing messages from the government had made things "pretty difficult" for clubs.
No sooner had they been forced into making decisions like standing down staff, but then they'd been told they could now reverse those decisions.
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But even that reversal has the prospect of any further social restrictions coming in and shutting the clubs down again.
"It's created a lot of confusion ... all we're doing is passing on government advice and recommendations," Fraser said.
"Unfortunately their offices, ministers or departments aren't quite communicating on the same page. It's been frustrating.
"It's pretty difficult for clubs that are trying to make decisions with standing down staff, putting staff back on. It's just diabolical for them."
Yowani was one of the four Canberra clubs who remained open, along with Royal Canberra, Belconnen and Gold Creek.
ACT sport and recreation had told Yowani chairman John McCullagh they could remain open with their stringent social distancing measures in place.
Yowani also told members older than 70 they should stay at home and they've closed their lawn bowls rinks.
"From Yowani's perspective we are grateful that we are able to continue, subject to compliance with the very strict restrictions now in place, to provide access to golf in a way that is safe and contributes towards the public's physical and mental well-being for so long as we are permitted to do so," McCullagh said.