The island’s golfers were allowed to return to courses in groups over the Easter weekend.

The move followed the announcement by the Isle of Man Government last Thursday that groups of 10 people are now permitted to meet up outside whilst maintaining social distancing.

Sport has very much been on the backburner over the last month since the latest circuit-breaker lockdown was introduced at the start of March.

But with active case numbers reducing all the time and no community transmission of coronavirus for more than one week, restrictions are slowly being eased. As such, some activities have been able to resume in a limited capacity, including golf.

A spokesman for Isle of Man Golf confirmed: ’The restrictions changing to being able to meet in groups of up to 10 outside has allowed the DESC [Department of Education, Sport and Culture] to change the guidelines for sport in the island which allows golfers to play in groups of up to four whilst maintaining social distancing.

’The guidelines do not allow for competition golf at present and will probably not change until the clubhouses and locker rooms can reopen, which may be another week or so depending on the number of Covid cases.’

This meant that the Easter weekend saw the welcome return of two balls, three balls and four balls around the island’s golf clubs, although pro shops and clubhouses remained closed.

Isle of Man Golf is also urging the island’s players to support the local golf shops instead of ordering products online: ’Our island’s golf professionals will have been closed the past month or so and not earning regular money - so perhaps before ordering golf balls and equipment online you visit one of our local golf professional shops and see what deals they can do. Let’s keep the money on-island.’

The next scheduled Isle of Man Golf event is the Haven Homes-sponsored 72-hole stroke play at Ramsey and Rowany in early May, subject to any further restrictions.