Wagga Country Club recorded an increase in playing numbers over the weekend after the NSW Office of Sport announced the return of groups of four as of last Friday.

Wagga Country Club were able to get groups of four going in time for the weekly Saturday competition and secretary-manager John Turner declared the move proved popular with golfers.

"The groups of four, as of Saturday, was definitely well received," Turner said.

"So going forward now we're back in fours and with the crazy world we're in, it was well received for a bit of normality.

"We still have to do all the social distancing. They can get a sandwich or coffee at the club, the clubhouse isn't open, but with the weather the way it was over the weekend, getting back into good fields and getting in a game of four they were very appreciative of."

With the club using an online booking program, the move to return to groups of four wasn't straight forward. But Turner said the effort involved to get groups of four going for the weekend resulted in larger numbers on the course.

"It was very close to being full on Saturday and Sunday. We only got it sorted out on Friday. We could have left it for the weekend but as soon as we had the ability to play in fours, we wanted them out there as quick as we can," he said.

Turner expects the latest easing of restrictions will help the club cater for a significant increase of traffic on the course.

"You probably increase by 30 to 40 per cent," he said.

"You have to have a greater gap between tee times. We're also only off one tee only...and obviously with daylight hours, you don't want to be half hour behind otherwise your last groups are finishing in the dark.

"We have increased. Men's is generally Wednesday and Saturday, now we have a medley on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and they're all very well supported."

The club remains open to members only and Turner wants to ensure they have everything in order before the board decides to welcome social golfers.

"The most important thing is controlling your environment. In busier afternoons, we've put someone there as a course marshall because people forget, so just to make them aware and those sort of things," he said.

"The first thing we've got to do is adhere to the COVID restrictions, they get to exercise and they get to play golf so having all those things come at once has been well received.

"As things ease, we'll continue to consider more options but as of right now, it's about controlling our environment with what we've got."

Turner said the club is not taking its position for granted.

"At least we've got the ability to play golf," he said.

"We're so lucky compared to other sports and so many other clubs. Most other clubs are closed, but we've got a small lifeline with golf, to help with people's sanity."

READ MORE