A Golf Australia statement released Friday night called for all Victorian clubs to close "as soon as practicable" based on Victorian Department of Health and Human Services advice. This comes under a directive prohibiting social sport gatherings at recreational facilities, including golf courses.

The Courier understands some golfers were trying to sneak in a few final rounds on Saturday morning but most clubs were already shut.

Ballarat Golf Club in Alfredton had already closed its greens on Monday.

Victoria is the only state to lockdown golf at this stage.

Ballarat District Golf president David Edwards said it was a disappointing move, given some golf clubs had already been under enormous pressure to survive. He feared many would not be able to re-open once the pandemic passed.

Golf Australia, in a statement to Victorian clubs, said it was lobbying the federal and state governments to ensure course staff were able to keep accessing facilities.

"While this is a difficult time for the golf industry and wider society, Golf Australia is committed to working with clubs and facilities across the state to ensure that we return a vibrant, strong industry," it read.

The Courier spoke with representatives from RACV Goldfields, Midlands and Buninyong on Tuesday, which all said their courses would stay open for play with increased hygiene measures as long as they could.

Some of these measures include the removal of rakes in bunkers, only allowing one person per cart and a direction to leave the flag in while putting on the green. Clubhouses at Midlands and Buninyong are closed.

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