Five golfers have been fined after breaking coronavirus restriction rules by playing golf on a closed course in Merseyside, according to the Liverpool Echo.

The men were each issued with a £200 fixed penalty notice for breaching Covid rules while teeing up on Bowring Park Golf Course in Huyton on Sunday afternoon.

Councillor Shelley Powell said she was “astounded that people think they can break the rules and get away with it.”

“The rules can’t be clearer, stay at home unless it’s for essential purposes such as to attend work or school,” Ms Powell told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“Bowring Park Golf course is closed in order to adhere to the current lockdown rules, so not only have the five golfers broken lockdown rules, they are also trespassing on the course.”

This golf course rule break fell on the same weekend that police raided a gym – also in Liverpool – where more than 50 people had gathered to work out.

Golf is one of the sports’ most likely to return when lockdown restrictions are eased, reportedly before the end of March.

“Outdoor activity is likely to be permitted first in each phase,” reads The Times article.

“Team and individual sports such as golf and tennis, along with limited social gatherings outside, would therefore be possible within weeks of a planned return of schools from March 8.”

If true, The Times report goes along with news that Golf Magic first brought you back at the end of January