VIDEO: Golfers have hole lot of fun but 'coast is still closed'

Sixty members were booked in for the first day at North Shore Golf Course in Skegness .

The hotel with its restaurant facilities and toilets are not expected open until the second phase of restrictions being lifted in July - but golfers went along prepared to play accepting bacon butties were off the menu for a while longer.

John Strode, Director of Golf at the course, was happy with the the fist day's bookings. He said: "It's been very busy, as you can imagine. We are running at 60 per cent capacity which, since we are open for a shorter day from 8am to 4pm, I am happy with.

"It's a very social sport so we have introduced important new rules to keep people safe. To be fair to the members, they have responded to the restrictions very well."

Lee Bray and Iran Williams were delighted to be back. "It's been fantastic - always nice to be out," said Lee. "I've been furloughed for seven weeks and obviously haven't been able to play play golf either so I've put some weight on.

"But it's just nice to get out, although halfway down the first fairway I was out of breath.

"We played safely and kept out distance but it's been great."

Iran agreed: "It's been nice to get some exercise and see people. Even though you keep your distance you can still speak to them."

Elsewhere in the town there did seem to be a few more cars about but the cold winds on the beach meant visitors who are now allowed to make day trips had not rushed to the coast.

The message that the 'Coast is Closed' was repeated by East Lindsey District Council yesterday, when they decided to keep car parks and toilets closed.

Portolio Holder for Coastal Economy Coun Steve Kirk explained the council had been "between the devil and a hard place" deciding what to do..

"At a time when we are losing millions of pounds in income getting something back from the car parks would have been helpful," he said.

"Be we don't want to send out the wrong message.

"If the weather is nice people are likely to come anyway and if the car parks are closed they will be parking in the streets which will upset the residents.

"For the time being we want visitors to stay away. The car parks are closed, accommodation is closed and shops and attractions are closed. There is nothing open for them."

*A full list of restrictions and instructions on how to book a game are on the North Shore Golf Course Facebook Page.

Among the safety measures, the check-in has been moved from the pro shop to the conservatory, where memberships and guest fees are taken, preferably using card payments.

Buggies are not be available for hire.

One person can only book one tee time and will be playing within the government's guidelines of one or two balls.