GOLFERS CAN Safely PLAY THRU Corona Virus
Should you play golf?
I last teed it up March 11, the day before all the chaos ensued. The entire facility was packed - the range, putting green, par-3 course and regulation one. It was a welcoming sight, one that will likely be rare at U.S. golf clubs over the next month or more.
Large gatherings - sporting events, concerts, cruise ships and theme parks - are taboo in the current climate, but are foursomes still okay?
Earlier this week, Pasatiempo, the famous Dr. Alister MacKenzie course in Santa Cruz, Calif., sent out an e-mail to customers indicating its staff was doing extra cleaning, installing hand sanitizer stations throughout its buildings and had turned off its popcorn machine.
The Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golfing Union released a joint statement March 12 pertaining to recommendations for all Irish golf clubs. The guidelines include:
* Social aspects of club life should be avoided.
* Hourly cleanings of high-touch areas like doorknobs.
* A regular changing of towels.
* Discouraging visitor play or having a screening process in place.
* Canceling events with shotgun starts, which cause large gatherings before and after the rounds.
* Elbow bumps should replace handshakes and hugs.
All common sense stuff, but it's noteworthy that closing wasn't one of the suggestions. I don't know about you; I don't plan on hanging up the clubs as long as I'm healthy. With all the stress and newfound free time (with schools and youth sports canceling), I could theoretically play more. It would be wise to play locally, avoiding travel and supporting your own community.
Casual golf will go on in some form, probably on a smaller scale given that the older generation is more likely to stay home. Life on the pro tours is much more complicated. Postponing/canceling events felt right. Being a pro athlete involves all the public hassles of travel - hotels, rental cars, airplanes, Ubers, eating out in restaurants, etc. - that might help spread the outbreak.
How will coronavirus impact your outlook on golf? Let us know in the comments below.
Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed more than 1,000 courses and golf destinations for some of the industry's biggest publications. His work has been honored by the Golf Writer's Association of America and the Michigan Press Association. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfadvisor and Twitter at @WorldGolfer.
110 Comments
Scott Commented on 03/14/2020
Golf is the best way for me to practice social distancing. I am
usually in the rough or woods while my partner is in opposite
woods!
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That extra space in your golf bag next to your tees or balls? Put your hand sanitizer there. And use it. Frequently.
And then play away in these days of the coronavirus, says Dr. Kelly Cawcutt, associate director of infection control and hospital epidemiology and Nebraska biocontainment unit member at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Neb. And also so says Kelly Cawcutt, golfer, wife of a golfer, mother of a golfer and daughter of a golfer.
“Being in a wide-open, outdoor space is the least at-risk scenario,” Cawcutt said. “Precaution is the name of the game. It’s very reasonable to play if you are smart about it and follow the proper guidance.
“You’ll have to follow precautions that you normally wouldn’t have to, but I would play under that guidance.”
Re: GOLFERS CAN Safely PLAY THRU Corona Virus
What should a player do throughout the round?
Hand-sanitizing and hand washing should be as welcomed as hitting the fairway off the tee.
“As you go through the game, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you’re able to, or alternatively use hand sanitizer liberally,” Cawcutt said. “If you have contaminated hands, we don’t want you touching your mouth or face. We don’t want you to get the virus on your hands.”
At tee boxes, fairways and greens, practice “social distancing” with groups outside of your own — about 6 feet.
“Stay out of range,” Cawcutt said. “Minimize that close contact. Minimize the risk of getting it.”
1. How should you handle your golf clubs?
Cawcutt said players should wipe down the parts of the club that touch the golf cart, along with the parts of the bag.
“You should wipe down the edges of the bag, the handle of the club, the parts that touch the golf cart,” said Cawcutt, who advised not renting clubs. “I know that people have varying types of handles, but wipe down the handles. It’s just to reassure yourself that they are as clean as possible.”
2. How should you handle your golf balls?
Use of hand sanitizer and hand washing should again be as welcomed as picking up your ball from the cup after a birdie.
But maybe let that Pro V1 you found in the woods go this time.
“If you’re picking up random golf balls, don’t touch your mouth,” Cawcutt said. “Maybe leave it behind.”
3. How should you handle your golf glove?
Cawcutt suggested hand sanitizer for your glove, too, though not ideal, as it will create some slickness.
“If you’re willing to put it on your glove, use it,” she said. “It’s the safest avenue. Something to keep your glove clean is ideal.”
4. How should you handle the golf cart?
Walking might be the way to go, but if you ride, you wipe.
“Wipe the steering wheel and seat and minimize the risk of other people who have used the cart,” Cawcutt said. “It’s something different, but doing that will give you a sense of security.”
5. How should you handle your cellphone during the round?
Oh, man, what did Sara just tweet? I wonder if Matt just posted to Facebook? The group ahead of me is measuring that 2-footer with Bryson-esque slope precision? Time to bust out the phone, right?
Maybe wait till you’re home, but if you do have to check out the latest and greatest from GOLF.com …
“Keep it somewhere where it’s not put directly on the dashboard of the cart,” Cawcutt said. “While using the phone, try to keep it on one person. If you have a phone that can be wiped down, that’s great. At a minimum, you should be thinking of hygiene. Just use common sense.”
How should you handle the beverage cart?
Get your golf sodas here, if possible, rather than the clubhouse.
“Advocate with your club for beverage cart workers to use gloves for everyone’s safety,” Cawcutt said. “Getting drinks from the cart may be safer than in a crowded clubhouse. Use hand sanitizer before drinking from the can. Avoid touching the mouth of any bottles or cans as best you can.
“Hand-sanitize before you pop that top.”
6. How should you handle the clubhouse?
Get in, get out and keep your distance.
“Social distancing is increasingly advised to slow the spread of infection,” Cawcutt said. “Avoid time in crowded clubhouses. Sit outdoors with that 6-foot radius from others, if possible.
“Again, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after touching any high-touch areas like door handles, desks, etc.”
7. How should you handle playing partners?
If you’re playing with friends and family, check that they’re feeling well. If you’re playing with strangers, keep your social distance. If you’re playing with the friendly types, words speak louder than actions this time.
“In general, don’t shake hands and do something else, like an elbow bump, as elbows are not high-contaminated areas,” Cawcutt said. “Do welcome your playing partners and say congrats. Just find different ways than a handshake to express gratitude.”