Although COVID-19 has shut down nearly every business and location where people gather, golf courses in some states have been allowed to remain open. You can’t visit the 19th hole with your buddies, to lie about your scores and enjoy a cold one, but you can still go out there and lose a few golf balls.
While the media is filled with more depressing headlines every day, there has been some good news throughout the voluntary ‘social distancing’ and ‘self-quarantining.’
Golf is the only sport that has somewhat survived the Pandemic! 
Several states, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan to name a few, have officially closed all golf courses. Other states, Ohio included have allowed the courses to remain open, subject to the various county health boards across the state.
After Governor, Mike DeWine confirmed that courses could remain open, the Ohio Department of Health announced that golf was not an essential industry and courses should be closed.
On Tuesday, March 31st, they issued a second statement that rescinded their original decision and permitted courses to open, but would need to follow certain guidelines.
Quoting from their decision,
“If your golf course is operating as an outdoor recreation opportunity and abiding by all of the order’s social distancing requirements, there is likely not a health concern. However, if the golf course is operating other businesses as part of the operations (restaurants, clubhouse, spa, driving range, putting and practice greens, etc), then you should be prepared to explain why you deem those business operations essential.”
No more than two golfers can be in the pro shop at any one time. Players must maintain a safe distance while on the course and only one rider per cart.
If you are wondering about your state the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is constantly updating the current status of each state on their website: https://www.gcsaa.org/advocacy/priority-issues/coronavirus-pandemic/50-state-coronavirus-update
Feelings among golf courses owners and operators remain mixed. One course owner in Michigan told us that he will remain open during the quarantine period and will pay any fine he receives from the state.
Another course owner from Wisconsin said, “I would rather remain closed than have one of my members contract the coronavirus at my facility.”
If you are like me, you are beginning to have a severe case of cabin fever, plus the stress of worrying what the economy will look like, post-COVID-19, is becoming more than I can bear.
At the minimum, you could chip in your back yard, or take a shag bag to the nearest park and practice your wedges and seven-iron. Hitting a few golf balls could be just the right medicine.
Will this signal a change for golf in this country and around the world?
Before the coronavirus scare many courses were teetering on the edge selling to real estate developers, or bankruptcy. This unforeseen slow down could be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back and prevent many courses from continuing operations in the future.
The 20 million golfers, in this country, will still want to get in their appointed rounds. When the economy returns to a semblance of normality and the general public returns to work with a secure income, some of that income will certainly be spent on clubs, balls, apparel and greens fees.
The professional golf tours are feverishly trying to reschedule events and one of the biggest sports events in the world, the Ryder Cup is planning to hit the opening tee shots as scheduled on September 25. The European Tour, Champions Tour, LPGA and Korn Ferry Tour will resume operations as soon as the government deems it safe to travel and get back to normal routines.
It may take a little time for golf to return to the levels of play it was enjoying pre-coronavirus, but it will return.
Rest assured the golf industry will be ready to accommodate golfers. Resorts, retailers, as well as, small country courses will be ready to serve Golfaholics.
What to expect when you visit a course
One of the key questions going around the golf industry right now is, How can they make golfers feel safe?
One of the more positive aspects to come out of the coronavirus scare is that course owners are looking at every segment of the golf experience and searching for ways to make it more enjoyable, as well as, safe.
Expect restrooms to be cleaned on a more regular basis, carts to be thoroughly wiped down after every use and the staff to be more open to any concerns, or questions you may have.
Some courses are even putting a lid on the cup. The ball will not go down into the hole, similar to some practice greens.
A mini-tour event in Arizona recently used pool noodles in the cup to prevent the ball from going all the way down to the bottom and contestants were not permitted to touch the flagstick.
Safety tips
If you do decide to venture out to a course near you, here are a couple of tips to avoid contact.
-Only go into the pro shop to sign in and pay your green fees.
-Ask for a separate cart. Normally courses are reluctant to provide single-rider carts, but they will be happy to oblige this request.
-Better yet, take a walking cart, or simply carry your own bag. You will get some exercise and assure a safe separation from other golfers while on the course.
-Leave the flag in. The USGA has even deemed this legal, so why touch it?
-Use a Spoon or Tongs. You still have to get the ball out of the hole, but you could use tongs, or a big spoon that you could carry in your bag. Plus don’t be afraid to give, or take those 3-footers. No need to putt out on every hole.
-Throw a hand sanitizer, or baby wipes in your golf bag. If you rent a hand cart, wipe down the handle.
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We have seen this movie before
Golf has experienced these bumps in the road before and has survived. WWII forced the cancellation of professional golf for a time and Augusta National Golf Club was converted to a cow pasture to raise beef for the troops. The attack on the Twin Towers on 9/11 saw tournaments canceled and all air travel grounded. The economic slowdown in 2009-10 forced the closure of hundreds of courses and millions of casual golfers left the game.
In the end, golf has persevered, it will again this time.
In the meantime if you are dreaming about a golf getaway, visit Back 9 Report TV’s new YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCczmOJ27AO3-SB1gqPbIXlg/videos?view_as=subscriber.
There are videos about Bandon Dunes, Boyne Resort, French Lick, Whistling Straits, Innisbrook and many more.
A few of our favorite courses may not survive, but the spirit of the game and the enthusiasm for friendly competition among friends will still be the magnet that draws golfers back. Plus, golfers will still want to travel to other parts of the country to visit destinations they have only dreamed about.
Those same resorts will be ready to welcome them with open arms and a new sense of appreciation for those Golfaholics that visit their facilities.
