Playing golf in this day and age seems to be one of the few activities we can still do to stay active while also practicing appropriate social distancing techniques in the effort to battle the coronavirus pandemic.
If you are going to play golf, it’s recommended some simple steps be taken.
There are also some innovative tricks golf courses are using to help the cause. These will probably help speed up the game, too, and that’s always a good thing.
So wherever you like to tee it up, be sure to do your part.
Pool noodles
Yes, the long foam tubes common in backyard pools across Arizona, Florida and other places are actually a new tool in the effort to safely play golf. Most courses in Arizona remain open. Many in Florida are staying open, although some are closing up shop for now. Those are two places where this pool noodle technique is taking place.
Pool noodle minus the cup
Here’s another version of the pool noodle trick. At Bethpage, they also took the cups out of the ground and just stuff the flagstick into a noodle and filled the empty space, making it easy to still putt out and then pick up your ball with ease.
Leave the flag in when you putt
Ok, this is kinda boring, although some of you may already be doing that now that the rules allow it.
But leaving the flagstick in the hole eliminates the need to touch something you don’t need to touch.
Walk, don’t ride
The golf cart has become virtually indispensable for many golfers, but don’t take one for now. Some courses won’t let you have one anyway, but dust off that pull cart or stand bag and hoof it. Walking 18 holes is great way to enjoy a round of golf.
Don’t rake the sand traps
This should be easy for some of you who don’t bother to rake the sandtraps anyway. You know who you are. All kidding aside, use your foot best you can and leave the rake alone. Items like rakes can harbor the virus for a few days. Most courses probably took all their rakes off the course, so you may not have the choice anyway. Better yet, don’t hit into the sandtraps in the first place.
Hit the bumper
Hit the bumper, make the putt. Even a glancing blow will count as a make at The Fort in Kansas. Reduces the need for gimmes, too.
Skip the handshakes and fistbumps
An obvious one here. As tempting as it may be to celebrate that 40-footer, use your elbow for any contact you feel you must have with your playing partners. And maybe a simple air-five will suffice.
Clean your own golf balls
Bring a wet towel because you’re going to want to keep your golf balls clean but there’s a chance you won’t be able to use the ball washers. Some courses in Arizona have covered theirs with plastic trash bags. One less place for exposure.
To-go orders only, please
Courses have closed their dining areas and snack shacks but at some, you can still get food to go. So if you get the munchies, you can take advantage of this service. And why not. Golf courses need all the revenue they can generate so ordering some food will help keep things going at your favorite track.
But should anyone be playing golf?
It is worth noting that playing the sport at all right now continues to be debated.
Medical experts are weighing in.
“We really are pushing for social distancing. It’s the most effective mechanism for slowing down transmission of the infection and hopefully eventually getting the infection under control. However, we still want to encourage exercise and taking care of your physical health as well. We’ve been recommending individual exercising outdoors like walking or running or biking where you can still be outdoors but be alone and be practicing social distancing,” said Jill Weatherhead, an assistant professor of infectious disease at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
Others are suggesting even golf should come to a halt as the world battles the coronavirus pandemic.
Central Florida women’s golf coach Emily Marron addressed the concern saying social distancing and staying inside during this unprecedented time are more than civic duties — they’re moral obligations. For everyone.
“How does that exempt us if we’re being asked by the CDC and our government for everybody to just take a break, stay home and only essential business should be going on?” said Marron, who’s been at UCF for eight years. “I just don’t know how that exempts us as a golf community and I can kind of sense people’s frustration with where do you draw the line with that.”
