Golfing: The Best Social Distancing Sport Amid The COVID-19 Crisis

As the COVID-19 crisis continues in the United States, individuals and businesses are scrambling to make adjustments. Most “sports” have shut down entirely during this time of change. One exception to this rule is in the sport of golf. And, what a great way to get outdoors, away from people, and destress from the pending doom!

Here is What You Must Know About Golfing in Your Local Area During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Benefits of Golfing During a Social-Distancing Crisis – During these times of crisis, golfing is a magnificent way to get away from it all and get into the fresh air of the outdoors. Golf provides a pathway to better health for the individual – it reduces anxiety, decreases the effects of depression, brings stress levels down, & offers therapeutic benefits for the golfer. And, above all else, golfing is one of the best social distancing sports during this time.

Can You Still Play Golf During Coronavirus Concerns? – At this time, golf courses in most locations are still open for business. And, the owners and business managers are taking steps to ensure your safety. PGA of America is providing support to golf courses by providing safe practice recommendations. The PGA is also providing much-needed resources and ideas to offer the best social distancing golf experience.

How are Golf Courses Providing the Best Social Distancing & Safety Experience for Golfers? – A significant number of actions are being taken to ensure the safety of golfers as they visit local golf course locations. These include but are not limited to:

• visitor and staff screenings upon arrival

• health care providers on-site

• providing info about best practices during visits

• closely monitoring the facility throughout the day

• caddies are wearing gloves to attend to guests

• minimizing the staff’s touch of visitor’s golfing equipment

• sanitizing areas of high traffic & high touch areas more thoroughly

• providing sanitation stations throughout the facility & golf range

• temporary closure of fitness areas, spas, steam houses, showers, & locker rooms

• ensuring take-out food only and single-serve beverages

• courses are following local, state, and federal coronavirus guidelines

Also, social distancing and coronavirus prevention standards are being put into place. These precautions include distance enabled or remote check-ins, staging golf carts with enough distance between each, allowing golfers to play individually or in minimum size groups, and encouraging walking of golfers when feasible.

Many courses are including practices that allow the golfer to retrieve their golf balls easier (without placing their hands into the cup). And, solo instructional lessons (one golfer to one instructor) are encouraged at this time with the use of safe social distance practices.

Valuable Resources for Golfers During the COVID-19 Outbreak

There are several excellent resources available for golfers during the COVID-19 outbreak. Please take a few minutes to review at your leisure & help stop the coronavirus in its tracks. And, stay safe while still playing the game of golf – a natural social distancing sport for all!

• Golf Digest: 5 Mental Health Benefits You Get from Golf

• Golf & the Coronavirus: Play with Confidence

• Can You Play Golf During Coronavirus Concerns? With Proper Precautions, Yes!

• What is ‘Social Distancing?’ Here is How to Best Practice it as Coronavirus Spreads

• How to Practice Social Distancing During the Coronavirus

• Coronavirus Resources from PGA of America

Please, stay home if you are unwell, wash your hands consistently, use hand sanitizer when needed, place yourself a safe distance from others.

On your healthiest days, take the time to destress and enjoy the fresh air at a safe distance from all! Now is the ideal time to practice and improve your golfing game!