Coronavirus: 10 questions you should ask the next golf course before you play

We're into early May and organizations are reviving over the United States as state and neighborhood governments unwind COVID-19 limitations. At a certain point, 15 states had inside and out prohibited the playing of golf, while different urban communities and districts established their own neighborhood limitations and bans. 


It's required some investment for green administrators to make sense of how to work in this new ordinary. Be that as it may, they are reacting and reviving with adjusted tasks and frequently pared-down staff. Overseeing bodies in the game just together reported a "Back2Golf" crusade that advances wellbeing conventions at offices and capable conduct by golf players. As of May fourth, only 32 percent of US courses were shut by GolfNow, down from a top in mid-April of over half. Just three states - Maryland, Massachusetts and Vermont - have not given direction on when fairways can revive. Canadian regions are starting to open and abroad, the Republic of Ireland declared May eighteenth that individuals could come back to their clubs. (Get the most recent COVID-19 news and details here). 

We live in another world in 2020. Your first outing back to the course might be a touch surprising, however at it's center, we're despite everything playing a similar incredible game. At this point, you should be really educated about CDC social removing rules and how they apply to golf. Be that as it may, here is an agenda of inquiries to pose as you get once more into golf in the COVID-19 period. We'd love to hear what your green is doing to suit safe play. Tell us in the remarks beneath. 

How would I book and pay? 

Fairways have overhauled techniques around booking tee times and tolerating installment. So as to secure their workers, they need as meager cash traded face to face as could be expected under the circumstances. This implies many fairways require propelled tee time reservations, and a developing number ask that you pay ahead of time too. 

In case you're accustomed to paying for green expenses in real money, there is a probability that it isn't allowed as of now.



What are the tee time interims and Pairing limits? 

It's been astounding to perceive how scattered greens are scattering their tee times. The most extraordinary case I've heard is Indian Wells in California's Riverside County going to 20 minutes between tee times. Bethpage State Park scattered 16 to 18 minutes. It is exceptionally normal for munis that once scattered 7 or 8 minutes to go to 10 to 12. 

Some portion of the request for fairways to securely revive in New Jersey was that tee times must be 16 minutes separated and just couples are allowed. (Peruse the full guidelines at the NJSGA). You can crunch the numbers: it will be troublesome getting a tee time at effectively bustling open courses, and income for the administrators stands to endure a big cheese. On the other side for golf players, pace of play ought to be lively.


Some resorts are not opening their courses every day (such as South Carolina's Sea Pines Resort and Michigan's Forest Dunes). I also noticed at my home club an unwillingness for starters to pair small groups up. If you're a single, you may have a tougher time getting out, or if you do, be prepared to be stuck alone behind a big group.

Do I Have to Wear a Face Covering ?

Some areas like, Riverside (Calif.) County and Miami-Dade County are requiring that golfers play the entire round with a cloth face mask for the time being. Other states and cities are asking that you wear them in common areas and on practice greens.

It is important to understand that businesses have the right to set rules they feel will keep their employees safe and it is a customer's obligation to comply to them. I've begun stuffing bandanas in various parts of my car and around the house to be safe.

Are non-residents or non-members allowed?

Some states and cities are presently requiring in-state residents only to discourage unnecessary travel. Delaware wants those arriving to self-quarantine 14 days, and to respect the order, golf courses will not book non-residents. Hawaii still requires arrivals to quarantine for 14 days thru May 31. Other private clubs are restricting play to members only. Expect these restrictions to loosen as all states open up their golf courses. But if you plan on crossing state lines to play golf, you may want to confirm you are welcome. 

Social Distancing 

Social separating orders in numerous states demonstrate that golf players can't share a golf truck except if they live respectively. Numerous courses, particularly in the north, are strolling just for the present. 

One fascinating strategy model is Riverside Golf Club close to Austin, Texas. They've required single-rider trucks, and the initial four tee times of every hour are saved for riders, while the last two are held for walkers. 


We've seen a few audits roll in from golf players who are disturbed that the fairway charged them an extra $15-25 on the green expense to take their own truck. Golf players ought to comprehend that these courses are managing drained armadas as well as a sharp misfortune in revenue. Course operators should, however, be clear about this charge at the time of booking.

Is there on-course water available?

It's starting to get hot in the south, but as a safety precaution, many golf courses have taken out their water stations on the course. Higher-end or private courses supply bottles of water, while munis may tell you that you're on your own. Be sure to confirm what the water availability is, and if you need to, pack a big jug of it.

Speaking of what NOT to expect on the course, bunker rakes and ball washers are also common objects that are being kept off the course for the time being.

What Are The Food and Beverage Options 

A significant number of golf courses around the U.S. have closed their clubhouses and restaurants in order to comply with state social-distancing mandates. Mandates are being reduced in various states right now, but that doesn't mean your locl golf course has reopened its restaurant. If you're used to getting a hot dog at the turn, double-check and make sure that will be available, and if not, pack food in with you. The beverage cart may also not be out there right now. Check on the status when you arrive. 

Is the driving range open?

Many golf courses have decided that driving ranges bring golfers too close together, so they have closed theirs for the time being. Others have blocked off every other stall to promote social distancing. You may also notice practice greens have taken out their cups or flagsticks.

How are cups and flags being treated?

Courses and states throughout the country have various policies on how they've decided to handle flags. In most places, courses are asking that you leave the flag in. You can expect one of three methods:

- Cup is raised an inch out of the ground, and balls are "holed" when they hit it.
- Pool noodles are inserted into the hole so the ball never goes fully in and it's easy to retrieve.
- MacGyver-style contraptions have been created to allow you to retrieve your ball using your putter head.

How can I help?

Now probably isn't the time to nitpick or bicker with rangers or the pro shop staff. As you return to your home course or try somewhere new, keep in mind this has been a trying time for all businesses, and your patience and acceptance as we strive to settle in to a new groove will be greatly appreciated. It appears most golfers have a profound sense of gratitude; at Golf Advisor, we've noticed our average review's star rating is up by as much as half of a point since late-March compared to the same interval last year. Many of our reviewers are giving thanks and expressing profound happiness that they can escape the real world on some fairways for a little while.

Keep an eye out for anything your golf course is doing to support furloughed staff or maintain operations. There is a lot of uncertainty of how unpaid bills will be dealt with later on in the year.

But most importantly we can all be a cheerleader of the facility's rules when we're on the    

property. It may seem like a weird time to be on the golf course, but we can all embrace what is hopefully a short blip in our golf lifetimes.

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