Golfing During a Pandemic is Still Better…
by Mark Holmes, Client Relations & Sales Executive
The pandemic has turned all kinds of things upside down, and it has certainly taken its shot at golf! But those of us who steadily have tees in our pockets know that it’s going to take more than a worldwide crisis to keep us off the course!
Certainly we’ve had to adapt; it is the civil and appropriate thing to do. It is a gentleman’s sport, after all. Golf is a game of much etiquette, and as such we have accepted the required modifications (perhaps with some amount of barely audible grumbling…).
So what has changed? I’ve played a few rounds in Michigan over the past few months, and the following summary is based on my personal experience, along with some of my personal opinions.
The golf I’ve experienced (and, as I understand it, in most states) is walking only. No more riding around in carts. This has moved golf up a couple notches with regard to it being a fitness sport. I average about 13,000 steps as I make my way around the 18 holes.
All holes now have little pieces of foam in the cup to stop the ball from going all the way to the bottom of the hole. In my opinion, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep this foam in place going forward.
Flags are not allowed to be removed from the hole. I believe this is a good thing as it does speed up play by not having to take the time to both remove and then replace the flag.
Bunkers are currently a huge issue as most golf courses are not allowing rakes to be deployed. In my opinion, many golfers can turn this into a solid reason for consciously working to improve their golf game: Do not hit your ball into a bunker….
Clubhouses are currently open to a very limited capacity of people, so be sure to bring all you’ll need to the golf course with you. Most golf courses also do not currently have drink carts zipping around to deliver your liquid delights. This means you will likely be carrying a lot of beer in your golf bag (another plus for better fitness).
Restrooms are closed, but that is absolutely no reason for me (and likeminded men) to avoid the course. Just look at all those handy trees…
All of these facts – along with a few opinions – lead me to this solid conclusion: A bad day of golf during a pandemic is still better than a good day of work.