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Some might call it reckless, others might call it normal. In these days of COVID-19, or the coronavirus, there are those who continue to venture out of their homes to play the game they love, golf.
While some believe the sport remains safe, being played outdoors in the sunshine and with people scattered throughout more than 100 acres of turf, others wonder why anyone would risk infection these days just to play the game. But for those who insist on playing, the game provides a welcome distraction from the news of the day.
Still, being outside doesn’t mean that golfers shouldn’t be taking precautions even as they walk around the courses that have remained open. Here are five things golfers can do to keep themselves a little safer while playing these days:
1. Walk, don’t ride: Sitting in a golf cart shoulder to shoulder with another player is hardly social distancing. In fact, riding in a cart that has been used by other players the day before or even earlier in the day might not be the best practice here. While not all golf courses will let a golfer walk, those that do can say that golfers are staying a respectful distance from each other. It’s also healthier overall for a player.
2. If you must ride a cart, ride alone: Some golfers use golf carts to facilitate playing the game at all. In such a case, riding alone in a cart is better than riding with two golfers in the cart. At private clubs where many members have their own carts, this might not be too difficult. At some courses where private carts aren’t allowed, each golfer having a solo cart might be difficult. And some courses might not offer the option. Push the idea hard with those courses. Tell them it is better to have golfers in single carts than to have no golfers at all.
3. Bring your own disinfectant: Most places these days are pretty good about cleaning and wiping down surfaces, and that includes golf courses. But in these days, it’s better to be overly safe than sorry. Bring along your own disinfectant wipes to wipe down the steering wheel of your cart, the buckle on the strap that holds your clubs in place, even the handles and other surfaces on the golf cart. And keep yourself clean too, perhaps wearing gloves on both hands, or washing your hands two or three times during the round.
4. Leave the flagstick in: When the powers in the game changed the rule and allowed the flagstick to remain in the hole when a player putts, there was some outrage. Now, it might be the go-to precaution on courses. Grabbing the flagstick and laying it on the ground or holding it while others putt is something that happens in almost every foursome, meaning a lot of people are touching that stick. Simply leaving it in the hole while people in your group putt is one less item you have to worry about in your day of prevention.
6. No celebrations: It’s as common as a missed putt on most golf courses. Someone rolls in a long putt or hits a great approach shot to the green, and there are high-fives all around. Or a partner in a two-ball competition makes a key putt and a partner hugs the player. And of course at the end of the round hats come off and there are handshakes for every member of the foursome. It’s all part of golf, but perhaps this shouldn’t be part of golf in the era of coronavirus. It is possible to play 18 holes of golf and never come in contact with another player. That should probably be the protocol on the course for the time being.
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[lawrence-related id=778032589,778032556,778032522,778032351]