In the U.S., New York state has arguably been hit the hardest by the coronavirus pandemic. Given the high number of positive cases and the death toll, a mandated shut-down of the state’s courses on April 9 wasn’t all that surprising.
According to a new report from the National Golf Foundation, 44 percent of golf courses are still allowing play across the nation (as of the end of last week). That’s a two percent drop from the previous week’s report.
What states are still allowing golf and what states aren’t is still a daily question, but it’s also a changing one. Different states have to address different risk factors – for example, a Florida population that skews much higher in age than most other states – and have approached the topic differently. (In Florida, by the way, golf remains an acceptable activity despite state stay-at-home orders.)
Some players have already learned that an attempt at sneaking around the rules can carry heavy consequences. Three Massachusetts men who played golf in Rhode Island earlier this month were charged with violating a Rhode Island executive order that required out-of-state residents to self-quarantine if visiting the state for purposes not related to work.
It often falls to individual states’ governing bodies of golf to seek clarification and lobby for the industry to remain open, albeit with safety measures – like social distancing – in place. Some states began to address the issue nearly a month ago.
When Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a stay-at-home order on March 24, the Michigan Golf Alliance immediately sought clarification on what it meant for golf. The MGA has continued to lobby on the golf industry’s behalf.
Anticipating that a similar executive order might come down in Ohio, golf industry leaders took the proactive measure of sending Governor Mike DeWine a letter stating their case as a $2 billion industry.
Related: Playing golf felt safer than cruising the grocery store
Related: Techniques to prevent coronavirus spread on the golf course
The Golf Course Superintendent Association of America has emerged as a key resource for golf courses, providing everything from minimal maintenance instructions to employee communication templates to town hall meetings.
Among the most helpful GCSAA resource for individual golfers is a database, updated daily, of how executive orders in different states address golf, and what other local restrictions might exist for both play and maintenance. In listing the information, the GCSAA makes clear that its state-by-state list neither constitutes legal advice nor acts as a substitute for each state’s official information. Rather, the list is intended for informational purposes.
According to the GCSAA database, 16 states, including New York, have prohibited golf by executive order. Those are:
California
Illinois
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Pennsylvania
Vermont
Washington
Wisconsin
Alaska is listed as “pending” as its season is still approaching. Hawaii, meanwhile, is split on the issue, with courses on the Big Island remaining open while Mau, Kaui and Oahu courses are closed for play.
Even if golf is not banned in a specific state by governor’s executive order, players may still be barred from their local course by county or city ordinance. Colorado is one such outlier. GCSAA’s listing shows Colorado courses as being generally open for play, but with the final determination left to each county’s health department.
California residents are instructed to contact their city or county for further instruction, with the surrounding five San Francisco Bay area counties reportedly banning golf until May 3.
City and county restrictions also may apply in Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Utah.
In Myrtle Beach, a well-known golf mecca, play is restricted to residents only. Stay-at-home orders are expected in Savannah and Atlanta in the coming days.
As many Midwest and northern courses prepare for the start of their golf season, maintenance can be crucial. The GCSAA also is actively conducting research on this level. The current updates shows that nearly all states are still allowing maintenance to take place. GCSAA lists Michigan as pending, with this explanation: “Courses are still performing minimum basic maintenance, awaiting clarification from governor’s office. Have been told to contact local police departments to work collectively on allowable personnel and practices.”
The GCSAA also notes that town boards of health may restrict maintenance in Massachusetts.
[jwplayer zypTGe1U-9JtFt04J]
[opinary poll=”do-you-feel-comfortable-playing-golf-ami-HcK9NO” customer=”golfweek”]