The issue of carts on-site has remained dicey; some states having restrictions and others allowing cart play to resume with few limitations.
New York is still officially banning golf carts on golf courses due to coronavirus, but will now allow them for individuals with disabilities. Wisconsin has a similar policy.
But Michigan reinstated cart use on Friday and Rhode Island did so on Saturday.
New Jersey says it’s up to courses.
Tough to keep straight? Indeed. It’s all part of what has been a disjointed rollout of golf during the coronavirus pandemic.
Most of the nation’s courses (although not all) have reopened for play. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker did an about-face this week, instantly opening all the state’s courses after an outcry from golfers and golf course owners who were angry neighboring states had already opened for play.
Washington allowed the game to resume Tuesday, and New Hampshire’s courses are allowed to reopen May 11. Alaska remains closed because of seasonality.
But the issue of carts on-site has remained a dicey one, with some states having restrictions and others allowing cart play to resume with few limitations.
In New York, an updated guidance — quietly provided to courses — is aimed at complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to Empire State Development, the state’s economic development arm. The
The state initially banned golf on April 9, then, amid protests from courses, let golf resume April 18 only for those who walk. Non-essential employees were banned, and only workers who do maintenance and security on the courses are allowed.
But the guidance was updated this week, the state agency said, that “on a case-by-case basis, the use of a motorized cart may be permitted for any individual with a disability who is seeking a reasonable accommodation to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).”
The guidance has not yet been listed on its website as of Friday morning.
But even in the state of New York, those rules aren’t being evenly distributed. In Oneida County, which includes the city of Utica, carts are being allowed on courses, even for those who are not deemed to have a disbility.
“We’ve been letting courses use carts as long as they are cleaned and only have one person riding — unless it’s a husband and wife team,” Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente said. “We’ve allowed these courses to open, but we need to treat everyone equally. How do you tell an older guy that he needs to walk and carry his bag or pull a handcart for 18 holes?”
When questioned about enforcement he said that it’s always the 90/10 rule.
“Ninety percent of people comply — it’s the others that ruin it,” he said.
As far as enforcement, Picente says that weight is on the golf courses to oversee compliance.
The changing guidance in New York comes amid a confusing landscape for golfers.
Westchester County, for example, opened some of its county courses and allowed carts, but restricted to a single rider. Pro shops were opened to accept greens fee payments.
“We’re opening them in sequence to make sure that we have the right social distancing protocols in place, the right protection for our workers,” County Executive George Latimer said April 30.
In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy this week gave counties the authority to open golf courses at their discretion if they can ensure social distancing and urge golfers to wear masks. A similar stance was taken by Gov. Ned Lamont in Connecticut.
In Rhode Island, with Phase 1 of Gov. Gina Raimondo’s plan to reopen the state’s economy expected to go into effect Saturday, some restrictions placed on the state’s golf courses and golfers are being changed.
The biggest one for Rhode Island golfers is that electric and gas golf carts will be allowed. Carts will be restricted to one per player, unless two players are from the same household. Carts must be sanitized before and after each round of play.
Courses also must make carts available for those with disabilities recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Courses may verify disabilities through a parking placard issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Courses will also be allowed to distribute push carts that also would have to be sanitized before and after rounds.
But Rhode Island golfers will be asked to cover their mouths and noses with masks or cloth face coverings unless doing so would damage the person’s health. Face coverings are not required for golfers where they can “easily, continuously and measurably maintain at least 6 feet of distance from other people,” a rule that would allow walkers or players using pull carts to stay mask-free.
Meanwhile, the Michigan Golf Course Association notified courses via email Friday that the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity — responding to a query from the Small Business Association of Michigan — has allowed carts to return.
“They are allowed,” the department wrote to the SBAM in a post on its website, “but like with all outdoor recreational facilities there are mitigation measures that need to be implemented under (Executive Order) section 11 (h). Additionally, clubhouses and dining halls in golf establishments are still closed under the public accommodation (executive order).”
“I think it’s big time,” Doug Mervis, who owns a course in Ann Arbor. said of carts being allowed. “… There’s a huge class of people that will only ride. I know people that weren’t playing golf yet because they were waiting for carts.”
Jason Lusk of Golfweek, New York state editor Joseph Spector, Eric Rueb of the Providence Journal, and Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press — all members of the USA Today Network — contributed to this report.
