Harper Lin
During the COVID-19 pandemic, golf was one of the few sports that people could still play in some states. In the US, only three states—Maryland, Massachusetts, and Vermont—did not issue guidance on when golf courses could reopen. In Australia, golf was allowed in most states except Victoria and the Northern Territory. Golf courses implemented new safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as removing rakes from bunkers and placing foam barriers in the holes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| States that allowed golf during COVID-19 | Oregon, California, Texas, Florida, New York, Alaska, and more |
| States that banned golf during COVID-19 | Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin |
| Safety measures | Social distancing, no sharing of equipment, contactless payments, hand sanitization, wearing gloves, avoiding golf carts |
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What You'll Learn
Golf courses in Oregon remained open during COVID-19
Golf courses in Oregon remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite Governor Kate Brown's "stay home" executive order. The order prohibited all non-essential social and recreational gatherings, closed specific categories of retail businesses, and outlined new guidelines for childcare facilities. However, it did not explicitly close golf courses, allowing them to continue operating with precautionary measures in place.
Golf course operators in Oregon expressed relief at being able to keep their businesses open during the pandemic. They implemented various safety measures to align with social distancing and hygiene guidelines. These measures included encouraging golfers to pay in advance over the phone, online, or through onsite contactless methods. Golf courses also worked to disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as carts, and modified certain aspects of the game, such as removing rakes from bunkers and adjusting cup designs to minimise contact.
The decision to keep golf courses open in Oregon during the COVID-19 pandemic was supported by the nature of the sport, which lends itself to social distancing and outdoor activities. Golf is played by nearly 60 million people worldwide, and its health benefits, including physical and mental advantages, are widely recognised. By allowing golf courses to remain open, Oregon balanced the need for social distancing with the importance of mental and physical well-being during a challenging period.
Golf courses in Oregon were not alone in their efforts to remain open during the pandemic. Several states, such as North Carolina, also kept their golf courses operational, adapting similar safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Golf course managers and golfers alike expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage in a safe outdoor activity that provided a sense of normalcy during an otherwise difficult time.
Overall, the ability for golf courses in Oregon to remain open during COVID-19 highlighted the state's recognition of the mental and physical health benefits associated with the sport. By implementing precautionary measures and adapting to changing guidelines, golf courses contributed to the well-being of their patrons while navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic.
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Golf courses in 11 states were closed during the pandemic
Golf courses in other states such as California, Texas, and Florida were also closed by local mandate despite no statewide ban. In addition, some states like Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and New York ordered golf course workers to stay at home, although New York did not explicitly ban golfing.
Golf is a sport played by nearly 60 million people worldwide, and its health benefits are becoming increasingly recognized. It is an outdoor sport where social distancing is possible, and if rules are followed, the risk of Covid-19 transmission is likely to be low. During the pandemic, golfers were encouraged to follow safety guidelines such as paying in advance over the phone or online, avoiding physical contact, and adhering to social distancing.
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Golf tourism was impacted by COVID-19
Golf tourism is especially popular in countries like the United States, Scotland, Spain, and Thailand, due to their prestigious golfing guides and scenic landscapes. The golf tourism market size is projected to be worth USD 49.9 billion by 2033. However, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted golf tourism.
During the pandemic, many states in the US banned golf as part of their lockdown measures. For example, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin shut down golf courses entirely. In other states, such as Oregon, golf courses were allowed to remain open, but with strict precautionary measures in place, including social distancing and enhanced hygiene protocols. This variation in restrictions across different states disrupted the golf tourism market, as travel between states became more difficult.
The pandemic also disrupted the supply chain for the golf industry, causing product shortages. As a result, golf courses and associated centers experienced a decline in visitors, leading to reduced demand for tourism-related services. The impact of these closures was felt across the industry, affecting everyone from course owners and operators to golfers and golf fans.
However, as lockdown restrictions eased, golf emerged as a preferred activity due to its natural social distancing benefits. This resurgence in interest contributed to a slow market restoration. Golf courses that implemented enhanced health and safety measures, such as contactless payment systems and hygiene protocols, were able to provide a safe and healthy activity for tourists and locals alike.
Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the golf tourism industry, causing fluctuations in the market size and impacting golf courses, tourism-related services, and travelers worldwide. The industry slowly recovered as golf's natural social distancing benefits and outdoor setting attracted health-conscious travelers seeking safe activities.
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Golf is a safe outdoor activity during the pandemic
Golf is a sport played by nearly 60 million people worldwide, and its health benefits are well-known. It is an outdoor sport where social distancing is possible, and if rules are followed, the risk of COVID-19 transmission is low. Golf courses have implemented changes to their rules to further mitigate the risk, such as removing rakes from bunkers, shallow holes, and allowing the use of preferred lies.
Golf courses have also adopted enhanced hygiene measures, such as encouraging hand sanitization, minimizing social contacts, and avoiding shared surfaces. These measures have been effective in reducing the incidence of COVID-19. Golfers are also encouraged to pay in advance or online to minimize physical contact during payment.
During the pandemic, golf has emerged as a preferred activity due to its natural social distancing benefits. The increase in interest from nearby tourists and health-conscious travelers has bolstered the call for golfing tourism, specifically in areas with favorable climates all year round. Golf is a safe and healthy outdoor activity that provides physical and mental health benefits, making it an attractive option for those seeking safe leisure activities during the pandemic.
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Golf courses implemented COVID-19 safety measures
Golf courses implemented several COVID-19 safety measures to ensure the safety of golfers and staff members. These measures were designed to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission and allow golfers to continue enjoying the physical and mental health benefits of the sport.
One of the primary measures implemented was the enforcement of social distancing. Golfers were required to maintain a distance of at least two metres from staff and other golfers at all times. This included avoiding gatherings before and after playing, with golfers advised to arrive at the facility as close as possible to their start time and leave immediately after finishing. Group lessons, tournaments, and social functions were also temporarily discontinued to prevent close contact between golfers.
Enhanced hygiene practices were also introduced. Golfers were encouraged to wash their hands frequently and use hand sanitiser, especially when touching shared surfaces. Golf courses increased the cleaning and disinfection of facilities, focusing on high-touch areas such as washrooms, golf carts, and rental equipment. Golfers were also advised to avoid sharing items such as tees, balls, clubs, and scorecards. The use of electronic scorecards and contactless payment methods further reduced physical contact.
Some golf courses made changes to their infrastructure. Rakes were removed from bunkers, and golfers were allowed to use their preferred lie. The flagstick was not to be touched or removed, and the hole depth was adjusted to facilitate easier ball retrieval while minimising contact with the rim. These modifications helped to reduce the number of surfaces that golfers needed to touch during their round.
By implementing these safety measures, golf courses could remain open during the pandemic, providing golfers with a safe and enjoyable outdoor activity. These precautions were generally well-received, as they allowed golfers to maintain their physical and mental wellbeing while adhering to public health guidelines. Golf course operators also benefited from being able to continue operations and provide employment opportunities for their staff.
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Frequently asked questions
As of April 2020, 58% of golf courses in the US were open, up from 49% the week before. States that were closed entirely for golf during the pandemic included Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington. However, Illinois and Washington courses were allowed to reopen on May 1 and May 5, respectively.
Golf courses implemented social distancing and enhanced hygiene measures, such as removing rakes from bunkers, shallowing holes, and encouraging contactless payment.
The golf tourism market experienced disruptions and fluctuations due to the pandemic. Lockdowns and travel restrictions led to a decline in visitors to golf courses and associated centers. However, as regulations eased, golf emerged as a preferred activity due to its natural social distancing benefits, attracting health-conscious travelers.
