By Ian Davis, TGA Tournament Director
Like everything these days, golf is different. Playing during this time of the pandemic leads to some additional challenges we don’t face under normal conditions. The hole is different, the bunkers are different, even the way we get around the course is different.
How do changes like these relate to playing by the Rules of Golf? The USGA in March released Rules and Handicapping Guidance during the COVID-19 era. Additionally, industry leaders recently got together and launched the Back2Golf campaign, which includes a number of guidelines to follow on the course.
If you have played in the past two or three months, one of the most notable changes to golf is the way the flagstick and the hole have changed. Most golf courses are mandating flagsticks remain in the hole, while others have gone as far as removing all flagsticks from the course.
Adjustments to the hole have also been made so players are not required to “hole out,” further minimizing exposure to contact areas around the greens and promoting the practice of “touch-less” golf. The changes range from inserts around the flagstick to cups being flipped upside down or pulled above the putting surface.
Bunker practices have changed as well. Many courses have removed rakes and now encourage players to smooth the sand with their foot or club after playing their ball from the bunker.
Before play, it’s important to understand how bunkers are treated when rakes are not present. Committees have a few options to assist the player, and it is important to ask about the status of bunkers before you play.
Cart ridership practices will continue to change as social distancing requirements evolve as we get back to normal or a “new normal.” Part of that new normal may be more walkers. (As I write this story, pushcarts are sold out online.) Playing golf while walking is the way the game was intended to be played, and it’s something that I have recently embraced. I even bought a Sunday bag to lighten the load during a round. A couple of additional positive thoughts on walking are an improved pace of play and a greater “being-in-the-moment presence” while playing.
Today, you can’t open a periodical without seeing a how-to article about reducing stress, exercising or meditating. Golf gives us an opportunity to get outside and exercise. If you look for them, you can find each of those in golf.
While we navigate this tricky, uncertain time, getting outside to play golf while adhering to social distancing protocols seems more important than ever. My advice is to play if you feel ready and keep the experts’ guidance top of mind if you do.
For more on the Rules, click here.