Keeping safe whilst playing the game you love most!

Keeping safe whilst playing the game you love most!

The Covid-19 crisis has hit us all hard. Now we are beginning to see some sports open up again, but things are still far from normal. One of the advantages of golf is that it takes place outside, usually in wide open spaces on a golf course. This means the potential of coronavirus transmission is minimal, but nothing is without risk when mixing with others. Here’s how to keep safe whilst playing the game you love most!

Booking

You may not be able to book your game in the usual way. Instead, you may need to book online and follow club rules on teeing times. This is to ensure safety of both staff and players by making sure that hygiene and social distancing rules can be achieved.

Social Distancing

By now, most of us are used to the two metre rule, and this is even easier to do on the golf course. When sharing a game with others, walking from hole to hole makes it easy to keep the required distance apart, rather than squeezing into a buggy.

Arrive wearing your golf clothes so you don’t have to use the changing room facilities. This will help you avoid close contact.

It is on the teeing areas and putting greens where most social distancing is at risk, as there are a more players in a smaller area. Take care to maintain the required distance from others.

A friendly handshake before teeing off, and at the end of the round, is a tradition. However, this should be avoided. Find another way to show appreciation instead. Elbow bumps, foot-shakes, or tapping clubs are better options.

Avoid gathering together after your game, and leave the facility promptly.

Hygiene

You might not be able to wash your hands during your game, so having some hand sanitiser with you will help prevent the spread of germs and viruses. Use before you begin, once or twice throughout the game, and afterwards.

When you make a put, usually you lift the flag from the hole to retrieve a ball. Sometimes there may be pins in place, so touching a flag is no longer necessary. Similarly, rakes are usually there to smooth the sand in bunkers, but it can just as easily be smoothed using your foot or golf club. If you do need to touch the flag to retrieve a golf ball after putting, or use a rake to smooth a bunker, make sure you are wearing gloves.

Avoid sharing gear, picking up other players’ balls and ball markers. This could be a way to transfer coronavirus.

Playing golf is part of a healthy lifestyle. It keeps us fit and reduces stress. During these challenging times, that is what most of us need. While the advice about playing golf during the coronavirus pandemic may make some parts of the game less appealing, the rules are there to keep us all safe.

If you are visiting a club ensure you know what their requirements are before arriving. This way you know what to expect.

We can still play this wonderful sport and get the health benefits, but the more we comply with the rules, the quicker we can return to normal and enjoy the social side of golf once more.