Alexander Testa on What Golf Will Look Like After COVID-19

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As governments move forward with their re-opening phases, golf courses were a big winner among some of the businesses allowed to welcome back members of the public, but with limitations in place. On May 16, the Ontario government allowed courses to open for the first time since March 23, but players will have to get used to a new normal like most people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new guidelines in place will take some time for people to get used to as public health officials try to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

There are very few sports that already fulfill the social distancing regulations in place like golf currently does, but some tweaks have been made to ensure that the safety of the players is the top priority.

Alexander Testa of Bradford, Ontario, is among those fortunate enough to be able to golf again. He explains how golf has and will continue to be changed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Changes to Play

Although the game of golf won’t be going through a major revamp, Golf Canada has enforced new regulations that will make the game slightly different. Courses are asked to remove rakes from sand traps, which means players will have to smooth out bunkers using their feet. Ball washers and towels have also been removed.

The biggest change Alexander Testa admits that will take some getting used to is not being able to take flagsticks out of the pin and in some cases, holes have been filled or raised in order to keep players from reaching inside to hole to pull out their ball.

Also, to allow for social distancing, there will be less bays open at driving ranges, which means longer wait times to get some practice swings in.

New Course Policies

On top of the changes made to the rules while playing, golfers will have to get used to changes that each golf course must enforce because of the government’s COVID-19 bylaws.

While players will be able to enjoy the pleasures of golf, some of the perks offered by courses won’t be made available such as locker rooms, storage areas, dining rooms, and other indoor facilities. Washrooms will still be available and those who want to go to the pro shop will be open in a limited capacity.

When golfers rent a cart, they are warned not to rent one with different members of their households due to social distancing bylaws. For any questions about the safety Lauren Zanini, director of golf operations at Echo Valley Golf Club in London, Ont., said her course is making sure they are following the guidelines set by the province sanitizing each cart once they are returned.

“Even in the parking lot and on our practice greens, we’re trying to keep only one group on at a time to maintain social distance,” Zanini said.

Alexander Testa on the Impact of COVID-19 on golfing

With all the changes to clubhouse policies and minor adjustments to the way the game is played, golfing won’t be the same. Most of it comes from not having the same social interaction as people are used to while golfing.

However, with many sports still searching a way to get going again, the small sacrifices golfers like Alexander Testa must make is just a small price to pay to get on the course.

Unfortunately, while players are glad to have the game back, courses will have to deal with some economical impacts left by the coronavirus. With the limits on public gatherings, many courses cannot run charity events or tournaments and wedding receptions, which are important sources of income.

Some of that loss income can be recouped by the fact that there are not many recreational options currently available to the public and for golfers like Alexander Testa, the wait was well worth it. Tee times fill up more quickly than in the past, which is good business for golf courses. Hopefully, this trend continues as more people who are becoming stir crazy at home pick up the sport.

 

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