Golf Clubs & Virus Safety – Simple Tips For Golf Clubs

The following advice is drawn from sources literally all over the golfing world and begins with scientific opinions from two impeccable sources.

First, Sir Patrick Vallance (UK Chief Scientific Advisor), who was asked by Dean Russell MP “If someone wants to play golf, can they still do that if they’re not close together?”

Sir Patrick answered: “It is OK – if you keep a distance. We’re not asking everyone to be completely isolated. The specific advice is to avoid close contact. A walk is OK if you keep a distance.”

Secondly Dr Catherine Troisi, infectious disease epidemiologist at the University of Texas Health Science Center, who said, “Golf as it’s normally played – outdoors, with natural social-distancing built in – would be fairly safe. I would say that in the actual playing of golf, you’re not at much risk. Sunlight and other environmental conditions can kill viruses like this, so it is probable that that is true for this novel coronavirus, as well. Also, relieving stress by playing golf outdoors helps your immune system. Physical activity boosts your immune system, so for both mental and physical health it’s good to get activity however you can get it without putting yourself at risk.”

Here is a compilation of just some of suggestions made by GBN Readers and others since our appeal went out on Friday 13^th March. Please keep them coming!

PLAYER & ON-COURSE BEHAVIOUR

• Always stay two paces away from other people
• The club should remove all bunker rakes .. players should smooth sand with their feet
• Putt with the flagstick in and pick the ball out of the hole with your gloved hand
• Change shoes in car park
• Come ready to play. no changing of clothes pre-golf or post-golf
• On the 1^st tee and 18^th green give the thumbs-up. don’t shake hands, fist bump, elbow bump etc

CLUBHOUSE & PRO SHOP

• Close Food & Bar service completely
• Close the clubhouse apart from toilet facilities
• Prop open all internal doors en route to the toilets
• Remove all hand towels – replace with paper towel rolls
• Provide sanitising hand-rubs in all toilets
• PGA pros should give non-contact golf lessons (stay two paces apart)