Our golf courses in Maine opened today 5/1.
My 'home course' will be open in a few days; with several restrictions.
As an example, we will NOT be going to the driving range as You mentioned above.
No putting green, only 5 minutes from car to 1st Tee, and 18th green to car, etc.
And don't drop (lose) a club on the ground, the attendants will document it, but not pick it up.
(many) Other things, too----I will certainly follow the rules----I just wanna PLAY GOLF!!!
Pat
The rules at the country club where we belong are less restrictive. We have our own golf cart so that removes another layer of risk. Also, our membership is so small that we can have our own tee times without being partnered with others. A public golf course within our community has closed all restrooms except for the one at the snack shack by the club house. That makes it interesting.
These are the protocols at our club.
MANDATED Physical Distancing. Members & Guests will be advised to practice physical distancing by standing at least six feet away from each other. This includes all areas of the golf course, practice and cart areas, and will be strictly enforced by dedicated personnel.
DRIVING RANGE
o Hitting stations will be a minimum of six feet apart.
o Balls will be thoroughly cleaned with soap, bleach or disinfectant after each pick of the range and before they are placed back on the range.
o All range staff attendants MUST wear gloves.
o Range buckets are disinfected after each golfer use.
GOLF CARTS
o Carts are wiped down with disinfectant spray or wipes BEFORE and AFTER each round. This includes steering wheels, cart seats, arm rests, cart dashes, cup holders, gear shifts and cart keys.
o Golf carts are power washed BEFORE and AFTER each round and then disinfected.
o Tees, towels, cart coolers and bottled waters have been removed from carts.
o Outside staff will be wearing gloves when placing scorecards and pencils on the cart and will replace them after each round.
OUTSIDE SERVICES STAFF PROCEDURES
o Bag room areas will be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
o All outside service staff will wear gloves when working and change out as necessary.
o Golfers should place their own golf bags on their golf cart. Outside services staff SHOULD NOT touch a guest’s golf bag or clean their golf clubs.
o WILL NOT pick up golfers in a cart in the parking lot.
o Staff members will refrain from shaking hands with guests.
o NO bag drop stations in use.
o No handling of golf bags at ANY TIME.
GOLF COURSE PROCEDURES
o NO FIVESOMES
o NO SHOTGUN STARTS
o Only one (1) person per golf cart except for those who reside in the same household.
o All rakes and ball washers have been removed from the course.
o Golfers can pick up their ball in a bunker and smooth out the sand and then replace the golf ball.
o All flagsticks have been removed on practice putting area and cups have been turned upside down.
o Restrooms on golf course will remain open, cleaned every two hours and sanitized daily. A sheet will be placed in the restrooms to show the times of the day the restroom was cleaned.
o Cups on the greens have been modified so that the golfer does not put their hand in the cup. If you hit the cup your ball is deemed holed.
PRO SHOP AND SURROUNDING AREA OF CLUBHOUSE
o Wipe down glass and door handles to pro shop every two hours.
o Inside pro shop wipe down countertops, computer keyboards, etc. throughout the day.
o Some facilities are leaving entrance doors open so that guests do not have to touch the doors.
o No tables and chairs should be present to allow people to sit and congregate.