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GENERAL SECTION HEADER
WHAT DOES THE
WHAT DOES THE
FUTURE HOLD FOR
FUTURE HOLD FOR
THE GOLF INDUSTRY
THE GOLF INDUSTRY
AFTER COVID-19?
AFTER COVID-19?
t started as a minor news story out of China, and for choosing to alter some aspects. Namely, bunker
Iweeks, it stayed there. Then, reports of the deadly rakes were removed and pool noodles were
new virus grew ominous with various experts saying inserted in the hole so that retrieving a ball from
the fatality rate of the new virus was over three the hole did not require removal of the flagstick
percent. Early models from Imperial College in the or touching the bottom part of the flagstick in
United Kingdom predicted that 2.2 million people removing the ball from the cup. Water coolers were
would die in the United States if no mitigation also taken away.
procedures were undertaken and 1.1 million would Many private clubs limited play to members
die even if they were. only, with no guests or outside play allowed. Some
The COVID-19 coronavirus is not only the biggest courses closed their pro shops, taking payment
story of 2020, it will undoubtedly be one of the outside and not accepting cash. One-rider-to-a-
biggest stories of the 21st century when the history cart became the norm, and tee times spaced out
books are written. The virus has upended daily life all at 15-minute intervals were implemented at many
over the planet. It wasn’t long before government facilities. Course dining rooms and clubhouses were
officials worldwide began imposing “lockdowns” in closed.
an effort to combat the virus. People were ordered With economic damage mounting, states across
to stay home and venture out to only “essential” the U.S. realized that they had to open businesses
businesses that provided what were considered the back up or risk a catastrophe on their hands that
necessities of life, such as food and personal items. would eclipse any of the damage that the virus
Businesses deemed “non-essential” were ordered itself may have imposed – and that point may
closed, putting tens of millions of Americans out of well have already been passed. Time will tell if the
work. economy will recover or if tens of millions of lives will
Unfortunately, the sport of golf was deemed be destroyed in the sense of mental well being and
non-essential by many U.S. governors, and courses financial health.
by the thousands lay idle. This, despite evidence Scientific information is now coming in, showing
that being outdoors was one of the best ways to not that not only the shuttering of golf courses was
get the virus. This, despite the fact that the game completely unnecessary, but that many of the
of golf requires no one to get closer than six feet policies that courses implemented in the name
of another person (one of the mandates of “social of safety were virtually useless in combating the
distancing”), or that no one had to touch anything spread of infection. The Centers for Disease Control
that someone else touched. However, other, more (CDC) recently stated that the virus is not easily
enlightened governors realized the benefits of golf spread through touch points indoors, much less
and deemed courses essential businesses. These outdoors. Golf Digest quoted Dr. Charles Prober,
courses were allowed to remain open, with many Continued on page 03
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SUMMER 2020 Golf Teaching Pro
