Michigan Golf Journal April 2020

It would be foolish to suggest the COVID-19 situation has had little effect on the game of golf – if for no other reason than professional golf Tours have been stopped worldwide through the end of April and into early May dates for all the major Tours worldwide. The Olympic Games including the sport of golf has been postponed, too. The Masters Tournament – well known for not letting anyone dictate what they do – also postponed. That’s when I first knew this would have serious implications for golf. Yet on the bright side, the game of golf can come out of this chaos on the other side a stronger, more vibrant sports opportunity than if none of this ever happened. Golf received as much or more publicity than all other activities during the time Michigan’s governor shut down virtually all movement in the state. And it’s all been good publicity regarding how golf is healthy, can be easily arranged for social distancing procedures, and gets people outdoors and active in the fresh air. It’s my wish that our great sport will be seen in a positive new light by people who didn’t seriously consider taking up the game before. Golf experts have shared dozens of ways to limit social contact on the course, and some might have long term effects on how the game is played moving forward, after the ‘all clear’ is given, someday – hopefully sooner than later. Some brief ideas: • Don’t grab the flagstick; the rules allow for not removing it anyway. • Pay ahead, use online tee times, to limit human contact at the clubhouse. • Walk, don’t ride in carts (my favorite). • Courses can also make it easier to call in or text food and beverage orders to be delivered at the turn. On the following pages, we will share the thoughts and comments from 4 Michigan Touring pros on how they are handling the COVID-19 limitations (as of March 30). Like all of us, each one finds themselves in various situations. Stay well everyone – and as soon as you can, go play golf! MGJ Golf Hit the Pause Button Yet it’s the perfect outdoor activity that’s safe and socially distant By Tom Lang Michigan Golf Journal COVID-19 Perspective