Guidelines to a Safe Reopening of Golf in Pennsylvania

As everyone has heard, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has allowed the reopening of golf in the Commonwealth on Friday, May 1. Below you will find guidelines created by the Pennsylvania Alliance for Golf for facilities to use while making decisions for your operations to run safely. The recommendations that are outlined are designed to meet the directives and expectations of the Governor’s Office and are consistent with the restrictions put in place by other states that have reopened their courses in recent weeks. The safety and wellbeing of everyone involved, staff and players, should be the priority in everyone’s operation.

As your members and customers are excited about returning to play we need to stress to them the importance of following the guidelines put in place so that facilities can remain open for them to enjoy. We want to demonstrate to our public officials their confidence in us to maintain a safe and healthy environment is well placed.

We hope that our PGA Members and Associates consider all of the applicable guidelines provided below and wish all of you and your and staff safety, good health and good luck as you reopen your facilities. As always, if the Philadelphia PGA Section can offer any guidance, please do not hestitate to contact Executive Director Geoff Surrette, PGA, at gsurrette@pgahq.com or Communications Director Matt Frey, PGA, at mfrey@pgahq.com.

Guidelines to a Safe Reopening of Golf in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Alliance for Golf embraces the opportunities for the successful reopening of golf, and maintaining a safe environment for all staff and golfers to maintain our open status during this pandemic. Even in these unprecedented times, with the COVID-19 threat affecting all aspects of life as we know it, golf is available as an outlet for people to exercise and provides one of the few respites from the confines of home. With vast areas of open space containing green grass, ponds and trees, a golf course can provide the ability for social distancing.

The Pennsylvania Alliance for Golf is committed to doing all it can to support our constituents by being a resource of information and a clearinghouse of best practices that will provide guidance to any and all facilities, operators, golf professionals, club officials and stewards of the game. As golfers and industry operators, let’s all do our part to keep the game and our loved ones safe.

To view and/or download a printable and sharable PDF of the Pennsylvania Alliance for Golf’s Guidelines to a Safe Reopening of Golf, click here or the button located at the bottom of this email.

Staffing

  • It is strongly recommended that all fees, including green, guest and cart fees be paid on line or via touchless payments prior to arrival.
  • Staff to assist in bag handling anywhere on the property are prohibited. Players should retain personal possession of their golf bags which should not be stored in a baggage storage facility.
  • Caddies should be prohibited.
  • Staff will be permitted to provide, sanitize and maintain motorized carts and/or pull carts. Golf carts may be utilized but must be single riders, except for those who share a residence.
  • Staff will be allowed to ensure access to the property by authorized golfers only. No observers or non-golfers should be allowed on the course.
  • Staff will be allowed to ensure enforcement of the health and safety restrictions outlined by the Governor. Special attention should be paid to prohibiting grouping in the parking lot and the first tee.
  • Staff to maintain and sanitize on-course restrooms can be provided.
  • Staff should wear protective gloves and face masks.
  • Staff levels should be kept at a minimum appropriate to facility activity.

Common Use Items / Equipment

  • All rakes should be removed from the bunkers. Players should smooth the sand after use using their shoes or a club.
  • No tees, scorecards, ball markers or other common use items should be provided.
  • Ball washers and water coolers should be removed. If they cannot be removed, clear signage forbidding their use should be provided.
  • Flagsticks should not be removed while putting unless a “touchless” device has been installed. Raised cup liners or foam inserts should be used while leaving the flagstick in place

Tee Times

  • Tee times should be spaced, preferably no closer than fifteen minutes apart, to minimize chance of congregating on the first tee.

Social Distancing

  • Social distancing should be strictly maintained at all times and places on the course.
  • Handshakes should be eliminated.
  • No golf balls or equipment should be shared or exchanged. Rental equipment is prohibited.
  • Signage outlining these playing restrictions should be prominently posted

Clubhouse / Golf Shop

  • Pro shops should remain closed to in-person retail sales.
  • All clubhouse/restaurants should remain closed, take out services permitted in strict accordance health and safety restrictions outlined by the Governor.
  • Clubhouses should be closed, limited restroom access may be made available.

To view and/or download a printable and sharable PDF of the Pennsylvania Alliance for Golf’s Guidelines to a Safe Reopening of Golf, click here or the below button.

Download Guidelines

About the Pennsylvania Alliance for Golf:

The Pennsylvania Alliance for Golf was formed to create a unified voice for the future of golf in Pennsylvania. Supporting Pennsylvania golf organizations include; Central Pennsylvania Chapter of Club Managers Association, Golf Association of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Golf Association, Pennsylvania Golf Course Owners Association, Pennsylvania Golf Course Superintendents Association (all seven Pa. Chapters), Philadelphia & Vicinity Club Management Association & Philadelphia Club Foundation, Philadelphia PGA Section, Pittsburgh Chapter of the Club Management Association of America, Tri-State Section PGA, Western New York PGA Section, Western Pennsylvania Golf Association.

Contact: Matt Frey, PGA, Philadelphia PGA Section, mfrey@pgahq.com