March 2021 - Isn't it time to reopen putting and chipping areas?

[CerealKiller]

So we know the Covid19 infection and death rates are declining in Southern California.    Indoor dining at restaurants, movie theaters, and indoor gyms have reopened.  

But for most of the golf courses throughout Southern California (specifically Los Angeles and Orange County), putting greens and chipping areas remain closed.  The handful of courses with open putting and chipping areas are open are in violation of county or city health dept. emergency rules, but they were intelligent enough to recognize that short game practice posed no threats of Covid19 infection so long as golfers practiced the prescribed safety measures (social distancing, hand-washing and sanitizing).  But because these open short game facilities are few and far between, it's often a long wait for a green to open up for practice.  

I spent a couple of hours looking for incidents of Covid19 related to golf.  I could find zero incidents related to being on the course and playing golf.  What I did find were incidents related to social distancing off the golf course.  A pro golfer getting Covid19 from a caddy who dined with friends outside the golf bubble.  Members of a golf pro shop getting infected by an employee who came into work sick.    

 

I simply don't understand how in March 2021, I can go into a movie theater, a restaurant, or the gym, all enclosed facilities, yet I can't practice the outdoor activities of putting and chipping while following proper Covid19 guidelines.

When I talk to golf starters and course managers, they're waiting for revised guidelines from the Health Departments. But considering all the other problems that these health depts. are dealing with, who is to say that Covid19 golf course restrictions are on their radar screen?   They are likely not going to do loosen up these restrictions unless somebody brings it to their attention.   IMO, that party should be the SCGA.  They should be actively lobbying to get these restrictions lifted, but as a member, I've seen nothing from them indicating that they're doing anything.   If the existing restrictions continue for the rest of the spring and into summer, I'm going to have to reconsider whether or not I truly need my SCGA membership.  

 

I don't know about anyone else, but for me personally, getting out to practice chipping and putting at least 2 to 4 times a month is worth 5 strokes in my game.  My backyard is too small and the public parks near me are too crowded with families, walkers, runners, and dogs.  

[jdhallissey]

I was at oak creek Sunday...... I agree on that all should be open. It was crazy what they charge for a bucket of balls tho. 

[Medson]

My two cents. 

 

I don't believe there are any specific restrictions for chipping and putting areas. It is just the general guidelines, e.g. no touching, social distancing, etc. 

 

I don't want to think ill of the golf course operators. Maybe they don't have enough staff to police/track the number of people on the chipping areas or putting greens? 

 

Most of chipping/putting areas are not revenue generators. Essentially, you have some real estate that generate no revenue and invite folks to stay for a long time. Go figure. 

 

My frustration is less to do with COVID, but most of golf courses have inadequate short game practice areas. Anyway, I suppose this is for another topic. 

[CerealKiller]

Medson, I'm not sure where you're located, but LA, Orange, San Diego, Ventura, Riverside, and San Bernardino county all had written guidelines from their respective health departments that specified the closure of putting and chipping practice areas dating back in May 2020.  

 

If I'm reading this LA County Health Department bulletin correctly, practice putting greens and chipping areas will reopen on Monday 03/21/2021.  

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/coronavirus/docs/protocols/Reopening-GolfCourses.pdf

 

C. GOLF COURSE SET-UP

• Practice putting green cups are installed in a ‘touchless’ manner. Foam or another material may be inserted. At no time is the entire ball resting below the putting surface. No pins. No more than 2 golf balls may be used per player. Cups shall be installed no closer than 18 ft from each other
• Practice pitching green cups are installed in a ‘touchless’ manner. Foam or another material may be inserted. At no time is the entire ball resting below the putting surface.

D. PRACTICE FACILITY

• Practice putting and chipping greens may reopen with physical distancing and mask use required

[SouthLand]

If massive, densely-packed social justice protests are an acceptable risk, then chipping and putting areas might not be an intolerable concession towards personal freedom.  

 

To the streets!

[ayc25]

My home course has had rakes in bunkers and cups back to normal now. Also allowed to pull the flags, if you want. So it seems weird that some places in the state haven't even reopened putting and chipping.