First let me say, I hope you are all staying safe and are well. I hope your family and friends are also safe and well. I hope we all get through these challenging times unscathed. And when we do, we emerge with cleaner closets and organized basements. We’ve purged the unused clothes and home goods we had stuffed in boxes and we’ve donated them to those in need. I for one will be embarking on all those things and hope that my life is a bit lighter afterwards. Mostly, I hope you are all ok.
So many of us are longing for the social connection we may have once taken for granted. The get together for drinks, a coffee, a bite to eat or a quick 9 after work. While the former is not possible right now due to the stay at home recommendations, the latter might still be possible. If it is, we can rest assured that golf is the only sport built for social distancing. Why? Well, golf is really a solitary sport. You play without a team or a squad. You are alone in your thoughts when you’re out there. You alone are battling the golf course and the conditions you find yourself in. The performance of others does not, nor should it, impact how you perform. You set your own goals. You manage how you play, the clubs you choose for the shots you’ll make and the decisions you make for each situation you have. You manage your response after those shots. You’re your own best cheerleader. You are doing it all. While we do play golf on our own, we do it with our friends and family. If we can play, or when we can play, here are a few ideas that will help you maintain your distance and enjoy your friends.
1 – Keep your distance – 6 feet apart is the new safe distance and an easy thing to do with your golfing friends. Besides, the garlic lover in the group won’t feel like he/she is being avoided. Everyone can now have garlic!! Wahoo!
2 – Don’t Shake Hands – Give your friends an enthusiastic wave or even a bow…be creative here because, why not you’re finally out of the house!
3 – Avoid touching the pin – Hopefully the golf course will help with this one but altering the cup depth to keep the cup exposed but if not, everyone gets the 3 footer!
4 – Avoid sharing tees – while we are all generous in helping our friends meet their equipment needs (there’s always someone in the group who doesn’t have any tees) remind them before they get to the first tee to load up on the essentials.
5 – Avoid picking up other player’s clubs near the green – A quick “hey, don’t forget the 5 wedges you left by the green.” That will surely do the trick.
6 – Avoid sharing clubs – Your playing partner always wants to try your stuff, you always let them but inside, it really bugs you. Now you get to say, “sorry Jim, no can do” and you are totally OK doing it.
7 – Drive your own cart if you have to drive – You always wanted to be the driver but Joan always insists on driving. Not any more. You’re in the driver’s seat. You can drive as close to your own ball as you like or leave the cart 30 yards away. You have the control and may never be a passenger again!
8 – Bring your own water, snacks, sandwiches, tuna fish, sardines (all fish items are now ok given the 6 feet apart requirement), …the options are now limitless. Just bring what you need to maintain your hydration and nutrition while you play.
9 – Have some hand sanitizer of wipes for the restrooms – enough said there
10 – And finally number 10….Smile, breathe and enjoy this amazing game and the company of your friends. We will get through this and when we do, we will be grateful for being with our friends and family and the hugs will be HUGE!