Don is the is the PGA GM of Gilroy Municipal and Gavilan Golf Course , the 2014 Gilroy Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year , and PGA of America ' s Bill Stausbaugh award winner for excellence in education . He was born and raised in Gilroy . it ' s your SWING by Don DeLorenzo
Golf in the Pandemic ...
The Natural Social Distancing Activity
Let ’ s face it , we are all sick and tired of this . It ’ s been a year of not being allowed to eat inside a restaurant , not working out in the gym or getting a haircut . There has been no gathering in large groups for weddings , birthdays or holidays . Our entire social calendar has virtually been put on hold . But that doesn ’ t mean that all activities that we are used to doing have been stopped .
Golf , the most natural social distancing sport , is thriving during the stay at home orders . It ’ s not too hard to figure out why . Picture that lone single golfer walking down a tree lined fairway with nothing but wide open spaces around him .
Social distancing has always been natural to golf . Remember , you are using a golf ball that is only touched by you , placing it on a tee that is only touched by you , wearing a golf glove that belongs to you and hitting the golf ball with your golf club . There is no shared equipment like other sports .
Add the fact that all golf courses are doing their part by eliminating anything that could be shared on the golf course :
• Bunker rakes have been pulled ,
• Ball washers have been covered , and
• Benches have been removed .
The rules of golf changed in 2020 that allows the flag stick to remain in the hole so you don ’ t even need to touch that and remove it before you put . Some additional safety features that many golf courses have implemented include putting foam liners into the cups so your golf ball can be easily retrieved without touching anything .
The most responsible move that golf courses have adopted comes to the use of golf carts . “ Single ” rider golf carts are the norm unless you are playing with someone you live with , drove to the golf course in the same car with or are currently in the same “ social bubble ”. I can ’ t speak to all golf courses but at Gilroy Golf Course all carts are sanitized before and after each use to ensure the safety of our customers .
The one thing that golf like so many other businesses has been unable to do with the pandemic is host the larger group activities . Many organizations , teams , companies and clubs rely on golf tournaments as fundraising vehicles to enhance their budgets . Unfortunately until large groups are allowed to gather again this aspect will have to be kept on hold .
If you don ’ t “ yet ” play golf the same social distancing and fresh air can be achieved by going to the driving range and hitting a few balls . Driving range stalls are all set up greater
than six feet apart so you can swing away with confidence and safety . Maybe just tagging along with the golfer in your family sounds appealing . A good stroll or afternoon ride in the sunshine and fresh air will do a lot for your psyche during these times .
With the absence of many youth sports in school many young adults are taking this opportunity to learn the “ game of a lifetime ” for all the right reasons . It ’ s a great way to experience the outdoors and it ’ s great exercise . From the parents prospective , the sport is non-contact and it ’ s void of the inherent risks of so many other sports .
So if you haven ’ t been out to the course because of the pandemic what ’ s stopping you . The fresh air and wide open spaces of your local golf course is waiting for you .
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN SPRING 2021 gmhtoday . com
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