During these unfortunate times during the Covid-19 pandemic, many businesses have been forced to shutdown because they are not essential. Some of these include fitness centers, hair salons, tattoo parlors, retail stores, restaurants and golf courses. As avid golfers, we having a hard time understanding why golf courses across the nation are closing during this pandemic, when in fact there are many health benefits to playing golf, while still being able to adhere to social distancing. Depending on the state, some courses are still able to remain open. These courses have taken measures to provide us with a place to play golf, get some exercise, and relieve some stress during this confusing time in the world.

These courses have implemented very ingenious ideas to make sure every player stays safe. Some of these measures include:

1. Raised cups to alleviate golfers from touching the inside of the cup.

2. Limiting 1 golfer to each golf cart and sanitizing after the player returns from their round.

3. Having a walking only policy, where there are no golf carts to sanitize and maintain.

4. Paying for your tee time online before arriving to eliminate the need for close contact with course employees in a pro shop. There are many apps and websites to book a round ahead of time.

5. Having rules set in place to make sure players are not removing flag sticks or using bunker rakes to possibly come in contact with items frequently touched by other players.

6. Requiring players to always maintain a safe distance of 6 feet apart from each other, from tee box to putting green.

7. No out of state golfers in high risk areas (Tri-state area)

We as golfers believe this is a healthy way for us to get fresh air while still adhering to CDC guidelines for Covid-19. There are many health benefits that we can take advantage of including:

1. Cardiovascular health. According to the Norwegian Golf Federation, an average golfer will have an average heart rate of 100 beats per minute while golfing during an 18 hole round. It is also directly linked to lowering risk of diabetes, stroke, and positive effects on your blood pressure.

2. Brain stimulation. Physical activity is great for keeping your brain and heart healthy.

3. Weight loss. The golden number an average person needs to lose weight per day is 10,000. An 18 hole round far exceeds that if you are walking and not taking a cart.

4. Reduced stress. Walking, fresh air, socializing and a mental challenge is all something we could all use right now.

5. Improved sleep. It's a no brainer that exercise and fresh air will equal good sleep, something most of the country is lacking right now. Walking 18 holes is a great workout !

6. Low injury. Golf is a no contact activity (obviously) that doesn't present risk of hospital visits.

To all state officials that have closed golf courses due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we ask that you please reconsider that decision. We feel that we can safely return back to our local courses for some exercise and fresh air to take our minds off of what is going on in the world today. We feel that golfers and staff are at a very low risk of exposure if handled correctly, while adhering to state and federal guidelines for social distancing.

Thank you !