Golf Must Stand Down To Eventually Thrive Again

I’ve put a pause on reading the various golf-goes-on stories at this point (but thanks to all who sent them in). Nearly every outlet in a decently populated area dispatched a reporter to check out golf course activity.

They all detail pretty much the same (wonderful) thing: golf is a great outlet and social distancing friendly. The stories mention courses debating whether to stay open or closed while reporting heavy amounts of play in recent days and much-needed distraction golf has provide. But now, as Bill Pennington details for the New York Times, a slowdown after the initial burst of play as restrictions escalate.

For the good of humanity, the golf needs to stop.

As much as the dreadful COVD-19 appeared to be an opportunity to serve as an outlet while combating the coronavirus, it’s clear the best way for the virus to be eradicated is through social distancing. And while golf has generally complied—except for the inexplicable renting of carts or allowing multiple riders—the game must come to a halt.

Not because it’s suddenly less safe. But to avoid pretzly paragraph, everything must shut down because the planet is populated by a staggering number of numskulls who simply do not get it. Grade A, Prime Cut, All-Conference morons.

Depending on where you live, you’ve seen the ignorance to varying degrees. And while it’s painful to shut down an important form of exercise and a way of life for millions needing a recreational outlet, golfers have to join with the world and help stop the frightening spread.

The silver lining: golf will be able to return to normalcy sooner than most activities. With a small values and priorities reset, the sport should be stronger despite likely losing some treasured community courses during this downturn.

Based on my reading of stories over the last week highlighting golf’s benefits and safety, the sport has already planted a seed with the world as a fantastic alternative to so many others. No one will be rushing back to indoor workouts unless absolutely necessary.

And whenever normalcy is restored in pro sports, golf will like be the first major sport to resume (perhaps without spectators, initially). The sport is primed for a renaissance if it can just stomach some down time. The more we hunker down now, the sooner we can return to the links.

So while the priority must shift to stopping the spread and caring for the stricken, there will be time to ponder how this pandemic can improve the sport we all love. Golf cannot capitalize on the recent good vibes if its participants buck the rest of society. So hang up the bag, store away your shoes, and take this opportunity to prove golf has a valuable place in the world by not teeing it up any time soon.