COVID-19: 48%: U.S. Golf Course Closure Rate Declines A Bit

From 44% last week, with a margin of error of +/-3%, the National Golf Foundation’s surveying suggests a sizeable number of courses remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The findings reflect the at-times uncertain nature of golf operations in states like Texas and New York, where recent amendments to executive orders specified that golf is a non-essential business.

While the governor of Texas, which has the fifth-most courses in the country, last week said golf was a non-essential business, he later clarified that they can continue to allow play provided they maintain safe distancing practices and adhere to adjusted operational guidelines prescribed the CDC.

In the Northeast, New York’s various golf associations said last week that the state’s recent “non-essential” advisory didn’t affect non-commercial recreation activities — an interpretation that would potentially pertain to hundreds of private clubs in the region.