"Golf is a sport where players roam large acres of open space with no interaction with large groups of people."

Greetings from the first stay-home state in the Union.

While there is not much to celebrate in the Governor’s stay-at-home order—except maybe preventing California golf pros from sharing their cute “content” as people suffer— the requirement of residents will hopefully help cut down on human suffering and prevent a greater calamity.

Either way, the California order means golf courses (and all non-essential businesses) now must close until further notice.

Therefore, to yesterday’s poll where it’s clear the sport generally feels carrying on with recreation is a must (thank you for voting as always), I wanted to add this paragraph from Mike Sorensen who was writing about Utah’s decision to keep courses open for the time being:

Golf is a sport where players roam large acres of open space with no interaction with large groups of people. Golfers use their own equipment, tee up their own golf balls, and don’t have to touch much else. They can easily stay 6 feet away from their fellow golfers unless they share a cart. In fact, under new worldwide golf rules that went into effect last year, golfers don’t even have to handle flagsticks to take them out of the cups any more.

The decisions of leaders to “flatten the curve” should be supported in these tough times. That said, there will be a need for folks to maintain wellness and the sport will eventually need to deftly make the case it is a necessary activity for some in society and for the economy.

But for now, we’ll just lay low in the Golden State. Be safe everyone!