Will Jorgensen

Imam Subkhan

ENGL 298

5/18/24

“The Progression of Golf Through the COVID-19 Pandemic”

My photo essay will talk about how COVID-19 has affected golf, causing unprecedented change in the game in terms of playing conditions, perception and management. This visual narrative will discuss the various stages golf underwent during the pandemic, outlines the challenges players faced, and highlight the innovative solutions that were used. Detailed in the five stages below, the pandemic changed the face of the game we know today.

COVID 19's Acceleration of Golf's Future (CREB Now Media)

Initial Impact and Shutdowns

In the early stages of the coronavirus scourge, as every country rushed to enact lock down protocols worldwide golf courses experienced sharp closures. Abandoned courses began to develop overgrown grass and clubhouses were locking down at an exponential rate. In my personal experience, growing up playing golf the shock of being told I couldn’t play any sports was frustrating, but as time went on we found ways to play in a safe and healthy manner.

Social Distancing Sign Displays New Guidelines (CNN News)

Adaptation to New Protocols

As golf courses nationwide adjusted their safety protocols they allowed for reopening, in line with government restrictions. Markers displayed where players would separate six feet from one another, in order to observe social distancing measures. Communal items such as bunker rakes and ball washers were taken away, to minimize the touching of common surfaces. Players were required to come with their own clubs, bags, and personal items limiting the sharing of items between even family members.

New Technology and Protocols Being Implemented (Golf.com)

Innovative Solutions and Adjustments

During the height of the pandemic, many golf courses found new ways of operating safely with a creative manner. Maintaining social distancing, single-rider golf carts and push carts were frequently used. Courses, including my local links, went as far as to put cutoff pool noodles inside the cups so that players would not have to touch the flagsticks. Contributing to the solution, contained family-friendly rounds aimed to attract players back, and provide activities for immediate family only.

Crowds Encroaches on Fairway of Pro AM (Business Insider)

Resurgence in Popularity

Despite initial setbacks, there was a significant resurgence in golf’s popularity over the course of the pandemic era. The number of active golfers in the US quickly rose from 32 million in 2016 to 41 million by 2020, according to Golf Monthly (Golf Participation Numbers Reveal Huge Increase Despite Pandemic | Golf Monthly). Given the safe and distant nature of the game, it became an ideal release for the lack of other close contact sports. In addition, golf courses experienced increased participation from their patrons, as working from home allowed for far more time on the links. Witnessing the resurgence of golf first hand, and recognizing how the sport is bigger than ever because of covid, is a special perspective to have personally experienced.

Man Pays Solo Taking in the Scenery (NY Times)

The New Normal

By late 2020, courses had fully adapted to the "new normal" where safety protocols became the game’s standard. Golfers adhered to the specified guidelines of each club ranging from face masks inside clubhouses to using hand sanitizer before tee times. As the pandemic dwindled, rules changed and began to loosen up again combining the pre and post pandemic player populations together. Personally I’ve had the pleasure of playing both when I was the only one on the course and where I’ve been in the midst of a full Sunday round, and it’s an experience I won’t soon forget.

The Dawn of a New Era for an Enduring Sport (PGA Tour Media)

Conclusion

Golf’s evolution through the pandemic provides substantial evidence highlighting the sports resilience and adaptability. From the rocky beginning of the crisis to subsequent closures giving way to innovative answers, and eventual new interest. All stages showed how this sport can thrive under some of the most difficult circumstances modern sports have experienced. Golf has continued to pave the way in developing new standards for growth and obtainable scalability, all while maintaining the safety of its patrons, showing why it is one of the oldest sports still standing.

Work Cited

 "Social Golf Courses and COVID-19 Getty." CREB. https://www.creb.com//media/Public/CREBcom/News/CREBNow/2020/May/SocialGolfCoursesAndCOVID_19Getty.jpg.

 "12 Things All Golfers Can Learn from the PGA Tour's New Safety Guidelines." CNN. https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/201209155001-02-golf-virus-2020.jpg.

 "Disappointing Photos Golf Courses Crowded During Tournaments." Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/disappointing-photos-golf-courses-crowded-during-tournaments.

 Dabbs, Ryan. "Golf Participation Numbers Reveal Huge Increase Despite Pandemic." Golf Monthly. https://www.golfmonthly.com/news/golf-participation-numbers-reveal-huge-increase-despite-pandemic.

 "Golf Rounds Surged as Coronavirus Advanced. Now the Game Is Retreating." The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/05/sports/golf/coronavirus-golf.html.

 PGA TOUR. "This Guy Is Quite Comfortable at Bay Hill. The Stats Back It Up. The Comfort Zone." Twitter, 20 Feb. 2020, https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1230912294475280384.