guidelines for opening up golf (draft 1 - 4/21/20)...existing golfers and invite new golfers to the...

Guidelines for Opening Up Golf (Draft 1 - 4/21/20)

Objective - To work as Allied Golf Organizations in building a comprehensive and medically approved plan that advocates for the tremendous inherent benefits golf offers as one of the first-mover, social distancing compatible recreational activities in the United States as we recover from COVID-19.

Key Strategies:

1. Develop the operational underpinnings of the plan off the White House and CDC “Guidelines Opening Up America Again” including a specific, three-phased approach to golf that aligns with the broader plan to re-open the economy

2. Secure medical endorsement of the plan from CDC or NIAID to build trust and acceptance across the country

3. Promote the attributes of the game and its safety on a grass-roots and national level to inspire existing golfers and invite new golfers to the game.

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Step 1 – Develop Medically Endorsed Operational Protocols

1. Social Distancing – What are best practices for the casual golfer and at the professional level for

players, caddies and eventually fans?

2. Physical Facilities & Sanitation – What is needed in these re-open scenarios, (i.e.…bathrooms,

sanitation, golf carts, running water, etc.) How does ADA apply and what potential effects exist?

3. Staff Safety - What is recommended and how to manage the stay at home vs returning to work.

How does the practice facility and actual course transition opening operate? Lastly, how do golf

courses police these internal (i.e.…Staff) and external (i.e.. Guests) efforts and follow the CDC

requirements?

Ideally, we would like to obtain the right medical authority (e.g.…CDC, NIAID, etc.) endorse the golf

industry’s best practices.

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Step 2. Grassroots Engagement & Communications

1. How do state & local allied organizations, private & public golf facilities and PGA Professionals

message "Back2Golf" on a market-by-market basis the approved safety and health guidelines

that is organized against the phased-in approach outlined above?

2. Same principles apply when professional golf tournaments open their doors to fans to return?

Having specific messaging for each phase of Back2Golf is critical from our perspective to protect the

health and safety of all involved and to avoid conflicting messages in what will no doubt be a confusing

environment across the country based on local conditions and authorities.

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Step 3. Inspirational National Marketing and Promotion

1. What does an umbrella television, digital, social and data driven campaign look like in a

COVID-19 recovery environment that the entire golf industry could support in 2020 and beyond?

2. Everyone believes it should inspire the converted and casual golfer/fan, while offering a refuge

to play the game or attend an event in-person for all those looking for safe and healthy

recreation.

3. Recommendation is to focus on two core themes:

a. Accentuate the recreation and health benefits of safely playing golf in a phased approach

b. As a sport that prides itself on playing by the rules, following the rules of social distancing

in golf are the most important rules today

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CONTINUE TO PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE

• Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after touching frequently used items or surfaces.

• Avoid touching your face.

• Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.

• Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.

• Strongly consider using face coverings while in public, and particularly when using mass transit.

PEOPLE WHO FEEL SICK SHOULD STAY HOME

• Do not go to the golf course/ club.

• Contact and follow the advice of your medical provider.

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**Continue to adhere to State and local guidance as well as complementary CDC guidance, particularly with respect to face coverings.

Develop and implement appropriate policies, in accordance with Federal, State, and local regulations and guidance, and informed by industry best practices, regarding:

Monitor workforce for indicative symptoms. Do not allow symptomatic people to physically return to work until cleared by a medical provider.

Develop and implement policies and procedures for workforce contact tracing following employee COVID+ test.

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• Staff social distancing and protective equipment

• Temperature checks for staff

• Testing, isolating, and contact tracing

• Sanitation of club operations, amenities, practice facility, carts, buildings and public areas

• Use and disinfection of common and high-traffic areas

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• Golf course set up

• Check in policies and procedures

• Facility teaching and coaching programming

• Clubhouse operations and amenities

• Tournaments and events

FOR STATES AND REGIONS SATISFYING THE GATING CRITERIA

• ALL VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS* should continue to shelter in place. Members of households with vulnerable residents should be aware that by returning to work or other environments where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus back home. Precautions should be taken to isolate from vulnerable residents.

• All individuals, WHEN PLAYING GOLF, should maximize physical distance from others. Social settings of more than 10 people, where appropriate distancing may not be practical, should be avoided unless precautionary measures are observed.

• Avoid SOCIALIZING in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing (e.g., golf leagues, golf events, club meetings).

10Each phase of this guidance addresses those aspects of daily life for which restrictions remain appropriate due to covid.

• Continue to ENCOURAGE TELEWORK, whenever possible and feasible with facility operations.

• If possible, RETURN TO WORK IN PHASES.

• Close COMMON AREAS where personnel are likely to congregate and interact, or enforce strict social distancing protocols (e.g., review time clock placement, associate policies and consider staggered work shifts).

• Temperature checks for staff working are encouraged.

• Strongly consider SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS for personnel who are members of a VULNERABLE POPULATION.


• Golf course SET UP should be restrictive (no bunker rakes, cups flipped and no on course amenities).

• INDIVIDUAL PLAY can be permitted (no groups of any size allowed) and walking or allow single riders in properly sanitized golf carts.

• PRACTICE FACILITIES should remain closed.

• GOLF INSTRUCTION should be performed virtually.

• CLUBHOUSES should remain closed however RESTAURANTS may provide take out food.

• Standalone GYMS can be open if they adhere to strict physical distancing and sanitation protocols.

• GOLF SHOPS should remain closed and remote check in procedures should be enacted.

• All LEAGUE, CLINIC, CAMPS AND ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES will remain suspended.

• No YOUTH activities.


FOR STATES AND REGIONS WITH NO EVIDENCE OFA REBOUND AND THAT SATISFY THE GATING

CRITERIA A SECOND TIME

• ALL VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS should continue to shelter in place. Members of households with vulnerable residents should be aware that by returning to work or other environments where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus back home. Precautions should be taken to isolate from vulnerable residents.

• All individuals, WHEN PLAYING GOLF, should maximize physical distance from others. Social settings of more than 50 people, where appropriate distancing may not be practical, should be avoided unless precautionary measures are observed.


• Continue to ENCOURAGE TELEWORK, whenever possible and feasible with facility operations.

• Close COMMON AREAS where personnel are likely to congregate and interact, or enforce moderate social distancing protocols (e.g., review time clock placement, associate policies and consider staggered work shifts).

• Strongly consider SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS for personnel who are members of a VULNERABLE POPULATION.


• Golf course SET UP continues to be restrictive (add specifics from GCSAA).

• SMALLER GROUP ACTIVITY (league play) may be resumed if kept under 50 people.

• Normal golf groups are permitted and walking or riding in golf carts are permitted (restrictions apply and will vary by locality).

• PRACTICE FACILITIES can open with strict sanitation and social distancing guidelines.

• INSTRUCTION may be resumed with adherence to strict social distancing guidelines. Small Group clinics may be resumed based upon the practice facility space available to abide by the social distancing guidelines.

• CLUBHOUSES can open but should operate at limited capacity as to adhere to social distancing policies.


• RESTAURANTS AND BARS may operate with diminished standing-room occupancy, where applicable and appropriate.

• Standalone GYMS can continue to be open if they adhere to strict physical distancing and sanitation protocols.

• Other AMENITIES (pool, locker room, spa, salon services, etc) should remain closed.

• GOLF SHOPS should remain closed and should continue to use remote check in procedures.

• All LEAGUE, CLINIC, CAMPS AND ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES can resume with strict social distancing guidelines.

• YOUTH activities may be resumed with strict adherence to gathering restrictions and social distancing. Activities must include family members of the youth activities in the counts for gathering restrictions.


FOR STATES AND REGIONS WITH NO EVIDENCE OFA REBOUND AND THAT SATISFY THE GATING

CRITERIA A THIRD TIME

• VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS can resume public interactions, but should practice physical distancing, minimizing exposure to social settings where distancing may not be practical, unless precautionary measures are observed.

• LOW-RISK POPULATIONS should consider minimizing time spent in crowded environments.

• All GOLF OPERATIONS may resume as normal including UNRESTRICTED STAFFING of worksites.


• Golf courses and clubs may return to NORMAL OPERATIONS will still practicing standard sanitation protocols.

• CLUBHOUSES, RESTAURANTS AND BARS may operate with increased standing room occupancy, where applicable.

• LARGE GATHERINGS (e.g., sit-down dining, charity events, etc.) can operate under limited physical distancing protocols.


guidelines for opening up golf (draft 1 - 4/21/20)...existing golfers and invite new golfers to the...

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