Is Golf About The Pro Tour(s) ?

[Tom_Doak]

I peeked at the two major golf magazines' web sites tonight and every single story was about the TOUR and the cancellation of tournaments and what it all means.


Nothing at all about THE GAME OF GOLF and where it fits into the new world order with a pandemic in play.




I remember when I started working in China, my clients told me that golf had really taken off there during the SARS epidemic, when guys who used to play cards together decided that being out on the golf course was a healthier alternative. 


Will American golfers take the same approach?


Or will political correctness prevent golf courses from staying open amidst the outbreak?


NOTE:  I am certainly not attempting to diminish the medical concerns about coronavirus.  It just seems to me based on what I've heard so far that golf, like walking and jogging, is one of the healthy activities that you could do safely now, as long as you don't get right in the faces of your friends or make a show of shaking hands on the 18th green. 


NOTE 2:  I am not suggesting this out of self interest; whether developers go ahead with their plans or leave us hanging is an entirely separate question.  I'm just a big proponent of the game of golf.  Sitting inside all day is not the healthiest choice, although here in Traverse City it's not quite golf weather yet.

[ward peyronnin]

Streaming and ebboks weren't available during sars

[jeffwarne]

Great minds..
I was thinking EXACTLY the same thought myself today-that the PGA of America could really get begind this witha little thought(and being sensitive)
Golf courses could easily remain open, especially if people would walk and carry their own bags (no cart to share germs, no caddie same)
No car attendant, limited gathering pre and post round.
Just golf. Pretty simple to maintain appropriate .social distancing


Seems like the perfect time to stem the economic disaster that is awaiting many courses in the coming recession.
No gyms? walk and carry
Work from home? who's gonna know if you sneak out at 4
Outside, healthy activity


ironically, I got an email from our PGA Section today cancelling all indoor meetings, education, training etc. and Section employees will work from home.
I was fortunate to moderate our (now) final Educational meeting of the winter on Monday at The Bridge Foundation in the city.
They are attempting to continue to hold tournaments (or at least considering it-I fear the National PGA may shut that down)
Tournaments could easily be held as long as clubs remain open and people follow protocol.


Let's hope that's something we're even thinking about in 2 weeks..

[James Brown]

I don’t think Golf Digest and Golf Magazine define golf anymore.  25 years ago I thought differently.  But the “print” publications are controlled by sponsors and or advertisers, not readers. 


Now I think of the media that define golf in terms of podcast and YouTube channels.  And most of the people I count in this category focus on the fun of golf for golfers, not on the tour pros. Fried Egg.  Erik Anders Lang. 

[MCirba]

I'm playing and walking...tomorrow.


Is there a better place to be?

[mike_beene]

We have a chipping, bunker short game area out away from the clubhouse with a rocking chair under a shade tree. I could spend my life there. It's time to get my short game in shape and take a nap or two.

[Jason Thurman]

I spent the week dealing with a fever and dry cough - first my wife's, then mine. I'm about five days ahead of everybody else on the whole self-quarantining thing. I felt well enough tonight to head to the club and walk a few solo holes (I've been fever-free for a few days and didn't need to get within 8 feet of anybody). After a week cooped up inside, and with most of the things that get me out of the house off the table, it was pretty damn glorious.


I work in healthcare technology, and went to happy hour with a nurse friend of mine last Friday. When I mentioned that my parents had canceled two trips in the next two months over the virus, she shook her head and pulled up the count of how many Americans had been killed by flu this year vs coronavirus. I understood her point, but understood my parents' too. At that point, it felt like the jury was still out.


When the wife started coughing the next day, I started reading. It didn't take more than 15 minutes or so to realize the wheels were about to come off here in the States - that testing wasn't happening, that the virus was out of the bag and already spreading in communities, and that we were no more than a few days from this becoming a MAJOR problem. My wife's cough went from being cutely topical to feasibly the real deal in a hurry, and while we're relatively young and relatively healthy and were never worried about our own safety, it was definitely clear that we needed to stock up on essentials and get ready to board up inside for a week or so.


Over the course of a week inside, without seeing friends or feeling the sun on your face, without even the distraction of my beloved NBA, you realize you need to see a friend now and then. You need to get outside and walk around. You need to have some fun, to exercise, to relax and clear your mind and feel some sense of normality.


Golf gave me a little dose of it this evening. I'll keep coming back for more, and I suspect the guys in my weekend game will too. We'll just skip the handshakes. And moving from cash to Venmo probably wouldn't be a bad idea...

[Thomas Dai]

To answer purely the thread title, yes, more and more so these days.
As to other aspects here are some over and above those mentioned above -
A) Firstly, I hope all ‘in the business’ etc manage to stay healthy and that their lives and those of their families etc aren’t effected
B) if you wish to still play golf think of the maintenance crews and other players and what they are physically likely to come into contact with ... simple things, eg flag sticks (do we really need them at this time?), bunker rakes (remove them from the course .. forever!!!!).
C) BIGGA, the U.K. greenkeepers association have issued a variety of guidelines. Hopefully other such organisations elsewhere have done so too.
D) Think of the staff. Golfers can do without lots of the facilities associated with golf courses and clubs for a while but after a very short period no maintenance crew will mean no golf.
Good luck to all.
Atb

[Tim Leahy]

From what I have seen this bug is transmitted from droplets on surfaces. If somebody who may not even know they have it sneezes or coughs on a ball washer, flagstick, rake or bench and you touch it for up to 8 days and then touch your face or eyes you've now got it. Until nationwide testing and 14 day self quarantines are the norm your taking a chance at the course or just about anywhere. Everybody that can should take a month off and stay home and work on your putting. If South Korea can keep it under control then hopefully even dumb Donald can tighten things up and get testing and containment going here before it's too late. How about a May Masters?

[Steve Lapper]

I peeked at the two major golf magazines' web sites tonight and every single story was about the TOUR and the cancellation of tournaments and what it all means.


Nothing at all about THE GAME OF GOLF and where it fits into the new world order with a pandemic in play.




I remember when I started working in China, my clients told me that golf had really taken off there during the SARS epidemic, when guys who used to play cards together decided that being out on the golf course was a healthier alternative. 


Will American golfers take the same approach?


Or will political correctness prevent golf courses from staying open amidst the outbreak?


NOTE:  I am certainly not attempting to diminish the medical concerns about coronavirus.  It just seems to me based on what I've heard so far that golf, like walking and jogging, is one of the healthy activities that you could do safely now, as long as you don't get right in the faces of your friends or make a show of shaking hands on the 18th green. 


NOTE 2:  I am not suggesting this out of self interest; whether developers go ahead with their plans or leave us hanging is an entirely separate question.  I'm just a big proponent of the game of golf.  Sitting inside all day is not the healthiest choice, although here in Traverse City it's not quite golf weather yet.

SPOT ON!!! Like Jeff Warne, I too was thinking this over the last few days. Furthermore, I was throughly disheartened to see that NBC Sports (the de facto owner of The Golf Channel) is now seeking even closer ties to the PGA Tour and almost overtly inviting them to practically take over all the programming.


A group of us (inc. my partner's in the operation of our courses) spoke about how to re-emphasize the benefits of outdoor recreation amidst this pandemic. We know we all must be more diligent in sanitizing the relevant parts of the facilities, but think it's an excellent opportunity to advocate for more golf this season.


Were the ruling bodies mildly (and finally) prescient allowing flagstick to remain in las season?

[John Kavanaugh]

I personally would prefer if golf would prioritize the needs of the people who provide great experiences day after day over our need to get in another round. Take a second and think, and it may be you, what it must be like to be in a two income family and suddenly have your children home from school. Think again if you would want children who may have been exposed going over to their elderly grandparents for care. Go for a walk in an actual park and think about anything beside yourselves.

[Adam Clayman]

With the loss of principles, that has risen from over a century of greedy monetization, the misnomer that it won't sell unless it's "on tour", illustrates what a bunch of whores the magazines have become.

[Bernie Bell]

Golf to me is not about the Tours, per Golf and Golf Digest, which I don't bother with; nor is it primarily about the beautiful, far-flung destinations depicted in Links Mag, which I do read.  Golf is in my backyard.  Our club is closed because of some potential exposure - no clubhouse, no staff, no carts.  But the course is open, and the usuals will be out there today walking.  You can still bust chops and wager from a 6 foot distance.  The Ed Ault county courses have full tee sheets today.  If you're a member of a private club that is closed, consider your local public, if you're willing.  What I have read suggests it is safe; I read one public health expert specifically recommending golf.  Social distancing is not good for mental health.  Even if you're not willing to play, and you have the ability to front a few shekls, consider buying a gift card for a future round, which you can probably do on line.  That's golf, and many of these places are on a shoe string.

[Niall C]

From what I have seen this bug is transmitted from droplets on surfaces. If somebody who may not even know they have it sneezes or coughs on a ball washer, flagstick, rake or bench and you touch it for up to 8 days and then touch your face or eyes you've now got it. Until nationwide testing and 14 day self quarantines are the norm your taking a chance at the course or just about anywhere. Everybody that can should take a month off and stay home and work on your putting. If South Korea can keep it under control then hopefully even dumb Donald can tighten things up and get testing and containment going here before it's too late. How about a May Masters?

Tim


I'm in no way medically competent to be giving an opinion but like everyone else I've been watching numerous news bulletins and programmes about it. FWIW what I've taken from that is that it takes up to a week of self isolation to determine whether or not you've been infected by an event such as you describe and once you have it can actually wash through in a couple of days or become more serious.


In terms of surface contact ie. door handles etc, the thought seems to be that any infection left behind on a surface disappears relatively quickly, even in a matter of minutes. Not that they really know any of that for sure at the moment, or so it seems.


Niall

[John Kavanaugh]

How many golfers across the country are taking caddies this morning? I'm calling for all private clubs across the country to begin an adopt a caddie program. Pay a caddie and get a free cart rental. Ride single of course as I have been since my daughter returned from China in January.


If you love caddies now is the time to step up. I'm not sure how they can survive the new norm of social distancing.

[John Mayhugh]

Tim,


The scenario you present of touching a rake 8 days after it was contaminated and becoming infected seems ill-informed. Simple survival of the virus in certain conditions doesn’t equate to effective transmission.


Suggest you read the info below from the CDC.


I’m happy to play golf fear-free. Just stop raining!


Based on what is currently known about the novel coronavirus and similar coronaviruses that cause SARS and MERS, spread from person-to-person with these viruses happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets. On the other hand, transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented. Transmission of coronavirus occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through fomites. Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials.

[Mark_Fine]

I agree, golf is a great healthy escape!  I plan to play a lot.  The challenge for golf courses will be the organized tournaments and charity events etc that most of these courses need to survive.  Those will be frowned upon and likely canceled due to the group gathering concerns.  Shocking to say but it is true, if clubs can’t hold weddings, etc because of this pandemic, they will suffer greatly as will their golf course. 

[Tom_Doak]

I personally would prefer if golf would prioritize the needs of the people who provide great experiences day after day over our need to get in another round. Take a second and think, and it may be you, what it must be like to be in a two income family and suddenly have your children home from school. Think again if you would want children who may have been exposed going over to their elderly grandparents for care. Go for a walk in an actual park and think about anything beside yourselves.

A golf course IS a park.  And you can take your kids, whether you play golf or not.


I am not advocating this for the golf tragics who feel entitled to play, or for the employees of golf courses, for whom I wish nothing but the best, but no different than for any of the other people who may or may not have paychecks in the weeks ahead.


I'm just a firm believer that golf is a healthy activity, and people will really need some healthy activities over the next few weeks.  So, I hope that golf courses are able to stay open.

[Peter Sayegh]

tom,i think by "open" you mean able to collect fees to continue on. obviously, they are parks as you said-they are always "open." whether each particular course demands one pays for walking/playing its grounds is a different argument.

[Carl Rogers]

What strikes me in this conundrum of COVID-19 events is how of our rock solid multi-trillion $ economy, led by our self described intrepid stable genius, is so dependent on disrectionary income and its constant spending.

[Peter Flory]

In 1929, consumer spending was 75% of the economy.  Today it is about 70%. 

[Peter Gannon]

A form of honor coffee can, or better yet, Venmo/Paypal your green fee?  Maybe with a 20% gratuity for lost food and beverage income.  It would get us through the next few weeks before grass really starts growing.


I live in NYC and East Hampton (we are self quarantining in East Hampton), most of my play is public, and both options are NYS Parks (Montauk Downs & Bethpage or  Rock Spring, NJ (town, not state owned)), so I'm sure there's another layer of regulation/safety, but I'd happily pay my green fee plus appreciation, and get the family out of house for a walk in the park!  Pins stay in. 


The pro game is rightly suspended, but it would be great for mortal golf to continue as long as possible!  I drove by Maidstone today, and the 9 hole course was as packed as summer, lots of families!   Hope they keep the Shell WWOG going on TV!

[V. Kmetz]

I'll try and answer the original inquiry:


YES... Much more than most sports (sports which are not pursued much past youth), Golf is connected to its professional iteration.


I suspect a chief reason for that (if I'm correct) is because the average golfer can equal what he or she sees on TV or at an event.  Not in anything approaching the expert level and consistency and emotional grind the pros perform with, but in the basic rudiments: "Tiger can make a 3 and so can me and my 11 HCP on such and such a hole. He holes out from bunkers all the time, but I also have done it a few times.  He drained tough putts and so have I"


Again, I'm not equating myself to Tiger or a pro golfer in the least, I'm simply pointing out that in GOLF we're connected to a pro GOLFER's actual game more than we are to a crunching hit on a running back, a tip-toe catch on the sidelines, a 140 mph serve or a dinger off Mariano Rivera.


But because in golf we don't vie for the ball competitively (a big TEP observation) and thus don't have to worry too much about what the other guy can/can't do, Bubba and Rory's powdering 120 yards past me, doesn't take me out of still working the problems I have to still win the hole, or achieve an halving/winning score. So relating to the action on the screen in a personal ("I get it/I've been there/I know how good or bad that is") way is something that golf is made to endure. . . Even to our opinions about the architecture of courses that the greats and we play.


And prolly to Tom's original focus (the Tour's leadership in canceling, making many think golf itself ought be/is canceling) the absence of professional measure is something we're not used to since (imo) Mark McCormack catalyzed the diminution of sports (all sports) in service of commerce... is it any real surprise that in those 60 years: the Olympics became less reputable and filled with professionals, NCAA DI players will be getting pay soon, the Super Bowl ads are remembered as long or longer than the winner, we have painfully slow games sponsored pitch by pitch, down by down, shot by shot, court change by court change (the declaring of the umpires lineup is sponsored on Yankees radio), For Roger Maris 61st, there was a half-filled house and the local Bronx teen who got it for a few bats and a signed photo; for Sosa, McGwire and Bonds, there were fistfights, lawsuits and a naval battle for the HR lottery ticket.


Who cares what's REALLY happening in any game we play and watch?  It only matters how economically sensational/viable such and such a thing is...locally, regionally, nationally, internationally.


And because every post these weeks must seemingly reference the virus, I will follow suit and say: Why not overreact in these initial weeks? And for a brief time, heed the cautions, stay out of the public sphere and let that extend to even things that are probably fine and (as pointed out) even healthful... I mean no one yet knows what we're dealign with here and even the innocent, cautious trip out to the links, puts you out there, in and with the people to some innocent extent... you've got to drive there, you might stop someplace, etc...we're all not yet conditioned to take every sneeze and small cough seriously etc.  Compared to the peoples of earlier epi-and pandemics, we have greater lattitude in facility and intelligence to take some EXTRA measures so that it DOESNT go as far as it might.


What in god's name is wrong with just a few weeks of standing down, even if it is an abundance of over-caution? If such a spirit hurts "golf" or buries multiple projects... c'mon there's got to be a ready "free markets correct themselves" answer from the social darwinian capitalist camp... Adam Smith-JS Mills-Larry Kudlow, hands please!

[Peter Pallotta]

It took me longer than it should have to embrace 'an overabundance of caution'. My wife helped me see its value. I hope it wasn't because I'm more selfish and self-centered than I realize. I think it may have been in defense of 'logic' and 'sober reflection'; partly it was in would-be 'support' of the many in the service industries who live paycheck to paycheck; and partly, I suppose, it was simply not understanding how hospital/healthcare systems can be quickly overwhelmed by (what I thought of as) basically a 'mild flu'. In the end, I recognized that it was much better to be kind than to be 'right' -- and with that I knew that I'd been wrong.   
Just an an aside: I can imagine that the Tour, while having done what needed to be done, is now really hoping for some kind of fairly quick resolution/green light. Though I've watched pro golf on television most of my adult life, I can already tell that if it wasn't on tv anymore, or only 4 times/majors a year, I wouldn't miss it at all.
 

[V. Kmetz]

I can imagine that the Tour, while having done what needed to be done, is now really hoping for some kind of fairly quick resolution/green light. Though I've watched pro golf on television most of my adult life, I can already tell that if it wasn't on tv anymore at all, or only 4 times/majors a year, I wouldn't miss it at all.

True dat.' Most of the sports are like that for me...a statement I couldn't have imagined 30 years ago.  I did not even bat an eyelash when the NHL had two labor actions... same for the NBA...and in 1994-95 I was hoping for replacement games in MLB... instead we got steroids to re-ripen interest.