Golfers happy to be back on the greens
The rules may have changed, but golf is still golf and that’s all that matters to Glenn Cassidy. “Golf is a game to be enjoyed— even under the different circumstances,” he said. “We’d rather play and make the situation as fun as possible.” An avid golfer for more than 30 years, Cassidy is currently the secretary of the Canadian Amputee Golf Association and has competed in numerous Canadian Amputee and Disabled National Opens (CADNO). He has won the seniors division and placed in the top three on several occasions. Cassidy holds a membership at the Moonlake Golf and Country Club in Saskatoon, enjoys courses near Las Vegas and Scottsdale, and has golfed at courses throughout the province including Riverside, Elbow, Nipawin, Elk Ridge and Waskesiu. Cassidy, who has two holein-ones to his credit, was on the course as soon as the season opened. Despite the new rules surrounding the pandemic, he said golfing is as good as ever. In fact, as one of the few permitted recreational activities this summer, there will likely be more interest in golfing than previous years. Courses are now operating under a list of restrictions that are in place as a result of the pandemic. There is an emphasis on social distancing so golfers must stand at least two metres or six feet apart during the game. Tee times have been set at 12 minutes apart to avoid congestion on the course. “My experience has been good. Other than the normal shaking hands at the end of the round as well as at the beginning of the round when playing with newcomers, it has been business as usual. Because of the 12-minute tee-off times, you are now automatically joined up to create a foursome so you may be playing with more golfers that you normally don’t play with,” he said. The restrictions include flags remaining in place, rakes and ball-washers can no longer be used, and bunkers are not in play. If you hit the bunker, just remove the ball, place it on the grass, and smooth the bunker with your foot. Carts are limited to one person, or two people from the same household. Cups are to be elevated or holes are to be filled in so play ends on a hole once the ball makes contact with the cup. “Muscle memory makes a player want to take out the pin so that definitely takes some getting used to,” said Cassidy. “There is a foam piece in the hole so that your ball doesn’t touch the bottom. I find this a better practice than using the raised cup that some courses are using.” Golf Canada has stated that this will not impact handicaps. A round played under these conditions will result in an acceptable score for handicap purposes using the most likely score guidelines. Under these guidelines, the player should consider the number of strokes most likely required to complete the hole and determine whether the ball would have been holed or not. All players must have a tee time (no walk-ons allowed) and green fees must be paid in advance by telephone or online. Under phase three of the province’s COVID-19 protocols, licensed clubhouses were able to re-open on June 8, if safety guidelines are adhered to. Cassidy advised that golfers should be prepared to spend more time than usual at check in. Twenty minutes is the suggested amount of time, but he said that you should probably show up earlier than that to understand the new rules and regulations. Usually the course greeter will discuss the new rules before you begin and most players are becoming familiar with the changes. Signage is posted at all golf courses reminding golfers of the limitations and marshals are on the courses to ensure golfers are following the rules. Driving ranges and practice facilities are open, but subject to physical distancing. One-on-one lessons are permitted. At this time, there appears to be no requirement to book the driving range in advance. Many courses have hired extra staff to ensure an extra level of cleanliness regarding the golf carts, rental clubs, pull carts and general facilities. There are also additional staff meetings to review the rules and safety standards. Although it may take a while to remember all the new rules, Cassidy said it’s such a great game that he plans on making the most of it this summer. “I’m definitely glad to be golfing again. I played four rounds this weekend and I have next weekend booked as well.”