5 Amazing Ways Golfers Adapted to the Pandemic

1. Walking More and Social Distancing on the Course

One of the first things you learn when starting to play golf is following the rules is not optional. Suffice it to say, it’s not surprising golfers have adapted to the new behaviors demanded during the pandemic. People are walking more or riding one person to a cart, maintaining recommended distances from each other, leaving the flag in the hole to name a few of the behaviors in this time of transition to what everybody hopes will be back to normal in a few months. Walking more has been great for physical fitness and for golf travelers, who’ve gained a better idea of what to expect when they play in Ireland or Scotland where carts (or buggies) are limited. During a typical 18-hole round, golfers will walk between 3 and 6 miles.

2. Practicing at Home

According a National Golf Foundation survey, more than 40% of golfers engaged in some type of at-home practice during the pandemic. A cursory glance at various social media sites reveals golfers are setting up putting courses in their living rooms, driving nets in home garages and chipping nets in the back yard to name a few.

3. Free Instruction From PGA Tour Stars

It has been refreshing to see PGA Tour players like Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald provide free golf lessons and tips from their yards on their social media accounts during the pandemic.

4. Caddie and Employee Relief Funds

Golfers are members of a unique sports community. It has been heartwarming to see golfers helping others in the industry who have been rocked by the economic hardships brought on by the pandemic. The Bandon Caddie Relief Fund, Pinehurst Employee Relief Fund and PGA Golf Emergency Relief Fund have received great response from caring golfers.

5. Made For TV Matches to Raise Money for Covid-19 Relief

The PGA Tour’s biggest stars are doing their part to raise money for those in need during this difficult time. The TaylorMade Driving For Relief match at Seminole Golf Club in Florida on Sunday May 17th raised $5.5 million dollars to help frontline healthcare workers and impacted restaurant shift employees. Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolf participated in the event. On Sunday May 24th, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning played in “The  Match: Champions for Charity” televised from the Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida with $20 million going to coronavirus relief.