As part of Connecticut's June 17 Phase 2 Reopening plan, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has clarified the following updates when it comes to golf:
Effective Wednesday, June 17:
1) Two players may share a golf cart, however players must wear a facial covering while in the cart and at any time social distancing is not maintained. The driver of the cart must remain the only driver of the cart throughout the round. Exception: members of the same household are not required to wear a mask while sharing a cart, and may alternate drivers provided both drivers meet all other requirements.
2) Ball washers, used tee baskets, hand operated water coolers and jugs remain off-limits and are to remain stored or covered. Items previously removed (rakes, etc.), or that were previously deemed "untouchable" (flagsticks, benches, etc.) are now available for normal use, however such items must be cleaned frequently.
3) Shotgun starts may include up to 50 people assembled before and after the round. Social distancing remains in effect at all times.
4) So that when it becomes necessary to use a facial covering (when social distancing is not or can not be maintained), all employees and golfers at any golf course must have a facial covering in their possession at all times.
5) Indoor restaurants can operate at 50% capacity, however functions such as meetings or weddings are limited to a maximum of 10 people.
6) In public locker rooms that have shared lockers, every other or every third locker must be disabled or marked for non-use to enforce social distancing. Facilities where lockers are assigned to members are not required to disable lockers, but must enforce social distancing. In all locker rooms, casual seating other than benches by lockers must be removed. Shower areas, except for rinsing before and after pool activity must be disabled or closed off. If independent showers are available and used, they must be attended and sanitized between each use.
Information on Caddies:
Effective June 18, 2020 and until further notice, the following measures are required by the State of Connecticut:
1) Golf clubs and/or players shall arrange for advance scheduling of caddie assignments in order to avoid gatherings of caddies. Caddies should arrive 15-30 minutes prior to their assignment and leave the premises immediately after completing the round.
2) Caddies shall carry and use hand sanitizer frequently during the round of golf. In addition, caddies shall be required to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds immediately after the round or after performing club/bag cleaning activities.
3) Whether walking the golf course or standing at the teeing ground or putting green, caddies and players should maintain social distancing at all times. If there are occasions where this is difficult or impossible to maintain, caddies and players must use their facial covering.
4) When transferring a club to and from a player, the caddie should always hand and receive the club by holding the club head end of the club. This transfer should take place with both the caddy and the player having arms outstretched in order to maintain social distancing. And in this way, caddies will only handle club heads and will not touch grips. Players only handle grips, and do not touch club heads.
5) Hand to hand exchange of golfs balls is prohibited. To maintain social distancing the player may toss a ball or place it on the ground for a caddie to retrieve and clean, and the caddie may return it to the player in the same manner. Players or caddies must never spit on a golf ball in order to clean it.
6) The customary cleaning of clubs post-round should continue, and be supplemented by a thorough cleaning of the golf bag. Towels used during the round should be discarded or deposited for laundry and cleaning.
