In addition to government regulations the National Golf Course Owners Association has issued recommendations for best practices concerning the Corvid-19 virus. These measures align with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) “social distancing” and sanitation practices, and have been reviewed and approved by a physician at the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Farmstead Golf Links and Meadowlands Golf Club are complying with the best practices policy by engaging in the following:
- Encourage golfers to pay in advance over the phone with a credit card, show up to a pre-positioned sanitized cart, and proceed to the first tee without personal contact.
- Recommend all customers update credit card information on file and book tee times or food and beverage services DIRECTLY with the club via PHONE during social distancing period.
- Place appropriate signage on carts and around the clubhouse with phone number to call in food orders with an explanation that credit card transitions are requested.
- Provide protective gloves to all staff handling cash or credit cards during all transactions.
- We have reversed the cup in the hole to limit having to reach in the cup and retrieve the ball. Players should leave the pin in the cup at all times. This is a good time for “gimmies”.
- Follow all guidance to not exceed gathering limits established by local and state authorities.
- Conduct no indoor events if possible.
- Remove ball washing stations.
- Remove rakes from the course and temporarily play these areas as non hazards. Put a local rule in place that permits placing your golf ball in any bunker on the course.
- Spread out driving range stations to separate customers.
- Remove all water stations from the course and either provide bottled water or advise them to purchase beverages prior to tee off.
- After play, ask golfers to go directly to their carts and park them in designated areas.
- Ask customers to personally dispose of any trash they may have in the nearby receptacles.
- Update your website to indicate you are a participation in the “Park and Play” program.
- Provide clear professional signage informing guests of operational changes and encourage recommended sanitation practices.
- Increase the frequency of routine cleaning, sanitization and disinfection of all locations, especially all common and high traffic areas, and frequently touched surfaces.
- Increase the number of hand sanitizer stations throughout the clubhouse, especially entry points and lobby.
- Increase frequency of HVAC system filter changing, and schedule more frequent cleaning of the system.
- Remove all non-essential devices from the range, such as bag stands or den caddies.
- Minimize indoor seating in bar and restaurant as these seating should be limited and spread out for those awaiting “to go” orders only.
- Ensure golf carts and other rental equipment are properly sanitized prior to issuing to customers.
- Ensure approved antimicrobial products are used for all sanitation procedures.
- Remove sand containers, coolers or anything from golf cart that could be “shared”. This includes scorecards, tees, pencils and towels- these items should not be offered during this time.
- Remove bar stools if the bar is open for “to go” service; do not promote seating.
- Ensure range balls are cleaned thoroughly with soap after every pick up prior to making available for customers.
- Ensure staff are trained on hygiene, sanitation and good handling to learn about epidemic prevention and control.
- All staff handling cash or credit cards must wear protective gloves during all transactions.
- Encourage golfers and staff to replace handshakes with other touch-less forms of greeting.