Outdoor physical activities keep us active and in good shape, and golf, one of the oldest sports still being played today offers a wide range of health benefits. By its own nature, golf is a non-contact sport. Therefore, it makes social distancing applicable and it can comply with the directives of the Philippine government to fight COVID-19.
Under the lenient general community quarantine (GCQ) in the National Capital Region, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has allowed outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise like walking, jogging, running, biking, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, skateboarding, and yes, golf (but only for ages 21-59 years old). Under the IATF guidelines, the general public is not allowed on site, tournaments are strictly prohibited and only the players (following the strict health and safety protocols) are permitted to get in some practice time at the golf courses.
To keep their players safe and to prevent the spread of the virus, one golf club in Antipolo City, for example, has set a new guideline that includes the removal of locker room services, ban on golf cart sharing, the requirement to make reservations for tee-start and the strict implementation of the “no mask, no face shield, no entry” policy. Golf clubs around the NCR are on the same page and are following a standard for safety practices and protocols.
A great sport for players young and old, golf has considerable benefits for the mind and body. And now more than ever, during the time of the pandemic, holistic wellness is of great importance. As mentioned in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, regularly playing golf is linked to a long life and to the reduction of the risk factors for stroke and heart disease. It can improve balance, strength, and coordination and the risk of injury is moderate. It provides direct mental health benefits and lowers stress and anxiety as it connects the players to nature and to one another.
The places that we frequent can greatly affect the state of our health. When thinking about golf course design, careful consideration must be given to the players, and their interaction with the open space. The designer of the landscape has to understand and define how the use of the space can have an impact on the health and wellbeing of its users. According to an article written by Richard Morgan Phelps for the Iowa State University, a golf course designer must have a deep understanding of the many factors in the environment that can affect a golf game. He also has to know enough about the history of the game and the relationship between golf and the landscape. He must create not only visually pleasing but also challenging and playable golf course designs in order for the players to fully appreciate the whole happy experience of being on the greens.
Mindful of the reality that we are still in the middle of a tense and unsettling pandemic, those who are allowed by government laws to play can still reap the most health benefits from outdoor sports such as golf by being considerate of others and taking the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the infectious disease. And in addition to the many unwritten rules of basic golf manners, it is quite simple really: after taking that brave step back on the golf course, finish your game, and go home.