*UPDATED 6/12/20*
This week Governor Phil Murphy signed a new Executive Order (EO 153) which removes golf related restrictions imposed in previous Executive Orders. Social distancing and sanitation guidelines remain in effect.
All policies and procedures on these matters, including tee time intervals, payment processes, caddies, and other on-course amenities and equipment are at the discretion of golf course management.
As per Executive Order No. 153, Paragraph 14: The provisions in paragraph 9 of Executive Order No. 107 (2020), paragraphs 8 and 9 of Executive Order No. 133 (2020), paragraphs 2-3 of Executive Order No. 143 (2020), paragraph 1 of Executive Order No. 146 (2020), paragraphs 2, 5, 6, 8, and 10 of Executive Order No. 147 (2020), and paragraphs 2 and 4 of Executive Order No. 148 (2020) are hereby superseded to the extent inconsistent with this Order. To the extent provisions of these Orders are not inconsistent with this Order, they remain in full force and effect.
Golf related restrictions included into those above mentioned Executive Orders were:
- E.O. 107 – The closing of all recreational businesses including golf courses.
- E.O. 133 – Strict guidelines for golfers and golf courses. (referenced here)
- E.O. 147 – Allowed for four players per tee time, forecaddies, club rentals, driving ranges, and restrooms.
Golf carts may now operate with two riders, however, an option must be provided for a single rider cart if requested. Caddies can also return without restriction, but they should wear personal protective equipment including a mask and gloves. Individual golf facilities have full discretion in terms of usage of on-course equipment such as flag sticks, bunker rakes, benches, ball washers, and devices which minimize touching of the cup or allow for the removal of a ball from the hole. If any equipment is used, every precaution should be taken to ensure proper sanitization. It remains up to each facility whether to use such equipment.
While this is great news for golfers and golf facilities in New Jersey, golfers should remain aware of their surroundings and continue to follow all social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This update does not change previously issued Executive Orders that pertain to indoor and outdoor dining restrictions or pro shops/ retail.
Previously:
On May 18 Governor Phil Murphy signed a new Executive Order (EO #147) that allows for:
- Foursomes to be permitted as of May 19
- Forecaddies to be permitted as of May 19
-
Golf Driving Ranges allowed to open, effective May 22
The use of golf carts remains limited to a single occupant only, excluding an individual’s immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners.
Social distancing and cleaning and sanitation measured must all remain in place.
Previously:
Governor Phil Murphy signed an Executive Order that will allow for the re-opening of golf courses and state and county parks. This will go into effect at sunrise on Saturday, May 2. The Governor stressed that “social distancing will continue to be mandated.”
This Executive Order (EO #133) outlines strict guidelines and mandatory procedures for golf courses to follow.
Key points from this EO (in addition to standing government and CDC requirements/recommendations on social distancing) are:
- Require that reservations, cancellations and pre-payments be made via electronic or telephone reservation systems to limit physical interactions.
- Limit tee times to two players, except for immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners.
- Tee times must be staggered 16 minutes apart to limit the amount of people on the golf course.
- Use of golf carts is limited to a single occupant only, excluding an individual’s immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners.
- Restrict players’ ability to touch common surfaces when retrieving golf balls by installing pins, placing cups upside down or partly above ground, or utilizing a shallow cup.
- All golf center buildings, pro shops, and other buildings and amenities are closed to the public.
- Remove bunker rakes and other on-course furniture like benches, water coolers, and ball washers
- Ensure that the flag stick remains in the golf hole at all times, and instruct players to avoid touching the flag stick or hole.
- Discontinue club and equipment rentals.
- Use of caddies is prohibited.
- Employees, players, and other individuals should wear cloth face coverings in all settings on the golf course where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health, or where the individual is under two years of age
- Require players to always maintain appropriate social distancing by remaining six feet apart from others
As facilities reopen, the MGA continues to act as a resource and will share information and guidance on best practices to help ensure the safety of members and club personnel. Remember to have members post their scores using the MyMGA App.
Our views are limited solely to the New Jersey State Executive Order and the written guidance issued pursuant to that Order, and are issued as a courtesy to our members in an effort to promote consistent interpretations of the various orders and directives relating to golf courses promulgated in connection with the COVID-19 outbreak. Golf facilities should check with other County, municipal and local authorities that may have enacted more stringent requirements regarding the use of their property.
There can be no assurance that our interpretations of such orders and directives are ultimately consistent with the intent of the governmental entities issuing such orders and directives.