Pennsylvania House To Consider Bill To Reopen Golf Courses

HARRISBURG, PA - Golf courses statewide would be permitted to reopen observing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines under a bill about to be introduced in the state House by Rep. Bill Kortz.

The Allegheny County Democrat contends that because golf course don't involve close physical contact, they are one of the few businesses that could operate safely under current social distancing measures.

Under the proposed legislation:

• Clubhouses at each course would remain closed.
• A no contact payment method would be required.
• Golf carts would be sanitized after each use, with special attention paid to the steering wheel and other touch points.
• Only one golfer per cart would be allowed.
• All employees and golfers would be required to wear masks.
• Flag at the hole would not be removed or touched at any time.

"My bill also would also follow the guidelines established by the United States Golf Association, which recommends a hole liner be used to prevent a golf ball from falling into the cup," Kortz said in a release. "Once the ball is near the hole, the hole would be finished and players would move on to the next hole, preventing the flag or pin at the hole from being touched.”