As golf courses throughout the country get back to business, it’s important owners and operators have the tools they need to create and maintain a safe and healthy place for workers and customers. It goes without saying that NGCOA encourages all golf course owners and operators to follow local, state and federal laws; below you will find materials, guidance and other information related to getting your golf business back on track after COVID-19 closures.

Back2Golf: An Allied Golf Organization Initiative

As part of an industry-wide collaboration to lead the responsible return of golf in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the game’s allied organizations have established “Back2Golf,” a plan outlining operational guidelines for golf’s 16,000-plus facilities that adhere to nationally established protocols and best practices.

• PRESS RELEASE: Golf Industry Collaborates to Develop Responsible ‘Back2Golf’ Guidelines and Operational Playbook (May 5, 2020)
• Back2Golf: Guidelines for Opening Up Golf (May 15, 2020)
  • UPDATED! Back2Golf Operations Playbook Version 5.0 (November 20, 2020)
    • Notable additions in this version:
      • Guidelines for Youth Caddie Operations developed by the Western Golf Association were added
      • Minimal course setup in Phase 2 now permits flagsticks to be removed and bunker rakes returned, so long as they can be sanitized after each use
      • Two individuals from a different household are permitted to share a golf cart in Phase 2, so long as they each have a proper cloth facial covering
      • Cash payments are now permitted to be accepted in Phase 2
  • Poster: Social Distancing Guidelines in 4 variations to print and display at your facility to help inform your members and guests along with staff. These can be displayed in the golf shop, locker room, first tee, clubhouse, golf car sign or wherever appropriate at your facility. We hope these will be helpful to you as we work together to get consumers back on the golf course in a responsible and healthy way. Remember to always follow your state, county and local health authorities for updates to your local mandates:
    • 8.5" x 11" Vertical
    • 8.5" x 11" Horizontal
    • 8.5" x 14" Vertical
    • 8.5" x 14" Horizontal
• Back2Golf Website
• Back2Golf Public Service Announcement (below)

• CDC Coronavirus Guidelines (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Opening Up America Again Federal guidelines (The White House and CDC)
• Golf’s health benefits (WE ARE GOLF)
• Golf & Health Project (Golf & Health)

Other Resources and Materials

Small Business Resources

Workplace and Labor

• COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (OSHA, July 2020)
• How golf course operators can manage rumor vs fact when dealing with mask/face-covering policies (Monday, July 3, 2020)
• Reopening the Economy in the Midst of COVID-19: What Happens If an Employee Refuses to Return to Work? (Foley & Lardner, April 27, 2020)
• Return to Workplace Guide (Arthur J. Gallagher and Co., May 2020)
• Reopening Business: Digital Resources Center (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Health and Safety

• COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (OSHA, July 2020)
• Considerations for Wearing Cloth Face Coverings (CDC, June 28, 2020)
• NGCOA Webinar: The Way Forward Re-envisioning Operations after Coronavirus, Whitney Reid Pennell, Co-Founder and President, RCS Hospitality Group
• NGCOA’s Park & Play Program
• Yamaha Golf Car's Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidelines for Yamaha Vehicles
• Coronavirus and Illness Prevention Resources (entegra Procurement Services)
• Recover and Reopen: Reopening Guidance for your Operation (entegra Procurement Services)

Food & Beverage Operations

• Restaurants and Bars During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• COVID-19 Restaurant Reopening Data: States with Plans to Reopen Restaurants (Berman and Company)
• Food & Beverage Information and Resources (National Restaurant Association)
• Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (U.S. Food & Drug Administration)
• Coronavirus and Illness Prevention Resources (entegra Procurement Services)
• Recover and Reopen: Reopening Guidance for your Operation (entegra Procurement Services)
• Recover and Reopen 2.0: Food and Beverage Guide (entegra Procurement Services)

Marketing

• Preparing Your Marketing Plans for the Coronavirus Downturn (The Drum, March 18, 2020)
• How to Communicate with Empathy During the Coronavirus Crisis (Klaviyo, April 21, 2020)
• Email Marketing Do's and Dont's During COVID-19 (Associations Now, March 25, 2020)

CMAA Resources

• Considerations for Re-opening a Club Post COVID-19
• Considerations for Reopening a Clubhouse

GCSAA Resources

• Back2Golf: Guidelines for Opening Up the Golf Course During COVID-19
• Sample Temperature Screening Log (spreadsheet for download)
• Returning Employee Potential Exposure Questionnaire (spreadsheet for download)
• Possible Employee Infection Actions Flowchart
• Maintaining a Healthy Work Environment Checklist (spreadsheet for download)
• Acknowledgement of Preventative Measures (spreadsheet for download)

USGA Resources

• Resources For Facilities 
• Resources For Golfers
• Resources For Administrators

PGA of America Resources

• Coronavirus Resources