Golf courses in Connecticut and Rhode Island are allowed to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic, with extra precautions in place. But that's not the case in Massachusetts.
More space between groups, sanitizing carts and modifying actual holes so golfers don't have to touch the flagstick or cup are some of the steps taken in the neighboring states.
Jesse Menachim is the executive director of the Massachusetts Golf Association. He said he believes those steps can work at courses in his state.
"There's ways we can adopt those best practices in an efficient manner, and communicate with courses and facilities and operators and golfers themselves," Menachim said. "But it's really a matter of: When is that appropriate time?"
Menachim said they are trying to be patient in lobbying state leaders, given an expected surge in COVID-19 cases, but he hopes most of the golf season can be salvaged.
Massachusetts courses have been allowed to continue maintenance under the state's essential business rules.
