"Removing Gomurae, Adding Pipes in the Hall"... 'COVID-19' Response Measures

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-joon] "Rakes banned in bunkers."

The Korea Golf Association (KGA) recently announced that "the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), which governs the global golf rules, has provided several guidelines in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)." First, rakes may not be provided or their use may be prohibited at tournament venues. This is to minimize direct and indirect physical contact. Players can smooth the bunker sand flat using their golf clubs or feet instead of rakes.

Players record their own scores on the scorecard and replace the marker's signature with verbal or physical confirmation. This means strict adherence to Rule 3.3b of the golf rules, 'Method of Determining the Score in Stroke Play,' is not required. The pin must always remain in the hole. Since the R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA) significantly revised the golf rules last year to allow 'putting with the flagstick,' there is expected to be no confusion regarding this matter.

It is interesting that Pinehurst Golf Club in the United States added a small PVC pipe to the hole. Golf rules specify that when using a cylinder to make a hole, the depth must be 4 inches. By inserting a 2-inch pipe inside the hole, it allows players to remove the ball gently without touching the pin or the hole with their hands. Domestic golf courses are also taking thorough measures, such as requiring all staff to wear masks and disinfecting frequently touched areas like golf carts before and after rounds.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.