DISC GOLF TAKES PLACE OUTDOORS, AND ALL OF MY LOCAL AUTHORITIES RECOMMEND RUNNING, BIKING, AND HIKING AS A WAY TO STAY ACTIVE. WHY IS THE PDGA ASKING ME TO SKIP THE COURSE AND STAY HOME?
It’s about “flattening the curve,” a means to slow the spread of the coronavirus so that our healthcare facilities can handle the influx of cases without becoming overwhelmed. Many local authorities have advised that staying home and avoiding unnecessary trips to the store, beaches, or other public venues is the best way to help this happen. While disc golf is outdoors and akin to hiking or running, it does often require travel to a course. Additionally, we have seen many reports of disc golfers congregating in groups, which goes against CDC and WHO recommendations.
Many local authorities have begun to close parks and restrict non-essential gatherings of any size as they attempt to slow the spread. In some cases, baskets are being pulled. The PDGA strongly supports a unified approach to overcoming this global health crisis, and we’re asking disc golfers to join this effort.
We know this is difficult, as many people use disc golf as an effective outlet during stressful times. However, we also want to do our part as a global organization and encourage members to be as safe as possible to help slow the spread. If everyone is out at the course, then we are not doing our part as a disc golf community to answer the call. That’s why we are asking that you skip the course and stay home — for now. This is only temporary, and much like everything with this crisis we will be constantly evaluating this guidance and will be ready (and willing!) to alter it when it is safer to do so.