Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1314457
In many ways, golf is the perfect leisure activity for these unprecedented times. Social distancing is a breeze, and the fresh air, sun- shine and companionship is a needed tonic for many who are otherwise sheltered in place. All of the local courses have embraced little changes to make the experience even safer : flagsticks stay in the hole at all times, so they don't need to be touched; only one rider per car t is allowed; bunker rakes, ball-washers and benches have been removed. At Pebble Beach, caddies can't touch their players' equipment. Taken as a whole, the golf experience offers a peace-of-mind that is other- wise nearly impossible to find once you venture out of your home. The game's benefits have never been more apparent, and its surge in pop- ularity has parallels to another unlikely boom time, during World War II. Days after Pearl Harbor, John Kelly, the newly created golf deputy within the Office of Civilian Defense, sent a let- ter to state and national golf associations laying out the benefits of golf which still rings true today: "This is the time when golf really must score for the physical and mental conditioning of American citizens under wartime pressure. Golf 's strong attraction as a sport in which our citizens exercise regularly in the open air quali- fies the game for national service of a vital char- acter. Therefore we are urging the golf clubs and organizations of America to exert themselves to meet the requirements of individual and collec- tive physical fitness." Now, we are battling an "invisible enemy" to use the favorite phrasing of certain politicians, and golf 's popularity has reached historic pro- portions. The National Golf Foundation reports that in August 2020, rounds played in the United States were up 20.6%, the largest year-over-year increase since the numbers began being tabulat- ed a quarter-century ago. Then September smashed the record by increasing 26% YOY, representing about 12 mil- lion more rounds. The equipment industry has seen a corresponding spike. According to Golf Datatech, an independent market research firm, July sales of golf gear eclipsed $388 million, the highest monthly total since the company started tracking data in 1997. The cash registers have continued to ring as the third quarter sales totaled more than $1 billion. "Some of the regular weekdays have felt like a Black Friday," says Derek Westover, the assis- tant manager at Golf Mart in Seaside, a house of 112 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 1 Photo: isogood / Alamy Stock Photo As the pandemic has stretched on, local golf courses have seen an evolution of the clientele. The 18th hole at Bayonet Golf Course. Due to the social distancing requirements to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a desire for exercise and fresh air, golf has boomed in popularity over other activities.