'It Felt Great': Golfers Happy To Be Back On The Green As Courses Reopen Under New Stay-At-Home Order

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CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Golf tee times are few and far between in the Chicago area this weekend as Governor Pritzker lifted the ban on playing golf during his stay-at-home order and golfers gobbled them up.

With the lifting of the golf ban are restrictions designed to keep everyone safe from COVID-19.

At Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park, there are signs that remind golfers to remain six-feet from each other, not to touch the flagstick on the greens, and that while the restroom is open, the clubhouse where golfers usually would share drinks after a round, is not.

"Oh my gosh, we’re so excited and we’re so happy that the Governor set us up for success in a completely safe environment. I think he made a really good decision and we’re happy that we can have golf back," said Silver Lake General Manager Amy Coghill.

"I have golfed in the yard. In front of the house, behind the house, and the neighbor’s getting a little sick of it so, I think it’s time I come out," he said.

"No, I’m not a walker. They almost couldn’t get me out here, because we had to walk, but figured golf is golf. Better than sitting at home, right?" Kennedy said.

John Uremovic said he had played golf in Indiana this season and does not usually walk courses. Still, he was ambitious and planned to walk 36 holes.

"I'm ready," he said.

Among other rules laid out by the state:
  • Tee times must be booked online, not in person
  • Only twosomes, not foursomes are allowed to play together.
  • Tee times will be every 15 minutes. Some courses normally space them 7-10 minutes apart.
  • Practice ranges and chipping greens are not allowed to be open for practicing beforehand and golfers are to show up to a course no earlier than 15 minutes before their scheduled tee times.
  • Golfers are not allowed to ride in carts unless they have physical limitations.  They're to walk courses and carry their clubs or use a pull cart if it's their own. Courses are not allowed to rent out pull carts.
  • Flagsticks must not be touched or removed from holes and the bottom of the cup is to be elevated to make it easier to remove a ball without touching the flagstick.
  • Golfers should use their own balls and tees.
  • There is to be no congregating on the course or "tailgating" in the parking lot before or after a round.
  • Rakes are to be removed from bunkers. Golfers are to smooth the sand with their clubs.
  • Golfers are to bring their own hand sanitizer with them.