A Letter To Members On Responsible Recreation

On Wednesday, May 6, 2020, PDGA Board of Directors President Justin Menickelli issued the following message to PDGA members:

We appreciate PDGA members, and disc golfers everywhere, who took our “Skip the Course. Stay Home” message to heart. We know that you miss playing, but your unselfish actions contributed to slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus. We’ve also been inspired by your creativity. We have enjoyed seeing the wellspring of backyard courses, virtual putting competitions, and other unique disc golf competitions that have kept us entertained on social media throughout the pandemic. Our community, while one that generally thrives on being together in person, has also flourished while being apart.

As we all know, disc golf is a fantastic recreational activity that provides many health benefits, and its outdoor environment is conducive to physical distancing. With that in mind, and with certain localities easing their coronavirus-related restrictions, the PDGA is issuing new guidance for returning to the course for casual play.

Sanctioned play is still suspended through May 31, 2020. The following guidance is intended to promote responsible individual and small-group recreational play:

• Follow the guidance of your local health authorities. 
  
  • If you’re under a stay-at-home or shelter-in-place order, please stick with it.
  • Some parks/courses may still be closed even if recreation is permitted in your area. Please respect those boundaries and be a role model for disc golfers everywhere.
• If you’re not feeling well, stay home. And if you belong to a group that is considered more vulnerable to the virus, please consider additional precautions.
• Stick to solo rounds as much as possible. Please keep your group size to four or less.
• Maintain physical distancing of six feet or more at all times.
• Be sure to touch only your own equipment.
• Skip the high-fives and fist bumps in favor of other contactless celebrations.
• Consider picking up “gimme” putts to minimize your contact with shared surfaces.
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently and avoid touching your face.

Please play responsibly, limit group size, follow the guidance of your local officials, and be prepared to adapt once again if conditions change.  In the meantime, be safe, throw well, and enjoy your time outdoors.

Sincerely,

Justin Menickelli, Ph.D.
President, PDGA Board of Directors