It makes sense the British people use the term “crazy golf” to describe what Americans have come to call miniature golf. On a traditional 18-hole golf course, it would be weird if you encountered wacky putting obstructions like a model-sized roller coaster or candy-colored castles.
But for many outdoor suburban mini golf courses that have reopened amid the global coronavirus pandemic, the expression “crazy golf” can be related to the times we’re living in.
This year has been crazy different. Mini golf courses had to take a lot of different precautions when it comes to the safety of the players. All employees should wear masks, and the customers are required to wear masks as they enter the indoor parts of facilities.
Some courses aren’t as strict about masks while guests are playing outdoors. But they may limit the number of people per golf party. And players are also advised to observe proper social distancing with six feet being the suggested space to be separated from each other.
Outdoor mini golf is fun for the whole family and is one of the activities that is safer to do during COVID-19 than most others. Households can stick together and stay a safe distance from other groups, golf clubs can be sanitized.
Tips For Operating Your Mini Golf Business
Cashless Payment
Use a payment app, your guests can pay for new rounds of golf without exchanging cash or handing you a credit card. They can simply use the app to add more rounds and keep the fun going!
Eliminate Paper Scorecards and Pencils
With the need for everything to be disinfected between players, using scorecards and pencils is no longer realistic. Cleaning every little pencil would be so time-consuming, and throwing them away is wasteful. Bring your mini-golf course into the future with a digital scorecard that is right in the app!
Guests Can Share Their Scorecard
Within the app, guests have the ability to share their scorecard (along with your business name and location) with their Facebook friends. This is a fun feature for them and a great way to get a little free advertising for your business!
Reduce Revenue Loss
Have you ever discovered that a group of mini golfers has decided to play an extra round without paying? Using a payment app discourages guests from stealing extra rounds and keeps their information tied to their customer transactions.
Phased Reopening Of Putt-Putt or Mini Golf Courses
Phases 1 and 2:
- Putters and balls must be disinfected after each use.
- Group play is limited to five participants per group. Groups should be staggered so that social distancing and facility occupancy limits are maintained.
- Regularly sanitize frequently touched surfaces including employee only used equipment.
- Install signage to discourage group congregation and to limit numbers of people in a certain area of the facility. Golfers will be reminded to be especially mindful of social distancing in the parking lot, and around tees.
- Ask players to leave the facility after playing to eliminate congestion and gathering on the property or in the parking lot.
- Provide hand-sanitizing stations throughout the facility, so that players have easy access to hand sanitizer during play.
- Ensure restrooms are frequently cleaned and appropriately sanitized throughout the day.
- Food and beverage service subject to current regional guidance restrictions. Pro shops and retail are subject to current regional retail guidance restrictions.
Phase 1
- Outdoors normal golf groups are permitted, although strict social distancing from members in other households is still required.
- Indoor facilities are allowed. Facial coverings are required at all times. Individuals may use the facilities for no longer than 45 minutes at a time. All facilities must calculate allowable customer occupancy by dividing the room size or available floor space by 500 square feet per person.
Phase 2
- Indoor facilities are allowed. Occupancy of the facility may not exceed 25 percent of the fire code occupancy rating.
Phase 3
- Indoor facilities are allowed. Occupancy of the facility may not exceed 50 percent of the fire code occupancy rating.
- Facial coverings may be removed during play if golfers maintain 6 feet of distance from other golfers and facility employees. Facial coverings must be worn indoors.
- Provide hand-sanitizing stations throughout the facility, so that players have easy access to hand sanitizer during play.
- Restaurants and retail must follow required guidelines for food service and retail for Phase 3.
Safety and Health Requirements all phases
Stay home when sick or if a close contact of someone with COVID-19. Staff and participants should be required to stay home if they feel unwell, show any signs of COVID-19, or are in close contact with a confirmed case.
Screening should consider symptoms listed by the CDC. Any person with symptoms of COVID-19 or who is a close contact of someone with confirmed COVID-19 should not be allowed to participate and should contact his or her primary care provider or other appropriate healthcare professional.
Masks
Masks are required indoors for staff and participants at all times.
Physical Distance
A minimum of 6 feet of physical distance must be maintained between staff and clients at all times where possible. This distance should be increased when clients are engaged in high-intensity aerobic activities. A minimum of six feet of distance must be maintained among participants when not engaged in fitness and training activities.
Hygiene
Staff and participants to practice good hygiene including washing their hands frequently and covering their sneezes and coughs. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after practice, especially after touching shared objects or blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains 60-95% alcohol content. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they are dry.
Provide handwashing or hand sanitizing stations at training and contest locations.
Limit the use of locker rooms and showers. If locker rooms for changing are necessary, maximize ventilation and use tape, spots, or cones to signal 6 feet of distance for participants who need to change. If locker rooms are used cleaning protocols must be included in the facility safety plan. Limit occupancy of the locker rooms to avoid crowding.
Cleaning
Clean high touch surfaces and disinfect shared equipment before and after each use. Ensure restrooms are cleaned and disinfected regularly. Current CDC guidance for cleaning and disinfection for COVID-19 states that disinfectants should be registered by the EPA for use against the COVID-19.
Find the current list here: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Disinfectants based on hydrogen peroxide or alcohol are safer than harsher chemicals.
https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/about-list-n-disinfectants-coronavirus-covid-19-0
Ventilation
Ventilation is important to have good indoor air quality. Ensure that ventilation systems operate properly. Increase air circulation and ventilation as much as possible by opening windows and doors.
Offer more outside time, open windows often, and adjust mechanical ventilation systems to bring in as much outside air as possible. Increase filters to MERV 13 if the HVAC can accommodate. The use of fans for cooling is acceptable. In indoor spaces, fans should only be used when windows or doors are open to the outdoors in order to circulate indoor and outdoor air. They should blow away from people.
Outdoors locations are preferred to indoor locations and should be utilized to the greatest extent possible to allow for maximum fresh air circulation and social distancing. Outdoor temporary structures may be used. Outdoor structures, in order to be considered outdoors, should have no more than two walls to provide appropriate ventilation unless they meet this ventilation requirement.
Structures can have three walls if another opening exists that is large enough to create cross ventilation.
Records and Contact Tracing
Keep contact information for staff and participants to assist with contact tracing in the event of possible exposure. Contact information must be kept on file for 28 days after each class or use of the facilities.
Employees
Employers must specifically ensure operations follow all the CDC and OSHA COVID-19 requirements to protect workers.
These guidelines may change based on the state you operate your business in. Please check your local county and city guidelines too.