Things to Do During a Shutdown: Golf

If you feel like you have the stamina, you can walk the course on the only lighted course in the Coachella Valley.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY THE LIGHTS AT INDIO

As we approach a long holiday weekend still in the midst of a pandemic lockdown, there are still opportunities to do more than check Netflix or Amazon Prime. Remember when your parents told you to go outside and play? It’s good advice right now.

With that in mind, we’ve put together a series of things-to-do that are geared for the outdoors, one of the appealing factors of living or visiting here.

Golf: Ride Solo in a Cart, or Walk the Course

Golf courses have not been required to close during the current lockdown because of the precautions in place and the ability to social distance. But while every Coachella Valley public course has adopted new procedures to make things safer for players and staff, there is one big difference in those procedures that you should know.

I’m referring to courses that allow players to ride in a cart by themselves if they so desire, and courses that don’t allow solo riding. Consequently, if, like me, you are usually signing-up to play as a single but are uncomfortable at the prospect of spending four-plus hours seated beside a stranger as you ride from shot-to-shot, you’ll want to know the course’s policy beforehand. Check golf course websites beforehand or call and ask.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY THE CLUB AT TERRA LAGO
Terra Lago’s North course, showing (to the left as you face it) the short par-4 14th hole and (in the center of the picture) the island green of the par-3 15th hole.