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We’re self-quarantined over here. I didn’t even know what that meant until about a month ago. And social distancing – well, that was never even in my vocabulary until now. I’m an extrovert; so, this has been, well… different. Thanks, COVID-19.

However, after finding clarity considering the circumstances, I’ve come to realize this is a time to slow down and realign my focus to what’s most important: family, friends, community, health. For the purpose of this article, I’m going to focus on health.

Gov. Jared Polis ordered gyms to be closed effective March 16, 2020. In addition, all gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited. This eliminates all team sports. However, as golf is an individual sport (with a maximum of four people playing together), several golf courses have remained open.

Foothills Park & Recreation District announced on their website that they are taking precautionary measures for routine disinfecting of golf carts and frequently touched surfaces. Additionally, Raccoon Creek Golf Course confirmed that the restaurant is open for to-go service and they have, “upgraded safety measures to protect [their] customers and staff from the Coronavirus.”

Just like any outdoor activity, golfing is a healthy way to release endorphins and uplift your mood. The Coronavirus outbreak has caused fear for many, and now is a better time than ever to check-in on our physical AND mental health. In a day and age where technology is so prevalent in our society, getting outdoors and exercising is a key factor toward our well-being.

Now, before you go booking your tee-time, I would urge you to stay on the side of caution. We are being asked as a nation to do our part in slowing the virus spread, especially to those who are high-risk. If you are showing any signs of sickness, stay at home. I would also encourage you to only share a cart with someone else in your household.

Here are some other ways you can prepare for the golf season while quarantined at home:

Cardio Workouts

I suggest building endurance before your first golf round of the new season. Keeping pace of play is very important, and without doing cardio beforehand, you can easily get winded.

• Peloton – Has live or recorded workouts in various categories, including – cycling, running, cardio and walking. I use their app for my indoor cycle bike.
  
• Beachbody – At-home workouts, both with or without equipment. You can purchase a DVD set like P90X or Insanity Max 30. You can also use their Beachbody On Demand for livestreamed workouts.
  
• Neighborhood Walks – I suggest a brisk-paced walk to get that heart rate up.

Stretching

I always stretch in the morning before I play my round of golf. Stretching at home is just as important. This will help you with your range of motion, and ultimately, longer shots. World Long Drive Champion Joe Miller talks about the importance of range of motion and how it can increase club speed.

This is a topic I cannot stress enough. A great book on this subject is Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect. In his book, Dr. Bob Rotella writes, “The time to worry about [mechanics] is the practice tee and only the practice tee;” and, “A golfer must train his swing and then trust it.”

Meditation is a great way to work on mental game. Here a couple of great apps:

• Headspace (App Store, Google Play) – This is a great app for improving areas such as: focus, physical health, stress and anxiety, productivity, etc.

• Calm (App Store, Google Play) – There are a range of celebrity readers on Calm for different meditation purposes. For example, Matthew McConaughey will read a children’s story, or LeBron James will help you get into “A Champion’s Mindset.”

I hope you’re able to make it out to the golf course soon. And if not, please take this time to take care of yourself and others. Check in on your loved ones and friends. Work on your physical and mental health. If you’re in need of encouragement, please reach out. We’re all in this together!

– Tiffany