4. Don’t Touch the Flag (or raised holes) This song, that became a global hit when it was chosen as the anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is a reminder to not touch that flagstick – just enjoy watching it wave in the wind. Some clubs have already removed the flags to prevent the temptation to touch them and replaced them with cool new inventions such as the Pin Caddy – developed by three players in my hometown (Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario) – that attaches to the flagstick. Players then use their club to slide the Pin Caddy up the flagstick to retrieve their ball, so they can still get that feeling and joy of hearing their ball fall into the cup. Golf By David McPherson Baby, you can drive my car/Yes, I’m gonna be a star/Baby, you can drive my car/And maybe I’ll love you. The Beatles, “Drive My Car” (1965 When I get older/ I will be stronger/ they’ll call me freedom just like a wavin’ flag. K’Naan, “Wavin’ Flag” (2008) I drink alone, yeah/With nobody else/I drink alone, yeah/With nobody else/You know when I drink alone/I prefer to be by myself. George Thorogood &The Destroyers, “I Drink Alone” (1985) Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother/You’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive/Feel the city breakin’ and everybody shakin’/And we’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive/Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive/Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive. The Bee Gees, “Stayin’ Alive” (1977) 3. One golfer per cart The new policy is one golfer per cart. Sorry, but if you are taking a cart, you cannot let your “baby,” let alone anyone else in your group drive. Better yet, if you can, as I’ve advocated before in this space, walk or take a pull cart – even for nine holes. You will feel so much better getting the extra exercise. 5. The 19th Hole is Temporarily Closed Sorry, but if you feel the need to keep that golf tradition of retiring to the 19th hole (i.e. clubhouse bar) for a beverage to share some post-round stories, you’ll have to do it by your lonesome. Tying into this post-round cocktail tradition is this: don’t linger. Once you have finished your round and bumped elbows with your playing partners, don’t stay at the course. It’s time to “go your own way.” Think: “Go Your OwnWay” − the classic from Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 Rumours. “Go your own way/You can call it another lonely day/ You can go your own way/Go your own way.” Once your round is over, like a guest at a party, don’t overstay your welcome. Don’t ‘tailgate’ in the parking lot as I’ve heard some people do; don’t even linger around chatting with your playing partners. I know, it’s especially hard if you play with a Chatty Cathy or Charlie, but for your health – and everyone else’s, once your round is done, go home. 6. Stay Healthy; live to play another round Not to leave you with a morbid thought, but remember this classic Grammy-winning 1977 disco hit by The Bee Gees? The reality is this: before a vaccine is developed and this pandemic is behind us, we have to do everything we can to prevent someone we know from getting sick from the virus. Do the right thing. Don’t get complacent. Make some new traditions. If you are going to golf, follow these protocols and rules so that you can keep on dancing like nobody is watching and sharing a round with your friends. CSANews | SUMMER 2020 | 53
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