the troller Loc: Downers Grove, il.

Why is fishing OK, but golfing isn’t, in Pa. during the pandemic?

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Health Department secretary Dr. Rachel Levine have said that staying home is the best way to help slow the spread of the virus.

They’ve even gone as far as putting a stay at home order in place across the state, which advises citizens to only travel for life-sustaining reasons or to work at a life-sustaining business.

Both have also routinely reminded people that exercising outside by taking a walk or run, or going hiking, is fine as long as social distancing guidelines are practiced.

The list of outdoor activities increased by one on Tuesday, when the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat commission made a surprise decision to open trout season two weeks early.

Anglers were relieved, and local fishing holes quickly filled up with excited participants, although some photos indicate that some, and perhaps many, were ignoring the idea of staying six feet away from others.

Asked Wednesday about the decision to give citizens another reason to leave their homes beside a trip to the grocery store or a pharmacy, Wolf supported the commission’s plan and said he believes it will help residents get through these trying times.

“One of the concerns I think I have, I think we all need to have, is for the mental well being of Pennsylvanians as we go through this,” Wolf said.

More: When and why did Pa. Fish and Boat Commission decide to unexpectedly open trout fishing season 2 weeks early?

“Staying at home is the best possible thing. Staying away from other people is what we need to do to keep this virus from spreading, and going out in the middle of a stream and trout fishing by yourself is something that I think could actually be good for your mental health and actually not contribute one bit the spread of this virus.”

It’s a fair point, but leads to a different question: If fishing is OK, why can’t golf courses open back up for solo rounds? After all, some have suggested ways to open courses that would include things like no carts, online check-in, only two people per group, flag-in putting, and more.

“The idea [with trout season] was that, that’s something that people can do individually, unlike golf, where you actually have to go and pick up your cards, and maybe actually congregate with other people,” Wolf said.

[Fishing] is something you can do like hiking, you can be outside and do on your own."

Almost all of Pennsylvania’s golf courses have been closed since mid-March when Wolf ordered non-life sustaining businesses to close. It appears that will continue into the future, as well, as that order extends indefinitely.

GaryH Loc: Northern Pa.

Here's a idea. Would have been nice since the roads are less traveled during this crisis, it would have been a great time to do road repairs instead of traffic jams in the summer rush.
As we all know here in Pa. we have two seasons. Winter and Construction season.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Same situation in the Badger State. No golf and nobody filling potholes.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

I have learned. Dont try to take away what someone else has just because you don't have what you want. They enjoy golfing as much as we enjoy fishing. If we could fish and they could not golf. You would be upset if they tried to stop our fishing. Just Saying.

bucky buckner Loc: murrells inlet SC

cant eat those little white balls

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Very true, but it is a great distraction.
My problem is when I am golfing and playing poorly, I kick myself for not going fishing. When I am fishing and the fish are not cooperating, I wish I was golfing...
Currently, we can’t golf due to the virus, but we can fish (if you don’t mind 38 degrees and windy).
First World problems, I know...just sayin’

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

I don't let a bad golf or fish day ruing my beer drinking. LOL

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Words to live by 😜

kpt Loc: texas

Here in the Houston Texas area golf courses are still open. You can only have one person per cart and you cant remove the flags on the green. Also the cups are raised about two inches above green level so you don't have to reach into the hole to pull your ball out. Once the ball hits the raised cup, the putt is good. You also have to practice social distancing or they will ask you to leave the course. Not the normal way we play, but hey its better than being stuck inside all day !

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Those ideas were proposed, along with no rakes in the bunkers to reduce the risk of contact. Unfortunately shot down by our idiot Governor. But, don’t worry, we still went through with Tuesday’s election. Apparently only 19,000 people showed at the polls, so only another 19,500 or so at risk counting the poll workers. At least we can serve as a bad example for the rest of the country.

Pennysue33 Loc: North Bend, OR

I was thinking the other day that road work, steam cleaning of road barriers, bridges, etc would be a great way to keep the state and construction workers employed during this crisis. From the Southern Oregon coast and the beaches, jetties, dunes, lakes, state and national park lands closed.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

"Golf, a good walk...spoiled by a game."....Mark Twain. LOL !

The disparaging regulations being put forth from each state and in ours, each county, are kinda hard to keep up with, much less understand some of the logic. For a short (thank goodness) few days after the schools were closed, some parents and groups were trying to figure out how to "use the empty classrooms for day care "......SAY WHAT ??? How insane.
I like the road repair thought, we have need, for sure.
A thought I had regarding an employee shortage problem in the crop harvest in the southeast (berries and such) becoming dire because of no migrant workers being available. Why not solve the prison's inability to maintain "social distancing", by offering the farmers prisoner help, only low-level crimes and close-to-release-types, on a volunteer basis. A win-win situation, and the migrant housing is just sitting empty now anyway......and considering the red tape involved, might be insurmountable logistics, in a timely manner(Mother Nature won't wait for the proper paperwork !)... maybe day-trip "chain gangs" ?.....my 2¢.

PS....I gotta agree.....fishing: necessary....golf: not necessary...no food value unless you bring home the divots for "garnish"..lol.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

FF
I can’t argue that golf is not essential, but it is one of my selfish pursuits. I love to fish, but the weather sucks for it currently.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

What am I missing ? "weather sucks for fishing," but not golfing ? Seems like it would be vice-versa. We go fishing in Oregon, regardless of weather, don't know much about "bad weather golfing", but I do know a buddy of mine who has bright orange or green balls for playing on a snowy course, when allowed. He was not amused when I asked if he also wore snowshoes, instead spikes and did he wipe his clubs with WD-40, or just depend on a good wax job ? Hehehe....

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

I could get my Wife to go golfing as we would be moving and staying warm. Not much chance I could get her in a boat when it is in the 40s and windy.