Golf Central launches Text Tap Swing so golfers can satisfy cravings during lockdown

A Brisbane driving range has launched an innovative new system to ensure golfers can tee up and satisfy their cravings during the coronavirus lockdown.

SANITISED balls and seniors’ spacing is keeping golf afloat at a Brisbane driving range where you can text ahead for a 30-minute sanity break in tough times.

Operator James Cooper has started a “Text. Tap. Swing” system at Golf Central, near Brisbane Airport, where golfers can still satisfy their craving with contactless practice.

Golf is one of the few sports still operating with strict hygiene measures to keep a shrinking number of swingers as safe as possible from the coronavirus scourge.

Golf Central’s Olivia Fox is helping golfers satisfy their cravings during coronavirus lockdowns. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Golf clubs across Queensland are still making individual choices with Royal Queensland open but nearby Nudgee, just 8km from Golf Central, yesterday (Thursday) advising they are closed until further notice.

“Each of our driving bays is eight square metres which meets advised social distancing standards and we have ample room in the fresh air,” Cooper said.

“We are trying to go beyond cautious to provide a safe environment which means a special section and time (7-10am) for more senior golfers with an empty bay either side.

“Balls are cleaned anyway but are now sprayed with sanitiser while the same regular cleaning is done to all equipment, bays and the facilities in general.”

Staff members like Olivia Fox, 18, deliver balls to each bay in a sanitised bucket for a cashless eftpos transaction.

“We’ve had golfers ring up and say, “Thank goodness, you’ve saved my sanity and my marriage’,” Cooper said.

“We are taking advice and watching updates closely from authorities in a time of massive challenges for the whole community.”

The board of Nudgee Golf Club yesterday told members the course would stay closed until the government advised that the health risk to players and staff has been reduced.

“We all love golf, but right now, we need to love our families more. We need to look after our older golfers, and we need to keep the pressure on our hospitals down,” a board statement said.

Tiny Maleny Golf Club, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, is open with strict measures in place, said manager-professional Wayne Perske.

“I’ve put markings on the floor in the pro shop to keep spacing between the four people allowed in at any one time and cut-down pool noodles are filling our holes on course,” Perske said.