The Marion Golf Club, Rochester Golf Club and Reservation Golf Club in Mattapoisett will open their fairways for the season after Governor Baker announced on May 7 that, effective immediately, all golf courses can open with social distancing measures in place. 

“We’re relieved to get going again,” said Will Daly, director of operations at Marion Golf Club. Massachusetts was the last state to lift its covid-related restrictions on golf courses.

All three clubs have jumped to it: Marion Golf Club and Reservation Golf Club are open today for play and Rochester Golf Club’s opening day will be on Friday May 8 at 7 a.m.

Although open, courses are not essential and there can be no groups larger than four, tee times must be separated by 15 minutes and golfers must wait in their cars beforehand. Clubhouses, locker rooms, pro shops and restaurants on-premises are closed.

To reduce contact, caddies and golf carts are not allowed, bunker rakes must be taken away, flagsticks cannot be removed from holes, all golfers must bring their own clubs, and payment must be made remotely or online.

For staff, courses cannot have employees working on-premise except for essential services such as groundskeeping or security to enforce social distancing guidelines, and staff must wear masks.

Since opening, Daly said that the club has been bombarded with calls for tee times and are very busy.