Golf Course 101

Thank you for returning to Golf Course 101! A new way to learn about golf and life.

There aren’t just rules in golf, there’s etiquette too.  I’ll start with driving range etiquette since that’s where our ladies golf group will begin.

The driving range is divided into sections or “slots” may be a good word here.  In other words, each golfer needs adequate space to practice while on the range.  Normally, when you bring your golf bag to the range you would set your bag down behind your “slot” about 8-10 feet so that you have plenty of room to swing the club without anything or anyone getting in the way. 

After purchasing range balls from the pro shop, you would set your golf balls down in your slot.  It is easiest if the golf balls rest in front of you.  So if you’re right handed they would be on the right side of your slot and if you’re left handed they would be on the left side of your slot.  You don’t have to pour the entire bucket of balls out in your slot either.  You can just start with about a dozen or so, especially if you don’t have a lot of room to begin with.

It is important to be conscious of your surroundings when on the driving range.  You never want to walk behind someone when they’re swinging – golf clubs hurt…really.  You also never want to walk in front of anyone who is hitting a golf ball or swinging a golf club.  This sounds simple but you would be amazed at the people who walk out onto the driving range to grab a tee or pick up just one more golf ball to hit.  This is extremely dangerous!  The golf ball travels the fastest out of any ball in another sport – you don’t want to get in front of it!  Even if you’re on the other end of the range as someone, you still don’t want to walk in front of them – a lot of golfers have errant shots sometime and you don’t want to come between that golf ball and where it lands. 

One more thing, being quiet is important on the course but not as critical on the range.  The range is a place to practice first and foremost.  It’s good to discuss swing technique etc. on the range and be able to work on things but at the same time be respectful of others who are trying to concentrate. 

So here is a recap of the basics: 

1)       Make sure you have plenty of room between you and the people next to you (your swing can be bigger than you think and clubs can be longer than you think).

2)      Be conscious of your surroundings.  Just because you know the etiquette doesn’t mean other people do – be aware of what’s around you or swinging around you.

3)      An inside voice is good for the course, but not necessary for the range (though, it’s not a rock concert either J). 

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Gotta love the polos!

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This putter changed my life! I love the technology behind Yes! Putters and wouldn’t go back to a regular putter if it killed me. I have the original Tracy and love love love it!

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Let’s talk attire.  For the purposes of our driving range adventures, shorts and a t-shirt will be fine.  Typically, when you go to a golf course there are rules of what ladies and men can wear.  For instance, ladies must wear slacks, skorts, shorts (no denim or workout shorts) and a collared shirt.  Sleeveless collared shirts are fine as well.  You want to make sure that you have something with pockets at the beginning – you’ll be carrying a few loose items around like golf tees, ball markers, a glove, and golf balls. 

Men should wear similar attire.  Slacks or shorts (no cargo shorts, denim or workout shorts) and a collared shirt with sleeves. 

As far as shoes go, tennis shoes will be fine for the driving range at the beginning but you may want to look into getting a pair of golf shoes once your endeavor becomes more serious.  Personally, I like Bite golf shoes and Adidas golf shoes.  They don’t stretch too much once you begin wearing them and they are extremely comfortable – just like tennis shoes!  Keep in mind, no flip flops or sandals on the course or driving range.

A hat is another good idea when you’re on the course – it’s always important to protect yourself from the sun.  And of course – don’t forget your sunscreen!

I’ve started a thisnext.com profile (http://www.thisnext.com/by/golfcourse101/) where I’ll recommend items for women and men on the course and you can purchase them directly from the site (which I have done in my previous blog)!  If you know that you want to grab a few new items for the course but don’t want to spend a ton of cash, you can find a lot of these items at discount stores like TJ Maxx (they have great Polo shirts for cheaper). 

Keep looking for my other recommendations for golf course attire! 

P.S. Once our ladies golf group gets going on a 9 hole course, the collared shirt and no denim rules will apply.  Happy swinging!

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Love these shirts! Keep you super cool during the hot summers!

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For my beginning lady golfers – what to know before we hit the links (ah, hem…driving range)

Golf Clubs:

The rule is that you can only carry 14 clubs in your golf bag (for the purposes of practicing on the driving range, feel free to bring as many as you want).  Clubs are what you use to hit the golf ball with.  Clubs range in length and lie angle.  The lie angle is the angle at which the club lays on the ground.  This variance allows you to choose a specific club to go a specific distance.  For instance, you wouldn’t want to hit a pitching wedge for a 200 yard shot because it is physically impossible (even for Tiger Woods) to hit a pitching wedge that far.  Instead, you would choose perhaps a driver, the longest club in your bag, and therefore able to be hit the furthest. 

Keep in mind, everything in golf is backward.  The higher the number of club, the shorter distance it goes.  Here’s a chart to help explain:

Scoring:

The same rule of thumb holds true in scoring:  the higher the score, the worse you’re doing.  The object of golf is to get the lowest score possible.  A full golf course has 18 holes.  There are three different types of holes:  Par 5, Par 4, and Par 3.  The mixture of these types of holes equals the golf course’s par.  Most of the time a golf course’s par = 72.  Par is the ideal number of strokes (number of times you hit the golf ball) that it takes you to get the ball from the tee(where you begin each hole) to in the hole.  For example, if you’re on a Par 4 hole and it takes you 6 tries to get the ball in the hole, then you are 2 over par.  If you are on a Par 4 and it takes you 3 tries to get the ball in the hole, then you are 1 under par. 

There are also types of scores you can make on each hole:

Double eagle = 3 under par

Eagle = 2 under par

Birdie = 1 under par

Par = even par

Bogey = 1 over par

Double Bogey = 2 over par

Triple Bogey = 3 over par

Etc.

So, when you add up your scores from all of the holes you’re either going to be over par (72 or more), under par (72 or less) or even par (72). 

More on the basics in my next blog!!

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Just to explain…some of the ladies have asked me what’s a green?  Or, what’s a putter?  So – needless to say we will be taking it slow and getting everyone to a point where they feel comfortable going to the range on their own or with their friends.  I used to teach private lessons at a club here in town while I was an assistant pro but this going to be a whole new challenge and I’m really excited about it.

I’ll keep you posted!  Oh! And you can follow me on twitter too!  My name there is golfcourse101. 

P.S. I’m not sure how many of you out there have a crazy kitty – but mine’s getting crazier by the minute.  I’m packing up my apartment to move into a house (SO EXCITED) and Tom Sawyer thinks it’s a fun new game to come and peek inside every box possible…which already has a lid on it.  Here’s a pic of him as a baby – he’s the gray one – the other two are his sisters. J

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Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve written. I got caught up with graduate school work! Research papers stink!  Anywho, I wanted to write about some NCAA rules when it comes to recruiting. 

There are many rules when it comes to recruiting in college golf.  The rules also differ from division to division.  There are 4 divisons in college golf:  Div. I, Div. II, Div. III, and NAIA.  Here is a link to NCAA’s site to help you navigate some of the rules of college golf recruiting:  http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=271.  As you can see, you can click on the different divisions to help you understand the rules in the each division. 

I took the liberty of asking the St. Mary’s University compliance officer some questions about college recruiting so I could help clarify for all you bloggers out there.  J

Q:  Are coaches allowed to talk to players before July 1^st after their junior year of high school?

A:  Yes

Q:  What type of communication is allowed?

A:  At that point they are allowed to contact them once a week via all normal forms of contact except texting.

Q:  And does this differ across the other divisions (i.e. Div. I, II, III, NAIA)?

A:  These rules only apply to NCAA Div. II schools. Refer to the manual on NCAA’s website for more information on the other divisions’ rules. 

Q:  And does it differ between men and women?

A:  There is no difference based on sex.

Q:  What do you need to do first to get started with the recruiting process?

A:  Everyone needs to now register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly known as the Clearing House) & there is a direct link:  https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/

Q:  After July 1^st of their junior year of high school, can players make initial contact with coaches as much as they want to?

A:  Yes,  but they are also allowed to contact anytime before that – the content of the calls just have to be careful. After July 1^st of their junior year of high school, the content of the calls can be more candid (i.e. about scholarship money). 

Q:  How often are players allowed to take official visits?

A:  You are allowed up to 5 official visits to any Div. 1 or Div. 2 schools. Div. 3 visits do not count towards your limit anymore. And you are entitled to unlimited unofficial visits. Lots of times with golfers (since it’s tough to do a tryout) its smarter to just do unofficial’s if the player is uncertain. And you aren’t allowed any tryout except at the Div. 2 level.  Coaches can go and watch all they want but in Div. I, and III you can’t come on campus or the school’s course to workout/tryout.

Q:  And does this have to happen after a certain date during their high school years?

A:  Same thing applies – after July 1^st  of their junior year they are allowed to be on official visits.

Q:  Is there anything you would like to tell potential college golfers and their parents?

A:  Honestly – the most important things every athlete needs to know is registering with the Eligibility Center, taking their entrance exams, and making sure they have the core curriculum from their high school courses in order to be eligible. It’s amazing how many school counselors don’t have a clue about all that!

Hope this helps with some of your college recruiting questions.  If you have any other questions for our compliance officer, don’t hesitate to ask! 

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