Chris Noble, Author at High School Golf

Best tips for a new high school golfer

September 18, 2019
by Chris Noble

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Beginning to play high school golf is an exciting time for any young golfer. For those who are just starting out, it can be difficult to decide what parts of the game are most important to work on. Even before a high school golfer plays their first match, taking some time at the range or even at home to focus on fundamentals and techniques can make all the difference.

Learn how to “feel” putts

For a beginner golfer, putting can be one of the more daunting parts of the game. One of the hardest concepts to put into words is, “how hard do I have to hit this putt?” Think about any other sport like baseball, football or basketball – no one knows just how hard to throw or shoot the ball, but you generate the touch and feel from practice and muscle memory. Golf is the exact same way. When starting out – throw down some balls 10 feet from the hole, and with one hand (your bottom hand when gripping the club) start rolling putts. Don’t focus on making the putts, rather, getting a feel of how hard you need to hit the ball for the correct speed. Once you feel comfortable from that length, move farther away and start again.

Focus on your alignment

For this drill, you will need to lay down either a couple of golf clubs on the ground or swing by your local hardware store and pick up some inexpensive alignment sticks. By using alignment sticks, you will ensure that you are properly aligned to your target which will help you hit more consistent golf shots to your intended target.

Learn to hit a bunker shot

Hitting a bunker shot can seem like an intimidating task for a new golfer. Don’t let it be. A couple of important tips to remember are to choose the right club, take the right set-up, and try your best to hit approximately 2 inches behind the ball. Here are some awesome tips on how to hit any kind of bunker shot.

Have a plan of action for your practice routines

When going out to the driving range or your area to practice, don’t just go out to hit golf balls but have an actual plan. If you are looking to improve your chipping and putting, focus on doing short game drills that day. Similarly, if you are looking to go out to the course, don’t play for score, make some fun games that you can do by yourself or with other members of your team.

The most important thing to remember when starting out as a new golfer is to have fun and practice with a purpose. Lean on other senior members of your team and upperclassman to help you with your game.

September 9, 2019

3 ways to play your best golf in bad…

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High school golf takes place either in the fall or spring season. With that in mind, high school golf matches can be met with less than ideal weather playing conditions. When met with challenging conditions, these tips below will help you brave the elements and play your best golf.

Mind over matter

“It’s too cold to play golf today”. Many times golfer psyche themselves out even before the round starts. Rather than complaining about how cold, or wet or windy the conditions are for a given round – embrace it! Everyone has to play the same golf course with the same conditions. The players that can look past the tough conditions will be most likely to be on the top of the leaderboard at the end of the day.

Dressing for the conditions

Being able to prepare for the round and challenging weather is key. Having proper jackets and outerwear can help repel the rain and wind. Having an extra set of rain gloves, extra dry towels in your bag and an umbrella will be additional ways for you to stay as dry and comfortable as possible. Be sure to not forget to pick up some hot hands which can keep your hands and feet toasty warm throughout the round.

Playing in all types of conditions

Practice makes perfect, and the same can be said when needing to play in all types of weather. One of the keys to remember when playing in poor conditions is that the golf ball will not travel as far as it will during perfect conditions. Your range of motion will be restricted by your clothing and in turn, you won’t swing as hard. Setting your expectations on how far the ball will travel and “clubbing up” will be a key to hitting more greens and solid shots.

Hope some of these above tips will help you shave some strokes off for this upcoming high school golf season. Have any tips or practices that you use to play your best golf in bad conditions? Shoot me an email Chris@highschoolgolf.org

Posted By: Chris Noble

August 20, 2019

How to make a career in the golf industry

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As a Junior in High School, I had no clue what I wanted to go to college for. I loved sports and was a 3-season athlete in upstate NY. I thought I would go to school and become a Physical Education (Gym) teacher. One day my father was reading an article in the Wall Street Journal. He said, “Chris did you know that you could go to college and become a PGA Golf Professional?” I was intrigued, very intrigued.

I investigated the PGM Universities and applied to Coastal Carolina University. I was accepted into the PGM Program but decided to stay home and attend the University at Buffalo! I stayed home and worked at a local private country club, Transit Valley. Under PGA Head Golf Professional Timothy Fries, I had many roles at the club, first as an outside services employee, then as an Assistant Golf Professional and eventually as a Director of Instruction. Tim stressed to me the importance of PGA Membership in our industry and mentored me from the bag room all the way to my 1st Head Professional job.

My Marketing and Human Resources Degree from the University at Buffalo was instrumental in helping me own the golf shop at the facilities I was the Head Professional. After 8 years as a Head Golf Professional, I was presented with an opportunity to work for the PGA of America as a Career Consultant and Recruitment Specialist. I love what I do now and hope to work for the PGA of America for a long time.

That was a long story about my career in the golf industry, but an important one to show there are many paths to PGA Membership. The PGA of America Associates Program is one path the other is attending one of the 18 PGM Universities. There are also opportunities for minorities and diverse candidates through the PGA WORKS platform.

Path to Membership through PGA Associate Program:

To apply for membership with the PGA, you must first complete the PGM Associate Program by meeting the milestones listed below:

Background Check
Qualifying Test
Player Ability Test (PAT) within 8 years of registration

Once these milestones are met, you can work for an eligible employer and register for the PGA PGM 3.0 Associate Program.

For more detailed information visit the PGA’s PGM Associate Program

Path through PGM Schools:

The PGA Golf Management University Program provides extensive classroom courses, internship experience and opportunities for player development in a four-and-one-half to five-year program for aspiring PGA Professionals. Offered at 18 universities nationwide, the University Program allows students to earn a degree in areas such as Marketing, Business Administration, Hospitality Administration, Recreation and Park Management, providing them with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the golf industry.

Program is accredited by the PGA of America
Students earn a bachelor’s degree in a golf industry compatible major
Upon program completion, students can apply for PGA Membership
Graduates currently have a 100% employment placement rate

Each participating university has specific entrance requirements. Contact the university’s dedicated PGA Golf Management University Program Director with questions about specific university curriculum, entrance requirements and financial information.

Opportunities through PGA WORKS

PGA WORKS is designed to diversify the golf industry’s workforce. Funded by PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, PGA WORKS leverages fellowships, scholarships, career exploration events, and the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship to inspire and engage talent from diverse backgrounds to pursue key employment positions across the golf industry.

For more detailed information follow @PGAWORKS

If you have questions about the 2 million jobs in golf or would just like to discuss the 84 billion dollar golf industry feel free to reach out to Chris Kulinski, Career Consultant & Recruitment Specialist ckulinski@pgahq.com

Posted By: Chris Noble

August 13, 2019

Why coach high school golf?

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Every year our team at the National High School Golf Association runs an annual high school golf coaches survey to gather information to help improve high school golf. In our 2019 survey, we asked the question “why do you coach high school golf”? Given this was an open-ended question, we did not know what coaches would say, but our team enjoyed reading the responses so much that we thought it was worthwhile to share a few and celebrate all the high school coaches out there. Golf coaches are inspiring, heartfelt, and truly care. The word “Love” was used by 556 responses. Maybe after you read this you will be inspired to get involved as a high school golf coach or maybe even start a new high school golf team in your community.

Why I coach high school golf……

“I love the sport and what it teaches you about life. I really enjoy watching boys develop into men, and hopefully men that will be positive leaders in our world.”

“I enjoy the game. I am the school’s baseball coach and enjoy the kids involved in the golf program. No one would take the team so I stepped up to help the kids out.”

“I enjoy working with young adults. Since golfers compete mainly against the golf course and not against others per se I enjoy the friendships and sportsmanship that develop among the players from other schools that we compete against. I also love the integrity aspect of playing golf the right way.”

“After being a PGA Professional at facilities for 45 years, I wanted to continue giving back to juniors to be better golfers and better people”

“I get paid to go to the golf course. What could be better than that! I enjoy fostering a love for a game my players can play the rest of their lives.”

Inspired yet? Coach or start a high school golf team in your community

“Golf is an awesome sport because you can use it to teach kids a lot more than just golf (although that’s very important) you can teach them about integrity, honesty, responsibility. After all, this is the only sport I can think of that you call penalties on yourself.”

“Love being around the game and believe that coaching young men and women in golf is a lot like life. I enjoy watching kids improve throughout the years and love watching them hit a tricky shot in a tournament that we’ve practiced.”

“I have coached almost every high school sport since 1974. Golf, being a life skill sport, offers boys & girls an activity they can be involved in late into life…With family, friends and former classmates.”

“To make an impact in a young person’s life.”

“I have a deep love for the game and I strive to give something back to grow the game.”

Want to be a golf coach? Check out our golf coaching job board for opportunities available

Cheers to all the high school golf coaches out there. Thank you! You are a big reason why high school golf is so special and we appreciate your time, service, and dedication.

Posted By: Chris Noble

August 7, 2019

Running a high school golf meeting

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High school golf coaches come from a variety of different backgrounds and experience levels of coaching. One of the most important meetings that a coach will have all year is a pre-season meeting before a practice or match happens. Let’s take a look at some good goals and action items for any coach to have to get the most out of their players.

Understanding the Rules of Golf changes

High school golf coaches noted in our annual coaches survey that the changes to the Rules of Golf are an important topic to their teams. A great resource to utilize would be through the USGA and their curriculum on the rules changes. Do keep in mind that USGA members can receive a free copy of the Rules of Golf for all their team members!

Setting standards on qualifying

High school golf teams can range from a couple of players to more than ten. It is important to set the understanding and expectation of how a player can make the traveling team for a tournament. Is it a form of coach selection, qualifying rounds or maybe a combination of both? The more cut and dry you can make the standards, less confusion will come from it and lead to better team morale.

Goals – personal and team goals for the season

A simple suggestion would be to create a survey for your players – this could be digital such as SurveyMonkey or just a simple handout. Specifically, ask your players what their goals are for the season and what parts of their game that they want to improve the most? This will be helpful throughout the season for you to make the most of your individual time with each player ensuring they are getting the most out of your time.

Team goals need to be understood and a plan put in place – is that winning conference, advancing to regionals or maybe even the state finals? Putting a plan in place for your goals will keep your practices and players organized each day they show up at the course.

Fundraising goals and methods

High school golf coaches continue to communicate to us that lack of funding for their teams is a major issue. We are pleased to provide some simple ideas and suggestions of fundraising ideas that high school golf teams can explore to raise needed funds for travel and tournament expenses.

Code of conduct for team members

Setting standards for your players during the first meeting is essential. Discuss items from the expectation on the dress on trips, to team uniforms and the inclusion of all players on the team. It would be important to discuss consequences for players missing class, not making grades or even skipping practices.

Hopefully, some of these above ideas will help make a great pre-season golf meeting and set the team up for a successful season! Additional questions? Email me at Chris@highschoolgolf.org and I would be happy to provide other ideas and insight.

Posted By: Chris Noble

July 31, 2019

Why you should consider a junior college golf team

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Many high school golfers believe their only choice when competing on a college golf team is going to a four-year college or university. Not true. The NJCAA or National Junior College Athletic Association is made up of two-year colleges that allow a golfer to work toward earning their degree while playing high-level competitive golf.

How many junior colleges are there?

Currently, throughout the U.S., there are 171 men’s and 66 women’s junior colleges that offer varsity golf teams. Since the average team sizes of junior colleges are seven players on the men’s side and five players on the women’s side – there is a great chance of competing immediately on a team rather than having to ride the bench your first semester or year.

How competitive are the schools?

Just because you are attending a two year school does not mean that the programs will be any less competitive than a four-year school. The top 10 men’s junior college programs have a stroke average of 73.03 and the top women’s junior college programs have a stroke average of 80.70 – some solid playing to say the least.

Can I transfer into a four-year school?

Yes, many players look at competing at a junior college as a stepping stone to get competitive college golf under their belt, general classes out of the way and springboard into a four-year program for their last two years. Typically, coaches at Ju Co’s will help you transfer by writing letters of recommendation or speaking with coaches on your play on their team as well.

Are scholarships available in junior colleges?

Athletic and academic scholarships are available for those who attend a junior college. A total of eight scholarships are available to be awarded to a junior college golf team for both a boys or girls team. An average athletic (golf) scholarship for a junior college is approximately $2,000 per year. However, each scholarship offer is different and when visiting with a coach on a campus visit, you can understand all the details of the offer.

If you are looking for an opportunity to play competitive college golf, compete right away and complete classes toward your eventual degree, a junior college could be a great option. For additional information, be sure to visit the NJCAA site to learn more.

Posted By: Chris Noble

July 29, 2019

Top Women’s College Golf Programs by Division

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Playing college golf is a goal for any young junior girl golfer, and opportunities are plentiful! There are currently 961 women’s varsity golf teams throughout the U.S. and of those, 267 are NCAA Division I, 194 NCAA DII, 228 NCAA DIII, 164 NAIA & 66 NJCAA. Let’s take a look at some of the top programs in each division level.

NCAA Division I: University of Texas, University of Southern California, and Duke University are currently ranked as the best collegiate women’s NCAA Division 1 golf programs in the entire country. Other top programs rounding out the top 10 include the University of Arizona, Stanford University and University of Florida. Do keep in mind these are the strongest golf programs in the entire country, so knowing how to contact coaches is crucial.

NCAA Division II: Warm climate schools are readily present near the top of the rankings for NCAA DII. Barry University, Dallas Baptist University, Nova Southeastern, Cal State San Marcos and Florida Tech round out the top five ranked programs. Smaller class sizes and better opportunities to compete on the team right away make the Division II level attractive to many. A student-athlete is still able to receive an academic and athletic scholarship at the DII level.

NCAA Division III: NCAA DIII programs are very academic-focused schools with higher admission standards than many Division I or II programs. Top-ranked teams at the DIII level include Williams College, New York University, Claremont Mudd Scripps, Methodist University and Carleton College. NCAA DIII programs cannot offer an athletic or golf scholarship, but they are still able to offer academic or merit-based scholarships. All of these programs do a fantastic job recruiting great student-athletes, and attending will give you a first-class education and a chance at a championship every year.

NAIA: The NAIA stands for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Programs at the NAIA level are typically on the smaller side (less than 5,000 students) and are of religious background. Top programs at the NAIA level: British Columbia, Keiser University, SCAD-Savanah, Dalton State and the University of the Cumberlands. Competing at the NAIA level gives you the ability to receive both an athletic and academic scholarship while not sacrificing a lesser competitive competition level that you’d find in the NCAA.

NJCAA: The National Junior College Athletic Association are colleges which are two-year programs and can act as great stepping stones for those looking to transfer into a four-year school. Florida, Texas, California, and Arizona are plentiful with NJCAA colleges and have some of the top programs throughout the country.

NCCGA: The National Collegiate Club Golf Association has teams at over 350 schools nationwide with varying levels of skill. Club golfers shoot anywhere from 65-105, but there are a few teams that could easily play as a DII or even DI team if they chose to do so. Grand Canyon University and the University of Georgia have consistently been the best club golf teams over the past handful of years. They have each won at least one National Championship and have a handful of players that regularly shoot under par.

Keep in mind that there are over 1,300 varsity college golf programs throughout the country, not to mention the additional 400 NCCGA club golf programs as well. Be sure to do your homework on a school and program before reaching out to a college coach. Have additional questions on college golf? Contact NHSGA manager Chris Noble: chris@highschoolgolf.org

Posted By: Chris Noble

July 25, 2019

Division III Golf Programs – What You Need to…

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There are over 1,300 varsity college golf programs throughout the United States. Within all those schools, there are 448 colleges at the NCAA Division III level. The NCAA DIII level is the largest within all of the NCAA. For those golfers who are looking to receive a quality education while maintaining a high level of competitive golf, an NCAA Division III school could be a great option.

Academic & merit-based scholarships

Where an NCAA Division III program cannot offer athletic or golf scholarships, they are able to offer academic or merit-based scholarships. In fact, 75% of Division III student-athletes receive some form of merit or need-based financial aid. The higher your GPA and test scores, the more academic scholarship money you will typically receive.

Not only will Division III programs offer scholarship money for what you do in the classroom, but involvement in extra-curricular or within your community can also result in scholarship dollars as well. Leadership roles, volunteering and being active with various clubs and activities could help boost a scholarship package at a DIII program.

Competitive Golf

A common misconception about the NCAA Division III is that the level of competition is not as high as NCAA Division I or II. According to Golfstat, the scoring average of the top 25 teams in Division III varies from 72.2-76.5 – comparable to the top 25 teams in Division II varying from 71.12-73.83.

Any golfer at the NCAA DIII level is still able to compete for a national championship and represent their school at the highest level.

Specialized majors and programs

If you are a student that is looking to specialize in an uncommon or very narrowed field of study, DIII schools could be a great option for you. Unlike Division I or II programs where coaches will typically shy their golfers away from looking at specialized majors which ultimately take time away from practice and the team, DIII coaches encourage students to focus on their specialized path and intended major.

Springboard opportunity

Similar to college golfers involved with collegiate club golf, DIII programs can offer an aspiring golfer the opportunity to get competitive play under their belt and potentially transfer to a higher division level. Playing on a DIII team or program for a year or two can give you an opportunity to showcase your game at the college level and accrue college credit.

Hopefully, this article gives you a better idea about what NCAA DIII golf programs are all about. Have further questions on NCAA Division III golf? Feel free to email NHSGA Manager Chris Noble Chris@highschoolgolf.org

Posted By: Chris Noble

April 30, 2019

Best High School Golf Championship Courses

qualifying procedures for high school golf

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High school golf state championships are the pinnacle for any high school golfer across the country. State tournaments showcase some of the most talented junior golfers in the state and allow an opportunity to compete for their school and on championship caliber courses. Check out some of the best venues from across the country that play host to a state championship.

Poppy Hills Golf Course – Pebble Beach, California

Pebble Beach is synonymous with great golf courses, and where Poppy Hills may take a back seat Pebble Beach Golf Links, this Robert Trent Jones Jr. design is a must play. Designed in 1986, this course was one of the courses used in the rotation for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from 1991-2009. In 2014 it was rated “Best Renovation” by all four of golf’s major publications.

Pinehurst No. 8 – Pinehurst, North Carolina

A classic Tom Fazio design that opened in 1996 – has hosted the PGA Club Pro championship twice in its history. Many who play the course compare it to No. 2 with its rolling terrain and demanding greens and approach shots.

Mission Inn Resort, El Campeon – Howey-In-The-Hills, FL

The El Campeon course at Mission Inn Resort just celebrated it’s 100 year anniversary in 2017. This is not your typical Florida golf course. With elevation changes of more than 85 feet and undulating fairways and sloping greens, this course will prove a test to the most accomplished player. Consistently ranked in the top 10 golf courses in Florida rankings for Golf Advisor and played host to the PGA Tour of Canada qualifying this spring.

Waikoloa Resort – Kings Course, HI

Designed by Tom Weiskopf and described as a Scottish links-style layout that meets numerous lakes and lava outlays of the Hawaiian Islands. Weiskopf designed this course with all player’s in mind to provide a welcoming and inviting experience to the inexperienced golfer to a fair test for the scratch golfer.

University Ridge Golf Course, WI

Home course to the University of Wisconsin Men’s and Women’s golf teams and designed by the famous architect, Robert Trent Jones Jr. Ranked #4 in the state of Wisconsin by Golf Advisor in 2018 and the course has hosted numerous Big 10 championships, the Wisconsin state open and a PGA Champions Tour event the past three years!

For a full list of state championship venues for the high school golf season, be sure to check out the state pages on the NHSGA site to follow along with all of the action!

Posted By: Chris Noble

April 11, 2019

Verbal Commitments – What are they & what do…

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High school golfers from across the country have goals of competing at the college level. There are over 222,000 high school golfers in the U.S. and approximately 7% go onto play at the varsity level in college. The term, “verbally committed” is tossed around a lot, but what exactly does it mean?

Timing

Technically speaking, you can verbally commit to a college or university at any time providing the coach has made you an offer. Verbal commitments are in place to allow an athlete to commit to a school before they are able to sign a National Letter of Intent or (NLI). A National Letter of Intent is a legally binding contract binding you to an academic institution for at least 1 year.

It’s best to look at all of your options and discuss the choice with your family before verbally committing to a school. When a coach extends an offer, it’s best to thank them and ask for a timeline that you need to follow to provide them a decision.

Non-Binding

Verbal agreements are non-binding verbal contracts. What this means is that you the athlete or the coach can cancel the verbal agreement at any time. Is this common? No. However, situations such as coaching changes can present a unique situation where the new coach is under no obligation to carry out the previous coach’s verbal commits.

Keep in mind that you should only verbally commit to a school if you are 100% certain that is the school for you. Ensure you understand the offer and have any outstanding questions answered before the verbal commitment.

National Letter of Intenet

The National Letter of Intenet program or (NLI) is a binding agreement between a student-athlete and academic institution (college) for one academic year. A student-athlete cannot sign a NLI until their senior year, thus the reasoning of having verbal commitments prior to this time.

The only time where you can “officially” commit to a college or university is after you sign your NLI and scholarship offer.

How to Verbally Commit

There are basically three ways that you can verbally commit to a college:

On a phone call with a college coach
During a campus visit
Through written form in a note or letter

You do not need to use special words or anything specific to accept a coach’s verbal offer – simply saying “yes” is acceptable. Many times during phone calls or a campus visit, coaches will extend the verbal offer to you. Don’t feel pressured to make a decision right then, but following up in a note or email with writing that you accept is a good idea.

Hopefully, some of these tips will help you navigate the world of college commitments and making the best decision for your college years!

Posted By: Chris Noble