Coaching & Administration Archives

4 Rules of Golf every high school golfer needs…

August 31, 2021August 31, 2021
by Matt Weinberger

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As someone who has played, coached, and run high school tournaments, I can easily tell which coaches and teams emphasize teaching their players the Rules of Golf.

When we think about instructing high school players about the rules, the biggest thing I preach is approaching it as support them and not treating it like a quiz or scolding them for not knowing what to do (this is especially true for rules officials that treat high school events like the PGA TOUR). I have found the best way to learn the rules is by teaching the basics and then playing golf and helping players get around the course implementing the proper rules. From there, it’s all repetition. Once the players have a good understanding of the rules and begin understanding the advanced nature, that is where they can use the rules to help benefit their score.

Let’s review the 4 Rules of Golf every high school golfer (and coach) needs to know

Areas of the Course – Before you start diving into specifics, it’s important to know the 5 Areas as rules often apply based on which area he or she is in – Teeing, Bunkers, Putting Green, Penalty, and General Areas.
Taking Relief from Free Relief vs. Penalty – A helpful thing to remember when starting out is when getting free relief let’s say from Ground Under Repair, it’s typically a 1-club relief area. If you are penalized and is taking relief, it’s generally a 2-club relief area.
Cart Path Relief – Cart path relief is one of the most common relief practices that I see performed incorrectly (even by coaches). It’s also one of the most often needed rules since it happens to many golfers at least once a round. Learn how to take Cart Path Relief.
Play Two Balls – If you are not sure what rule should apply or don’t have a rules book simply announce to your partners you are playing two balls so you can ask a PGA Professional or rules official later on. Always remember to identify which ball is your preferred ball of the two you are playing.

The USGA also does a great job expanding on these on their “15 Rules Every Golfer Should Know.” If you have questions about the Rules of Golf shoot me an email and I would be happy to help (mweinberger@pgahq.com)

August 3, 2021

How to order golf bags for your high school…

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We receive questions frequently from high school coaches seeking guidance for how to order custom high school team golf bags. Here are 3 easy steps to keep in mind as you prepare for your next order.

1. Plan ahead – Customizing golf bags can take longer than you think. Whether your team competes in the spring or fall, planning ahead of other coaches will save headaches of backorders or slow lead times. Many coaches wait until 2-3 weeks before the season to start the process when it can take multiple months.

2. Working with the right person – Developing a relationship with the person you are ordering with is essential so you can communicate throughout the ordering process. Work with your local Titleist authorized PGA/LPGA Professional so you can learn about the high school team program pricing which will greatly help your team fit expenses within your budget. Find your local authorized PGA Professional by completing the form on the Team Bag Program page.

3. Order with new players in mind – One of the most common mistakes I hear from coaches is forgetting to order for incoming freshmen or not ordering for unexpected new players. If you are ordering bags with the logo and the player names embroidered, I suggest ordering a few extra bags with just logos (no names) so you can get them embroidered locally.

Titleist and FootJoy are the Presenting Partners of the NHSGA. You can learn more about the Team Bag Program and check out other equipment and apparel deals available for your team by completing the form. Feel free to email NHSGA Manager Chris Noble at Chris@highschoogolf.org

Posted By: Matt Weinberger

February 10, 2021

Golf fitness for any high school golfer

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The NHSGA recently sat down with PGA Professional and fitness guru Justin Nogay of Peak Golf Fitness in Maryland to learn about simple fitness tips any high school golfer or team can work on.

Fitness has shown to be a vital part of any competitive golfers’ training. But with so much time spent on the course and practicing, there is typically little to no time spent working on fitness. Recently we have seen a lot more exposure to the importance of physical activity and golf. No longer is this an added bonus, but more of a necessity for golfers who want to compete at a high level. With gym time typically limited in the season, here are some great tips and drills you can start doing.

Warm-Up

Warming up is arguably the most underrated area in terms of performance and injury prevention. At my facility we have a saying; we warm up to swing, not swing to warm up. Most golfers will typically start their “warmup” by taking some slow swings and hitting wedges. Instead, do a proper dynamic warm-up to appropriately prepare for the activity about to be performed. The research is clear, warming up properly helps with performance. Remember, the warmup should be dynamic and athletic, not static! Here are two great warm-up routines you can start doing before taking any swings.

Full Warm-Up

Quick Warm-Up Routine

Too little is better than too much

When finally starting to begin exercising and maintain a consistent regiment, always start on the lighter side in terms of length. If we begin trying to do hour-long workouts immediately, sometimes that can get too time consuming or overwhelming. When this happens, we typically see the plan fall apart. Instead, start with what you think is too little and master that first. Find yourself wanting to do more, and then you may begin adding exercises to the routine.

Justin can be reached at Peak Golf Fitness or at justin@peakgolffitness.com and wants to help answer any questions to better your team’s fitness.

Posted By: Chris Noble

September 28, 2020

Going above & beyond the call for this Maryland…

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Lindsey Lipinski will not accept mediocre when it comes to her golf team. Coach Lipinski took over the high school golf program at Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, Maryland in 2017 and additionally, coaches softball at the high school since 2016. Participation levels in the golf program at Springbrook HS are historically low due to the fact that many of the kids in the area are not brought up playing the game resulting from a lack of access and resources. Coach Lipinski does not accept this at face value and vowed to make a change in the golf program when she took over.

Starting a high school golf team is difficult enough, however, Coach Lipinski is determined to ensure that any young boy or girl that wants to compete on the golf team is able to do so. Where some coaches may simply accept the fact that the team does not have enough players to field a team score, Coach Lipinski goes out to the student body and actively recruits students by holding meetings and practice sessions to introduce golf to the school population. Coach Lipinski creates a fun and inclusive atmosphere toward the game, inviting players of all skill levels to join the golf team.

Anyone who looks to reach the younger generation nowadays knows that social media is one of the best tools to use. Coach Lipinski took it upon herself to create a twitter page and social media presence to celebrate her players and their accomplishments. Where other school districts have the volunteers and resources to shuttle players to matches and tournaments, Springbrook HS isn’t as fortunate. Coach Lipinski takes it upon herself to make room in her personal car for her players and shuttle them to and from practice and matches.

One of the most difficult questions that we get from schools is how to find access to golf equipment for students who cannot afford to buy golf clubs. Coach Lipinski has teamed up with a Maryland based company, Leveling the Playing Field, that accepts donations of used sports equipment and reappropriates the equipment to local sports organizations in need. Coach Lipinski sets up appointments and visits the distribution center multiple times in order to get clubs and bags for all of the kids on her team to have the equipment to excel on the course.

High school golf is typically the four best years of any young athlete’s life, and Coach Lipinski is determined to ensure that all her players, no matter their background, have the tools they need to excel on and off the course. If you would like to contact Coach Lipinski, she can be reached via email at Lindsey_E_Ruhle@mcpsmd.org or on Twitter at: @CoachLipinski

Posted By: Chris Noble

September 16, 2020

An opportunity for female high school golfers to give…

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When I was growing up, there weren’t a lot of opportunities for female junior golfers in my area. My golf journey began after my parents heard about First Tee of Miami offering free clinics for girls. As I went through the ages and stages of the program, I was granted the opportunity to give back at the place that helped me fall in love with the game. Some of my favorite moments were getting to mentor the younger female golfers in our program. I got to take everything that I had learned and help them in their own journeys – and learn more about myself from them along the way. Golfers love to give back, and I thought it was important to share my story to inspire female high school golfers to do the same.

When I was in high school, our course officially started an LPGA*USGA Girls Golf site. We had just a handful of girls at the start; today, LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Miami now has over 200 girls falling in love with the game. A few years after I graduated, Girls Golf introduced the eLeader program. Established in 2016, the eLeader program is a national volunteer and mentorship opportunity for LPGA*USGA Girls Golf advocates, ages 13 – 18, who are looking for ways to give back to help their local program. I wish the program was around when I was younger! The eLeaders at this site (and those around the country) have helped to put on so many incredible events such as “Bring A Friend Day,” carnival and mermaid themed Girls Golf Camps, an LPGA Founders photoshoot, camping trips at Disney World, and more.

In my career now at the LPGA, I get to see the difference that these leaders make every day. As a Girls Golf eLeader, in addition to making a difference in your community, you’ll build professional and leadership skills that will help you prepare for life beyond high school. Enrolling as an eLeader is the perfect way to earn volunteer service hours and gain experience in teaching, marketing, event/tournament management, communication,
technology, and more. Not to mention, your service as a Girls Golf eLeader makes a great addition to your resume and college application. You will meet great people who could even be mentors for you! Becoming an eLeader is easy and it will be an unforgettable experience. Get started today by visiting https://www.girlsgolf.org/get-involved/eleader

Posted By: Leia Schwartz

August 25, 2020

High School Golf Pace of Play Best Practices during…

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COVID-19 has impacted all of our lives and also has affected golf courses in many different ways – both positive and negative. Since the initial shutdown, courses have followed Back2Golf guidelines and gone through the re-opening phases.

During the initial re-opening of golf courses, I played courses that took strategic approaches to ensure all guidelines were followed. During the process, I found almost all courses were able to create a great pace of play and I believe some of these practices will help going forward as new phases are entered, even as courses enter the final phase. Knowing high school golf can struggle with the pace of play, I’ve outlined the below pace of play best practices during COVID-19 for high school golf administrators:

Intervals – Some courses had as many as 15 minutes between tee times (as opposed to a typical 9 or 10 minutes). One of the first things I noticed was how well we were distanced and how much that helped with pace well under 4 hours (even walking). As courses have lessened gaps to 12 or back to 10 minutes I think it is valuable for courses to reevaluate the pace of play vs. revenue per day based on the number of tee times weighing it against the experience of the golfers if they can play faster. For high school golf matches, encouraging longer intervals and gaps between groups can be a big help for a better pace of play during the round.

Putting with the flag in – I know this can be a hot topic for some Saturday regulars, but there is no doubt that keeping the flagstick in speeds up play. Many groups have make this the norm ever since quarantine started even though the USGA new Rules of Golf allowed for it as of 2019. I think we will see many high school golf matches plays with the pin in for the fall season. This simple rules adjustment will not only help limit the spread of germs, it will help speed up the game for years to come.

Walking & Shuttles – When courses only opened for walkers, I found I was able to maintain an even better pace of play compared to riding in carts. Of course walking is dependent on the course layout, but choosing to walk is something I will continue to do after being forced to do so during quarantine. As it relates to high school golf, some courses are “walkable” versus other golf course are not meant for walking. Ensuring you have coaches or parents for shuttles during the long walks between holes on those “unwalkable” courses is a must if you want to maintain a good pace of play during a high school golf tournament.

We all play a part in ensuring pace of play best practices are followed even as courses open up and enter new phases. If you have other stories of how you have improved your pace of play during Covid share it with us on Social Media (NHSGA Twitter). If you need help or have additional questions regarding the rules of golf, pace of play, or advice for the upcoming fall high school golf season, please send me an email at Matt@highschoolgolf.org.

Posted By: Matt Weinberger

August 18, 2020

Celebrating the top high school golf coaches of 2020

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At the core of high school golf and the NHSGA are high school golf coaches who dedicate their lives to making high school golf great. Throughout the month of July, the NHSGA reached out to high school Athletic Directors all around the country and asked these ADs to nominate some of the best high school golf coaches and tell their stories. There was no politics, win total, or state championship performance needed as criteria as a nomination, rather a simple criteria stating “Is your high school golf coach great and goes above and beyond the call of duty, lets us know.” Below highlights and celebrates some of the top high school golf coaches of 2020.

Coach Le – California – The Harker School

In a sport known primarily as an individual sport such as golf, Coach Ie has promoted the concept of team since she was first hired eleven years ago. She believes in it, supports it, lives it even when some kids and families came into the program trying to fight it, Coach sticks to her guns and hasn’t backed down from keeping the kids committed and supporting each other as a team. The results speak for themselves in the boys program: Six straight WBAL titles (2014-2019), NorCal Championship 2017, 6th place state finish in 2016, 5th place state finish 2017. Coach Ie prepares golfers for the team concept many will see in college of which she’s helped place many at the next level.

She also coaches our girls squad and has coached them to a 2nd place CCS finish in 2018, their strongest finish ever, in addition to a 4th place finish in 2017. In 2018 she coached them to their 1st league title since 2006. I’ve witnessed Coach Ie work with quiet, shy golfers and turn them into confident, respectful young people by getting them out of their shells and supporting each other just like any other team sport. Coach runs the programs as a college coach would, creating a competitive environment daily throughout their practices. That has translated into some success in the girls and boys programs. Coach Ie was also named the California Coaches Association NorCal Boys Golf coach of the year in 2016

Coach Jastremsky – Pennsylvania – MMI Preparatory

MMI Preparatory is a small independent school on the outskirts of a tiny former coal mining town of Freeland in the heart of Northeast Pennsylvania. Needless to say Athletics play an important part to it’s student population of 215.

One of the hidden gems of athletics at MMI is the Golf program headed by Coach Ryan Jastremsky. Competing against schools in our conference 3 and sometimes 4 times our size, Ryan has been able to carve out success for our MMI golfers that rival those of the bigger schools we routinely compete against.

Over the past few seasons through Ryan’s endeavors, our school has seen golfers consistently qualify for district play. 2 Years ago one of our female golfers had the opportunity to qualify for the PIAA State Tournament.

It’s through Ryan’s efforts that makes this possible. He’s able to juggle a full time job and coach having small children at home as well. Cheers to Ryan and all the hard work he puts in on a day to day basis to make golf possible in this small town!

Coach Lipinski – Maryland – Springbrook High School

Lindsey Lipinski goes above and beyond the normal expectations of a coach on a regular basis. Golf at our school has low participation because kids are not able to grow up learning the game. Before she took over, our team would frequently not be able to field the required number of players in order to have their scores count in matches. Lindsey doesn’t accept this, and wants the team’s scores to count, so she actively recruits students to fill out the roster by holding meeting and practice sessions to introduce the sport to our school population. She always gets kids to join the team who have never played golf before, and she is able to instruct them from the very beginning while also really pushing the one or two students on the team who have more extensive experience.

Golf equipment is expensive and very few Springbrook golfers ever come with their own equipment. Our school has a partnership with a local organization, Leveling the Playing Field, that accepts donations of used sports equipment and gives to to local sports organizations in need. Lindsey has set up appointments and visited the distribution center multiple times in order to get clubs and bags For all of the kids on her team to have equipment to play with.

She works hard to create a very tight-knit team, promoting them on Twitter and through the school announcements. In our district of 25 high schools, most teams have parent volunteers who drive the athletes to practices and matches. Our school doesn’t have as many parents with the flexibility to drive at that time of day, so Lindsey piles up to 4 kids in her small car, along with their golf bags, to transport them to and from the courses.

For all of these reasons, Lindsey Lipinski deserves to be recognized as a giving, caring coach who goes above and beyond for her athletes.

Share in the coaches success as we celebrate them on instagram

Coach Higley – Wisconsin – Eleva-Strum

Coach Higley goes above and beyond for the students at Eleva-Strum. Although coach has a full time job working for a telecommunications company, he started coaching during the spring of 2013 and has never looked back. His initial motivation to coach was for his son for two years and nephews coaching for 4 years, but it became a passion and motivation to help kids. Over the years, the number of golfers has done gone, but no matter the size of the school or number of kids he coaches kids to really love the sport.

Although it’s not always about winning, some coaching highlights include: Qualified for state in 2015, 2016, 2017 (team runner up) – Matthew Higley (his nephew) – Father and son – Kent Higley won the state 1989 and 1990. In 2013, his first year coaching they got 3rd in section and had an individual Jake Rogness win the state title.

Coach Malin – Connecticut – East Catholic High School

Our long time boys golf coach, and former AD here for 43 years, Tom Malin deserves National recognition. Our boys golf program leads the state with 13 state championships and won again in 2019…sadly no 2020 season here so we could not get number 14. Coach Malin has been a huge component of East Catholic as a longtime coach, alum of the 1^st class, teacher, and athletic administrator. You can’t mention one without the other really! He has been a wonderful mentor to the current AD Jon Dahlquist who is in just his 2^nd year here. Coach Malin was awarded the National HS Golf Coach of the Year award in 2006 & 2015 from a different group, but the recognition and praise for someone who is 43 years on the job can never get old!

Coach Carley – Washington – Seattle Academy

As a Seattle Academy student Freddy Carley – class of 2004 set the school record for the lowest 9-hole round in school history. Freddy returned to SAAS in 2014 and a year later took over both the boys and girls varsity golf programs and the records and success have continued.

In six years, Freddy has led the boys’ golf team to two league championships (2015, 2019), one bi-district championship (2015) and the team has qualified for the State Tournament all six years, finishing 2^nd at State in 2018 and then winning the State Title in 2019. The boys were poised to defend their State title this spring, before the pandemic hit and cancelled the season.

Freddy has also led the girls to two league titles (2015 & 2016), with the girls qualifying for the State Tournament four straight years (2013-16), finishing second in 2014.

There are thousands of great high school golf coaches all around the country. If you know about a great coach or great story you wish to share, please email Kris Hart at Kris@highschoolgolf.org so we can make sure to celebrate your story.

Posted By: Kris Hart |

July 27, 2020

How to find the best golf instructor for golf…

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If you are a high school student or parent who is seeking golf lessons to help improve your game, get prepared to play college golf, or even someone who is learning the game, there is a golf instructor for everyone. Every golfer is at a different stage in their golf journey, but the learning and improvement provided by a coach never stops. It’s important to note that not all golf instructors are equal and this article will highlight some best practices and advice on how to find the best golf instructor for golf lessons.

Where to find an instructor for golf lessons?

There are many places to find information on golf teachers, but the easiest and most meaningful place to find information is through the PGA Golf Professional finder. This tool will allow you to search by zip code and find a list of different golf instructors for golf lessons in your local area.

How to determine if a golf instructor is good for you?

Unfortunately, there is not a great website that exists which lists out review from customers who have taken golf lessons from instructors. If there was a good ranking system like a yelp for golf professionals, this would be easy! One important distinction you should look out for is if a golf instructor is PGA or LPGA certified. These letters are very important as it shows that the golf professional has gone through formal training and is certified by the PGA or LPGA to be a golf professional. I would suggest only taking golf lessons from certified instructors and ask the person at your local golf course if they are PGA or LPGA certified.

What if I want to find the best instructor golf golf lessons?

If you are someone seeking elite instruction and the price tag is not concerning, I would use Golf Digest “Best Teachers by State” rankings to find the best golf professionals in your state. Depending on how far you are willing to drive and how much you are willing to pay will determine your interest in these teachers. Beyond Golf Digest, the local PGA section has awards each year that showcase the best teachers and golf professionals in your local market. Here is where to find award-winning coaches through your local PGA Section.

What type of instruction is best?

The type of instruction you are seeking really determines what type of instruction is best. If you are a beginner, group instruction may be a good start. If you are just looking to improve your game and shave a couple of shots off your game, private lessons once every couple of weeks may be a good fit. If you are a high school student looking to play division 1 college golf, finding a golf instructor who will push you, work with you on your game, and physically and mentally prepare you to play D1 golf is what you may need. Recently the NHSGA did a virtual college golf recruiting event and one of the topics discussed was finding a great coach and creating a plan. Hear from top coaches Mike Bender, PGA and Trillium Rose, PGA and their advice about finding a good coach at the 2:32 hour mark of the video recording.

How much does good instruction cost?

This is a great question and unfortunately, I do not have a great answer. It really varies depending on your area of the country, the experience of the PGA or LPGA Professional you are working with and what your goals are regarding getting golf instruction. For example, if you are a 20 handicap and want to get to a 10 handicap, it may take a series of weekly lessons over 2 years to complete your goal and cost thousands of dollars. If you just want to make the high school team, a couple of short private lessons to help improve your game for $50 each could be all you need.

Hopefully the above information was helpful if you are a high school student or parent who is trying to find the best golf instructor for golf lessons.

Posted By: Kris Hart |

July 14, 2020

SuperSpeed Golf Training Aid Partners with the NHSGA

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The National High School Golf Association is pleased to announce a brand new partnership with SuperSpeed Golf, one of the leading Golf Training Systems in the United States.

“SuperSpeed Golf is proud to announce that it is partnering with the NHSGA high school community to provide educational and experiential opportunities to its players and coaches. Swing speed is a key indicator for on-course success and a top stat looked upon by collegiate coaches during recruiting. We have created a way to train 3 times a week for only 15 minutes each session that will help increase your clubhead speed. By following the provided Overspeed training protocols, you will see an average increase of 5%-8% in clubhead speed in 6 weeks. Used by over 600 touring professionals around the world and thousands of amateur golfers, anyone can benefit from more distance.” – Kyle Shay, SuperSpeed Golf

The SuperSpeed Golf training system is great for high school coaches and players. The NHSGA community can experience this revolutionized training aid at a discount, which can help propel high school golfers to the next level. Additionally, you can use this golf training aid to build swing speed from the comfort of your own home!

“The NHSGA is always committed to improving High School golfers and providing them with the tools to be successful for the future. This partnership is just one of the many resources we help provide coaches, parents and players to be at the top of their game.” -Matt Weinberger NHSGA Commissioner

Used by a number of PGA Tour & LPGA players, including Hideki Matsuyama, Graeme McDowell & Nasa Hataoka.

Here is a video to show you how it works!

The SuperSpeed Golf Training System fulfils every golfer’s dream, with increasing your swing speed it increases your drive distance and gets you on the putting green in less shots. Anything that helps you achieve that is worth checking out.

Interested in a SuperSpeed Golf Training System? Learn more about the SuperSpeed Golf and get a special NHSGA Discount

Posted By: Chris Noble

May 18, 2020

How to set standards on high school qualifying procedures…

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Developing consistent standards for match or tournament qualifying procedures is one of the most important things a high school golf coach needs to do. High school teams can vary greatly in size and talent level, but all players benefit significantly in an environment in which they understand how they can qualify and ultimately compete for their team. Here is a coach’s checklist for setting standards for high school qualifying procedures:

Set a team schedule that is conducive to the size of your team – Many states have restrictions for total match count throughout the year (e.g. max of 19 matches). Of course it’s important to provide enough competitive experiences for your top golfers, but it’s also important to ensure your mid-level and beginner golfers have opportunities to compete, learn, and improve. Ensure your qualifying process for each of these matches or tournaments are clearly communicated as it impacts all of the golfers.

Structure qualifying to be repeatable and understandable – I have heard a lot of high school “horror stories” of coaches allowing players to compete solo or allow golfers to attempt to qualify on different days with different conditions. Although some exceptions need to be made, ideally players have the chance to qualify on the same day with as big of a sample size as possible.

Keep track of player averages and think about what stats matter – As a high school coach, I kept track of 9-hole match averages, 18-hole tournament averages, strength of competition, and difficulty of course and conditions played. Figure out the right balance for you as ideally if you have a big enough sample size, you can place some of your top players as “exempt” for particular events. The key thing when you place exemptions for tournaments is to clearly communicate who and why so players understand how many spots they are playing for during qualifiers.

Collect a big enough sample size of qualifying prior to events – For top team members it’s better to have 36 holes or more for high level tournament qualifying. 18 holes is typically enough to help fill final spots for tournaments and 9 holes can be useful especially for JV or mid-level tournaments.

Already have your lineup set? Here are some great on-course practice drills to help get your team tournament ready.

Posted By: Matt Weinberger