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.

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.

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.  

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

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.

April 9, 2020

How high school golf could take place during the…

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*Stay up-to-date with all state high school athletic association decisions for the spring golf season (link)

High school athletic associations, much like all of us, are facing unprecedented times during the COVID-19 pandemic.  As early as mid-March, some states have canceled all spring sports including golf. Other states have delayed the start of the season or have announced they will be closely monitoring possible delays.

The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) released this statement recently about the decision to cancel spring sports. “The Association understands the extreme seriousness of this pandemic and joins in support of current measures being implemented as well as future considerations. In unwavering support yet with extreme sadness, we must cancel our spring sports programming. We join all Hoosiers in anticipation of a triumphant homecoming back to our schools in the fall of 2020 complete with a full complement of IHSAA sports.”

All organizations, groups, or individuals need to pay attention to CDC and WHO guidelines for social distancing and other recommendations.  Additionally, all national, state and local laws and guidelines are of the utmost importance. With that said, as we get to a point where events “can” happen, we should evaluate some precautions we can take on the golf side to lead by example and show that golf can be a great place to meet all of those guidelines and provide a healthy, competitive outlet.  

If we are fortunate enough that the time for safe events can be run in the next couple of months, high school athletic associations can adopt some of these same adjustments we are taking at the National High School Golf Association in order to run their local and state competitions.  As we prepare for our National Invitational at Pinehurst Resort this summer, we will be taking these following precautions:

Golf Tournament COVID-19 Precautions:

• Registration – Send all rules sheets electronically and remove paper handouts.  Starters or volunteers should stress social distancing and remind players or these recommendations
• Practice Facilities – Set up hitting stations at least 6 feet apart
• Scorecards – Use digital scorecards or do not exchange with other players.  Vocal confirmation at scoring may be used  
• Spectators and volunteers – Social distancing guidelines should be enforced and encourage walking vs. carts
• Golf Rules – Consider adopting USGA adaptations for the flagstick and bunker rakes
• Etiquette – Encourage players to not shake hands and maintain proper social distancing at all times
• Food & Beverage – if your event has F&B be sure all items are separated and individually wrapped
• General – Hand sanitizer or Lysol wipes should be readily available

Be sure to continue to check updates with your local and state governments on the COVID-19 implications around your area. Feel free to contact us Chris@highschoolgolf.org for more ideas and ways that we can all practice social distancing and enjoy a round of golf.

March 18, 2020

High school golf Instagram accounts

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Social media is a regular means of communication in all of our lives. High school students use platforms such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to chat with friends and learn about events and activities in their community. A way for any high school golf team to celebrate their players and attract more attention is by starting an Instagram account. Let’s take a look at some great high school golf team accounts and keys to making yours successful. 

Great profile picture

The first step when creating an Instagram account is to have a recognizable profile picture. This is the image that people will see before clicking on your full account. A good idea would be to use your school mascot or team logo to standout. Manning High School in South Carolina does an excellent job including the school logo in their profile picture. Pro Tip: Include a link to your high school website or golf page, to let people know about your team. 

Variety of Pictures

It’s important to include a variety of different pictures for your account to attract the most attention. Include action shots from your players on the course, pictures with parents and coaches, and even team activities outside of golf. Huntley High School in Illinois does an excellent job of mixing up their pictures to show all different aspects of team life. 

Follower/Following Ratio

A key to any good Instagram account is to maintain a good follower too following ratio. In other words, never follow more accounts than you have following you. Try to keep the numbers as close to each other as possible. The Grissom High School Girls Golf Team Instagram account does a perfect job of maintaining this. 

Celebrate Accomplishments

Many of your players will have accomplishments throughout their careers. This could be signing to play college golf, or breaking a personal best on 9 holes. Celebrate those accomplishments with pictures and videos. The New Albany girls golf team in Ohio does a nice job celebrating players signing to play college golf and other local news stories. 

Whether you are tech-savvy or not, starting an Instagram account for your team is a perfect way to attract more players and celebrate accomplishments. Take the time today to help your team use this channel of communication to bolster its reputation. 

March 10, 2020

Best indoor golf drills

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One of the unfortunate things about golf is the amount of land and space that’s required to not only play a round, but hit more than a putter and wedge. Some players can get very rusty either in the winter or if you don’t have enough space to practice all of your shots on a regular basis.

There are numerous golf drills that you can do indoors with confined space to keep your golf muscles and your mental game intact. Here are just a few suggestions for indoor golf drills.

Full swing drills

• One thing that often goes away when you don’t play often enough is your swing path, especially when it comes to your backswing. Players tend to either bring the club too far inside or outside, creating an overcorrection on the downswing which can cause a slice or a hook. Try placing a mirror behind your setup and bring the club back exactly halfway. As you stop and look back at the mirror, your club should be exactly parallel to the ground and the clubhead should block the shaft and grip from view. Repeat this takeaway over and over until you can get the club in the correct position at least 10 times in a row. This will help with your consistency and swing path when you return to the course.

Indoor putting drills

• Practice your 3-6 foot putts on a smooth surface (a smooth and fast carpet is probably best). The accuracy here isn’t important, but what is important is getting your putter on a consistent line and feeling confident that you can hit the ball straight off the face anytime you have a short putt. This is a 3-putt avoidance drill more than anything else but should give you confidence over short putts when you return to the course.

Indoor chipping drills

• Your mom or dad probably has told you not to swing a golf club in the house. However, there is a way to practice your chipping without damaging any of the fine china. Grab a towel(s) and throw 10 balls down. Place the towel about 10 feet away from you and try to land all 10 balls in the towel. Once you do this, change to a smaller towel and repeat the drill. An easy way to focus on landing your chip shots to a spot rather than just chipping to the hole.

Practicing these drills will give you a leg up on the competition even before you step foot on the course this spring.