March 19, 2019

LGBTQ+ resources for golf coaches

Reading Time: 3 minutes

High school golf teams are made up of players from different races, cultures, ethnicities and financial or social standing. However, sexual orientation and gender identity are frequently overlooked by coaches and administrators. LGBTQ youth and golfers are present within the game. Coaches don’t always know the best way to address and open up dialogue on having LGBTQ players on their team.  A goal for any coach should be to create a welcoming environment for all players, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Below are resources to help high school golf coaches create a more inclusive and welcoming environment to LGBTQ golfers.

Understanding the terminology

LGBTQ is an umbrella term that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or (Questioning). LGBT and LGBTQ are acronyms that are continuously evolving to identify and include other members of the LGBTQ community.

Creating an inclusive philosophy

Before the start of the golf season, sit your team down for a discussion. The most important point to convey to your team members is that all are welcome on your team. State the fact that regardless of race, background, sexual orientation or gender identity – all are invited to compete. In reaching this goal, the You Can Play Project can serve as a great resource. The You Can Play Project works to ensure the safety and inclusion of all in sports – including LGBTQ athletes, coaches, and fans.

Ending homophobic and transphobic humor and slurs

The language used by other team members and coaching staff should remain in line with an all-inclusive philosophy. Be mindful of when other team members use insensitive homophobic or transphobic language specifically targeted toward a member of the LGBTQ community. Language like this can put other team members down and give a negative stigma toward being part of the LGBTQ community. Ending homophobic and transphobic language can help every team member feel welcome and safe, especially one who is not yet out or comfortable with their sexual identity.

Mindful of heterosexual language

No two players on your team are alike. The game of golf has an ever-present expectation that the people who play are cis-gender and heterosexual. An example would be asking your boys’ team members if they have a girlfriend or for the girls’ team members if they have a boyfriend. A simple way to create more inclusivity and to avoid team members feeling isolated on your team is to ask if a player of yours has a partner or significant other. Keeping your language non-specific around sexuality or gender identity will allow all of your players to feel that they are valued on the team. 

Opening up the conversation

In reality, this topic applies to each and every one of us, we all know someone who is LGBTQ, they just may have not come out yet. Understand that it is ok not to have all the answers when it comes to these issues. Asking your players, “How can we create a more welcoming environment to LGBTQ golfers on our team?” is a great start. Keep this an open dialogue and ongoing conversation with your players and parents. Outsports is a sports news website focusing on LGBT issues and personalities in amateur and professional sports. Junior golfers and coaches alike can read coming out stories of high school, college, and even professional athletes. Transathlete is a resource where golfers, coaches, and parents can find information on trans inclusion in sports at various levels of play.

Becoming an ally

Realize the influence that you have on all of your golfers and understand how many look up to and respect you. If one of your players comes to you with a question or statement on their sexuality or gender identity, listen. You don’t have to say much, rather, be an outlet for them to speak their mind and reassure them they have your full support no matter what. To be an ally simply means that you support and work toward inclusion for LGBTQ players, coaches or fans.

If you are a coach that wants to learn of ways to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for LGBTQ golfers, I would be happy to connect with you on ideas: chris@highschoolgolf.org. Together, we can continue to make the game of golf more welcoming to all.

March 14, 2019

Best short game drills for a high school golf…

Reading Time: 3 minutes

A high school golf practice can take place on a driving range, chipping and putting green or on the golf course. Coaches have noted to us that one of the most important topics to them is learning more about practice ideas and drills for their team. Golf teams can save more strokes from 60 yards in than any other area of the game. Below you will find drills that can help all of your team members sharpen their short game skills. Read more “Best short game drills for a high school golf team” →

March 1, 2019

What you need to know about high school golf

Reading Time: 2 minutes

High school golf is often an oversight by the golf industry but is an incredibly vital aspect of the community. It’s where many players, both casual and competitive, first begin to play the game and develop a passion for golf. The main purpose of NHSGA is to give high school golf the love, visibility, resources, and recognition that it rightly deserves. Here are the main items that everyone should know about high school golf.

1. Unlike most junior golf tournaments, high school golf is team and individual-based – Most junior golf tours like the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) operate tournaments where boys and girls compete individually. What high school golf offers is a real team atmosphere where you are practicing with a coach and your teammates every day.

2. There are over 220,000 high school golfers who play nationally – According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, there were 144,024 boys and 78,781 girls that made up the high school golf community in 2017-18. The high school golf community is one of the largest community of golfers within the industry.

3. Each state’s high school athletic association governs golf differently – Some states run golf in the spring, others in the fall, and a select few in both. Also, women’s and men’s are not always the same season. States host either an 18, 36 or 54 hole state tournament and either two, three or four player scores are used toward a team total.  To learn more about differences between states, check out our blog article on high school golf seasons by state.

4. High school golf has never had a national competition, until this year – The first ever High School Golf National Invitational takes place this June in Orlando. The Invitational field will be made up of 224 boys and 124 girls of the top high school golfers from across the country.

5. Less than 7% of high school golfers go on to play at the varsity level in college – Many high school golfers are ultra-competitive, but others are just out there to learn the game and enjoy time with friends. While it certainly helps bolster college golf resume’s, high school golf is also a great place for the casual player to have fun and be part of a team.

6. Any former high school golfer can play competitive golf in college with the NCCGA – The National Collegiate Club Golf Association runs competitive and fun golf tournaments for non-varsity players. Scores range from 65-110 and are co-ed and open to all college students. If you are unable to play varsity golf at your dream school, you no longer have to choose between your education and golf.

December 18, 2018

Rules of golf changes in 2019

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The rules of golf are making some pretty drastic changes in 2019. Before your team starts up the spring high school season, let’s take a moment to see what’s changing and how they will affect your game moving forward. Read more “Rules of golf changes in 2019” →

November 27, 2018

Why golfers should be multi-sport athletes in high school

Reading Time: 2 minutes

In high school, students often fall under pressure to perform in the classroom, making the honor roll, and preparing for college. This reality is more evident for students preparing to become college athletes. Let’s think about a high school golfer as an example. What happens to many is that they become convinced by a coach, parent, or other peer to focus on golf and quit other activities and sports to focus solely on their primary sport.  Here are 3 reasons why you should be a multi-sport athlete while in high school.

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September 27, 2018

Equipment discounts for high school golfers

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As a high school golf player or coach, you are eligible to receive discounts and deals on golf equipment, apparel, and bags. Check out all the great deals you can receive from the NHSGA:

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August 27, 2018

Using rules of golf to your advantage

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Let’s face it, learning the rules of golf is not always the most exciting topic. Thumbing through the USGA rulebook can be intimidating to high school golfers and coaches alike, resulting in many not understanding the basics of the rules. I want to discuss some of the most common rules and scenarios that golfers face and ways that you can approach each situation to eliminate taking a high number on a hole. Read more “Using rules of golf to your advantage” →

August 9, 2018

Running a successful high school golf practice

Reading Time: 4 minutes

As we approach the beginning of fall, high school golf coaches are starting to organize their fall practice schedules. Running a high school golf practice is no easy task.  A coach will have players of various skill levels which can make it tricky to figure out how to best serve each individual player. I wanted to provide a few ideas on best ways to organize, run and get the most out of a high school golf practice.

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