September 24, 2019

Pace of play tips for high school golf

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Working with high school golf nationally, we hear a lot of feedback from coaches and athletic directors on ways that the high school game can improve. When it comes to a round of golf, the pace of play is a hot topic issue for almost every level of the game, and high school golf is no exception. Check out some of these easy, quick and simple ways that you and your team can help improve the pace of play for your high school matches. 

Play ready golf 

Tournament golf is more serious than a regular round – however, there is no excuse for the round to take longer. One of the simplest ways to speed up play is playing ready golf. Rather than waiting for the player to hit who is the farthest away, agree early in the round that your group is fine with playing ready golf. This way regardless of who is out, the player that is ready to hit will play. When another player is hitting, the other players in the group can walk to their ball and go through their pre-shot routine. 

Enforcing double par

High school golf coaches struggle with some of their more inexperienced players taking too long on holes. A way to combat this is to enforce a double par rule. Simply put, multiply the par of the hole by 2, and if you get to that score and haven’t holed the ball out, pick up and move onto the next hole. This will not only save time but encourage players to have more fun. 

Play a provisional ball 

How many times have you hit a tee shot close to an Out-of-Bounds marker, thinking the ball is in bounds only to find that it isn’t and proceed the 250+ yard walk back to the tee? I know I have. Any time you are unsure where your tee shot or golf shot ended up, you are entitled to hit a provisional ball. Make sure you announce to everyone in your group that you are playing a provisional – this will not only save time but help eliminate added frustration of walking back to hit your previous shot again. 

Aim to hit your shot in 20 seconds 

Think about how many other major sports like football and basketball have a play or shot clocks that players have to complete their shots. Golf is no exception. Mentally, once you get set for your shot, go through your pre-shot routine, get set and pull the trigger within 20 seconds. This will save on wasted seconds standing over the ball and help you be more decisive with your shot-making. 

Keep up with the group in front of you 

As long as you are not the lead group (first group off for the day) do your absolute best to keep pace with the group in front of you to eliminate large gaps on the course. Once you finish out a hole, you want to ensure that the group in front of you is a shot ahead (hitting their second shots on that same hole). 

Encouraging your team members to abide by these above tips during a tournament round will help with rounds taking less time and players ultimately having more fun!

August 26, 2019

High school golf van ride horror stories

Reading Time: 2 minutes

When I was in high school, we always went to golf matches in a school van driven by our 75-year-old golf coach. I’m sure many high school golf teams still utilize smaller school vans rather than buses or your own vehicles to get to matches and tournaments. We had a few interesting experiences with our high school van rides that I thought were worth mentioning.

The highway incident: This is the day that I thought my life was really going to end. I had a brief moment where I actually thought it was over. Our coach turned right to get on a highway without paying attention to the signs, and we were headed down the off-ramp towards incoming 70 mph traffic. We’re screaming “coach lookout” from the back seat and luckily he realized what was happening a few seconds before it was too late.

We stopped, turned around on the shoulder and exited the highway. We stopped at the nearest gas station so we could all get out and take a breath. Coach just chilled in the driver seat as if nothing had happened.

Bottoming out: On the driveway headed into the school parking lot, there were these massive speed bumps that for some reason my coach liked to pretend didn’t exist. He would go straight on through these bumps without slowing down, and all of us squeezed together in the back seat would bounce into each other a bit painfully.

This one time towards the end of the season, Coach went over the bumps a little too fast, causing the van to bottom out and break a hole in our muffler. We had our final match of the season the very next day and that van was the only one available, so we drove across town in the loudest vehicle you have ever heard. I may still have hearing damage from that day.

Speeding away: Coach pulled up to the curb at a local course so we could load up our clubs and hop in the van. 5 of the 6 of us put our clubs in the trunk and hopped in the van, leaving the trunk open for the final team member to come out of the bathroom and throw their clubs back there too.

I guess Coach though we were all in the van because he quickly drove away with all of us yelling for him to stop because not only is the trunk with all our bags open, but our teammate is still inside the clubhouse.

The cookie incident: Our coach’s wife always made cookies for our van rides to matches. A player on the team didn’t get along very well with the coach, especially after his performance that day and thought it would be funny to crack open the window of our ’02 Chevy Astro van and drop cookies out the window as our coach sped down the highway. Coach finally saw what was happening out of the rearview mirror and proceeded to scream at us while driving. Unfortunately, that was the end of homemade cookies on road trips.

Have a high school golf horror story that you would like to share? Email chris@highschoolgolf.org and tell us about your cringe-worthy moments.

August 13, 2019

Why coach high school golf?

Reading Time: 2 minutes

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. 

August 7, 2019

Running a high school golf meeting

Reading Time: 2 minutes

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.

August 2, 2019

Why every PGA Professional should care about high school…

Reading Time: 3 minutes

High school golf often gets a bad rap. Unfortunately, some high school kids are immature, not patient, and often are less skilled golfers than the best junior golfers locally at the course. The good news is that high school golfers are kids that are passionate about the game and are playing the sport competitively. In my opinion, every PGA Professional should coach or get involved with a local high school golf team for the following reasons:

Lessons and coaching – The majority of high school golf coaches are not PGA Professionals. With that said, high school coaches are the main influence on boys and girls who are playing high school golf. If I were a PGA Professional, I would develop relationships with the high school golf coaches in the area to offer coaching instruction and make sure the students and their parents knew I was available for private coaching and lessons. Better yet, why aren’t more PGA Professionals high school golf coaches? Although you make a small amount of money directly from the high school, the external revenue through lessons, coaching, tee times, and otherwise for a golf facility can be significant. Find high school golf coaching jobs

High school coaches need help – There are a lot of great high school golf coaches who love the game and the kids they coach. In our 2019 Annual NHSGA High School Golf Coaches Survey, we asked ~1400 coaches what was their biggest struggle as a high school golf coach. The most common responses from coaches was that they do not have golf course access, course access was limited, or course access was not affordable. I know course access can be difficult to grant as a PGA Professional, but the reality is most golf course are very under-utilized and allowing high school kids range access or even access for tee times at slower times (2-5 pm) when the course is slower could really help out high school coaches and their teams.

There are a ton of high school golfers– According to the NFHS, there are over 224,000 kids who play high school golf. When I am speaking to PGA Professionals, I often hear a lot about the elite junior players and kids that are amazing golfers. What about the 20 high school kids from the local high school team? Better yet, what about the 20 kids on varsity and 20 kids on junior varsity.  If we really want to make a change in our game, we need to focus on the masses and not just the elite. I wish more high school’s offered both varsity and junior varsity golf. In my high school 30 kids tried out for the team, but the coach was only able to keep 12 kids since we could only get 3 tee times at the local course. As a result, as an industry, we just lost 18 “potential golfers” who are now going to run cross country or play another sport. It is important for golf professionals to embrace high school players at all levels.

New members & club revenue– High school kids need a place to practice while in high school, while in college and even after college. Entry-level junior memberships are a great way to start. Furthermore, if a high school kid wants to go to the golf course every day, the boy or girl’s family may consider joining the club since the golf course is a safe and secure environment for kids. Parents and kids who go to the course often will spend more money in the restaurant, pro-shop, and other amenities like the pool.

I hope my arguments above were convincing enough about the importance of high school golf. I know not every PGA Professional will care about high school golf or embrace the high school sport, but if this article convinces even one professional to coach high school golf or get more involved with the local high school community, I am doing my job and that makes me smile.    

March 27, 2019

Best on course practice drills for a high school…

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Golf is a sport that takes practice, practice, and more practice. However, staying at the driving range and putting green day after day can be frustrating and boring for your high school golfers. Try some of these on course drills to spruce up your practices and get your players more engaged with their golf game.

1) The 3-club challenge: This is a classic golf challenge/drill that really works. I do prefer a modified version though, which actually allows for 4 clubs (4th must be putter) because I don’t see any real value in putting with another club. This drill will teach your players how to hit a wide variety of shots (irons off the tee, knockdowns, bump and runs, etc.) due to the limited club selection. It will also teach them course management and that sometimes the “typical” shot is not always the best shot. Some of your players might even score better then they do with a full set!

2) Play it forward: A great way to force your players to hit a wide variety of shots both off the tee and to the green. Play the first 4 holes from the longest tees, forcing players to hit driver and long irons. Then, the next 5 holes are played from the next set of tees up and so forth. The last 5 holes are played from either the most forward tees or the beginning of the fairway.

3) Build your own modified par-3 course: Before practice begins, head out to the course and set up 9 holes as a par 3 course. Move the tees into different spots and distances (maybe a 200 straight shot to an easy pin location followed by a 50-yard pitch shot over a bunker to a tucked pin). The shot variety will mirror that of an 18 hole round but will take less than half the time to play.

Try out one of these ideas during your next practice. Your players will not only learn a lot about their own game but will also have a lot more fun than bashing balls at the range. Do you have other ideas for practice drills? Let us know at chris@highschoolgolf.org.

March 25, 2019

High School Golf National Invitational

Reading Time: 3 minutes

On June 27th and 28th, the National High School Golf Association will host the inaugural High School Golf National Invitational in Orlando Florida.  The event will showcase 348 of the top high school golfers from across the country in a 36-hole stroke play format. This event will provide high school golfers the love and recognition that they so rightly deserve. Public or private. Division 1A or 6A. This event will bring together the strongest ever field in high school golf.

Support and sponsors

We are proud to have the support and sponsorship of both the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) along with the Junior Golf Scoreboard (JGS). The AJGA has graciously offered to host the pre-tournament dinner on Wednesday evening for players to kick off the Invitational. Junior Golf Scoreboard will recognize the Invitational on their rankings, which is the foremost ranking system of college coaches since 1998.

We will be hosting a college golf recruiting seminar on Wednesday morning in conjunction with the Junior Golf Hub. This event will provide players, coaches, and families an opportunity to become more aware of the steps needed to take if their son or daughter wishes to play golf in college. 

States Represented 

The high school golf season is split up into two seasons: fall and spring. From the invitations that were sent out to teams and individuals from last fall, 20 out of the 21 states that sponsor a boys state championship and 20 out of the 25 states that sponsor a girls state championship will be represented in Orlando this June. Be sure to check out the current field of teams and individuals scheduled to compete.

Why the Invitational is good for golf

High school golf is typically viewed as an afterthought rather than a forethought within the golf industry. Our goal with the Invitational and our continued high school golf rankings is that high school golf will be taken seriously by college coaches, junior tours and anyone else involved with the landscape. So many young golfers cannot afford to play in the national tours and events, and our goal is to provide a championship caliber event at an affordable price.

Additional opportunities to compete in college

There are 222,000 high school golfers who compete nationally. Only 7% of those golfers will go onto receive a golf scholarship and varsity spot in college.  A goal of ours is to educate all participants and families on the National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA). The NCCGA is the governing body for non-varsity college golf in the United States, running competitive, social, weekend, co-ed golf tournaments for college students across the country. NCCGA is where over 10,000 college-aged golfers represent their schools and compete!

Future venues and outlook  

We are ecstatic to host the inaugural event at Walt Disney World and Falcon’s Fire Golf Club in Orlando this June! Looking forward, we have the opportunity to bring the Invitational to a variety of top quality courses and facilities throughout the U.S. that will offer something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Our goal is to run a world-class championship event that will provide opportunities for participants to continue competing in college and making lasting memories for the entire family.

Have questions regarding the National Invitational? Email chris@highschoolgolf.org for more details!

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” →