WHY YOUR DAUGHTER SHOULD PLAY GOLF:
Golf is a life-long sport. Not many adults play field hockey or volleyball in later life, but it isn’t uncommon for a 75 year-old to still play golf. The business lunches of yesterday are the golf outings today.
Players do not need to be great athletes. Being strong and athletic can be an advantage, but players don’t need to be tall or fast to succeed in golf.
Golf builds confidence. Although high school golf is played as a team sport, golf is truly an individual’s sport. A golfer is solely responsible for her achievement and must learn from her mistakes.
Golf builds character. Golf is a game of honor and etiquette. There are no referees. Players are expected to call penalties on themselves and conduct themselves with class. Courtesy to opponents is fundamental to the game.
Golf is a social sport. Golf begins before school starts so freshmen will get to know upper classmen who can answer questions and help them transition to high school. During the season, your daughter can make connections and develop friendships with golfers from all over central Ohio.
GETTING HER STARTED:
As strange as it sounds, even if your daughter has never picked up a club before, there is likely an opportunity available to her on her high school golf team. Many schools may have recently started a team and are searching for interested girls who want to learn; others may be looking for depth to fill out their J.V. roster, but nearly all programs in the area would report that they are constantly looking for players. Obviously, the younger your daughter starts the better, but sometimes focus or opportunity make this difficult. In any case, here are some ideas to get her ready to play and contribute to the team:
1. Get professional lessons. No matter how good of a golfer or teacher you are, your daughter is more likely to focus and pay attention when it is a scheduled event with someone whose job it is to teach golf. Unfortunately lessons can cost a considerable amount of money (usually $25 to $45 per private session), so you may want to try a group clinic or a single lesson to see if the personalities mesh before buying a discount multi-lesson package. Most courses and ranges offer professional instruction, and many have junior clinics or leagues. Although group lessons or clinics have less personalized attention, they are cheaper and may give your daughter a chance to meet others her age who are interested in golf.
2. Find a friend who is willing to try golf with her. Unlike boys, few girls will want to play unless they know someone else who is doing it. You may be able to hook them up with someone at a clinic or junior league if you belong to a club, but the best bet is to talk one of her friend’s parents into the idea.
3. Summer beginner leagues and beginner “tournaments”. These are intended to get them experience in a non-threatening way, and they may find a group to play with for the future. The Girl scouts and other groups sponsor these usually low cost events; check the spring/summer events page on this site for more information.
EXPECTATIONS OF SPECTATORS:
It is up to the course & tournament directors to decide if spectators are allowed (they almost always are). Spectators can help speed up a match, or can cause a serious distraction. Knowing the expectations and helping to make sure other spectators follow these guidelines will ensure that spectators are invited to future events.
1. Help locate all players’ golf balls. This will speed up play, and may save players strokes. By searching for opposing players golf balls, you are modeling the type of sportsmanship coaches hope to instill.
2. Cheer on players. The “golf clap” or “nice shot” will likely boost confidence; booing or heckling will likely get you removed from the course.
- Be quiet. Talking to other spectators is fine as long as it is out of earshot of the players. Talking to a player during the match could cost them penalty strokes or lead to disqualification. To avoid any controversy, stay half a hole behind or ahead. If you have something to tell a player-relay it through the coach (they can talk to players between holes). If you have something to give the player (water, hat, etc.) do not approach the player; either give it to the coach or leave it at the next tee box for them to pick up.
- Turn off your cell phone. If your phone rings, or you use your phone near players, you may be asked to leave. If you need to make a call, go to the clubhouse, parking lot etc.
- Help find coaches/rules officials when there is an issue or ruling to be made. Spectators are not allowed to help make a ruling in any way!
- Make sure it is o.k. to bring in outside food/coolers before bringing them on the course. Some courses have strict guidelines, but some may have no problem if it is the coach that brings the cooler…
- Do not use a cart unless you really need one. Some courses will rent you a cart, but too many carts can get in the way. O.C.C., Sectional, District & State tournaments have a policy that will not permit spectators to use carts.
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