HELPING HER TO IMPROVE:
- Learn and play by USGA rules, and use their terminology. The rules of golf are extensive and anal; very few people truly know them well. Unlike most sports, there are no officials watching play at a golf match, so players must call penalties on themselves. This is one of the best things about golf (teaches honesty & integrity), but it can also be a horrible situation if someone is accused of wrongdoing or disqualified. She will be forced to play by the rules during the season, so skipping “inconvenient” or annoying rules is to her detriment. She will be more confident in her decisions if she knows and has practiced the true rules of golf, plus it will speed up play during the season when she does not need to wait for a ruling. There are multiple books and videos available and printable quizzes from this site as well as the USGA website.
- Play the courses used in sectional & league matches. This will give course knowledge and confidence for the major tournaments. Make sure to tell the course what school she plays for, they may give her a special rate. (2007 sectional courses are Mentel Memorial, The Links of Groveport, Foxfire; District course is Bent Tree)
- Sign her up for summer tournaments. There are tournaments and events for all different skill levels that will keep her game tuned up. Competitive play is very different than just going out to the course. This will endear her to her coach, plus give her some comparative scores for college coaches to look at if that is a potential interest down the road. Check the Spring/Summer event calendar on this site to see what’s available.
- More professional lessons. You should be able to get a package price for a series of lessons, but make sure to allow time to practice what she is learning before going to the next lesson.
- Don’t add pressure. Golf is a mental game that leaves the player no one to blame but themselves when things go downhill. Rather than criticizing a poor performance, be supportive and offer to help with her improvement once things have cooled down.
- Match equipment to her height & swing style. Many girls start out with borrowed or hand-me-down clubs that are not fitted to her size or strength. Finding the right clubs (most golf stores/pro shops can help with this) that will meet her need can do wonders for her distance, consistency and confidence. If you get new clubs, winter or spring is the best time; not only are they cheaper, but she will likely be more motivated to get practicing earlier to try them out, plus she will have plenty of time to get used to them before the season.
- Avoid having an extended off-season. Stopping swinging for an extended period can lead to reverting to old swing habits. There are many heated and indoor ranges around town, or even simply swinging a club on a chunk of old carpet in the garage can keep the swing memory.
COMUNICATING WITH HER COACH:
It is likely that golf season is one of the coach’s busiest times and that they will be hard to get a hold of. Ask which form of communication her coach prefers during the season or off season.
Expect the unexpected such as last minute tee time or course changes, cancellations or transportations issues. No matter how organized her coach is, they are at the mercy of weather, golf course decisions and other factors that are outside of their control.
Unlike many sports, golf is less subjective-score tells most of the story, but other factors are important when coaches make their decision on who gets to play. The type of course vs. your daughter’s skill set, experience/confidence, leadership, and attitude are all reasons why one girl might play over another. Is your daughter a role model for mental toughness and team play, or constantly whining about bad breaks and tries to make up for a bad hole by taking high risk shots? Does your daughter practice hard and follow directions, or show up late and gossip rather than focus. Depending on her team’s season or record, the coach may want to give young players experience or experienced players rest. They may feel the need to take chances or play it safe depending on how the teams match-up, or ride a “hot” player who has played well of late. Hopefully there is good communication between the coach and player so the reasons are understood. Many coaches have a set policy about how player move up in position-this is a good question to ask before the season starts.
IS COLLEGE GOLF AN OPTION?
Many parents have heard rumors that there are unfilled women’s golf scholarships every year. While this may be true, that does not mean that the schools will give them out just to fill them. A division I scholarship golfer likely needs to average somewhere from 72 to 82 on a quality course. Coaches are looking for girls who’s game they feel like would translate well to the college level (longer yardage), with a strong work ethic, and excels in the classroom. Few scholarships are “full ride” (most are 25% to 75%). Division II schools can offer athletic scholarships as well (and a slightly higher scoring average may work). A player must decide if the college athlete’s lifestyle is what they are looking for- they are basically working their way through college by playing and practicing golf. Division III schools can not offer athletic based scholarships, but may be able to find other types of scholarships or grants to help defer the cost. Division III golf is likely much less competitive with more opportunities for less refined players (averages from 78 to 95), and may expect a much smaller time commitment depending on the program.
Parent's Page (cont.)
