INVEST 36 HOURS AND
PLAY IN YOUR CORPORATE GOLF OUTING OR
PLAY WITH YOUR FRIENDS
By Nancy Berkley
www.nancyberkleygolf.com
Here’s a question I am often asked by non-golfers: “How long will it take me to learn to play golf well enough so that I won’t embarrass myself playing in my corporate golf outing?” And now with the the #inviteHER campaign of the Women's Golf Task Force moving into full force, it's a good time to invest in learning to play the game. Women are busy whether at home or at work. So the first question is "How long will it take to learn to play golf and accept my friend's invitation?
I decided to pose that very question to professional golf instructors. I told them to assume a woman of average athletic ability and reminded them that the question was very specific. All that mattered, I stressed, was the time it took to get such a woman participating in and enjoying her firm’s event – without embarrassment.
From the results of my interviews, backed by my own experience teaching women about golf, here’s the surprising answer: Thirty-six hours. The time is divided among three general categories of learning, and it’s best to rotate among them.
Golf Protocol and Etiquette — 12 hours: Plan on 12 hours of instruction concerning golf’s written and unwritten rules (especially as these apply to women golfers) including golf terminology, etiquette, scoring and tournament formats. The rules established by the USGA and the Royal & Ancient golf "rulers of the game." have just been updated. TO SEE THE NEW RULES, a site I like is http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/rules-modernization/golfs-new-rules.html.
In addition to reading, you must include time on the course itself. After a few lessons on the lesson tee, take a playing lesson from an instructor or go out with a good friend, and say “I am not interested in how I hit the ball. Just teach me the golf culture for now. Where do I stand on the tee box? Can I move my ball? How do I mark my ball on the green? When can I just pick up my ball?” "What if I hit into the water?"
You may rightfully wonder why Golf Protocol comes before the next category: How to Hit the Ball. But every instructor interviewed emphasized that golf is not played on the practice range or lesson tee. It’s played on a real golf course, and golfing confidence -- especially for women -- comes from knowing what to expect out there. I believe that five on-course playing experiences (begin with just a few holes each time) are all that it will take to overcome the natural intimidation most women feel when they begin learning the game.
How to Hit the Ball — 12 hours: Plan on at least 12 hours of professional, supervised instruction on how to putt, how to chip and pitch onto the green, how to hit fairway woods and irons, a little bit about sand bunkers, and (finally) how to hit off the tee. Many golf clubs offer a series of well-priced novice golf lessons. Call your local club – especially municipal facilities and even golf ranges. Also look to see if your community has a chapter of the Executive Women’s Golf Association (the EWGA). For maximum efficiency, if price is not the prime consideration, take private lessons from a professional. If your first few lessons are not going well, consider changing instructors. There may not be anything wrong with you – you just need a different teaching approach. And there are many!
Notice that putting comes first and the full swing tee shot is last. That’s not the way all teachers approach the game. But starting with putting makes sense. Many corporate outings are a scramble format – a team event – and being able to sink a put is equally important as driving well off the tee. Let the long hitters show off from the tee. But, you can be a star on the green by making putts.
Most of the How to Hit the Ball lessons will be on a teaching tee or practice range. But your instructor may suggest a “playing lesson” on the golf course and combine some golf etiquette along with technical golf swing instruction. I think playing lessons are the best!
ONE OF THE BEST ARTICLES FOR NEW GOLFERS THAT I THINK I HAVE WRITTEN IS: "Advice for New Women Golfers" https://www.womensgolf.com/new-women-golfers. It includes a drone overview of a golf course so you know what a course really looks like!
USE THE INTERNET FOR LESSONS. There are many, many lessons on the internet. A great website for lessons is www.womensgolf.com. They now have a l"lesson a month" program. Use this link to sign up to automatically receive a lesson https://www.womensgolf.com/newsletter. Also use search features on the web such as "bunker lesson". There is no "one" way that fits everyone's learning style, brain and physical abilities. It doesn't matter -- golf is fun and healthy and can be played with handicaps. Just get started.
At-home Drills and Reading — 12 hours: Plan on an additional 12 hours practicing golf drills at home and reading about golf. Many drills involve practicing a particular part of the game -- like putting, but others help you build up new golf muscles.
Karen Palaacios Jensen is one of my favorites for indoor practice that focuses on muscles. . see https://www.kpjgolf.com/
“OK! I can find the 36 hours. How do I get started?”
If you’ve decided you have 36 hours to invest in your corporate outing, then the next question is: “Where do I go for lessons?” You have several choices.
You can travel to a destination golf school often located at a vacation spot and invest the 36 hours in an intensive three-day program or a more relaxed five-day program. But, remember, if you don’t play and/or take additional lessons when you get home, you may forget what you’ve learned by the time the day of your corporate outing comes around.
Or, you can find a local golf instructor. An advantage of a local teacher is that you can space your formal instruction over a month or two and practice and read between lessons. Since actual golf course experience is so essential, it’s ideal if your local teacher provides access to a nearby golf course. If you are lucky, there may be a "Top Golf" facility near you. Top Golf is really an open dome with hitting stations around the perimeter. The technology allows you to see just how well you are hitting your targets.
If you have been passing up corporate and business golf invitations, think again about making the 36-hour commitment. The return is high and the risk is low. With good instruction and some homework, you will be able to hold your own in most corporate golf outings. What’s more, you are almost guaranteed to have fun. Whether your goal is short term or long term, it’s a great investment in a great game. One last piece of advice: Manage your expectations. With 36 hours behind you, don’t expect to hit every shot well (and sometimes you may even “whiff” or miss the ball entirely). But, stay cool and remember: This is just the beginning of your life as a golfer.
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Nancy Berkley is a golf industry expert. As an experienced golfer and a former teacher, corporate lawyer and executive, she established The Woman’s Only Guide™ to Golf, and teaches women golfers about the written -- and unwritten -- rules of golf along with the “insider tips” that help new women golfers feel more comfortable on the course.
