Golf Threads: What You Should Wear On A Golf Course
Everyone knows appropriate etiquette is a huge part of golf.
And a huge part of having appropriate etiquette on a golf course is dressing correctly.
But, how do you know if you’re underdressed or overdressed on a golf course?
The last thing you want is to look like foolish on the golf course because of your attire, or, even worse, not be allowed in.
If you’re gearing up for your first time on the golf course, or you just need a refresher, check out this guide. Here you’ll learn exactly what to wear golfing.
1. Bottoms
Let’s start by talking about the area people have the most questions about- the bottoms.
Pants
A comfortable pair of golf trousers or chinos are the appropriate choice for legwear. If you want to have a little fun with your style, colored khakis or capris are almost always acceptable.
If you’re in a pinch, black exercise pants are also an option. However, just know that denim is never allowed on golf courses.
Shorts and Skirts
If it’s a hot summer’s day, the last thing you want to be doing is trudging through 18 holes with a pair of pants on.
Luckily, most golf courses allow players to wear shorts and skirts. However, there are a few rules you need to follow.
Modesty is always encouraged on golf courses, so shorts should be just above the knee.
For skirts, is always a good idea to wear spandex underneath. To make sure your skirt is an appropriate length, do the fingertip test. Stand up straight, and place your hands on the sides of your skirt. Your fingers should be able to touch the bottom of the skirt, if not longer.
2. Shoes and Socks
In order to maintain their courses, most clubs prefer that you wear professional golf shoes.
Golf clubs are usually sold with either metal or rubber spikes. However, many clubs have now banned metal spikes because of the damage they do to the greens, so rubber is the way to go.
However, if you aren’t quite ready to commit to the purchase of golf shoes, most places allow you to wear running shoes as well.
Socks are somewhat of a divisive issue, as some believe you should wear socks that reach all the way to the skies (aka, right below the knee), while others think a pair of ankle socks are fine.
Clubs don’t really care, just so as long as you’re wearing socks.
3. Shirts
Wearing a collared top is always a safe bet on a golf course. In fact, many clubs require it.
The collared shirt should also have sleeves, and it should be tucked in at all times.
Things that will easily get you kicked out of a golf course include jerseys, t-shirts, halternecks, and tank tops.
If you’re feeling a little chilly, you may want to put on a sweater over your shirt. There are two basic rules for sweaters you need to follow:
- The collar should be tucked into the neck of the jumper.
- Tight fitting sweaters always trump baggy ones, as they look neater and allow for a better golf swing.
Now You Know What to Wear Golfing
While the dress code for golfing is somewhat strict, you can now see that it’s not that hard to abide by.
Just remember, a club can (and will) kick you out for inappropriate dress, so if you’re unsure about wearing something, always go with the safer option.
If you have any questions about what to wear golfing or the sport in general, contact us today.
5 Of The Best Golf Games You May Not Have Tried
Golf isn’t going anywhere. Let the 25.95 million people who played last year tell you.
Golf stands the test of time. We’ve come a long way since 100 BC when we used a bent stick to hit a stuffed leather ball. During the 15th century, Scotland modernized golf to be more like the game it is today.
And the rest is history.
Whether you’re a golfing novice or a regular club member, you can have fun on the green. Especially if you play some of the best golf games that have been established over time.
Make sure to have an Arnold Palmer while you’re out there!
Let’s tee off.
The 5 Best Golf Games Out There
Here’s a tip for beginners: set an early tee time. Research shows you play better in the mornings.
And if you’re an expert? Well, take it easy on ’em!
1. Bingo Bango Bongo
This game consists of three different points:
- Bingo – The first player to get the ball on the green
- Bango – Once all balls are on the green, the closest to the pin wins this round
- Bongo – The first person to get the ball in the hole
Make it more interesting by upping the ante for anyone who gets all three!
2. Sixes
Start with four players. Divide the 18 holes into three rounds of six. Rotate partners every six holes, so that you will be a partner with everyone once. Whoever does the best in 2 out of 3 rounds is your winner!
3. Rabbit
This game is played with any number of players.
The lowest par on a hole wins the Rabbit.
If somebody else gets the lowest par on the next hole, the Rabbit is set free. If the same person gets the lowest par, they keep the rabbit.
If the Rabbit is free, anyone can win him in the next round.
Whoever ends up with the Rabbit at the end is the winner!
4. Best Ball
Best Ball is best played in two-person teams.
Each person plays out their own ball. Within your two-person team, keep the lowest score for each hole and drop the highest.
In the end, whoever has maintained the lowest scores wins. This means that even if you did poorly during one round, your teammate can redeem your victory.
5. Nassau
Last but not least: one of the most timeless golfing games out there.
Nassau occurs in three stages: the first nine holes; the last nine holes; and all eighteen holes combined.
Whoever has the lowest score for all three rounds is your winner.
Go Play!
Feeling excited yet?
The greatest part about this list is that it’s not all-inclusive. And each game has modifications that can be made to suit the players’ interests and skill levels.
Wanna play for money? Go for it. Wanna make it a little harder? There are options.
Contact Blue Sky to play one of the best golf course in Jacksonville. Then go play some of the best golf games out there. Next, pretend you’re Tiger Woods.
Kidding about that last part.
You’ve picked a great time to love golf. Keep your eyes peeled this June for the US Open!
Need to practice? Let us know if we can help take a few strokes off your swing.
Your Guide To Understanding The Golf Handicap System
If you’re a golfer, you probably know about handicaps. You might even have a guess about your own handicap. But, if you’re like most golfers, you have no idea how a handicap is actually calculated.
Knowing how to calculate a golf handicap is an important skill for any serious golfer. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the golf handicap system.
What is a Golf Handicap?
A golf handicap is a number which represents a golfer’s ability based on their previous golf scores. It’s a way to compare yourself to other golfers and track your progress.
Specifically, your handicap is a number between zero and 28 if you’re a man and between zero and 36 if you’re a woman. The number represents how many strokes over par you should score on a neutral course.
How Does the Golf Handicap System Work?
The golf handicap system is somewhat complicated and strange, but it’s easy to understand with a little patience.
Because you can’t have more than one handicap, the number doesn’t depend on the individual golf course. Whether you normally play easy courses or difficult courses, you only have one handicap.
So how is your handicap calculated?
First, there are a few important numbers to remember: Course rating, slope rating, and equitable stroke control.
The course rating is dependent on the golf course you’re playing on. It’s what a hypothetical zero handicap player (a scratch player) should score on the course in 18 holes.
The slope rating is a measure of the difference in expected score between a bogey player and a scratch player.
And the equitable stroke control is your score; however, slight modifications are made so that a single bad hole doesn’t ruin it.
For a single round of golf, you calculate your “handicap differential” by taking your equitable stroke control, subtracting the course rating, then multiplying that result by 113, and finally, dividing it all by the course’s slope rating.
But that’s your handicap differential, not your handicap. Bare with me; we’re almost there.
Once you’ve calculated your handicap differential for five different rounds, your official handicap is your lowest single handicap differential. If you have more than twenty official rounds under your belt, then your handicap is the average of your lowest 10 handicap differentials.
But you don’t need to worry about all the details.
If you’re a member of a golf club, they probably offer a handicap calculation service. Or, if you’re just curious, you can use an online handicap calculator.
How Do You Use Your Handicap?
Now that you have your handicap, you can use it to calculate your net score next time you go golfing.
To do this, you need to find your course handicap, which is your handicap multiplied by the course’s slope rating then divided by 113. Then, your net score is simply your score minus your course handicap.
You can compare this net score to the course rating to get an idea of how well you played.
Lower Your Golf Handicap
Now that you understand what your golf handicap is, it’s time to get out there and lower it.
There’s no better way to improve your game than by playing. Visit Blue Sky Golf Club in Jacksonville and get out there today!
8 Great Reasons Why You Should Get Your Kids Playing Golf
Think golf is a game for seniors in their retirement years?
Hand your child a golf club, and you might be surprised at what happens.
Your child might not be the next Arnold Palmer or Annika Sorenstam. But golf can make a big impact in a young life.
Kids can benefit from the sport mentally, physically, and emotionally. The sport can set them up for success as they get older. Many of the skills learned on the course translate to real life.
Keep reading to learn the top reasons to get your kids playing golf.
1. Physical Activity
Is your child hitting the recommended one hour of physical activity every day? Golf is the perfect way to get your child active.
Walking from hole to hole gives your child aerobic activity. Carrying the golf bag helps build strength and endurance. They also build muscle as they play.
Swinging the golf club and hitting the ball take coordination. Young kids may struggle with that coordination at first. Practicing golf helps improve hand-eye coordination, which can benefit them in other physical activities.
As kids get older, they may add in other physical activity to improve their golf game. Your child might start strength training to help with the golf swing. They might do core muscle work for better stability.
Starting with just one physical activity like golf at an early age creates a lifestyle of activity. Golf is something kids can do for the rest of their lives. It’s a simple habit to start now to encourage that healthy lifestyle into adulthood.
2. Low Risks
Over 2.6 million kids 19 and under visit the ER annually because of sports and recreation injuries. Compared to contact sports like football and hockey, golf is a much safer option for your kids.
Golf is a low-impact, non-contact sport. That means the likelihood of a broken bone or head injury is much lower.
Injuries that do happen in golf are generally minor. Most golf injuries happen because of an improper swing or overuse issues.
Getting your child golf lessons to learn the proper mechanics can help decrease the chances of those types of injuries. A golf pro can teach your child everything from the proper golf grip to the correct posture.
3. Suitable for Anyone
Look across any golf course, and you’ll see people of all sizes, shapes, and ages enjoying the sport.
Some sports are easier to play if you fit a certain mold. Tall basketball players find the most success. Speed is important for runners and football players.
Golf is something that any child can play, regardless of strength, speed, or physical stature. It’s a sport that lets all types of kids find success if they stick with it.
Kids who feel like they don’t stack up in other physically demanding sports may feel more comfortable on the golf course. They quickly realize that they’re not at a disadvantage just because they’re shorter or slower than other kids.
Playing golf can be better suited for kids who don’t like large groups. Team sports come with a lot of pressure to perform. Since golf is individual, kids can challenge themselves and grow as an individual player.
4. Time Spent Outdoors
Does your child prefer video games and screen time over playing outdoors? Maybe your kids just haven’t found the right activity to get them excited about heading outside.
Golf gets your kids excited about being outdoors. They get fresh air and sunshine in addition to physical activity.
Benefits of playing outside may include cognitive development, socialization, improved vision, and increased attention span.
5. Friendships and Bonding
Playing golf gives you a chance to bond and grow friendships. When you golf with kids, you spend quality family time together. You create memories you can relive throughout your life.
Getting kids involved in youth golf also helps them meet friends. They have golf as a shared interest, which can make it easier to grow friendships. If they do tournaments, they’ll see the same kids at many of those events.
Kids can also get involved in partner or group play. This helps with socialization and learning to deal with those relationships.
6. Future Opportunities
Starting your kids playing golf at a young age may set them up for later success. They learn the basics of the sport early. That gives them a head start if they play for a high school sports team or in junior competitions.
If your child shows promise in the sport, it could even lead to scholarships.
7. Life Skills
Golf is a game of rules and etiquette. Sure, lots of sports have rules. But golf has lots of unspoken rules and points of etiquette kids need to learn.
It’s a good way to teach your child discipline. They have to not only learn but also follow the many rules. Every situation in life has rules, so this is a good skill for kids to learn.
Playing golf teaches kids to be polite and calm. They can’t throw a temper tantrum when the game doesn’t go their way. They can’t taunt the other players or trash talk on the course.
This can help kids understand that it’s important to stay calm and keep emotions under control in other areas of life. It’s good practice for frustrating interactions they’ll have in the real world.
Learning golf etiquette is a bit like learning how to interact in society. You need to read the room and understand the situation to figure out how to behave.
8. Confidence and Persistence
The idea of golf is simple. But gaining the skills to be a good golfer takes time and practice.
Golf teaches kids persistence. They learn how to overcome frustration and continue working to improve. They’ll see gradual improvement the more they practice, which motivates them to continue.
As they improve at golf, they gain confidence. That confidence follows them to other areas of life.
Embrace the Benefits of Kids Playing Golf
Kids playing golf may not be as popular as basketball, football, softball, or soccer, but the sport has many advantages. Starting your child at a young age helps develop the game skills and mental, emotional, and physical skills that come with it. Visit Blue Sky Golf Club to find out about our Junior Golf Lessons or learn more about the Golf Academy of North Florida.
