Golf for beginners
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illions of people hit the links to play golf recreationally, and many young stars of the game are inspiring others to try their hand at this difficult sport. In its “U.S. Golf Economy Report,” released in 2018, WE ARE GOLF, a coalition of golf’s governing bodies, found there was a 20 percent increase in junior golf participation in the five years between 2011 and 2016. Plus, there were 2.5 million golfers who played for the first time in 2016, up from 1.5 million in 2011. Even more exciting for the industry is non-golfers interested in playing golf doubled to 12.8 million. There has never been a better time to play golf. However, to the uninitiated, golf can be complicated. There are many different rules and all sorts of equipment to learn and lingo to follow. In fact, the experts at Golf Digest say that some people can be scared off even before they hit the green. Fortunately, all it takes is a little research to get started on learning about and ultimately embracing the game of golf. Here are six ways to get started. Start off on a practice range and not on the golf course. The range is a great place to acclimate oneself to the game and practice your swings. Hook up with someone who can show you the ropes. Going it alone can tame feelings of embarrassment from being new to the game. However, having someone in your corner guiding you can make it easier to learn and love the game. Work with a local golf pro or enlist the help of a friend or family member with some golfing experience. Learn all you can about the clubs, including which kinds are used for various types of shots. While a golfer
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Golfing in the era of social distancing
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is allowed to carry as many as 14 clubs in a bag, you will not need that many when first starting out, nor do you have to invest thousands of dollars in a set of clubs. It’s possible to find used clubs online if you want to try the sport before committing.
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Lean toward more loft when selecting clubs. Look for drivers that have at least 10 degrees of loft and fairway woods that start at 17 degrees, offers Golf Digest. This will make it easier for beginners to get the ball into the air and can reduce sidespin so shots fly more straight. Pay attention to short shots as well as the long ones. Spend as much time practicing with wedges and the putter as the driver to really tighten up all of your shots. Learn the proper grip and stance by working with a coach. Invest in a glove to avoid callused hands, as you’ll be spending significant time practicing. With these tips, novice golfers can get on the road to developing a great golf game relatively quickly.
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Wednesday, March 24, 2021
SO MINN GOLF
Golfing in the era of social distancing
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olfers enthusiastically look forward to the day when their favorite courses reopen to players each year. That an-
ticipation was even greater in 2020, when so-
cial distancing measures forced many courses to stay closed even as the weather warmed up. Thankfully for golfers, golf courses were among the first businesses given the green
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light to reopen as governments began to lift restrictions. Golfing in the era of social distancing may not be quite the same as it was prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, but golfers can still have fun as they hit the links. That’s especially true when they take steps to understand just what it means to golf while social distancing prior to teeing off. · ASSESS YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH BEFORE GOING TO THE GOLF COURSE. Golf attracts athletes from all age groups, including some that are more vulnerable to COVID-19 than others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, age is a risk factor for COVID-19, as older adults are more vulnerable to severe illness if they are infected with the virus than younger adults. Social distancing requires a collective effort on the part of everyone to keep vulnerable people safe, and golfers are no exception. Golfers young and old who are under the weather or experiencing even mild symptoms of COVID-19 should avoid golf courses until they feel better. In addition, young golfers can choose tee times when they’re less likely to come into contact with older golfers. Early morning tee times tend to be popular among older golfers, but speak with staff at the course to see if they have rules in place to safeguard older golfers. If they do, respect those rules. If they don’t, work with staff to choose a tee time when you’re less likely to be around older golfers.
· DISINFECT CLUBS BEFORE OR AFTER PLAYING. Disinfecting clubs and other equipment before and after playing is a simple measure that can reduce golfers’ risk of getting the virus or spreading it if they have it but are asymptomatic. Simply wipe down clubs and other equipment with disinfectant or an alcohol-based cleanser that is at least 60 percent alcohol. If playing with a friend, resist the urge to share clubs, no matter how tempting it may be to take your playing partner’s new driver for a spin on the first hole. · REFUSE VALET SERVICE. Many courses have temporarily stopped offering valet services to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Golfers who visit a club that is not taking such precautions can opt to refuse the service. Doing so decreases the risk of getting or spreading the virus by limiting the number of people with whom you come into direct contact. · PACK SUPPLIES. Contact the course in advance to determine if the dining room is open and if the course is providing hand sanitizer at each tee. At-risk golfers may want to skip dining at the course after their round is over, opting to pack their own lunch or eat when they arrive home after playing. If the course is not offering hand sanitizer at each hole, pack your own as an extra precaution. Golfing in the era of social distancing may be different, but there’s no reason golfers cannot still enjoy a summer on the links.
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Wednesday, March 24, 2021
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