Slow play is a challenge for courses that seems to not go away! It is frustrating for most players who have expectations of finish by a certain time to get home to watch Brooke Henderson or Rickie Fowler win their first Major! Slow play will not go away if we continue to approach golf in the same way.
As Albert Einstein once said: the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results!
Playing golf is for everyone! Golf has the unique ability to bring together people from all walks of life and make them equal. Everyone has access to the same clubs, attire, balls, and accouterments. Everyone has access to the same training videos, local pros for lessons, being self-taught and places to practice our skills. The golf industry entices people to play golf and to actually enjoy the game. As part of their efforts, the various golf associations have started various initiatives for the good of the game.
“Data collected by the World Golf Foundation indicates there are 27 million people who have an interest in wanting to play golf, but don’t play the game,” Bob Barrett, CEO of Honours Golf said. “Imagine if we could get just 10 percent of those people playing the game?”(AL.com)
TEE IT FORWARD helps players identify their limitations and speed up play. Something that makes the golf fun for everyone. Read TEE IT FORWARD for full details.
Offering playing opportunities to young children in the US is First Tee. The First Tee‘s mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instil life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.
Since 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its positive values to more than 3.5 million young people in 50 states, four international locations and over 3,400 elementary schools.
What makes The First Tee effective in building positive character traits in young people is The First Tee Life Skills Experience™, a teaching curriculum developed by experts in the field of positive youth development and delivered by caring coaches. Through this experience, participants learn to transfer the positive values of golf to everyday life.
In addition to the parallel learning opportunities available for participants and coaches, The First Tee University provides formal training for Chapter management, staff, board members, and others. Training goals include assisting Chapter leaders in creating sustainable youth development organizations, and to enhance program quality and impact.
Participants learn to
Coaches
A some what similar United Kingdom initiative is Golf Foundation’s Grass Roots. The Foundation’s ‘HSBC Golf Roots’ programme in schools is gathering significant momentum in 2013, as 39 out of 46 County Local Organizing Committees have selected an HSBC Golf Roots competition for the current academic year as part of England’s School Games curriculum. This high proportion is second only to athletics, and ahead of traditional school sports such as football, cricket and netball.
An additional United Kingdom program is Get into golf. “Golf is one of the best sports you can play to improve mental and physical well-being whatever your age, background or ability. Indeed, Golf’s powerful combination of stress-busting exercise, fresh air and camaraderie make it an excellent activity for promoting long-term heart health. There is no better sport for bringing people together – whatever their age, gender, background or ability. With plenty of time for conversation and fun, golf is the perfect way to make new friends and grow closer bonds with people you already know.”
All the above initiatives, and many more, are really designed to make golf FUN! That is the bottom line. These programs are structured and provide excellent ways to improve the game of golf for beginning duffers. For those a bit more adventurous, Golf Digest suggests 18 less conventional ways to enjoy the game of golf. Although they are not national initiatives, they do suggest ways to shake up the game to achieve the same result….having FUN!
Golf is fun. It is an activity that allows anyone to escape reality by playing a game that empowers the player to determine the result of their time on the links. Regardless of what the golf industry lauds, golf is fun! Golf is a sport that offers opportunities abound and I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
With a goal of improving Canadian golfers’ overall enjoyment of the game, the Canadian PGA and Golf Canada support the TEE IT FORWARD initiative.
“TEE IT FORWARD is aimed at helping golfers have the best possible experience on the golf course by playing from a set of tees best suited to their abilities. The initiative encourages all golfers to play the course at a length that is aligned with their average driving distance.” (Golf Canada)
Driver Distance Recommended Yardages to play:
This not just a Canadian initiative, the PGA and USGA are supporting partners as well. “When you TEE IT FORWARD, you hit more lofted irons into greens, putt for birdies and pars more often and play faster and score better! Many amateurs are regularly hitting approach shots on a par-4 hole from 185 to 205 yards. The fact is, most bogey golfers only hit approach shots generally with any accuracy from within 170 yards. When you TEE IT FORWARD, you have the potential to hit approach shots from 145 to 165 yards.”
TEE IT FORWARD received great feedback in 2012 from golfers nationwide (USA) who reported:
Coming Through!
The TEE IT FORWARD program is great for golf and last nights round is a perfect reason. My friend and I were playing behind a twosome of women, who in turn were playing behind a threesome of men. The threesome of men were very slow. So slow that the women played two balls each and were still waited on every hole. The men in front had several holes open in front of them and would not let the women play through. The most frustrating aspect of this entire ordeal is that the two of the men rarely hit the ball further than 150 yards! In stead of playing from the whites, they should have moved up to the golds. It makes a difference of about 30-50 yards a hole. It would definitely have sped up play. For those who may be asking, we did join the women and still had to wait!
TEE IT FORWARD is a great program for golf! It will definitely improve the pace of play and the enjoyment for those on the course. I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 