Roger Van Dyke, Author at Indian River Golf Foundation

Popular Golf Tournament Formats You Can Participate In

Golf tournaments can be a lot of fun, but did you know that there are many different types of golf tournament formats that you can participate in? From Scramble to Shamble to Stableford, numerous formats keep things interesting. The Indian River Golf Foundation will discuss some of the most popular golf tournament formats and their rules. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced golfer, there is sure to be a tournament format that suits you! Read on to discover all the different ways you can play in a golf tournament. Alternate Shot (Foursome) In an Alternate Shot tournament, also known as a Foursome, two golfers play as a team, and each hits alternating shots. For example, Golfers A and B tee off on the first hole. Golfer A’s drive lands in the fairway while Golfer B’s ends up in the rough. Golfers A and B then discuss which shot they think are best to play next. Golfers A then plays the second shot. If Golfers A’s ball ends up in a bunker, Golfer B will hit the next shot. The team with the lowest score on the hole wins the hole. If both teams tie, the team carries over their score to the next hole. The first team to win a set number of holes (usually six or seven) wins the match. Better/Best Ball In this format, each golfer on a team plays their ball throughout the round. The catch is that only the best score of the foursome counts as the team score on each hole. So, if Golfers A and B are playing as a team and Golfer A shoots a five on a hole while Golfer B carded a six, the team score for that hole would be a five. Bingo Bango Bongo This format is another points-based format where judges award points on each hole as follows: • First, golfers receive one point for being the first player in the group to get their ball on the green. • Then players earn two points for being closest to the pin once all balls are on the green. • Finally, competitors gain three points for being the first player to hole out. The player who scored the most points at the end of the round is declared the winner by the judges. While you can play this format with any size group, it’s generally best with…

Golf Chipping Tips & Techniques For The Range

In golf, a chip is when you make a low shot played along the ground where the ball spends little time in the air. You typically make a chip shot when the hole is close by, similar to a putt. Chip shots are important in golf, so practicing them is essential. So, what goes into the perfect chip shot? Let the Indian River Golf Foundation teach you the fundamentals of chip shots. Proper Posture To start, you want your feet close together and perpendicular to your target line. Your weight should be shifted onto your front foot, and your hands should be in front of the ball. This posture will ensure that the clubface is square at impact and help you hit down on the ball. Bend from the hips in a semi-bowing motion and let your arms hang. Once the correct posture is nailed down, you can adjust it to make different shots. Proper Stance and Setup Now that you know how to get into position, it’s time to fine-tune your stance and setup. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, and the ball should be positioned just inside your left heel for a right-handed golfer. For a lefty, the ball will be just inside the right heel. This stance will help you make solid contact with the ball and keep it on the proper trajectory. Your weight should be shifted onto your front foot, and your hands should be in front of the ball. This stance will ensure that the clubface is square at impact and help you hit down on the ball. Bend from the hips in a semi-bowing motion and allow your arms to hang naturally. The club should be pointing towards the sky, and your hands should be even with your left thigh (righties) or right thigh (lefties). Knowing the Interaction Between Ball and Turf The next golf chipping tip is to ensure you know the ball's and turf's interaction. This knowledge will help you make better contact with the ball and get it airborne more easily. The club should enter the ground before the ball, and you should feel like you’re hitting down on the ball. This technique will help ensure that the ball pops up into the air rather than digging into the ground. The golden rule is to hit down if you want the ball to go up. This is why you keep…

Some Golf Swing Tips To Improve Your Game

Hitting a golf ball with a club might seem simple, but if you've ever tried it, you know it's more complicated than it looks. Improving your golf swings will take a lot of trial and error. However, that doesn't mean it needs to be overly complicated. Learn with the Indian River Golf Foundation about techniques to improve your range and accuracy on the green. More below! Stance You need to start with the correct stance to improve your golf swings. Make sure your knees are bent while your upper body is leaning forward and straight. Don't favor one foot over the other, and keep most of your weight on the balls of your feet. You should hold your club with your hands extended straight down from your shoulders, with your little finger on your right hand touching the top of your left hand in between the knuckle of your middle and index fingers. Ensure your club is angled forward and your feet are parallel to the target line. Your club should be flat behind the ball. Takeaway The takeaway portion of the swing is when you pull your club back in preparation for the swing, ending when your club is parallel to the ground. The shaft of your club must point at your target when it is parallel to the ground. The face of the club should point slightly down, and your wrists shouldn't be allowed to hinge. This means you only pull back until your club is parallel to the ground and no further. Remember that your hands stay in front of your chest, forming an isosceles triangle with your shoulders and the butt of your club as the triangle's points. Backswing Your backswing begins where your takeaway ends as you lift your club high, so it is no longer parallel to the ground. You will place more weight on your right foot at this point. Make sure your left arm is straight, and your left heel stays firmly on the ground. Your left knee should point at the ball, while your right knee should still be flexible. Rotate your hips with your motion but proceed slower to ensure a solid hit on the golf ball. Top of the Swing The top of your swing is the midpoint between starting your swing and striking the ball. As before, the shaft of your club should point at your target, just…

Fun Facts about Golf: The Sport of Kings

Golf is a popular sport that has been around for centuries. Many people know it as the "sport of kings." But just how old is golf? Where did it come from? What is unique about the sport? There are many exciting golf fun facts that you may not know! This blog post will discuss some fascinating facts about this popular sport. 20 Fun Facts about Golf Golf is among the top 10 most popular sports in the world. Over 24 million people played golf on a course in 2019, and the sport has over 450 million fans worldwide!Golf has diverse origins. The ancient Chinese played a golf-like game called chuiwan, and the ancient Romans played a similar game called paganica. The modern game of golf has its origins in 15th-century Scotland.Though modern golf originated in Scotland, the word "golf" is Dutch. Written as "kolve" or "kolf," the Dutch introduced it to the Scots, who pronounced it "goff." This word eventually became the word we know and love -golf!The first golf courses in Scotland were village greens and cattle pastures.The first golf balls were leather balls stuffed with bird feathers. These could travel further than balls introduced afterward. The balls that came afterward were wooden and uneven -making them unpredictable!The first mass-produced golf balls were made from sapodilla tree sap heated and dried into a round mold. These balls, called gutties, would become dinged and nicked from being hit so often, inspiring the textured surface of modern golf balls.The oldest golf course in the world is The Old Course at St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland. The town established the course in 1552.The king of Scotland banned golf thrice between 1457 and 1744. The reasoning was that the government thought golf interfered with military training, including archery practice. The Scottish people widely ignored these bans.Mary Queen of Scots was the first recorded female golfer. Many people call her the Mother of Golf.Golf tees didn't exist until the end of the 19th century. Before that, players would use a small mound of sand or dirt. An African-American man named Dr. George Grant (the second African American to earn a dental degree) invented the first golf tees and patented the design in 1899. Modern Golf Fun Facts Astronauts played golf on the moon!. Alan Bartlett Shepherd Jr. used a six-iron to play a stellar game of golf on February 6th, 1971. He had to…

Tips for Getting Your Kid Hooked on Golf

If you're looking for a way to get your kids interested in golf, look no further! Golf can be a great sport for families to enjoy together. Not only is it fun and challenging, but it also teaches children essential life skills such as discipline, patience, and teamwork. So what are you waiting for? Get your kids started on the path to becoming golf pros today! It is Never Too Late to Start One of the great things about golf is that it's never too late to start learning. Whether your child is five or fifteen, they can always pick up the game and start improving their skills. Golf is also a sport that people of all ages can enjoy, so you can continue playing together as a family for many years to come. Use Age-Appropriate Teaching Methods When kids initially start in golf, you want them to believe that they can succeed at the game. This means using age-appropriate teaching methods and setting achievable goals. For younger kids, this might mean using larger clubs and softer balls. You can also let them play on shorter courses with fewer holes. As they get older and improve their skills, you can challenge them with more difficult tasks. Golf Can Be a Great Way to Spend Quality Time Together Golf is a great way to spend time together as a family. It's a chance to unplug from technology and enjoy being outdoors. It's also an opportunity to teach your child essential life skills such as discipline, patience, and teamwork. So what are you waiting for? Get your kids started on the path to becoming golf pros today! Don't Let Your Kids Get Frustrated at Golf Golf is a challenging sport. It is easy to get frustrated. When your kids start to get frustrated, it's important to remind them of the importance of patience and perseverance. Let them know that everyone makes mistakes and that it is okay to be a little bit clumsy sometimes. Encourage Them When They Are Doing Well When your child hits a great shot or sinks a putt, make sure you let them know how proud you are of them. This will help build their confidence and encourage them to keep practicing. Be Prepared for Setbacks. Golf is a sport that requires a lot of practice. Unfortunately, not all children will be successful at first. It's essential to…

Golf Etiquette: The Do’s and Don’ts of the Game

Golf Etiquette is one of the most critical aspects of the game. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, knowing the proper way to behave on the golf course is essential. Good etiquette can make or break a round of golf, especially if you're playing with strangers. Whether you are trying to make the team or simply just making new friends, understanding golf etiquette is critical. Here are some of the most important do's and don'ts of golf etiquette, according to the Indian River Golf Foundation. Know the Rules This concept seems obvious, but an essential part of any sport is understanding the rules. If you are playing competitively, be sure the rules are clearly established by the first tee. If you are playing a casual game, it is still essential to know the basics, such as out of bounds, water hazards, and lost balls. It will save time and frustration for everyone if you understand how to play the game before teeing off. Always Yell "Fore" Getting hit by a golf ball hurts and may even cause serious injury. To protect your fellow golfers, always yell "fore" when you realize your ball may come close to hitting someone. In a congested area, yell "FORE left" or "FORE" right. Respect the Course The golf course is there for everybody to enjoy, so please take care of it. Respecting the course means not making divots, fixing ball marks, and raking bunkers. Also, don't drive carts over the greens. Although this should go without saying, please try not to make holes in the golf course. It happens more times than one would think. It's terrible for the course and inconsiderate to other golfers. Respect the Golf Path Golf carts are incredible. You don't have to walk an eternity just to get from one hole to another. But, with this convenience comes great responsibility. It is your job to respect the golf path and not tear the course up. Often, beginners will drive on the fairway, not realizing they are doing any damage. But over time, this can destroy the grass and make it difficult for future golfers. If you must drive on the path, be sure to repair your divots and ball marks. Don't Be a Distraction When you're out on the course, it's essential to remain focused on your game and not be a distraction to others. That means no…