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Navigating the golf course with its various sections can be a headache for those starting their golf journey, especially when adding in which golf club to use when and how to use it. Having this golf club training tucked under your belt will not only improve your golfing skills but will give you a well-rounded perspective on the full picture of golfing. Due to the changing conditions of each golf course, a golf player will need to understand the different golf clubs and their uses. One of the most critical aspects of playing golf is picking the correct equipment. A golfer wouldn't select a putter when needing to drive their golf ball across the fairway. Types of Golf Clubs A golfer needs to become familiar with the various clubs golfers use. With the proper golf club training, you can start catching wind with your golf skills! This will ensure golf players know when to use a specific club and why. A typical golf bag comes with 14 clubs.  However, depending on where an individual is on their golfing journey, they may start with fewer clubs as they get accustomed to golf stances and swings. The clubs included in a 14 club bag are: WoodsIronsHybridsWedgesPutters Let's dive a bit deeper into these types of clubs and their uses. Woods Even though modern-day clubs are made from titanium or steel, the original wood clubs were crafted from various types of wood. Woods come in two varieties, driver and fairway. These club types have the largest clubheads and are hollow with long shafts. Woods have long, hollow shafts that allow these clubs to be lightweight and easy for golfers to swing. Golf players will choose woods when driving the golf ball a distance or hitting it with great force. Irons Irons come in numbered from 3-iron to 9-iron. Additionally, irons come in short, long, or middle sizing. Golf players will use the different numbers based on the type of shot they need to accomplish. Irons are typically used for shots that are less than 200 yards. Irons tend to make the golf ball bounce as they are hard and don't have much loft. Moreover, unlike woods, irons have smaller and thinner clubheads and are usually solid instead of hollow. Hybrids Hybrids are relatively newer types of clubs and are a blend of woods and irons. They combine the best aspects of wood and…

Even though youth golf players might not be interested in the latest and greatest trends in golf shoes, youth golf shoes have numerous benefits. Golfers may also have questions regarding when and how often they should wear their golf shoes. Some other questions youth golf players may have are: Are youth golf shoes really necessary?Will golf shoes help improve my game?How can one be sure that golf shoes improve their golf game?Are golf shoes different than other athletic shoes? Let's dive into these questions regarding youth golf shoes. Why Golf Shoes? Golf shoes for youth players are essential. Golf shoes assist a player in gripping the different aspects of a golf course. Grabbing the green or sand, or fairway is vital with every type of swing a golfer uses. Good golf shoes will have spikes that allow players to grip the ground as they turn, rotate, and swing on the golf course. In addition to helping a golf player grip the ground, a great pair of golf shoes for youth will help with comfort, stability, balance, and flexibility. Golf shoes are designed for playing golf, just as running shoes are specifically designed for the track. Golf players use their feet for many aspects of golf, including their stance and swing. When shoes are causing discomfort, a player's golf game can suffer. The effects of discomfort on stability, balance, and flexibility are significant, so it is essential to have golf shoes that fit youth well. Shoes with the proper base grant players stability and balance as they use their stance and perform swings. The various motions that a golf player goes through during a swing require a great deal of balance and flexibility. The difference between regular athletic shoes and golf shoes is in the design. Golf shoes have a larger sole and broader base, built-in stabilizers, and spikes while remaining flexible to allow golfers to manipulate their feet movements. Benefits of Youth Golf Shoes Wearing the proper type of attire is essential for golf players. Learning to play golf with the appropriate youth golf shoes will aid those learning golf how to approach a swing as a swing feels vastly different with golf shoes than without golf shoes. Playing golf correctly includes wearing the proper footwear. Learning to play golf while wearing golf shoes helps players develop muscle memory they will rely on during a golf match.  Golf shoes help…

We've all been there before. We get out on the course, and we are feeling on top of the world. Our golf game is at par, and then the dreaded sand trap happens. We spend what seems like hours in frustration attempting to get out of the sand trap. Although this mishap can happen to the best of the golf masters, there are a few tips to help even a pro golfer get out of this dreaded situation. Avoiding a sand trap is impossible, and every golf player should know how to improve their bunker shot. Before we get into explaining five tips that can help with a bunker shot, golf players should calm their minds and remain positive. A good attitude is the first step in approaching a bunker shot. A good attitude helps a golfer read the bunker. As Gary Player states, "there's more to read in a bunker than any green." Let's dig into these five tips. Bunker Shot Tip #1 The first tip is to select the right club. Golfers should make their club selection based on their position with the green. A high loft wedge might be the best choice if there is little green between the sand trap and the hole. However, if there is more green on the fairway between the sand and the hole, a lower loft wedge will be the better club to use. Additionally, the club's bounce is essential to get the golf ball onto the green. Bounce helps golfers to keep their swing speed and elevate the golf ball out of the sand. The speed reduction is drastic if the club digs into the sand, and the golf ball will remain in the sand. Using a greenside bunker shot, golfers can attack the sand and untrap their golf balls from the sand trap. Sand Trap Tip #2 After selecting the right club with the right bounce, the next tip is to use the correct stance. The right club without the proper posture will do nothing to get the golf ball out of the sand. Some questions to ask before swinging are: Where is the ball in the stance?What is the angle of my shoulders?Where are my feet pointed?Where is my weight?Is my grip different?Will my stance and grip allow for a steeper swing? These questions will help set up the stance, grip, and swing that a golfer needs for…

Golf stretching should be one of the first things that you do before you take your first step onto the golf course. Just like warm-up hits are essential, so is pre-game stretching. Many golfers already know how imperative stretching is to have enough flexibility to maintain a good swing. Golfing is a sport that requires strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. Having a range of motion is extremely important and can improve club speed, hip rotation, spinal rotation, and more. For golfers, both beginners and experts, everyone can use a regular stretching routine. Indian River Golf Foundation, IRGF has compiled a quick practice of stretches that anyone can follow to increase flexibility to improve your golf swing. Golf Stretching Routine Stretch 1- the Twist Stretch The twist is an excellent stretch for loosening up the lower back and the hamstrings. To do this stretch, please follow these steps: Begin the stretch with your feet placed at a stance wider than your hips. Place your right hand on your lower back and facing away from your body.Begin to bend your right knee and twist to reach your left hand to your right foot.Then lift your torso and switch to the opposite side. Stretch 2- the Scarecrow Twist The practice of this stretch is great for relieving any pressure that may be coming from your lower back. To do this stretch, follow these steps: Begin with your feet slightly wider than shoulder distance. Place your golf club behind your neck and onto your shoulders.Put both arms over/around the club, much like a scarecrow stands.Bend your knees and twist to the right while pivoting the left foot.Repeat step 4 on the opposite side. Golf Stretch 3- the Standing Side Stretch Due to the twisting that this stretch produces, it is excellent for stretching the spine. It also will help to prepare the body for swinging a golf club. To do this stretch, follow the steps below: Begin standing straight while planting the club into the ground with your right hand.Cross your left leg over the right leg and reach the left arm up and over in the golf club’s direction.Look up and allow the hips to move to the left side slightly.Follow steps 1-3 on the opposite side of the body. Golf Stretching With IRGF Next time you schedule your tee time, do this quick stretching routine and notice the difference that you will feel within…

Here at The Indian River Golf Foundation, we believe that having integrity, perseverance, and proper etiquette is at the heart of the game of golf. Etiquette encompasses the rules of what players should and shouldn’t do. Imagine how respectful the game would be if everyone were to practice proper etiquette on the course. Below is an introduction to having courtesy and good etiquette on the course. No Devices on the Course As a general rule of etiquette in more places than just on the course, avoid bringing any communication devices, including phones, pagers, and watches. If any devices come onto the course and happen to made sounds, it can distract your fellow players and create tension between players. When you’re on the course, enjoy the game and leave the office behind. Keep an Even Temper Have you ever seen players throw their clubs or yell and scream? It doesn’t leave a good impression on anyone around them. Instead of losing your peers’ respect, try to improve your attitude on the green even when you’re not doing well. Not only will having a positive attitude allow other players to respect you, but it can improve your golf game as well. Yelling 'Fore' One of the most considerate things to do during a round of golf is to yell ‘Fore’ when your ball seems to be heading in the direction of other players. If you’re the one directly in the way, do your best to take cover or move out of the way of the shot. Drive the Golf Cart Responsibly For the course’s safety, your peers, and yourself, drive the golf carts as respectfully as possible. You want to be careful not to cause any damage to the course. Leaving any skid marks due to your driving is a big no-no in terms of having good golf etiquette. Clean up the Bunkers We understand that nobody likes being in the bunker. Getting your ball out will be the top priority, so we expect that golfers might move around the sand to get the best shot. To be respectful, rake the bunker after you have hit the ball. This way, you are leaving it as lovely as it was before. Practice Etiquette at IRGF At IRGF, we are golfers, teachers, and friends. If you’re interested in learning more about golf etiquette or our foundation in Indian River County, please contact Roger Van…

The sport of traditional golf requires discipline. From the youngest of amateurs to the highest level pros, a lack of discipline will cause players to fall apart on any course. Discipline separates genuinely great golfers from the has-been’s, and at Indian River Golf Foundation, we teach that discipline in our cadets. Through golf, we can give our cadets many life lessons, and discipline will learn naturally. Golf is, in its very nature, a patient game. An impatient player may rush their shots or attempt to make plays that are impossible for their skill level, and that lack of discipline will lead to failure. These players can apply this discipline to their daily lives. At work, we need the discipline to push through a tough assignment or stay on task with a chore. Through golf, we hope that these lessons will lead to greater discipline in every aspect of their lives. With Indian River Golf Foundation, our cadets will learn the values of discipline through: Learning How To Play GolfTraining With Fellow CadetsLeading Other Cadets In ExercisesShowing Responsibility The lessons these young golfers will learn through golf will carry them for the rest of their lives. We offer them an outlet and an opportunity to learn in a safe environment. One, they can be themselves, have fun, and learn some golf all at once. How Does Golf Teach Discipline? It may seem confusing how a sport can teach a child discipline, but it has to be thought-about to look at the sport from a different angle. The players are doing more than just walking up, hitting a ball, and sending it towards the green. They’re always trying to learn ways they can improve their skills. Improvement is where a large majority of the discipline comes from, and the only way to get better at golf is to practice. That means going out every day and banging balls with a purpose. Anyone can go to the range, hit them hard, and call it a day. Players who want to improve will go out there and work on the game parts that have told them to need to be improved. Continually seeking out ways to improve and then acting on them is discipline. We hope that players who experience success from this discipline will hold on to that feeling and let it help them in every aspect of their life. If a cadet…

What Is a Player Development Pull-Up? A player development pull-up is a motion of “reaching down and pulling up.” It is a type of volunteer activity that helps to promote advanced learning in player development. It requires an interest in young players and provides the necessary ingredients they are missing to advance in the game of golf and as a person. Below you will find out the best ways to properly execute player development pull-ups and the time and interest that it requires when performing this exercise. How To Prepare For Player Development Pull-Ups By following these four points below, we here at IRGF believe that it will best prepare for you for pull-ups: By attending IRGF Training Sessions, you will be able to grasp the needs of each player betterBy interacting with your fellow players and IRGF golf instructorsBy participating in on-course activities giving small groups of young players experience how to play the game By serving as an IRGF Player Agent and by informing other players and parents of further opportunities in junior golf While “pulling up” the young players of golf, you’re developing long-lasting, valuable relationships with both the players and their parents. During this process, you will also be building an essential team atmosphere among the players. It’s important that all activities are being conducted with the highest courtesy, respect, responsibility, and safety. As you can imagine, there are a wide variety of ways to perform player development pull-ups. You can find out how to best aid the game’s growth by contacting a member of the IRGF professional staff. For further information on player development pull-ups, you can contact IRGF President Roger Van Dyke at rogervandykeirgf@gmail.com or via phone at (772) 713-9593. What Is A Physical Pull-Up? A physical pull-up is a compound pull-type exercise that works a large number of muscles in your back, shoulders, and arms all at the same time. The following table lists information about Pull-ups and the muscles that you use when performing pull-ups.  Benefits Of The Pull-Up Exercises This exercise is great for golfers because it’s good for protecting the body from any possible physical imbalance. It also is beneficial for challenging the upper body, specifically the back. We’re covering the pull-up specifically because it’s one of the best exercises that help develop appropriate posture and power transfer during any golfer’s swing. How To Perform A Pull-Up Exercise Left (Figure 1):…

Through the efforts of our year-round programs here at the Indian River Golf Foundation, such as high school training and collegiate, professional, and community participation in IRGF, we aim always to bring new players to the game and help to develop them based on their potential needs while also teaching life and leadership skills. Every player at the IRGF becomes a part of our mission and vision for our foundation. The IRGF Mission Here at the Indian River Golf Foundation, we foster learning and excellence in player development for golfers of all ages. Whether you're a beginner or a skilled player, we can teach new techniques, skills, and lessons to expand your knowledge of the game. The Indian River Golf Foundation creates expanded opportunities to participate in golf, build character, honor the game's traditions, and recognize those who have demonstrated high performance levels and outstanding contributions to the wonderful game of golf. The IRGF Vision Our vision is to bring new players to the game and enhance long-time golfers' pleasure regardless of skill by creating a safe, affordable, and enriching golf experience. Our foundation will provide consistent and dependable leadership to all. We will also coordinate community support for the advancement of golf in Indian River County and areas beyond. Perseverance In Golf Having perseverance in the game of golf is essential to being a great player. To succeed in the sport, golfers must push through their mistakes while learning and growing from them. Here at IRGF, we believe that part of having perseverance is learning through being able to cope with frustration while playing, always trying to improve your game, and never giving up. Coping With Game Frustration All golfers have experienced frustration at one point during their golf careers. While the sport of golf can be complex at times, adding in nerves, fears and frustration can make it even more complex than it needs to be. The best way to learn how to cope is to push through the feelings and persevere through the doubts. Some ways that you can practice this is to: Put your game into perspectiveAim to be positive throughout the game/practicePay close attention to your thoughtsTry to focus on the facts of the game "Golf is about how well you accept, respond to, and score with your misses much more so than it is a game of your perfect shots."Dr. Bob Rotella Improving Your…