On the surface, golf can be a game of beauty and majesty, producing some of the most-storied traditions in all of sports. But for casual players, it can be the single most frustrating exercise ever invented.
You don’t necessarily need to hire your own golf pro to improve your experience on the links. Of course, a lesson or two probably wouldn’t hurt either.
“If you feel rusty or self-conscious, take a golf lesson or join a clinic to brush up your game and confidence,” says Carol Preisinger, the Director of Instruction at the award-winning Kiawah Island Club Golf Academy. “A good grip, posture, and alignment go a long way when you don’t play often. If you don’t have time to play, visit the practice facility and spend the majority of time working on your short game.”
Preisinger knows what she’s talking about. Kiawah Island hosts a number of heralded courses designed by such golfing luminaries as Tom Fazio, Tom Watson, and Jack Nicklaus.
In fact, Kiawah’s Ocean Course was designed and built specifically for the 1991 Ryder Cup matches.
However, if lessons aren’t in the cards, Preisinger offers some other helpful tips:
• Call in Advance: Before arriving at the course, inquire about rates, dress code, and other necessary information. If you’re on a budget, ask about twilight rates. Many resorts have discounted rates in the afternoon. You can save money on green fees and the course may be less crowded.
• Know Your Game: By being familiar with how far your shots carry, you’ll better navigate course hazards.
“Carry is the key word here, especially when water lies between you and the green,” says Kiawah’s Preisinger. “Plan accordingly and pick the best club that will carry the water.”
• Improve Your Club Selection: Updating your golf clubs can help. Consider investing in custom wedges to save strokes, hybrids for hitting more greens, and a putter with a length and head weight that’s right for you. But lugging a set on your vacation isn’t all that appealing. Leave them at home if they aren’t imperative to your game. Many resorts provide top-of-the-line equipment. Just don’t forget to buy golf balls.
• Play Challenging Courses: Top resort golf courses typically offer scenic landscapes, lagoons or ocean views, which add beauty to the eye and depth to your game.
• Learn the Rules: It might seem elementary, but familiarizing yourself with the USGA rulebook, especially specific situations and procedures, may save you some strokes. Ask if local rules allow for “drop areas” on holes with water hazards, which could save you time and golf balls.
For more information about the courses on Kiawah Island, which is just off the coast of South Carolina, visit www.Kiawah.com.
Difficult to pick up, impossible to master, golf has confounded players their entire lives.
But with a few simple tips, the grand game can get just a little easier.
— StatePoint