Have you thought about playing high school golf?
The experience of playing golf in both high school and college is something that you will never regret.
Not only do you get to play the game you love, but you can also meet interesting people, golf partners, and you could even get to play some golf course that you would never otherwise get on.
Playing high school golf is fun and exciting, but it’s good to know a few things about it before heading into your first match.
Here is everything you should know about which tees high school golfers play from so that you can start to practice from the proper location on the course.
What Tees Do High School Golfers Play From?
High school golfers typically play from the men’s tees on the golf course, the average middle handicapper tees.
These tees are considered the “white” tees at many courses.
For an 18-hole golf course, the total distance from the first tee to the 18th hole is typically just under 6,000 yards.
This is about average and even though most high school golf matches are only nine holes, this is considered to be a good test of the game.
Most golf courses will have about four sets of tees.
The tees will be the tips or the pro tees, the men’s tees, the senior tees, and then the ladies’ tees.
At many clubs, the blue are the tips, followed by white, yellow for seniors, and red tees for ladies.
Many private clubs have unique tee markers and tee names, and this allows them to distinguish between one tee or another.
At these types of golf courses, you should pick which tees to play based on the total yardages and not on the color of the tee.
How Good Do Juniors Need To Be To Play High School Golf?
Juniors who want to play high school golf should try to consider if their expectations of playing the game are realistic.
Players who are interested in the sport should first check to make sure that there is a team at their high school.
Most of these teams will start with junior varsity and allow some of the players in the middle school to come up and play high school golf.
The high school golf teams typically have both junior varsity and a varsity team.
These teams will play from the same tee boxes, and most of the time, they will also play the same courses.
However, it is also important to note that there are times when a team may send the varsity to one course and the junior varsity to another course.
The more teams your school has, the easier it is to find a spot on the team.
At some schools, the golfers on the varsity team are shooting in the high 70s and low 80s.
In other schools, the varsity golfers are in the low 90s, and the junior varsity players shoot around 100.
The area where you live and the popularity of the game of golf will have a major impact on the sport and the ability to play.
If you are serious about trying to play high school golf, make it your goal to break 90.
Almost all high school teams could use a golfer who can shoot a solid 85 every time they go out to play.
This means for a nine-hole match, your score should be in the low 40s.
Depending on how good your team is, this could put you as the first player or the last, but chances are you will have a chance of making the team.
How Far Do You Need To Hit The Ball To Play College Golf?
College golf can be played at Division 1, 2, or 3 levels.
In addition, some junior colleges have teams that are a bit more recreational.
For golfers who are serious about playing Division 1 golf, the distance you hit your drives is only important because of your ability to score.
If you can hit the ball between 250 and 280 yards, you will be able to get your shots much closer to the green and, therefore, be a more accurate player.
Golfers who are struggling to get the ball 220 or 230 yards may have a hard time because of the long approach shots they will be facing into the green.
The distance you can hit the ball should not be the only thing that keeps you from becoming a great player.
Try and work on your short game just as much as your distance.
If you end up missing a green but can get up and down, your short game will be what saves your score.
Overall, distance is essential in golf, but it won’t be what makes or breaks your college golf career.
Is College Golf Harder Than High School Golf?
Just as schoolwork is a bit harder in college than it is in high school, the same can be said about the game of golf.
College golf is a bit harder than high school golf.
One of the major reasons behind this is how college golf is played.
1. After School Vs. During School
The high school matches that you play will take place after school.
You can get in a quick nine holes, and you won’t miss any classes.
Although there may be championships that are 18 holes and require a few days off, this is rare and will likely only happen once per year.
Most of the matches for your high school team will be within a few minutes of the school.
2. Travel
College golf requires extensive travel.
Players will end up missing school often to travel via air or road to other states.
There are college golf invitationals at certain golf courses around the country, and you will have to travel with your team to get to these.
The travel can be extensive if you are at a highly competitive school.
You may get the chance to see golf courses located all over the country.
The only difficult part of this is managing the time you spend on your schoolwork with the time you spend on the golf course.
3. 9, 18, Or 36 Holes
Most high school matches are only nine holes.
College tournaments, however, can be 18 or even 36 holes in a day.
College golfers need to walk these 36 holes and carry their golf clubs.
Carrying your golf clubs for 36 holes will take some physical strength, and it is something that you will need to practice and prepare for.
These college matches can take some preparation, and you will have to learn how to manage your strength and your mental focus to last this long on a golf course.
4. Competition
There is no denying the fact that you will end up playing against more competitive golfers in the world of college golf.
Players are going to be more into the game and more likely to shoot in the seventies and even the sixties.
Many college golfers go on to be golf professionals or even play on the PGA Tour.
Of course, the type of school you go to will impact how competitive things are, but this will impact your experience as well.
If you are good enough to play highly competitive college golf, it is a unique experience that often comes with scholarship opportunities.
Do High School Golfers Travel To Play?
Most of the time, high school golfers will play in local matches.
These are matches where two competing schools will travel to a course and play against each other.
Often, there will be two matches in the course of the season.
One match will be held at your home course where your school is host to another school.
The next match will be played away where the other school will host.
This gives high school golfers a chance to compete on their soil and at a neighboring course.
For county or state championships, there could be a bit more travel involved than just the local matches against other schools.
Is High School Golf Competitive?
High school golf can be very competitive.
At many schools in warm areas like California or Florida, the golfers are excellent.
This is because the weather is good enough for players to work on their game the entire year.
They spend months practicing and playing and ensuring that their game is ready for the season.
In northern states, where the winter keeps players off the course, the spring season approaches fast, and the skill level is not always as good as most players want it to be.
High school golf is competitive, but it’s a good idea to look into the local schools in your area and see how competitive it is.
Also, remember that this changes every few years as players graduate and move on.
Some schools will have a standout player who eventually goes into the golf business, but the rest of the team is made up of average golfers.
Do You Need A Full Set Of Clubs For High School Golf?
High school golfers do not need a full set of golf clubs.
For the most part, a set of 10 or more clubs should be plenty.
There are junior or teen sets that have a mix of a driver, fairway wood, hybrid, irons, wedge, and putter that are typically an excellent choice for high school golfers.
All that any golfer will really need is to have a set that allows for various shots.
High school golfers typically do not need top-of-the-line equipment that is considered high-end or premium.
Of course, players who are trying to get recruited for college and think they need this equipment to get an edge should certainly consider it.
However, most high school golfers will be more than fine using a set that was handed down to them from an uncle, grandfather, or close friend.
Players should work more on their swing and their abilities than getting too concerned about the equipment they have in their hands.
Conclusion
We hope that you now feel a bit more knowledgeable about high school golf and what is required to play this sport.
High school golf is a lot of fun and something you should take advantage of if you have the opportunity.
Unlike other sports, golf is such a test of your skills and abilities as an individual.
If you are serious about becoming a great golfer, high school golf can get you started on the right path.
In addition, you will make great friends that you can play golf with for years to come.
Start working on your putting and chipping as much as possible since young golfers with a great short game will make it much further in this sport.
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