Hacienda's Golf Blog

Just as there are those who drive Fords and those who Ferraris, golf club members come in varied types. That’s as it should be: With so many types of clubs available, there is a place for seeking to get into the game or looking to progress in the game.

That being said, there are some traits that will typically identify those who choose membership in one of the more distinguished clubs – elements of style and substance that set them apart from other players.

Before looking at the common traits among the members of distinguished clubs, it’s helpful to understand the clubs themselves. What exactly constitutes a truly “distinguished” golf club?

We've all heard the adage "Golf mirrors Life", but you might be surprised how true that saying really is. Golf is a great game, but it’s a fickle game; and the avid golfer knows all too well that the lessons learned in golf can almost always be applied to successful living, whether it be dealing with adversity, improving abilities, or social interactions. So let's take a look at what some of the world's greatest golfers and scholars (and Chuck Norris) have to say about it. You might be surprised by the similarities.

"Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots — but you have to play the ball where it lies." ~ Bobby Jones

As an avid golfer, you probably have a pretty good idea what constitutes proper golf etiquette on the golf course. Things like slow play, failing to repair your divots, or throwing your clubs in frustration are some of the obvious no-nos. A key aspect of private golf club culture is the respect for and adherence to proper etiquette including but not limited to:  

Golf club membership brings with it more than simply an opportunity to tee it up, lob a few on the tennis courts, maybe swim a few laps. Every club has its own unique membership culture, and joining the club means becoming a part of a special community and environment.

The club culture defines the membership experience, helping to set the tone and create the atmosphere. Choosing a club means, in part, learning to discern the cultural differences and finding the one that feels most right.

What makes for a membership culture? Here are a few differentiators, with the caveat that no one culture is better or worse than any other. There are differences, that’s all, and the savvy player will find the version that fits the best.

Golf is hard.  But, it’s easier to learn to play well at a young age versus attempting the same later in life. Although there are different opinions among experts about the ideal time to introduce a young child to the game, there are many advantages to starting a child early in golf.  So what is the ideal age to start your child in the game of golf? Can you start your child too early?

The simple answer is that there is no "absolute" best age for your child to begin learning and playing golf. While it is best to wait until a child reaches a certain level of maturity before introducing specific learning tasks, children of almost any age can be exposed to the game in some way and start having fun right away. When kids have fun around golf they will develop the desire to learn more and become better at it.  

Some of the advantages to starting your child in the game of golf at a young age aren't just limited to golf.

In the United States alone, there are more than 3 million junior golfers, many of whom participate in a junior golf program. In order to grow the game and sustain membership over the long haul, many golf clubs focus on  accommodating young golfers, but not all junior golf programs are alike.

Some provide camps and small leagues or tournaments. Others play host to large tournaments and make junior golf a priority with focused instruction and regular competition. When it comes to the experience for your child, it is important for you to take your child's specific wants and needs into account.  If you're thinking about signing up your child for a junior golf program, you should take a few things into consideration before you decide which program to join.

As you read through these fundamental characteristics of a successful junior golf program, keep in mind that many of these same ideals are important in your child's everyday life as well. Having an understanding of the game of golf and what it represents will improve not only your child's game, but also other things in their life, for example, relationships and decision making.

Earning a golf scholarship is about more than just shooting low scores.

It’s an easy mistake to make, to assume that universities are looking solely for proficiency in the game, and that shaving off strokes will boost one’s chances of landing a coveted financial lift on the way to making tuition.

Play is important, of course, but it’s not the only factor in determining who gets a scholarship.

For many people games and activities are, well, a spectator’s sport. The manic pursuit of a ball, whether small or large, orange or white, is something to be done comfortably in front of the television. Golf on the other hand is something entirely different.

For a growing number of Americans, golf is a hands-on pleasure. It brings with it a unique form of fulfillment that isn’t easily explained to the non-player. For many, that enjoyment goes one step further with membership in a golf club. Even for those who already take pleasure in the game, golf club membership can bring new heights of enjoyment.

According to a recent poll of nearly 2,000 people who became members of a golf club in the past year, the primary factor in that decision was the club’s friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Now, these results come with some caveats, to be sure.

The poll targeted players new to the game of golf.

And a majority of respondents were women, who particularly fancied the club’s social program, whereas men valued the opportunity to get a handicap and play in competitions.

Golf can be a frustrating game, and when it comes to our children, we want to be very careful. Learning the game takes a lot of time and effort, and the last thing you want to do is put your child in a position where he or she loses interest in the game. It's important to set them up for success, which in this game is easier said than done.

In order to nurture your child's love of the game, it's important to make the game fun for your child. Knowing how to use a golf course's practice facility, how a golf course sets up, which golf courses your child should play, and how to use that information to your child's advantage will make the experience much more pleasurable for your child and give them the foundation to become a lifelong beneficiary of the game.

So what is it about a golf course that leads to the a child’s growth, development and enjoyment of the game?