Girls Class Lesson Plan # 3

Core Lesson: Courtesy and Responsibility Core Values: Courtesy – being or acting polite to others.

Responsibility – accounting for one’s actions; dependable. Core Lesson: Respecting the Rules Healthy Habit: Play – a variety of physical play helps the body stay strong and healthy.

Energy – making good choices with food and sleep can give you high energy levels. Rules of Golf and Etiquette: Care of the Course, Fairly Striking the Ball, Stroke Play and Match Play Golf Fundamental: Distance Response (Work on Aim and Alignment) Homework: Pages 8 - 15 PLAYer book or Pages 10 - 15 Par book

Warm-Up: Golf Fitness Warm-Up Activity (even numbered workout day – see separate “Golf Circuit Warm-Up” handout located on the private coach website)

Opening Questions: After completing the golf fitness warm up exercise above, coaches and participants will discuss the following questions:

1. What does Courtesy mean to you?2. Who should you show courtesy to?3. What does Responsibility mean to you? 4. What are you responsible for on the golf course?5. Why is it important to play each and every day?6. What can you do to respect the rules of golf?

a. Following the Rules of Golf while playing different formats such as stroke play and match playb. Playing safe and fair in practice areas and on the course

7. What are some things that you do that give you a lot of energy?8. Why is it important to have good energy levels?

Please do not spend more than 5 - 8 minutes discussing all the material above.

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Rules of Golf and Etiquette:

Etiquette – Care of the Course - Leave the course in better condition than you found it. Repair divot holes, repair ball marks on the putting green, and rake bunkers after playing out of them. Repair and rake damage left by others if doing such does not take too much time. Pick up discarded trash left by others less considerate.

Fairly Striking the Ball: In making a stroke: • The player must fairly strike at the ball with the head of the club such that there is only momentary contact between the club and the ball and must not push, scrape or scoop the ball. • If the player’s club accidentally hits the ball more than once (double hit), there has been only one stroke and there is no penalty. (Rule 10) Note: this is new for 2019

Match Play or Regular Stroke Play. These are very different forms of play:• In match play, a player and an opponent compete against each other based on holes won, lost or tied.• In the regular form of stroke play, all players compete with one another based on the total score – that is, adding up each player’s total number of strokes (including strokes made and penalty strokes) on each hole in all rounds. (Rule 3.2 and 3.3)

Alignment Cues:G o l f S w i n g A i m a n d A l i g n m e n t

Alignment is the concept of addressing the golf ball with your body and club face directed precisely at the intended target. If consistent results are expected, then a consistent alignment is necessary. Otherwise, if a player’s alignment changes for every golf shot, every golf swing must change in order to produce consistent results.

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Determine a Target and Target LineOnce all other variables have been considered (wind, slope, hazards, lie, etc.), you must decide on a distinct point where you intend the ball to finish. Let’s assume a straight ball flight is desired; working the ball will come later. The target cannot be a generalized area, but should be as precise as possible. Consider a straight line from the ball to the target to be the target line. This will be the focus around which all alignment takes place.

Soling the ClubheadBegin with the clubhead. Clubface angle is one of only 2 major variables that determine the direction the golf ball will travel, so be precise. Be sure that the sole, or bottom of the clubhead rests completely flat on the ground. Neither the toe nor heel of the club should be raised higher than the other. In other words, the grooves on the clubface should be parallel to the ground. This will affect direction as well as consistency of contact.

Clubface AlignmentBe sure that the leading edge, bottom edge, and/or grooves of the clubface are set perpendicular to the target line. Depending on the club being used, a few degrees off with clubface alignment could mean many yards off line for the shot. When the club is set in the proper position, trust it, and leave it alone for the remainder of the setup.

Body AlignmentAssuming you are hitting a straight shot, your body will be facing exactly perpendicular to the target line. An easier way to regard this problem is to look at line drawn across a player’s feet, knees, hips, shoulders, and even eyes. Ideally, all of these connecting lines should align parallel to the target line. This is one of the most important, but underrated aspects of the entire golf swing. Tour professionals check this alignment on a daily basis. Before you begin, notice that your body is aligning parallel to the target line and not at the target itself. Many players make the mistake of directing both the clubface and their bodies at the target. This would mean that the two lines are not parallel, but converging. For right-handed players, the body is aligned distinctly to the left of the target.

Using Golf Clubs or Tour Sticks for Alignment (Practice Only)To be sure that your alignment is correct, you will need a few extra golf clubs on the practice range. First, place one club on the ground, in front of the golf ball, directed straight at your target. It may help to stand behind the ball to be sure that you are accurate. This will highlight your target line. Toe Line / Body Line Next, place another club on the ground just in front of where your toes will be at address. This club must be set perfectly parallel to the target line club (shafts should be equidistant from each other at both ends). Take a moment to step back behind the ball and notice where the second club is pointing relative to your target. As mentioned above, this shaft (for right-handed players) should align well to the left of the target. These are parallel, not converging lines.

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Checking Body PositionWhen you are set up to the ball, hold still. Have someone hold a shaft across your heels, knees, hips, shoulders, and eyes while ensuring that all lines are parallel to both clubs on the ground. If one of these lines is significantly off-line, you will need to re-orient yourself and set up over again. When all of your lines are parallel, you will be aligned target-ward. This will give you the greatest chance of making a golf swing that is on plane, accurate, and consistent.

You might also note that because your right hand is positioned slightly further down the club than your left hand, your right shoulder may in fact be situated slightly lower than your left shoulder. This tilt in our shoulders is certainly okay and is actually expected. Alignment problems arise however, if we allow our shoulders to open, so be conscious of this tendency. Alignment calls for regular attention and maintenance as it directly affects the path that the club head will travel on, as well as how consistent your shots will reach your target.

In summary, the target line is defined as a straight line from the ball to our intended target. Start by setting the club face down on the ground first, trust it, and then let it serve as a guide for the rest of your set up. All of your body lines including your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders should be parallel to your target line. Because your right hand sits on the club lower than your left, your right shoulder may be situated slightly lower than your left. This is perfectly fine, just don’t allow your shoulders to open or close as this will affect the path that your club is going to travel.

***This activity will be played with the entire class. After finishing this activity, participants should be split in half for the remaining activities.

Activity 1: “Dodge Ball Putting”

Objectives of Game: Two teams will try to eliminate the other team’s cones by hitting each other’s targets on the putting green.

Objectives of Golf Fundamental: Participants will be challenged to use good distance response and aim to hit the cone in the designated area.

Supplies: cones, putters, golf balls, survey tape and tees

Description of Set-Up: create a large game grid using cones, tees and survey tape. See diagram for set-up help.

Pre-Game: Divide the group into two equal teams

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How to Play:1. Each player will be assigned a hitting space and will be given their own cone (or other medium sized

object such as a plastic Dixie cup).2. Coach flips a coin to see which team will putt first and which team will place their cones on the grid

first. Winner of the coin flip gets to putt first.3. Putting team gets ready while the opposite team places their cone/object into a section of the court

designated by the coach (players have 15 seconds to place their cones). Cones/objects must be placed at least 2 club lengths (or 2 big steps) from the edge of the grid. Cones/objects must be at least 2 club lengths (or 2 big steps) from the back boundaries of the

game grid. Cones must be at least 1 club length (or 1 big step) from another cone. Cones cannot be place directly behind another cone or in a line.

4. Everyone on the putting team hits a putt towards one of the targets while the opposite team waits in the safety zone

If the putting team hits a player’s cone then that cone is taken out of play. 5. Teams will alternate putting and waiting for as many rounds as can be completed in the time allocated

for this activity. Each round the coach designates what section of the court is in play. The team with the most coned left wins. If the green has a slope to it and one team has an advantage play the game in two halves and switch sides at halftime.

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***Topics for discussion*** After the first round: how are you going to do things differently this time to have a better result? What have you already learned in this class that could help you be more successful at this game?

Activity 2: “Golf Bocce”

Objectives of Activity: To chip at the “Pallino” and get closer than the other Players. The player getting closest to the “Pallino” gets one point. The player with the highest point total wins the game.

Objectives of Golf Fundamental: Participants will be challenged to use good distance response and aim in order to chip as close as possible to the “Pallino”.

Supplies: Medium to Large Ball to be used as the “Pallino”, pitching wedges, golf balls, cones

Description of Set-Up: Determine an area large enough to set up several courts / playing areas. You can use cones to set the corners of the court / playing areas. Also use cones to set up the chipping zone and the safety zone.

Pre-Game: Divide the group into groups of 3 – 4 players. Each group will be assigned a court.How to Play:

1. One player will throw the pallino onto the court. 2. Then each player will chip their golf ball at the pallino. 3. The closest ball to the pallino scores one point. 4. The participant who had the closest ball gets to throw the pallino for the next round. 5. Play as many rounds as time permits and the player with the most points is the winner.

***Coach Notes - Give a brief explanation of swing cues, Y chip Y for little shots, L pitch L for medium shots, and circle back-circle through for longer shots.

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Activity 3: Full Swing 7 Iron - Parts of The Club and Different Types of Clubs

Objectives of Activity: To hit to targets on the driving range and demonstrate a full swing. To understand the parts of a club and the different types of clubs.

Objectives of Golf Fundamental: Have the students demonstrate their aim and alignment by picking out a target before they hit their shot.

Supplies: cones, tour sticks, noodles, golf balls, hula hoops and anything else that can be used as a target

Description of Set-Up: Set up 4- 6 hitting zones on the driving range using cones as tee markers. Use the diagram below to help guide your set-up.

How to Play: Split participants into groups of 2. Before beginning, the coach leading this station will go over the parts of the clubs – Grip / Handle, Sole, Heel, Face, Shaft, Toe, Club Head and Hosel (page 14 in their yardage books). The coach will also go over the different types of clubs, their loft and when they are typically used on the golf course. Once finished each group should be assigned a hitting station. Players will hit to the noodles and hula hoop targets set up in the driving range. Each participant should hit a few shots and then switch with their partner.

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Bridge to Life: Use the following questions to help participants apply their “on-course” work to their “off-course” activities and experiences.

1. How did you use courtesy during your play today?2. How do you plan to use courtesy off of the golf course before our next class?3. What are the different clubs and how are they used?4. How were you responsible for your actions today?5. How are you going to demonstrate responsibility to your parents before the next class?

Lesson Plan Progression: Activities will follow this sequence.

Fitness Warm Up Opening Discussion – Courtesy, Responsibility, Respecting the Rules, Energy and Play Activity 1 – Dodgeball Putting Activity 2 – Golf Bocce Chipping Activity 3 – Full Swing 7 Iron Bridge to Life Questions Homework Assignment - Pages 8 - 15 (PLAYer) or Pages 10 - 15 (Par)

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