Fall Finale Recap

golf AMPLIFIED provided a great atmopshere for the final event of 2019. Congratulations to our winners!

Par Fundamentals: Direction At Contact

We are often left wondering how we could hit a shot so bad! The answer is simple: your club sent it there. The golf ball responds to two main factors: the club face, and club path.

Most golfers hit a fade, or slice, so their club path is heading left (for right-handers), with the club face to the right of the path. This puts spin on the ball, causing it to move left to right.

To visualize it, think of someone spinning a basketball on their finger. Their hand slaps the ball while moving left, so the ball responds by spinning in that direction. Now think of your hand as the club, and the golf ball as the basketball.

The straightest shots we hit will have more backspin, and less sidespin. To create this, the club needs to be square at impact with a path that is "down the line." This is easier said than done, and requires several things to be true. However, knowing the Dream can help you to create Goals to get there.

Watch this video to better understand how face and path work together:

Across the country, participants from First Tee chapters are learning valuable life lessons to help them overcome obstacles. John Scott Senz is one of those success stories.

The 19-year-old teen from First Tee of Contra Costa was born with cerebral palsy, but refused to let the disorder become a limiting factor in the pursuit of his dreams. Embracing the values and life skills of First Tee, like self-confidence and perseverance, John Scott is now an active competitor on the Concord High School golf team, and has experienced tremendous success at the Special Olympics, being crowned a two-time champion. Read More

Par Yardage Book: Respecting The Rules

The ultimate goal of the rules is to protect the players from themselves and each other. It creates a level playing field with boundaries that keep competitors in line.

However, none of it matters without the Integrity of the players. Unlike other sports, golfers often monitor their own adherence to the rules. Opportunities to cheat are everywhere, but most people decline. Why?

A player understands that cheating is ultimately pointless, because a failure to play by the rules means that you aren't even playing the game in the first place. Plus, there is no sense of accomplishment from shooting a good round while illegally shaving strokes.

True, there are players who cheat regularly. They tend to earn a bad reputation, and may be untrustworthy people in other areas of life. Once branded a cheater, it's difficult to earn the trust of your peers again. In the end, it's just not worth it. We have everything to lose and nothing to gain... so let's just play by the rules!

Rules of Golf Explained:

Play The Course As You Find It