Women’s Golf Tips – Lynn on the Links

Best Golf Tip – Set Goals and Lower Your Score

Lynn Links — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 16:32:55 +0000

By setting specific golf goals, you can set yourself up for success for improving your golf game.

With everything going on right now in the world and we are stuck at home and inside for many, this is a great time to think about goals for your golf game. For most of us, our desire is to improve. I mean, how many people wouldn’t want a lower score or be a better golfer?

This is a great goal to have, but how can you make it even better so that it can help motivate you to get real results?

Read on :).

The most important tool that I used to lower my handicap was that I always set measurable and achievable goals for myself each year. It was a way of motivating myself to continually improve.

“Goal setting is associated with achieving the optimal conditions for flow state. Setting clear goals that are both challenging yet within your skill level is a powerful contributor to finding yourself in ‘the zone’.” – Psychology Today

Psychology Today also has a great article on goal setting for athletes using the SMART method. This method was first used by George T. Doran in the November 1981 issue of Management Review and has become a standard in successful goal setting in everything from business, life changes and sports. They even go one step further with their SMARTER method as shown below.

S.M.A.R.T Method

Specific – The more specific your goal is, the better. For example, I could say, “I want to improve my golf game”. Well, the golf game is made up of so many different aspects and variables. It is almost too overwhelming when you think of it as a whole.

A more specific goal would be “I want to improve my drives”. Pick one area that you want to improve upon.

Measurable – Make sure your goal is quantifiable.

The goal above would be “I want to fix my slice and hit at least 12 fairways during a round.” When you put measurable goals in place it can be much easier to track where you are.

Accepted – Acceptance means that you are “all in” on this goal. You have bought into it and mean business.

Realistic – Are these goals achievable?

I may want to improve my driving distance by 50 yards on my drives. But with the skills and time that I have, would that be realistic for me? Probably not.

Setting goals that are actually attainable is really important or it can be deflating and counterproductive in motivation.

Time Limit – Giving yourself a deadline or an exact time that the goal needs to be achieved is key in goal setting. Basically, it is about accountability.

These are important so you can track the progress and have an end goal or time limit in mind. Otherwise, there is no urgency or motivation for you to complete the goal.

Exciting – this is an add on to the original but so true.

I like it because unless you are somewhat excited and motivated about this goal, it might not happen. There has to be an internal flame or desire to achieve this goal.

When you are setting your goal, think about how you’ll feel once the goal has been achieved. This might help you in finding that motivation and spark.

Recorded – It is really helpful to track your progress in a journal, notebook or even an app on your phone. Whatever is easiest and most accessible.

Recording your progress can help keep the momentum going as you see how you are progressing along on your goal. And if it helps you to head to the driving range or putting green or play more golf, then this will propel you to keep moving forward.

A Good Start in Goal Setting

There are many other methods and tips, but these are a good start. If you haven’t done anything like this, it can be helpful to just think about your golf game and where you might need help or where your issues are.

I have another post where I talk about tracking your basic stats and numbers during your rounds. This helps in determining where your problem areas might be and where you can improve. Ways to Improve your Game post.

Every little bit helps, and each little step towards your goal can be invigorating and can keep you excited. Especially in such a challenging game as golf where even one shot can get you down.

If you have an overall goal, well then it can help keep you focused and motivated and you’ll want to keep playing.

Do you have any other ideas for setting goals? What are your goals for the year?

Golf Practice and Activities You Can Do At Home

Golf Fitness for Women – 3 Key Areas to Focus On

Best Golf Tip – Set Goals and Score Better

The post Best Golf Tip – Set Goals and Lower Your Score appeared first on Lynn on the Links.

Tips for Golf Practice & Activities At Home

Lynn Links — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 18:31:06 +0000

There are many ways to practice golf at home.

Either by using all the new training aids and tech gadgets on the market or by being creative with what you already have at home.

Over the years, I have found that I don’t always need to physically go to the range or golf course to practice. There are many golf activities to keep me busy inside the house or in my backyard.

Golf is a game that has so many areas – from putting, short game, driving, and the mental aspect – there are lots of ways we can practice.

I’ve put together a list of golf training that can come in handy when you are stuck at home, or just don’t have the time to make it to the driving range.

There are many new inventive and different ways to practice and improve your golf game now on the market. These new golf training aids and tools for golf are pretty amazing.

*Please note that this article may contain affiliate links. That means that if you buy something, I may earn a small commission. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.

Top Ways to Practice Golf at Home

Putting In The Living Room or In The Office

Putting is one of the best ways to improve your golf game. They say “putt for dough” for a reason. If you can improve your putting, you can lower your golf scores and have more enjoyment of the game.

As an example, you might know that 3 putts are a regular occurrence. (This was me a few years back!)

If you can get rid of those 3 putts on, let’s say 7 holes and turn those 3 putts into 2 putts, guess what? You’ve just improved your score by 7 strokes. And the great thing about putting practice indoors is this.

It doesn’t take up that much room.
You can do it anytime.
All you need is a putter, something to putt on and something to putt into.

But, here’s the thing.

You can putt on a carpet and it is still practice. My living room carpet is soft so I always know that the pace is a bit slower than out the actual golf course. Sometimes I lay down a cup and just try to get the ball into the cup.

Another trick is to lay down a quarter (really hard!) and roll the golf ball just over it.

When you are sitting around your living room watching TV or on your electronics, or need a small break, every now and then get up and roll some putts in – guess what? That counts as practice!

Putting Practice Training Accessories

I’ve put together a few of my favorite golf training aids and tools.

Putt Out Putt Trainer

Last year, my husband surprised us with a Puttout golf training aid and a basic putting mat. I have to tell you that my putting improved exponentially last summer. This simple contraption doesn’t look like much, but when I brought it to a local golf event, I was amazed at how many people could not get the ball into the target.

Putt Out Pro Golf Putting Mat

This is a great putting mat. What is amazing about it are the alignment guides and the lines. Sometimes our eyes can deceive us and having these lines can dramatically help with the alignment of your putts. The putting mat also has distance markings and target points.

Putt Out Mirror System

While I have not bought this yet, it is on my wish list. I have had a chance to see it in action all over social media and it looks like a really great practice tool for putting. The benefit of this training tool is getting instant feedback and knowledge of how you are actually hitting or striking the ball with your putter face. This tool can have a big impact on your putting stroke.

Putt About Putting Green

If you want something simple, this is a great putting mat for the price. We started out with this and still use it today. Simple but still useful. It rolls the ball much faster than our carpet and is more indicative of the greens at our course where we play.

Chipping Practice At Home

Chipping around the greens and pitching from within 50 yards is really all about feel. As recreational and competitive league golfers, this is also an integral part of the game where strokes can really add up. It’s the worst feeling when you are just off the green and then shank the next shot.

We all beat ourselves up for this. Practicing smaller chip and pitch shots can really have an impact on your golf game.

Before long, you’ll have great feel and confidence around these areas if you can practice regularly.

I actually walk near a driving range that my town made from an old field, which is such a great asset.

And today I saw a person putting a painter’s bucket into his car. I’ve done this too. As long as you have a target, you can practice these shots in your yard, in an old field or off of a basic turf mat.

Best yet, make it a game with your family. My brother in law has a whole bunch of old golf irons and wedges and breaks them out at parties. He uses whiffle balls and targets around his yard. So much fun!

There are many ways to “practice” golf without having to head to the actual golf driving range or course.

Chipping Practice Training Accessories

GoSports Tri-Turf Golf Mat

My husband loves his lawn and spends a good deal of time making it look really nice. The last thing we want is to make huge divots in our yard. So, having a mat that you can use for chipping or hitting golf balls is really important. Here’s a great one that has 3 different lengths of turf.

Chipping Nets

The best way to practice chipping is to actually have something to chip into or a target. Target practice is key when practicing these shots. Besides, it can be a lot more fun if you have something to aim at. Think of all those carnival games where if you are like me, I want to try over and over again till I can knock over the milk bottles or get the ring over the bottle tops. These 2 training tools help make chipping practice and training more fun.

Callaway Golf Chipping Net

GoSports CHIPSTER – 3 Chipping Practice Nets

Practicing the Golf Swing In Your Backyard or In Your Home

As long as you have a back yard, basement or available area that you can take a full swing, there are numerous ways to practice your golf swing around the house.

Muscle memory is important for any sport. This includes golf as well. Pros are known to practice for hours upon hours.

A couple of ways to practice the golf swing at home include:

Increasing swing speed – Golf.com has a great suggestion using a broom to help increase your swing speed. Looks like you need a broom, a pillow or a weighted blanket. Click here for the article.
Helping with muscle memory – Use whiffle or foam golf balls and practice inside or in your backyard. This way you can still practice the full swing, but the balls won’t go as far and are very lightweight.
Ensure your posture and form are good – Videotape your swing and make sure your posture and form are where they should be. It’s funny how you can spot things when you see yourself in action.
Work on the Grip – They say that there are 3 basic areas of importance in the golf swing. Grip, Stance, Posture. You can easily work on the grip anywhere. Ben Hogan’s book “Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf” delves into this. Even though this book was published years ago, golfers are still reading and referencing it today.

Golf Swing Equipment for Home Practice

Galileo Golf Net –

This is a great net to have in your backyard or in your house if you have space. I like the side netting and the depth of the net just in case any balls aren’t quite as straight as you’d like them to be. I also like the large bullseye, for some reason, it is a great visual to have when hitting your golf shots.

Rukket Golf Net with Golf Mat

The Rukket Golf Net doesn’t look quite as fancy as the one above, but it is easy to set up and seems to be very sturdy. Great for hitting golf balls at home for practice.

SKLZ Gold Flex Swing Trainer

Many golf course practice or driving ranges have these training aids to help you warm up before your round of golf. They are also a great way to practice your swing and increase swing speed.

Golf Fitness at Home

A strong body is needed for golf. Golf practice is important, but so is golf fitness and keeping your body strong so you can play your best.

Having the ability to stay focused with enough stamina for the round will help bring more enjoyment to your game and provide a competitive advantage when needed.

Read my post here about being golf fit focusing on core and strength, the base of good fitness. The great thing about these exercises is that they don’t need a lot of extra gym equipment. Much of these exercises and movements can be done anywhere.

Creative Ways to Practice Golf At Home

These ideas are just a small list of golf training that can be done at home or away from the golf course. I’ve seen a ton of creative and interesting practice ideas on social media as well!

These can be really helpful and can come in handy when short on time and stuck in the house.

Or just don’t have the desire to make it to the driving range!

I’d love to hear any other ideas for golf practice you can do in your house that you might have. I’m sure there are some really interesting ones out there ;).

How to Drastically Improve Your Handicap and Golf Game

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My Best Tips and Suggestions For Golf Practice At Home

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How to Improve Your Handicap and Golf Game

Lynn Links — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 19:22:29 +0000

Shave strokes off your golf score and improve your golf game.

It’s not always about improving your distance off the tee or perfecting your fairway wood shot.

For years, that was my focus.

I’d head to the driving range and start hitting shots with my driver trying to work on gaining power and distance or work on perfecting my fairway woods.

As I started to play more, I wanted to improve and lower my handicap.

Tracking Your Golf Shots and Trouble Areas

A good friend showed me how to track what I was doing on the golf course.

I kind of had an idea but not anything concrete.

Tracking information like how many times I found the fairway, how many strokes it took to get to the green, what hazards I ended up in, number of chips, number of putts.

These are really important stats to know because you can hone in on where you need practice or help.

Golf Tracking Book

I recommend using a book of some sort to track this and your scores. There are some phone apps and GPS watches that do this as well. I am somewhat of a traditional girl and like to use a pen and paper. I also don’t like to keep taking my phone out on the course during my round. This little book is great because it is weatherproof and keeps everything dry and clean. Golf Tracking Journal and Book.

What I noticed as I started to play more and tracked these numbers was that all my extra strokes were not coming from my driving capabilities or in the fairway.

Focus on the Short Game

It was mostly from within 100 yards. Pitching, chipping around the green and extra putts.

When I seriously looked closely at my own game and started to track the information, it was eye-opening.

3 putting? yep, lots.

A poorly hit shanked chip? yep, more often than not.

Thinking I could get over a right greenside sand trap that was located right in front of the pin? Yep. I’ve done that many times only to land right smack in the middle of the bunker.

And I could have easily laid up or aimed to the left side of the green and not ended up in trouble and saved an extra stroke or two.

Just a few of the ideas to help shave strokes off your score and improve your handicap and golf game.

So, this golf season, if you want to improve your golf score, it would be really good to first track where you might be having problems or issues.

Set Small Golf Goals for Motivation and Success

Then, focus on 1 or maybe 2 areas and see how much you can improve your score. It’s actually kind of fun to set small goals for yourself and try to achieve these. And, it helps with motivation and direction when you are out practicing.

How to Avoid Mistakes in Your Golf Game

Read the article here from Golf.com where single-digit golfers provide small tidbits of advice on how to avoid costly mistakes.

If you can think more on the golf course and know where the strokes are adding up, then you’ll be off to a great start in lowering your golf score, improving your handicap and overall golf game.

Good Luck!

Related Posts:

How to Improve Your Golf Game, Lower Your Golf Scores and Handicap

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Golf Fitness for Women – 3 Key Areas to Prepare for Your Best Golf Season

Lynn Links — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 21:28:36 +0000

With the golf season fast approaching, it is important to think about becoming fit and strong for golf.

These days, golf fitness is a big trend.

It is common to see many different fitness trainers that actually are certified specifically for golf. Being strong and in shape can provide an advantage over the competition, especially for the professionals on tour.

As a recreational golfer, building strength for more distance and power would be great. But improving mobility, flexibility, and core strength for longevity and prevention is paramount to golf. I personally would love to play for years to come, which means getting my body prepared for the golf season and preventing any injuries from happening.

Golf Fitness for Women – Top 3 Areas to Focus on:

Building Your Core

Golf fitness trainers and experts talk about 3 big topics these days. The first is having a strong core.

But, what does that mean?

The core is the center portion of your body. Think of the trunk of a tree and how important it is to have a strong trunk that supports the branches and leaves and everything else.

Our core is a powerhouse of muscles that keeps us balanced, stable, and grounded. Anything you do from sports, as well as your daily activities like walking and standing, is affected by your core.

In golf, it is also one of the most important aspects of a good golf swing and being able to continue to play in years to come.

Here are some exercises from The Fit Golfer Girl that are easy to implement and can get your core strong and ready for the golf season.

Core Exercises

Improving Your Flexibility and Mobility

When I was much younger, it was fairly easy for me to take the golf club all the way back and get a lot of power turning my body.

But these days, I need to work on exercises to keep me limber.

I tend to get really tight in my hamstrings and hip flexors, and I know these are important to fluidity and injury prevention in my golf game.

Without getting too technical in the gym, I like to keep it simple. Here is a video from Golf Digest that really helps me with mobility in my hips and legs.

Hip Mobility Exercises

Building Your Strength

I have to be honest, I don’t do a lot of strength training yet.

I say yet because I do feel as though it is something I personally need to improve upon. Strength, as many of us know does decrease with age.

We lose muscle mass every year we get older so it is important to incorporate strength training in your exercise routine.

Having strength will power our bodies in the golf swing for more distance, but also helps us stay strong through an entire round or tournament.

Golf can be quite exhausting mentally and physically, so you will want to be at your best.

This 9-minute fitness routine is a great one to add to your regimen.

I like it because it uses simple exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, and planks as part of the routine. No crazy gym equipment needed!

It is also easy to incorporate and follow and will work wonders for building strength and some of the core conditioning and mobility mentioned above.

https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/strength-training-plyometrics

Strength and Core Fitness for Golf

Golf training these days includes fitness and maintaining a strong body. Both are very important when playing golf. Doing the right exercises can add a lot to your golf game and can provide you with a competitive advantage as well as longevity so you can play for years to come.

The 3 areas above will give you a head start in preparing for a wonderfully successful golf season.

Get Golf Fit – Preparing for the Golf Season

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Top Women’s Golf Organizations – Find Out Where to Play!

Lynn Links — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 17:57:01 +0000

Where Can I Find Other Women to Play Golf With?

This is one of the biggest questions once you start learning the game. And it can be one of the toughest aspects of golf as a beginner or just starting out. Finding others to play with.

One successful way is to find a women’s golf organization. This way you can continue your golf journey.

And golf is such a social game.

This can be one of the biggest barriers. Statistics from the National Golf Federation states that only 23% of all golfers are female which means that there are fewer of us that actually play golf.

But the good news is that these days, the industry is providing many more opportunities for women and girls to play than when I started – back 25 years ago or so.

The LIST of Women’s Golf Organizations – Where Women and Girls Can Learn and Play Golf

1. American Junior Golf Association (AJGA)

The AJGA is a golf organization for young women and men aged 12 – 19 years old. They offer competitive matches and tournaments for juniors and help prepare them for high school and college level golf. They are “dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf”.

2. Fore The Ladies

This group is new to the industry but has been in the news a lot lately. They are on a mission to bring women together and try the game of golf in a fun and social environment. Many of their events include swing clinics, closest to the pin and longest drive competitions, golf yoga, putting tips and instruction as well as lots of giveaways and goodies. Introducing golf in these fun environments is a great way to get more women exposed to the game. They have hosted a handful of events and clinics around the country and are adding events throughout the year.

3. LPGA Amateur Golf Association

This is the longest-standing continuous women’s sports membership organization in the world. It is 45,000 members strong. The LPGA Amateur Golf Association has locations in 110 cities in the US and Internationally and continues to grow. They offer clinics, instruction, events, and opportunities to compete for women who are passionate about golf. They provide a place for women to “connect, learn, play and belong”. Though they have local chapters, they also have opportunities to play on a national level.

4. LPGA * USGA Girls Golf

Girls Golf is a partnership between the LPGA Foundation and the USGA. It is a national junior golf program that is “aimed at introducing girls to the game of golf and empowering them with confidence, friendships, and life skills”. Founded 30 years ago, the organization, an impressive 500,000 girls have participated in their programs. Their newest campaign, called #driveon, is to motivate girls to think big and to follow their dreams and passions.

5. State Golf Associations

In my state, we have the Massachusetts Golf Association or Mass Golf, that offers an array of playing opportunities from a beginner level all the way to a very high competitive level. If you go to your states’ website, you may find a wide range of tournaments, matches, and social rounds. This can include anything from mixed golf scotch play to best ball pairs events and individual competitive tournaments for golfers of all levels. A really nice benefit I noticed is access to play private courses that are usually not open to the public unless you have a membership or a personal or business connection.

6. TopGolf and Other Indoor Simulators

TopGolf and other indoor simulators have exploded over the last several years. Not only is it a great way to delve into golf as a first-timer, but it is also a great place to practice. It takes away the intimidation factor of golf. Playing on a golf course, having to learn the rules and etiquette of the game can be a big challenge in learning the game. TopGolf can be a wonderful way to get your feet wet or dabble in golf before you even have to play on an actual course. It is really popular because anyone can participate, and it is social and fun – bringing all golfers at any level together. There are currently over 55 locations (mostly in the US, but also in the U.K. and Australia) and they are still expanding.

7. Twilight Golf Association

The Twilight Golf Association was created to provide a way for anyone to play, no matter what gender or age. It is a weekly golf league with individual play within a team competition. Kids can join with their mom, dad or grandparent. Husbands and wives can play together. Or if you are a single player, you will be able to easily find a group or a team that you can be assigned to. Currently, there are over 100 golf courses that participate in the Twilight Golf Association and are located in 14 different states.

8. Women on Course

Women on Course is based in the US and has been around for almost 14 years. They provide opportunities for women to play golf for all levels. Whether you are a beginner and want to learn the rules, etiquette, and golf swing or want to play around socially with other women. The organization hosts events in 15 different regions around the US and is actively growing. From experience, the group is more social than competitive as their tag line on their website reads “Golf, Wine, Travel” and much of their focus is on networking and building relationships in a golf setting. Here is a post with more information on this organization. If you have ever thought about going on a ladies’ golf trip, Women on Course provides several fun social trips a year to beautiful golf destinations. I have a more extensive post here on the organization.

9. The First Tee

Golf enthusiasts, coaches, and instructors volunteer their time to help with the First Tee organization. It was established as a way to bring golf to our youth. It is not just a national organization in all 50 states of the US, it is now located in 6 international locations as well. Started over 22 years ago, they not only teach golf to the younger generation of kids but they use golf as a way to provide other life skills like character education and youth development.

10. United States Golf Association (USGA)

The first interaction that many individuals have with the USGA is through the rules of golf and earning their first golf index or handicap. The USGA is the governing body of golf in the US and they run a large number of amateur golf tournaments in addition to all the U.S. Open tournaments. When heading to their website, it can be a bit overwhelming because of all they are responsible for. But, if you are interested in playing in any of the US Amateur Golf tournaments, this is the organization that you will need to be a member of.

11. Youth on Course

Girls and boys ages 6 – 19 can play golf for less than $5 a round (9 holes) and on some days as low as $1. There are 1200 participating golf courses in 34 regions around the US and Canada. And a robust membership of 70,000+ members. This amazing organization provides high school internships, a caddie program, and funds college scholarships to collegiate golfers and is funded through sponsorships and donations.

12. Women on Par Program

Women on Par is offered to golf clubs and courses and is part of England Golf. The program helps golf clubs all across the UK in providing women’s golf clinics and events that are fun and exciting.

13. Girls Golf Rocks

Girls Golf Rocks is another program offered by England Golf but is focused on girls golf and the youth. Over 200 golf clubs around England have applied to participate in this wonderful program providing girls golf instruction and introducing them to the game.

Find out on England Golf’s website to see which clubs may be offering these golf programs.

14. Love.Golf

Based in Sweden, but expanding to the UK and more recently, Canada. Love.Golf is an amazing concept and a wonderful resource for women wanting to learn the game and improve. It is an entirely new and different perspective on teaching the game. Many times golf can be a very intimidating game to learn. Veering away from the standard practice of teaching the golf swing on the golf range, it takes a more broad perspective of the game and has more of a hands-on approach to learning and teaching on the actual golf course.

In my experience of almost 30 years of playing golf, finding the right group and having the oportunity to play has been the key factor in continuing my golf journey. So, I hope this list of Women’s Golf Organizations can help you as well. I know there are many more groups out there and this list can be expanded so if you know of any that should be added, please comment below and I can add them as an ongoing list and resource for those looking.

The LIST of Top Women’s Golf Organizations – Where Women and Girls Can Learn and Play Golf

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Travel the World, Compete & Have Fun!

Lynn Links — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 18:49:47 +0000

Compete In Amateur Golf Tournaments Around the World

I had to share this! I just found out about it and it is such an amazing opportunity if you love to golf, love to compete and are a recreational amateur golfer.

Did you know there is a way to play competitively around the world, as long as you have a handicap under 30? As part of trying to connect with other golfers and people in the golf industry, I met Susan Sheehan, a recreational golfer who had just returned from playing golf internationally.

I perked up when she mentioned world travel and golf because well, it sounded very different and I was intrigued. And I love finding out unique playing opportunities.

With further inquiry, she mentioned that someone like me (a recreational mid handicap golfer) could participate.

The World Amateur Golfers Championship and Invitational

I was able to reconnect with Ms. Sheehan as well as Jim Smith, who is one of the US Partners for the World Amateur Golfers Championship or WAGC-USA.

The World Amateur Golfers Championship (WAGC) has been around for 25 years and was started by Sven Tumba, a Swedish hockey player who had a passion for golf.

He wanted to create an Olympic style event for amateurs and recreational golfers, complete with an opening flag ceremony. Over 40 different countries participate and compete in the WACG and it has been active since 1995.

The WAGC has been held in places like Malaysia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, Thailand, the Dominican Republic, and the United States.

With this incredible number of international countries represented, it is treated as an international event by the host countries.

The Format of the WAGC:

As long as you are over the age of 16, male or female, you can compete and try to qualify. It is open to those with a handicap of 25 or lower (although recently a 6th flight was added to a handicap limit of 30). Men and women can compete against each other using their respective tee boxes or yardages and handicaps.

Each country has a team consisting of 6-7 players, representing each of the 5 flights. There are 2 different tournaments.

The World Amateur Golf Invitational

The (WAGI) or World Amateur Golfers Invitational is a more of a business and informal tournament played with sponsors and guests.

“World Amateur Golfers Invitational is a separate tournament that gives golfers the opportunity to share in the exciting “WAGC experience” of a world-wide tour-like championship event without first having to qualify. Business executives with VIP clients, national agents with sponsors, loving couples, celebrities, royalty and other enthusiastic golfers from all corners of the globe are regular participants.”

The World Amateur Golf Championship

The Championship is the competitive tournament played over 72 holes of competition where members compete individually against others in their flight. It is the largest amateur competition in the world.

Individual scores and results are then added together at the end for a cumulative team score.

National tournaments are played in your home country to qualify for a spot on the team for the world championship.

What it Means to Earn a Spot on Team USA

Earning a spot means an all-expense paid trip to the World Amateur Golf Championship weeklong event, which provides everything including airfare, transportation & transfers, hotel room & accommodations, meals, official Team USA apparel and golf bag, entertainment, and 6 rounds of golf.

Both Smith and Sheehan have earned spots on Team USA in the past and describe the times they’ve had as just incredible.

To play golf and do what you love. To play competitively for your country on an international stage. To travel and see the world. To meet interesting people from many different backgrounds and cultures. These all make it a life-changing experience.

World Amateur Golfers World Final Highlights

With over 375 golfers and another 300-400 attendees, it is a relatively large international golf tournament. For players and spouses, partners and friends, entertainment is provided each night. From the opening flag ceremony to beach parties and culture nights to the closing awards presentation, there is something planned for most of the week.

Golf Competition and Travel

If this sounds like something you’re interested in and you are an amateur golfer, like to travel, and compete against golfers from other countries, click here for more info. There are 30 – 40 qualifying tournaments held each year in the US and it takes 3 tournaments to win, in order to earn your spot for the World Amateur Golfers Championship.

Check it out and good luck!!

Compete and Travel the World in the World Amateur Golf Championship

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Women on Course – Golf, Wine, Travel

Lynn Links — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 17:24:22 +0000

Women on Course – A Women’s Golf Organization

Every now and then, you come across someone that is truly making a difference and is changing the way we think of doing things.

In the last several months working and meeting with various people in women’s golf and the golf industry, I feel like I have met that person.

Donna Hoffman, the Owner and Founder of Women on Course, an organization whose mission is to help women become more confident and comfortable with golf.

Having worked closely with Ms. Hoffman on a few projects, I am thrilled to be a part of the Women on Course organization and have signed on recently as an Ambassador to further support their efforts.

My first impression of Ms. Hoffman was from an article I read in the LPGA Women’s Network, which named her a “Disruptor”, amongst a hefty group of female influencers in the women’s golf industry. A group of women that are Spearheading a Revolution in Golf.

Webster’s dictionary defines a disruptor as one who “interrupts the normal course or unity of”, which to me means that these women are changing the course of how things are typically done in the golf industry, particularly women’s golf.

This describes Ms. Hoffman to a tee!

She is not just an influencer, saying that she wants to grow this game, she is actually making significant changes in the world of women’s golf and she is doing it by using her unique perspective and experience.

She believes that golf can used as a tool for business connections and networking. And for women particularly, business can be done outdoors in a lifestyle environment, and not in the office or boardroom.

So how does one make change or move something so large…like a whole industry?

With an unwavering passion for something, she believes in.

Having patience and sticking with it for the long haul.

And taking it one day, one change at a time.

Ms. Hoffman’s organization, Women on Course has been around for almost 15 years and she works tirelessly, creating opportunities for women to connect and to feel more comfortable and confident in a “golf environment”.

She does this out of a love for what she does and the impact she is making. You can see it from her work and from those members who have had the opportunity to meet her. They speak of her with reverence and respect and yet speak to her like a friend.

Because Women on Course has been around for many years, the organization has amassed a reach of over 20,000 women. It is not surprising to have met many individuals who know the name Women on Course, whether as a past member, current member or as an attendee at an event.

These events are all-encompassing. Over 800 events per year are planned in 15 + markets or regions across the United States and new markets are opening up and actively growing.

The events include everything from Learn to Swing Clinics, Play 4 holes Plus Clinic, Indoor Sip & Swing Socials, 9 & Wines, Ladies’ Golf Trips all over the world, Signature Socials & Events, as well as corporate networking, and leadership workshops to help with personal growth and empowerment.

Yes, they have something for every type of golfer and even non-golfers.

Non-golfers have the benefit of joining Women on Course for the 19th Hole, consisting of business networking and leadership workshops.

Ms. Hoffman has teamed up with Tina Cross, Women on Course National Chairperson. Together, they bring together their respective experiences and focus on providing women in business and entrepreneurs with the tools to connect and create business opportunities and relationships.

Ms. Hoffman has been named a “disruptor” in the world of women’s golf for a reason.

Through her efforts, along with those she partners with, we are changing the game for women everywhere.

Women on Course – A Women’s Golf Organization

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Golf – Taking That First Step

Lynn Links — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 02:35:57 +0000

Golf Success Starts With That First Step

January is one of the coldest months here in the New England area of the United States. Temperatures often dip down to the single digits for several weeks and it can be snowy as well. But this past weekend, we had an amazingly warm two days.

We even broke a record and temperatures hit 70 degrees in some places – crazy!

When my husband asked me to golf, I actually was hesitant.

Yes, I know. Me, the passionate golfer, who loves golf more than anything was thinking about not going. I was wrapped up in this blog and working a lot that morning.

Of course when he said ”what? Lynn on the Links not up for golfing when it’s going to be in the high 60’s?” Ha ha ha, that got me moving.

The crazy part is once I got ready and we were on our way, I got really excited. And once we started playing, I realized I had missed it so much and needed to be doing more during the winter.

I have golfed twice in the last 2 months. More than I usually do during the winter, so I’m happy that I actually haven’t officially put the clubs away.

But, my body certainly felt the awkwardness and tightness when swinging the golf club. Ugggh.

Not only was my tempo, and rhythm gone, I felt so inflexible and rigid in my swing on the first tee.

My body did start to relax a couple of holes later as I eased back into my swing. It was like riding a bicycle, my body knew what to do but just felt rusty.

We ended up playing 10 holes in total and in the end, I was happy, tired and once again excited about golf. I was already planning in my head what I need to do this winter to get ready for the spring golf season.

This happens to most of us. Out of sight, out of mind. Once you stop doing something, you tend to forget. Even those of us who are passionate about a certain hobby or activity. Breaks are good too though. But just not too long of a break.

The First Step to Success

I know there are so many people who are interested in playing golf but never seem to take that first step. Maybe you want to improve upon something like tennis or golf but you can’t quite seem to get to the courts or the driving range or indoor simulator to practice. It is known for us humans to procrastinate, to stall and come up with any excuse.

I like this quote, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” – by Lao Tzu. (If you like quotes as I do, here’s a list of more quotes to help motivate you)

I have found personally that the hardest part is taking that first step. But once you do, it’s freeing. I remember when I used to run. The hardest part was lacing up the running shoes and getting outside. I always had so many excuses, whether it was work, family, chores, or something. After reading a great article, it said go outside and plan to run just a couple of minutes. I found that when I use this mindset, I’d plan on just a few minutes and end up running at least 20 minutes or more, feeling happy and glad that I went out.

So, my advice is this. If you have something you have been wanting to do or that you want to get back into, whatever it is – just get dressed, lace up and go.

Having no expectations is even better, especially in the beginning.

JUST GO!!!

You’ll probably be happy you did.

Lynn

P.S. If you liked this, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter as more posts, articles, and information will be posted each week. I also have an announcement coming soon that is very exciting. So stay tuned!

Take the First Step Towards Golf Success

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Golf For Beginners – 7 Easy Steps How to Get Started

Lynn Links — Sat, 04 Jan 2020 14:09:12 +0000

Golf for Beginners – How to Start Playing Golf.

Have you ever been asked at the office to play golf and were not sure what to do or were afraid you would be embarrassed because you are a beginner?

Are you interested in the game but just don’t know where to start? Maybe your kids have grown older and you are about to be an empty nester or are soon to be retired and will have more free time. Golf is a wonderful game to learn.

Many people hesitate or don’t play because it seems intimidating and hard to pick up.

While there are many aspects to the game of golf, it can be done one step at a time as long as you make the decision to commit, practice, and play.

In simple terms, golf sounds easy. Hit a little compact ball into a hole hundreds of yards away using a golf club. Doesn’t sound so hard, does it?

The hardest part about golf for beginners is learning how to hit the golf ball and understanding the rules and etiquette of the game. If you can break it down and find the right individuals or groups to help you, you can play!

Here are 7 easy steps. Follow this golf for beginners guide to help you get started in golf.

1. Learn the very basics, some terminology, and how the game is played.

Just like when you learn a new board game, the very first question is “what is the object of the game?”. In golf, the object is to get the golf ball in the hole in as little strokes (hits) as possible using a golf club.

Of course, there are many aspects in golf to achieve this! And it can be difficult to learn it all as it can be really complex when first starting out. Golf courses are made up of 9 or 18 holes and are played outside. There are many articles on the internet that can help you learn these concepts as well.

2. Borrow or Purchase a Beginner Golf Club Set

As someone new to golf, you can borrow clubs or buy a golf club set. These golf sets are affordable and come with all the basic clubs you will need. Read my buying guide on how to purchase a golf club set for beginners.

All you need for now is a driver, a wood or hybrid, a few irons, a wedge, and a putter. I used my grandmother’s golf clubs when I first started out.

They were old but good quality and worked just fine. It is ok to borrow clubs in the beginning if you know someone. Often times, a teaching instructor will have extra clubs that you can use.

As you improve and start playing more, you can purchase a set of your own. Each year, manufacturers come out with the newest technology and equipment with plenty to choose from.

Many times, your instructor can provide you with recommendations or you can do a custom fitting to determine the best clubs based on your particular swing.

3. Learn How to Swing The Golf Club or Take Lessons

The best thing they say to do is to take lessons from a golf professional who specializes in teaching the mechanics of the proper golf swing.

Most people swear by a teaching golf professional who can instruct and give you a good base of skills and techniques to learn from.

However, full disclosure here. I actually learned how to swing the golf club and learned the game from my Dad as an adult. He was a really good teacher and I learned a ton from him. In fact, it was 7 years later when I actually took my first lesson from a professional. So, everyone is different. As long as you have someone who can teach you and show you in the beginning, it will be really helpful.

Here is a list of LPGA and PGA professionals that can help you learn the golf swing.

4. Be consistent about your lessons and practice in between.

Do not just get one lesson and be on your way. Learning the golf swing is not the most natural movement and is hard to learn in one shot.

Buy a pack of 4 – 6 lessons to start with. After each lesson be sure to practice what was taught so you can help your muscle memory. Doing this will ensure improvement over time and will maximize your lessons.

5. Find a partner, friend, parent, grandparent or social group that you can play with.

This is probably the most important part and many times can be a challenge. You must try to find someone to play with. When asked, most golfers are usually up for playing.

Golf is the kind of sport and activity that anyone can play together no matter their level of skill.

Essentially you are playing against the golf course and your main objective, in the beginning, is to learn the game and how to hit the golf ball.

As you become a more experienced player, there are many ways to make golf fun or competitive and you can play against an opponent.

I was fortunate that I met my future husband right after I learned the game. He loved to golf and was all about taking me out to play. I believe it was the main reason I am still playing today.

I had a golfing partner from the beginning who was patient and fun to play with!

Many local golf courses and clubs offer introductory golf clinics, social events, women’s leagues, and co-ed golf groups. There are also golf organizations whose sole mission is to grow the game of golf and help people play.

They are a great way to get into the game in a fun, social way. I put together a list of national women’s organizations and groups that offer these types of events and clinics.

6. Play on a golf course.

Now that you have committed to learning golf and have the confidence, it is time to play on an actual golf course. If you have the opportunity to select a course, there are many to choose from.

Playing 18 holes as a beginner can be extremely overwhelming and I do not recommend it.

Much more enjoyable would be a 9 hole course, an Executive 9 hole course, or even a Par 3 course.

You will find that hitting balls at a driving range is a different experience than playing on a course. Start from the most forward tees possible or even the family tees if available.

Your purpose for playing is to have fun and not worry about score or number of times you hit the golf ball. My objective, in the beginning, was to learn the game, the etiquette, and rules, and to hit the ball as well as I could each time. It took me years before I focused on scoring.

7. Enjoy the journey and the game.

When I first started golfing, I was happy to pick up my ball and put it in my pocket when I hit my limit of balls on a given hole. Especially if I felt like I was slowing down the group. It is the surest way to have fun.

When you start out playing, there are so many things going on in your head to remember. Do not worry so much, take it one step at a time. If you take it too seriously, it can quickly become a very frustrating game.

Learn the rules and etiquette as much as you can, remember to be courteous and respectful, and don’t stress about it too much. Everyone was a beginner at one time or another and the majority of people I have played with are happy to help you along.

And if you want to stay up to date on the latest posts and articles related to this amazing game, be sure to subscribe here to our newsletter.

Best of luck to you as you start this journey – I’m sure you will love it!

Beginners Guide to Golf – Easy Steps to Start Playing

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Golf in Business – Building Business Relationships

Lynn Links — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 20:02:44 +0000

Golf and Business and How It Can Be Helpful in Your Career

Golf is a wonderful way to network and do business outside of the office. According to an article from Forbes Magazine, 90% of Fortune 500 CEO’s play golf. In a survey of business professionals that play golf, 93% say that golfing with a business associate is a good way to establish a closer relationship. 80% agree that playing golf aids in establishing new business contacts.

Building Business Relationships in An Informal Setting

You can find out a lot about someone’s temperament, drive, social awareness, humor, and how they handle themselves on the golf course. It can also provide opportunities to get to know someone outside of the office in a more informal setting.

My Personal Experience of Success with Busines Golf

Years ago, while I was in my early 30’s I joined my company’s 9 hole weekly golf league.

I was 1 of only 2 women in the entire league. My boss and most of the high-level executives from my company played in this league and we were paired with different partners and opponents each week.

Imagine that…being paired up with the CEO of your company for a round of golf!

To be honest, this was my first golf league. I was a bit anxious at first since I wasn’t used to playing competitively, but after a few weeks, I soon found myself enjoying the fun banter and competitiveness of the matches.

There was one match though that I will always remember.

I was at a sales conference in Orlando and the night before our departure, upon leaving the restaurant we passed by these fancy wine storage boxes with names on them. I froze because I spotted Tiger Woods’ name on one of them.

I did the craziest thing and I put my hands on the box hoping his amazingness would rub off on me somehow.

The next day, I returned home with my colleagues and rushed from the airport to the golf course for our league match that day. No time to rest, and no excuses or missing our weekly golf league!

I had no idea who I was playing against. But as tired as I was that day, I had the best round of my life.

I ended up winning the match against one of the top players in our league. And I have no idea how it happened. My only guess is luck – from being in the presence of Tiger Woods’s wine box and the fact that I was so tired and not thinking about my shots.

It was my first experience being in what is called the “zone”. This is where everything seems to go your way and your ball magically goes where you want it to go.

An of course for me, this had never happened to me in golf. It was the best feeling in the world.

I was very happy with the way I played, but the surprise came the next day at work. I barely made it past the front door when a colleague came up to me and congratulated me on my win.

All day long it was the same thing, people coming out of nowhere giving me high fives, patting me on the back, giving me a big congratulations. I had no idea it was going to be such a big deal.

It became the company chatter for the next couple of days.

I realized that being in the company golf league gave me something to relate to and talk about with my colleagues and executives besides work. It also provided opportunities that I may not have had.

If you have the time to learn the game of golf, it is extremely valuable for building rapport and relationships with your colleagues and company executives, as well as with clients and business associates.

One of the biggest ways companies entertain clients and business associates outside the office is through golf.

What better way to have someone’s attention for 4 – 5 hours outside the office?

I have been invited to play a round of 18 holes, and to play in fun golf tournaments to benefit a charity. Having the knowledge and ability to talk about golf is important. But I want to stress that being an amazing golfer is not all that important. If you know how to handle yourself, be respectful, and know how to play golf, that is usually all that matters.

My advice is to consider learning the game and try it out. It enables people to build relationships outside of the office in a great setting.

Who knows, maybe you will even learn to love it as I have.

If you are just starting out or need a refresher course on the game of golf, I would recommend starting with lessons or joining a clinic where a small group of you would be learning the basics of the swing.

If you aren’t sure yet and want to know more about how to get started in the game of golf, read this article. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter below for more golf-related information and learn more about this wonderful game.

Golf in Business – Building Business Relationships on the Golf Course

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