by South Florida Golf Pro | Jan 18, 2023 | Deer Creek Golf Club, Golfing, Golfing Etiquette, Golfing Tips
What Is Par in Golf?
Deer Creek Golf Club is one of the best championship golf courses in South Florida, not only can guests enjoy the game in a tropical setting, but they can also take advantage of learning from our experts at our golf school. One of the many things that are taught in our lessons is the basis of the basics, for example, what is par in golf? What does it mean and how do you keep score?
Par in golf means the number of strokes set to get the ball in the hole. It is a standard score that is established for each hole depending on its length. The par score is the average number of strokes it takes to complete the hole from the tee box. This is then calculated into the total score for each golfer for the entire course.
Different Types of Golf Course Par
On a regulation golf course, there are typically three types of holes:
A Par 3 means that the golfer is expected to reach the green in one stroke, then get the ball into the hole in two putts for three shots. This type of par is the shortest hole on the course but that doesn’t mean it is the easiest.
Par 4 holes, expect each golfer to reach the green in two strokes and get the ball in the hole with another 2 putts. Par 4s can often have wide variations of distances including over 500 yards for professional golfers.
On a Par 5 hole, golfers are expected to take three strokes to hit the green due to it typically being the longest hole on any golf course. Players often try to take advantage of the par 5 and hit the green in 2 strokes, still 2 putts to get the ball into the hole. Which means they completed the hole in 4 instead of 5.
How to Keep Par Score?
Golfer’s scores are in relation to the par, especially in more professional games of golf. Some of you may have heard terms like “Bogey” or “Birdie” used when talking about a player’s score. However, one means one worse than par while the other is one better. Here are a few other par score terms players would know when learning what is par in golf;
Good Terms:
- Birdie – This is one shot less than the par set on a single hole. A par score of 3 on a par 4 hole is called a birdie.
- Eagle – This indicates two less than par on a single hole. Completing a par 5 in three strokes is an eagle.
- Albatross/ Double Eagle – Albatross means three less than a set par. Finishing a par 5 in two strokes is called an Albatross or Double Eagle.
- Condor – This means a hole-in-one on a Par 5. This is the rarest of all golf scores. As of recently, there are only five recorded condors in history.
Bad Terms:
- Bogey – This means one shot more than par.
- Double Bogey – Two shots more than par is called a double bogey.
- Triple Bogey – This is three shots over par on a single hole.
- Quadruple Bogey – This means four shots more than par on a single hole. This is the last specific name for any score over par.
Contact Deer Creek Golf Club!
If there are any further questions, contact Deer Creek today! You can also check out our tee times to come to test out your new knowledge on our course.
by South Florida Golf Pro | Nov 30, 2022 | Deer Creek Golf Club, Fun Golf Facts, Golf course dress code, Golf News, Golfing, Golfing Etiquette
What Is Golf Etiquette for Beginners?
While there are different golf courses, the behavior and rules on the courses don’t change. It is important when you start golfing that you know the proper etiquette so you can play accordingly. What is golf etiquette for beginners? The experts at Deer Creek can help answer that.
There are three categories of golf etiquette to know:
- Consideration for other players
- Pace of play
- Care of the course
When people head to the course for the first time or even their 100th time, they should know basic golf etiquette for beginners.
Golf Etiquette for Beginners
Depending on the seriousness of the group you are playing with, you may or may not want to adopt some of the more formal etiquette practices. It is important to know the expectations of the group before the round starts. Whatever your group rules are, here is some basic etiquette you should follow:
- The lowest score on the previous hole tees off first.
- The player furthest from the hole goes first. This includes the green.
- Mark your ball when on the green while others are putting.
- Don’t walk in between a player’s or your own ball and the hole on the green.
- Be quiet while others are hitting their shots.
These are the universal etiquette rules unless the group has decided against them or on different rules for the day. It can also depend on the skill level of the group. If the group has a higher skill level, then the more traditional rules will work best. If the skill level is lower or mixed, then the game may move differently. However, the ability to play golf shouldn’t dictate the pace of play. If you’re new to the game, you can set a limit for yourself. Start with a stroke limit of 8 for each hole. Once you get to 8, pick up the ball and place it on the green to finish your hole from there. There are also etiquette practices regarding the pace of play:
- Write down the scores at the next tee box.
- Park your golf cart on the side of the green towards the next hole.
- When it’s your turn to play, make sure you are ready.
- Limit the amount of time spent at the turn (between holes 9 and 10), or let the group behind you play.
- Limit practice swings to 2. You should hit the driving range beforehand to get some practice in.
- If you are a larger group of 3 or more, send the first person to putt at the next tee box as soon as they are done with a hole.
It is easy to get wrapped up in your own game. Be mindful of the groups behind you to ensure they aren’t waiting for you and your group to finish every hole. If this happens 3 to 4 holes in a row, think about letting them play ahead of you, or you can play more quickly.
Contact Deer Creek Golf Club
Once you have these rules down, then you can check out our tee times and rates. If you have any questions about our course, then contact us today.
by South Florida Golf Pro | Nov 1, 2022 | Deer Creek Golf Club, Golf Lessons, Golfing, Golfing Etiquette, Golfing Tips
Deer Creek Golf Club has helped and taught many players golf strength and conditioning workouts to better their game. Focusing on this type of fitness is a great way to target specific areas that could be affecting your golf game. Golf fitness involves a lot of mobility work and balance that can translate into a better swing. There are four main areas that should be focused on when thinking about golf fitness:
- Balance
- Stability
- Rotational strength
- Power
Adding these elements together and into your regular fitness routine will only be beneficial to your swing and overall golf game. In addition, keeping up with proper fitness can prevent your body from feeling pain which can be caused by incorrect form or weaker muscles. Practicing this type of fitness can target all the muscles needed when playing golf.
Balance Workouts
Balance is often the part of golf fitness that gets forgotten or doesn’t get the amount of attention it deserves. Here are some tips and workouts to incorporate into your fitness routine to focus on balance.
Single-Leg Hip Circles
Stand with your hands on your hips and your feet hip-width apart. Shift your weight over to your right leg and slowly lift your left leg out to the side. After establishing your balance, begin making circles out to the side with your left leg. Try to maintain stability and balance in the knee and ankle of the left leg to reduce too much movement. All movement should be in the left hip. Do it five times clockwise and counterclockwise, then switch legs and repeat.
Highwire Shoulder Raises
This is a combination of shoulder work and balance. Start with a light dumbbell (5 to 10 lbs) in each hand, and your arms should start by your side. Place your right foot directly in front of your left foot as if you were walking on a tightrope or highwire. Once you find your balance, lift your right arm out to the side until it is parallel with the ground. While keeping that balance, lower your right arm and repeat with the left arm. Continue until you’ve completed 10 reps on each side.
Switch legs and repeat.
Single-Leg Chipping
Grab a club and set up as if you were about to knock a 30-yard chip onto the green. Bench your trail knee (right knee if you are right-handed, left if you are left-handed) and lift that foot off the ground. Maintain your balance in this one-legged set-up potion and practice your chip shot. Aim to keep that trail leg up in the air and keep the clubhead from touching the floor for at least three perfect shots at a time.
Once you have mastered this, switch the foot that is in the air and try to get three perfect shots without the front foot touching the ground. As you master the skills, up the distance of the chip shot to 50 yards and so on.
Stability Training
Stability and balance go hand in hand in most sports and workouts. It is no different in any golf training guide. If there is a lack of stability, then the swing of any golfer will be compromised. Here are some stability training workouts to work on.
Shoulder Taps
Starting on all fours, lift your knees off the ground so that you are now in a high plank position. Slowly alternate between one hand tapping the opposite shoulder and placing it back on the ground. This type of exercise strengthens core and cross-body stability. It also helps protect your lower back and helps efficiently transfer force through the spine while maintaining the angle.
Side Leg Side Reach
Get your balance on one foot and keep the opposite foot low to the ground, then reach side to side without losing your balance. Let your head and upper body lean in the opposite direction to maintain a nice long line from the tip of your head to your foot. This will help build up stability in ankles, knees, hips, and spine in the frontal plane and help transition weight side to side like you would in a golf swing. Do this for three sets of 10 reps on each side.
Palloff Lunge
For this exercise, you will use a cable machine or a resistance band. Have the cable or band directly out to your side and hold it in your hands directly in front of your sternum and begin stepping forward and dropping into a lunge. Switch between legs and only lunge as deep as it is comfortable. This will help build rotational stability over a dynamic lower body, which in turn helps with a more efficient transfer of force from the lower body through the core to your arms and club.
Rotational Strength Training
It’s pretty obvious that rotational strength is important for a golfer’s swing. There are a few ways to improve your rotation, which also means improving your swing. Being consistent with golfing exercises and stretches is a big part of golfers being able to continuously improve their rotation and swing. Here are a few ways to do that.
Stability Ball Twist With a Dumbbell
Starting by lying on your back with shoulders on the stability ball and hips off in a bridge position. Keep feet a little wider than hip-width apart, and have the dumbbell straight above at chest level. From this position, maintain a strong core, keep your hips in the bridge position, and slowly rotate towards one side and then the other. Make sure to keep your arms straight and feet pressed on the floor. Repeat five times on each side.
Half Kneeling Cable Lift
In a half-kneeling position with the knee down closer to the cable machine, maintain proper hip, knee, and ankle alignment on the forward leg. It is important to maintain a strong core and bring the weight towards your chest and then simultaneously rotate and push the weight away. Keep bare at eye level upon full rotation, control the movement through your core and avoid twisting through the lower back. Repeat 10 times on each side.
Half Kneeling Resistance Band Rotation
In a half-kneeling position, the front knee should be closest to the wall. Place a ball between your leg and wall, grab a resistance band and create a little tension with arms pulled shoulder width apart and slightly lower than shoulder height. With your front knee pushing the ball to the wall, rotate your upper body away from the front leg. There should be little to no movement through your hips. Follow the movement with your eyes throughout the rotation. Repeat 10 times on each side.
Power Training
Power is something every golfer strives for because power can translate to more yards off the tee and to the irons. Here are a few power exercises to add to your workout regime:
- Slam Skater Vertical: Using a medicine ball, stand on one leg at a time and slam the ball side to side, maintaining your balance.
- Split Power Jump: Starting in a lunge position, power through grounded feet and keep your core tight and explode up.
- Weighted Power Jumps: Power up from grounded feet in an explosive move. These can be done with or without weight.
- Squat with Med Ball Rotation: Stand with feet separated shoulder width apart and toes forward. With a slight bend in the knee, engage your belly and keep your arms straight as you rotate slightly and toss the ball to a partner or against the wall.
These exercises will help build strength and control in a golfer’s swing.
Contact us today if you are interested in our golf school, tee times, or rates.
by South Florida Golf Pro | Mar 16, 2022 | Deer Creek Golf Club, Fun Golf Facts, Golf course dress code, Golf News, Golfing, Golfing Etiquette, Golfing Tips
What is Proper Golf Attire for Men?
Anyone who has watched or played golf can see the sense of formality, this mainly has to do with the attire worn by the players, the clothing etiquette, and how strictly they are implemented. So if you and your friends want to come to enjoy the beautiful greens at Deer Creek Golf Club, there are a few things you should know about the golf attire for men.
We broke it down into 5 main points to know before your next round with us! \
No T-Shirts Allowed
The proper golf attire for men is usually collared shirts. That is one of the most important rules about men’s golf gear. No t-shirts!, Polo shirts are as comfortable and cool as t-shirts, but this one has a collar!
Jeans Are Not Allowed
Khakis and golf slacks are the preferred option for men’s golfing clothing. Whatever color or material you may choose, there are a few rules:
- Must have belt loops and a belt
- Avoid cuffs (cuffs can accumulate sand)
- No denim material
Shorts are okay to wear when golfing, but they shouldn’t be too short or too tight. Shorts should be tailored like casual trousers and should be above the knee. These, like the golf pants, should have belt loops and a belt.
Wear Proper Shoes and Socks
This is a very vital one because your footwear is also protection. Rubber shoes or sandals should never be worn when on the golf course. Instead, there are specific shoes with soft spikes. The spikes are supposed to keep you from slipping, and the shoe itself is close toed for your protection as well. Golf shoes with spikes should only be worn on the course. It is best to arrive in other shoes then change into the golf shoes in the locker room.
When it comes to socks on the golf course, they should match the color of our golf slacks. If you are wearing shorts then the socks should be a lighter color and lower around the ankles.
Golf Clothing Colors
When it comes to the color of the golf attire, it is important to remember that brighter colors or loud patterns are a distraction to the group and other players on the course. If you are there with business associates or there trying to close a business deal, it is best to keep the colors and look more toned down and professional.
Contact Us
If you are interested in golfing with us, come check out our courses or contact us today!
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by South Florida Golf Pro | Jun 27, 2019 | Golfing Etiquette, Golfing Tips
Are you a long-time, amateur golfer or someone who’s looking to get into the sport? That’s great! There are all sorts of benefits in golfing such as the community of avid golfers, health benefits, and great use of your free time. No matter the reason for your interest in golf, there are still some implicit rules you need to keep in mind. Not doing so can give you a bad reputation as a golfer, and we all know how rumors spread like wildfire. Not to worry as our professional staff of golf enthusiasts here at our South Florida golf course can teach you a little something called Golf Etiquette 101.
Arriving Less Than 15 Minutes Before Your Golf Club Tee Time
Probably the most important rule in golf etiquette is to make sure to arrive early for tee time. Not doing so can irritate the starter and others in the shop as well as put the rest of the tee sheet at risk of delay. The 15-minute grace period is considered substantial given that most golf clubs require golfers to be present on the course 30 minutes prior, so get here early!
Leaving Too Many Balls on the Practice Green
Don’t hog the real estate of the practice green by putting down one too many golf balls. If you’re the only one there, sure, go crazy by flooding your space with golf balls, but if the area is crowded, one or two practice balls should suffice.
Searching for a Lost Ball for More Than Five Minutes
It’s understandable that golf balls are quite pricey and you’re willing to risk a poison ivy rash, but there’s a big difference making an honest effort and overemphasizing the point. Once you’ve looked for the ball for five minutes, accept your golf ball loss and move on with the game.
Constantly on Your Phone
In 2019, sometimes, we can’t help but be on our phones since we’d like to check the score of a game or send a quick text in between holes. However, habitually keeping your phone glued to your hand goes against the idea of hanging with friends or simply enjoying nature. Being on your phone all the time gives off the vibe that you’d rather be anywhere else than on the green.
If you just so happen to slip up with one of these golf etiquette examples from time to time, it’s alright. It happens, but don’t make it a habit. Want to learn more about golf etiquette or our golf club memberships? Feel free to reach out to our friendly staff at our golf course in Fort Lauderdale.
by South Florida Golf Pro | Jul 19, 2016 | Golfing Etiquette
Golf Course Etiquette: Cell Phones
Since smart phones have consumed their owners, golf course etiquette and cell phone use has been a hot discussion. Many traditional, older generation golfers complain about cellphones taking the enjoyment out of the moment and the overall game; so, when it comes to setting some golf course etiquette for cell phone use, Deer Creek Golf Course has some tips!
Golf course etiquette is somewhat universal; it is the same on a South Florida golf course as it is on golf courses halfway around the world. The unwritten rules of golf transcend language barriers and age. Since a lot of business takes place on golf courses, it is up to the players to set cell phone etiquette before hitting the green, but the following has become common etiquette for smart phone use on the course.
Turn off Your Cellphone
A no cell phone policy on the golf course may seem like a no brainer to some, but the argument can be broken down using the following points:
– Cell phones are a distraction for more than just the person who is on the phone. No professional golfer wants to hear ringtones or phone conversations while playing a game of golf.
– Cell phones slow down play. Cell phones cause players to not pay attention, therefore slowing down play.
– Cell phones ruin the game. The game of golf is meant to be quiet, relaxing, and all-encompassing. While on a championship golf course in South Florida, you should not be on your cell phone distracting other players on the green and ruining the game.
In general, cell phone use goes against traditional golf etiquette and should be refrained from.
