How Does Golf Impact Mental Health?

From physical health to mental health, golf can provide several benefits for fans of the game. According to Golf Digest, in light of the recent pandemic, research shows golf can improve mental health for players. If you want to learn to play golf or you’ve been involved in golf for years, here’s how golf impacts your mental health.

Helps You Stay Active

Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your mental health, especially as you get older and your favorite activities become more difficult. While many people learn to play golf at older ages and continue playing into their 60s and 70s, you can learn to play golf at any age. Exercise helps to reduce stress by boosting endorphins and regulating your hormones, which can keep your body’s cortisol levels under control and help you feel better both physically and emotionally. Low-impact workouts, like playing golf, are a great way for you to get the benefits of exercise without overdoing it.

Builds Your Confidence

Another huge benefit of golf is that it allows you to build your confidence. Many hobbies lack the competitiveness golf offers, especially when golf is so focused on the individuals playing. If you golf with a few buddies, you can keep track of your scores and compete on individual holes to see who’s improving and who’s best at each aspect of the game. The competitiveness of golf can make it a great confidence booster.

Provides Socialization

Spending time with other people is one of the best things you can do for your mental health, and that’s one of the biggest parts of playing golf. When you golf, you can get together with friends and enjoy a day together. According to Mayo Clinic, socializing with friends or other golf players can help boost your cognitive functioning and your immune system. It also promotes a feeling of belonging that can improve your happiness.

Helps You Get Sunshine

Speaking of happiness, vitamin D is essential for your mental and physical health, and golf is a great opportunity to get out and enjoy the sun. Under the sunshine while playing golf, you can reduce inflammation, reduce the risk of infections, and help your body retain calcium and phosphorous. Vitamin D also helps boost serotonin, which is key for stabilizing your mood and helping you feel happy.

There are so many ways to enjoy sunny days with friends, but it’s hard to beat a good game of golf when it comes to your mental health. Golf can benefit your mental health in several ways. If you want to learn to play golf so you can start playing with your friends, give Deerfield a call today.

How to Choose Your Golf Gear

Golf equipment has changed a lot in the last 15 years. Even though according to TGW, surlyn has been the most common non-tour level golf ball cover since the 1960s, it’s getting easier and easier to find other cover materials now than ever before. Clubs have also taken leaps forward so casual players will find better performance out of their clubs, balls, and shoes than ever before, while professionals are finding even more new ways to improve their golf game.

Spikeless Shoes

Ever since a young Tiger Woods was tearing up the courses in the mid-1990s, there’s been an increased interest in golfing shoes that are fashionable and flattering for the player through all 18 holes. No longer content to walk on the same old dress-derived golf shoe, today’s players want the fit, comfort, and look of a sneaker in their golfing shoes, and manufacturers seek to deliver it. With the modern shoe, you no longer have to worry about changing out of your shoes when you go back to the club. Today’s spikeless designs will give you just as much grip as ever before without carpet-ripping spikes.

Mid-High Handicap Drivers

Drivers and other clubs for high-handicap players have taken plenty of steps forward in the last couple of years as well. With demand for higher performance at a lower price point, today’s high-handicap woods and irons are closer in performance than ever before to their professional counterparts. Everybody should experience the powerful feeling of swinging a high-performance club, even if they’re just starting in the game.

Launch Monitors

The use of launch monitors came out of the niche of professional equipment for years. They entered the realm of the average player during the pandemic. Players wanted to be able to get electronic feedback of seeing the effects of their swing and devices like the PRGR Portable Launch Monitor and Blast Golf Swing Analyzer can give them instant feedback that will improve any player’s game.

Urethane Covered Balls

After six decades of surlyn as the main material covering golf balls, the pandemic brought about the use of urethane as a ball cover. This high-bounce polymer is popular in other sports and brings new performance to golf balls. Of course, there are still countless color and brand options to take into consideration when purchasing your golf balls as well.

If you’re looking for high-quality golfing apparel and other merchandise, then you’re in luck. Come into our pro shop today to get fitted out with new golf equipment for the 2023 season at Deerfield!

When is The Best Time to Book a Tee Time?

Are there better times to book a tee time than others? Finding a beautiful public course to book your tee time is like striking gold, but you want to be sure that you are picking the best times to schedule your round. According to Leader Publications, 10 am and one pm are the busiest times on most courses. Of course, it’s not just the hours you should take into consideration. Here is what you should think about to ensure you book your tee time on a public course at the best time.

Seasonal Tee Times

For many golfers, golf is only an option when there isn’t any snow and ice on the ground. A good public course is typically open three seasons out of the year, even in colder climates where snow and ice are always a threat. Most courses will open at sunrise in the late spring, summer, and early fall. Booking tee times in the early morning can ensure you beat the rush. Of course, early tee times also help you beat the heat in the summer months.

Weekday Tee Times

It’s unsurprising that the busiest days of the week at any public course will be Saturday and Sunday. If you can book your tee time during the week, it’ll be easier to get a good time. An early morning tee time on a Tuesday will be much easier to secure than an early morning tee time on a Saturday. A late-day tee time during the week can also be a good time to book. Check with the golf marshal at our local public course to find out which weekdays are the busiest.

Stick To Your Tee Time

Tee times can be competitive, so most golf courses have a rule for how long your slot will be open before the next players can take your spot. In some cases, you have five minutes to start your round. Losing a coveted spot because you cannot start on time can be very disappointing. Show up for your tee time at least 20 minutes in advance to ensure you are ready to get started on time.

If you’re looking for a beautiful course with countless amenities, you’re in luck. The easiest way to find the best tee time is to contact us to learn more about available tee times and what else we have to offer. Give Deerfield a call today!

3 Benefits of Junior Golf Camps

According to the National Golf Foundation, in 2021, there were 3 million junior golfers. If your child wants to learn how to play golf, there’s nothing better than junior golf camps! Golf is a great sport for kids of all ages, and it can help them grow both on and off the course. Now is a perfect time to get your child interested in a sport that will serve them well for their entire lives. Below is an overview of some of the many benefits associated with kids learning to play golf.

1. Your Child Will Learn Critical Thinking Skills

Golf is very much a mental game. Your child will learn how to assess a situation and determine the best way forward. These mental skills can help them be better students and will set them up well as they continue their education. Golf is also an important part of many business industries, and overall, is an amazing skill to have.

2. Golf Camps Provide a Great Opportunity for Kids to Socialize

Summers can be filled with a lot of downtime for kids. By putting them in a situation where they’ll meet new friends, you’re helping them to further develop their social skills. There’s a lot of time for discussion and commiseration out on the golf course. Your child will learn to ask for help, reach out to their peers, and forge lasting friendships, all while learning a great new skill!

3. Offers Physical Activity and Engagement

Our junior golf camps provide ample opportunity for time outdoors and physical activity. There’s a lot of walking when it comes to playing golf! Carrying a bag also helps participants to increase their strength and stamina. Too many children today spend the majority of their time indoors doing sedentary activities. If you’d like to break your child’s habit of playing video games for hours on end, a golf camp is a perfect solution. Good habits start young, and when your child appreciates the benefits of sports, camaraderie, and activity, they’re bound to lead happier and healthier lives.

If you’d like your child to learn how to play golf, or just pick up some valuable life skills, check out our junior golf camps. We offer your kids an alternative to sitting around in the summer without much to show for it. Contact our pro shop today for more information and enrollment details.

How Can You Benefit From Golfing Lessons?

According to Golf Pass, of the entire 2019 golfing community, 17% took lessons. Golf lessons can be beneficial for golfers of all levels since there’s always a less-than-ideal habit to correct, or a new skill to master. If you’ve been golfing for years, or you’re new to the game, taking a few lessons is a great way to boost your game! Let’s take a closer look at a few of the things you’ll get out of a golf lesson or a series of performance lessons.

Correction of Bad Habits

We all pick up bad habits, despite our best efforts. Whether you’re overcorrecting your swing, or your putting game could use some help, it’s time for a golf lesson! Our pros can help you correct any bad habits, giving your game an instant boost. They’ll break down the basics for you, from your stance to your swing, to how you approach every fairway. Think of it as a reset of your game. No one likes to be told what they’re doing wrong, but a teaching atmosphere is much more conducive to change. Our pros are always polite and considerate and remember, they’re there to help you.

Improved Golfing Technique

Mastering different golf techniques can improve your game immensely. If you want to elevate your putting game, it’s time for a lesson. We can also help you with your driving. There are a number of techniques that, once mastered, can make a significant improvement in your overall performance. No matter how long you’ve been playing golf, there’s always room for improvement!

Future Improvement

At the conclusion of your lesson, your pro will give you a few things to keep working on. These will include new techniques, tips to improve bad habits, and general ways to improve your game. You may be surprised by how much better your game feels after just one lesson! We recommend that golfers take a series of lessons in order to have new knowledge completely sink in and become new habits.

Ready to learn from professionals? We’re here to help you improve your game, no matter what your current skill level may be. Improving your golf game never has an end date, it’s always possible to get better! Give our pro shop a call today and schedule a lesson. You’ll be glad you did!

Avoid These Simple Mistakes to Start Golfing Like a Pro

Golfing is a fun way to spend your leisure time because it can be both a fun and challenging sport. According to Golf Span, about 80 million people around the globe play golf, but only about 200 wind up qualifying as professionals for the PGA tour (golf’s biggest competition). There are ways you can improve your golf game. Avoid these common mistakes and you will play like a pro.

Choose the Right Clubs

One of the most common mistakes golfers make is to choose the wrong size clubs for golfing. The best way to choose your golf clubs is to get professionally fitted for them at a pro shop. The size and weight of the clubs can really affect your game.

Take the Lessons

Golfing is one of the most challenging sports because it is a sport that is highly based on technical abilities. Few golfers spend the time they need to educating themselves on rules and techniques. It is a common misconception that once you know how to play golf or understand the rules you do not need to take lessons. No matter your skill set there is always room for improvement. Take the lessons to keep improving your game.

Practice More

Golfing improves with practice. Many new players get frustrated and do not practice enough because they feel like they are not making enough progress. Improving your golf game is not a sprint, it is a marathon. The more you practice the better you will become, but it may take you a little while. Practice often and you will see a positive change in your game.

Don’t Swing Too Hard

Many golfers in the early days of playing swing their clubs too hard. It can be tempting to really swat at the ball and give it all the power you have, but golfing is more of an accuracy than a power-type sport. Slow down your swing and focus on what’s right in front of you. Paying attention to the short game will take you far. A hole-in-one is nice if you can get it but moving forward in a positive direction will get you there as well.

Don’t give up on your skills. Avoiding these common mistakes and practicing will improve your game. If you want to learn more about golfing or how to improve your game, give Deerfield Gold Club a call today!

How Many Golf Tournaments Are There Yearly?

Golf is one of the world’s most played sports. Originating in 15th century Scotland, players would hit small rocks around obstacles using a bent stick or club. It quickly became popular with the nobility and lower class alike. On October 17, 1860, the first major golf tournament, The Open Championship, took place in Ayrshire, Scotland at Prestwick Golf Club. Over the years, golf continued to grow and spread globally. By 1900, in the U.S. alone, there were over 1,000 golf clubs, according to Gaelic Matters. Today there are around 700 golf tournaments that take place each year. Here’s a list of the four major golf tournaments played on the annual PGA tour, also known as the Grand Slam.

1. The Masters

The first Masters’ golf tournament took place on March 22, 1934 at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. It takes place every year in the same location with only the best players invited to play. From 1943 to 1945, the tournament didn’t happen because of World War II, but it began again in 1946.

2. The U.S. Open

The first U.S. Open took place in 1895 at the Newport Golf and Country Club in Rhode Island. There were only 11 players that vied for the championship, as opposed to the 156 players that compete in this golf tournament today. It takes place at a different location every year.

3. The Open Championship

Also known as The British Open, this golf tournament takes place on a coastal course in Scotland, England, or Northern Ireland. As mentioned before, it’s the world’s first and oldest tournament, with 156 players competing for the championship. Nowadays, they’re no longer using rocks and bent sticks but top-of-the-line equipment.

4. The PGA Championship

The PGA Championship first began on October 10 and ended on October 14, 1916 at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, New York. Today, this golf tournament takes place in May somewhere on the U.S. east coast. The first winner of the PGA Championship, Jim Barnes, won a $500 prize. It’s a far cry from today’s $15,000,000 prize pool that competitors train for.

Today, business meetings, friendly games, and serious tournaments continue to take place on the golf course. The sport of golf continues to grow with some kids learning how to play from the moment they learn to walk. If you’re looking for a place to learn or play, then visit us at Deerfield today!

What Makes a Golf Course Championship Level?

What elevates golf course greens from a place to play golf to a championship-level course? Some would say that it has to be able to compare to courses like Hazeltine, the premier golf club of the Midwest, according to Golf Digest. Others would say each championship course has unique attributes that elevate it. Here are some signs a course is championship level.

The Course Has Hosted Championship Tournaments

One thing that often elevates golf courses to the championship level is that the site has hosted championship competitions. To host a championship tournament or competition, a course has to be in outstanding condition with enough challenges on the golf course greens to make it worthy of hosting some of the best players in the sport.

The Aesthetics and Design of the Course

All championship golf courses have two things in common. The golf courses are aesthetically pleasing to look at, and the course is well-designed. Championship courses are well thought out courses that are challenging.

Of course, to play on a championship golf course you don’t have to be an expert. Novices to the sport are always welcome to enjoy the beauty and unique characteristics of the course. Learning how to rise to the challenge in these courses is part of the fun.

The Course Provides a Complete Experience

Every championship course provides a complete experience. They have great golf course greens, a beautiful clubhouse, great food, and provide a sense of community. They’re a great course to play on and offer a wonderful social experience as well.

These courses create a community among players and are always welcoming to newcomers. They are the event venues that are a must-have for weddings, corporate events, and other social gatherings. Yes, the focus is on golf, but the right championship course has a lot more to offer.

Not every course is a championship-level course. It takes time and effort to elevate a course to the championship level. The experience of playing on these courses and spending time socializing is hard to beat. Once you see the beautiful setting at a championship-level course, it’s hard to settle for anything less. Learn more about Deerfield and what makes it a championship-level course.

What Are the Origins of The Green Jacket?

The green jacket is considered the most coveted prize in golf tournaments. The Augusta Masters winner is entitled to the iconic green jacket and prize money of up to $2 million. The previous year’s winner usually passes over to a new champion.

What Is It?

The master’s green jacket is presented to the golf tournament winner annually upon confirmation of the results. An Augusta Golf Club member lends the coat to the presentation before the champion is measured for a tailored jacket version. The tradition dates back to 1937 when Augusta National members wore the jacket during tournaments to stand out from the public. According to the Augusta National chairman, a single-breasted brass green jacket has been presented to each winner since 1937.

What Happens to the Jacket?

The tradition stipulates that the golf tournament winner may retain the jacket for the year and return it to the Augusta National course for the following year’s event. The coat remains on site, but the previous winner can wear it as long as they are at the site. The winners have a single jacket tailored for them, and multiple winners are given the jacket they previously made upon winning. Furthermore, last year’s winner presents the coat to the newly crowned champion and is considered a sign of respect compared to the change of guard ceremony.

What Is the Current Green Jacket Tradition?

Upon completion of each Masters tournament, a green jacket ceremony is held to present the golf tournament winner with the green jacket. The previous year’s contest winner presents it to the new winner. If the golfer wins it for two consecutive years, the Augusta National chairman is tasked with giving it to the winner. The jacket is retrieved from the locker room by tournament officials who guess the right fit for the new winner. Later, the champion is measured, and a custom-made jacket is tailor-made.

What Is the Jacket Made From?

Despite the importance of the green jacket, it may not cost you hundreds of dollars as you imagine. The Hamilton Tailoring Company of Cincinnati supplies the coat, with each blazer costing up to $250. The jacket is stitched and cut in Dublin and made from polyester and wool, lined with Bemberg rayon, and buttons made from polished brass. The actual coat has a reasonably low price tag but has become a collectible for Green Jacket Auctions attracting hundreds of dollars.

The master’s green jacket is an iconic trophy in golf. The jacket is awarded to the Augusta winner yearly, along with prize money. Contact us today for more information on our golf course.

The History of Golf

Golf is a sport quintessentially thought to be associated with the wealthy. According to Panther Run Golf Clube, golfing was in Scotland not only once but thrice between 1457 and 1744. The equipment and rules used in golf have evolved over the years. Today, golf is considered one of the most popular sports, with world-class tournaments held in various countries. Below we take a look at the history of golf, the changes it has undergone, and the rules that are in place for it.

What Is Golf?

Golf is a sport played when someone hits a small ball into a hole using various clubs. It’s a popular sport, enjoyed by players of all ages and skills. It is played either competitively or for enjoyment and fun. Some aspects of golfing include the mental aspects of shot-making or strategic planning and the physical element of swinging a club. Golfing can also be a social activity, as many people enjoy it by relaxing and spending time with their friends.

Where Was the First Game of Golf Played?

The sport of golf traces back to its origin in Scotland during the 15th century. The first recorded game of golf was played at Bruntsfield Links, in Edinburgh, in 1456. From there, the game spread to England and the rest of Europe. Today, golf is played in over 120 countries and is enjoyed by millions of people.

What Equipment Was Used in Early Golf Games?

The earliest golf games were played using rudimentary equipment, consisting of a small wooden ball and crude clubs. As it evolved, sophisticated equipment was developed, including a ball made of tightly-woven gutta-percha and metal-headed clubs. The game was played on a course similar to the ones used in the modern world. The only difference was that the holes were not as deep, and the green lawns were not well-manicured. By the late 19th century, golfing had evolved to the point where modern equipment in use today was developed, including the rubber-cored ball and metal-shafted clubs.

When Did Golf Become an Olympic Sport?

Golf became an Olympic sport in 2016 when it got included in the Summer Olympics for the first time in over a century. Golf was last counted as an Olympic sport in 1904 when it got included in the St. Louis Games. A golf game, played at the 1900 Paris Games, was considered more of an exhibition sport and not an official Olympic event. The return of golf to the Olympics in 2016 was thanks partly to the efforts of the International Olympic Committee’s President, Thomas Bach.

The history of golf is extensive, with its popularity dating back centuries ago. If you are looking for a place to catch a game of golf and enjoy the company of friends, visit us today. We’ll ensure to provide you the best services to enjoy your game of golf.