High School Golf?

Question

I am freshman in high school. I couldn't play golf this year because I injured my shoulder a week before try outs. I took lessons over the summer and was ready to go. I am fine now but I live in the midwest and I can't really go to the driving range because of the weather. I could go to a heated/indoor range but I don't want to go hit balls when I know my swing is messed up. I am going to start lessons in the spring with the same guy I had been taking them from. The high school coach knows me and how I play and told me he knows I will make varsity. Anyway, I know to practice and just do what I can on my part to improve. What else can I do?

Also, what would the chances of me being able to play college level be? It doesn't matter if I get a scholarship or if I walk-on. I just want to play in college. I have been playing since I was 7 and that has been my dream since.

Thanks!

Answer 1

best bet is a push up and stretching regiment,   you can practice your swing inside your house if you have the room, stance and such

Answer 2

i don't have real answer but never give up because it looks like you really want it so good luck!

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry about practicing yet.  You've still got time until you need to worry about it.  I know how u feel, I live near Detroit and the weather sucks.  If it's possible, now would be a great time to work on your putting and short game.  Work on that while your shoulder heals.  As for playing in college, it just depends on how good you are.  All I can say is to keep getting better every year and try your best.

Answer 4

It depends what school you want to go to.  I never played golf in high school and I was able to play on my Division III college team as a freshman.  I was about a 10 handicap at the time and it was a mid sized college in upstate NY.  It was a blast and by the time I was a senior I was down to a 4 and was medalist in a few tournaments.  

My best advise is to talk to your potential college's golf coach and ask him about the team.  He'll be able to give you a good idea if you have a chance to make there golf team.  Beleive me, there are plenty of colleges out there that would love to have a kid that played 4 years on varsity in high school.

Answer 5

yes you can play and go to the range in cold weather!

i play for the #2 ranked team in the state in Indiana (our season is in the spring) and thats when we really get after it...in the winter man.

Also, on the college golf thing, evaluate yourself, play in big time indv. tournaments, and if you're any good at all you can play at a non-scholarship DIII school. But generally, only the top twenty or so individuals in the state play division 1.

Answer 6

OK, it seems to me that your thought process is kind of all over the place. Either you won't go to the range because you don't want to hit balls indoors or you don't want to go because you might develop bad habits following a layoff due to an injured shoulder. The way you word it makes me believe that you're making excuses. Maybe I'm wrong but if it simply comes down to you not wanting to make full swings right now even if it's indoors, practice chipping and putting. It can only help. Regardless, anything worth doing is worth doing well for which you will make sacrifices. If that means babying your shoulder until springtime, so be it but convince yourself it's for the right reasons. There are ALWAYS reasons NOT to do something/anything.

Meanwhile, only you will determine your chances of playing at the next level. If you haven't already, sit down with your coach and set some goals, short- and long-term.Tell him where you want to be at the end of every season. Share with him your dream of playing in college. Achieving these goals will build your confidence, which will beget higher goals.

And be inspired by the likes of Zach Johnson. He grew up in Cedar Rapids, IA, where the winter weather never cooperates. He was second on his high school golf team and played at Drake in Des Moines. Other Midwesterners ranging from Jack Nicklaus and Andy North to Steve Stricker, Tim Herron and Jerry Kelly were able to overcome obstacles to play at the highest level.

Bottom line, enjoy your youth. Get involved in other things and be social. Let golf takes its course (pun intended) in your life and revisit its role in your life more seriously in a couple of years. Pursue it in moderation, remaining flexible for the give and take of life along the way.

And, depending on your personal situation with parents/guardians, just remain honest about what you want to do. With that, remain honest with yourself, setting realistic expectations. It requires hard work and long hours with no one watching to achieve what you want to achieve.

Answer 7

I would go to the indoor or outdoor range to keep loose and retain some flexibility for the spring. Indoor putting greens are getting better and it would be a big help to work on your stroke and feel.  You need to practice regularly so make the best of any available option.  Your feel will be there and it will be easier to apply the lessons. Stretching exercises will help.  You need to be playing scratch golf at the college level and good grades won't hurt.  Practice daily even if it at home.