Cascade High School’s golf season starts a little rough every year. Usually, the snow on top of the Leavenworth Golf Course takes months to melt away completely. Therefore, student-golfers do not have much time to practice outside on a real course. There are, however, some ways that students prepare for spring golf.
As Scott Lindsay (12) will tell you: “clubs definitely help the game go along.”
A CHS student should start their golf plans with a trip to the doctor to get their sports physical and then sign up for golf through Skyward. Next, they should introduce themselves to Paul Fraker, Head Golf Coach, and ask him any questions they have about playing golf.
The CHS golf team members know when and where they can be prepping for the upcoming golf season. Connor Karol (10) is entering his second year of playing high school golf and he has been dedicated to keeping his skills up to date. “I’m taking lessons with Ed [Quick, General Manager of Leavenworth Golf Course] right now and I played a lot during the summer, and I have a little putting thing at my house,” said Karol.
Rayen Blue’s (12) preparation technique for the golf season is “getting into the mindset of having to walk all the time.”
Before the golf season begins, a golfer should take their golf clubs out of the garage and clean them. This task will require a bucket of soapy water and their golf towel. Dunk each head of the club into the water and then dry with the towel, getting into every groove. Taking care of your equipment is extremely important, especially when you are using them in harsh conditions such as rain. As Scott Lindsay (12) will tell you: “clubs definitely help the game go along.”
Purchasing the right shoes is also important. Golf is a sport where players are on their feet for roughly seven hours in a row. Golfing is very close to becoming hiking if hitting the ball every five minutes is removed. Golfers need high quality walking shoes and additionally a nice pair of slippers to keep their feet from being sore. Mentally preparing for this intense walking is also important. Rayen Blue’s (12) preparation technique for the golf season is “getting into the mindset of having to walk all the time.”
Speaking of being hurt, it is very easy to get injured during practice or a match. Between the heavy lifting of the golf bag and occasionally falling down a hill, players want to make sure that they are minimizing any accidents that might happen. One of the most common strains on the body will be bending down to put the ball on the tee and then again to pick the ball out of the hole. Scott Lindsay would recommend purchasing a special putter with ball a pick up attachment “so you can pick up your ball up, and then you don’t have to bend over and hurt your back all the time.”
Seeing that golf is an outside spring sport, golfers are exposed to many allergens and fall ill very quickly. To keep on top of the game, players should bring allergy medicine to every golf match. The best choice is the Flonase Nasal Spray which leaves a player’s nose refreshed and keeps their breathing easy.
Golfers need a lot of snacks. A lot. The night before a golf match, players should make a Dan’s trip and stock up on both healthy and junky snacks. Scott Lindsay’s go-to golfing snacks include “Cheez-Its, Poptarts, [and] basically anything that’s not like temperature sensitive.” Since most snacks are placed in the golf bag, avoid any fresh produce or dairy products that will become gross in the heat.
The biggest part of playing golf is having fun and also not having to do conditioning during practices. Being around people from other schools while also breathing in the fresh air is good for high school students and a unique opportunity for student athletes.
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