Questions/Answers

GENERAL INFOMATION:

• Links to Golf Information:

Overall Boltz Golf Info

Boltz Girls Golf Info

2023 Girl’s Golf Match Schedule

Youth on Course Program Website - Join and your junior can get huge public course discounts! 

• Golf for Juniors Information:   

Top 10 Life Lessons your Child Can Learn from Playing Golf

Junior Golf Lessons - When Should They Start?

The Best Junior Golf Drills

Become a Caddie - Junior Summer Job Opportunity

Fort Collins Junior Golf Programs

American Junior Golf Association

PGA Junior League

Colorado Golf Association - Juniors

2023 U.S. Girls' Junior Championship

• Golf Tips for Beginners:  

We welcome beginners!  Golf is a lifelong journey, never a destination.  Write it down, live it, and watch your personal happiness increase along with your golf game. Click on these links to get more information on golf:

Ultimate Golf Tips for Beginners

Learn How to Score in Golf

Golf Terminology

Golf Confidence Tip for All Levels

What Should You Carry In Your Golf Bag?

Teaching Golf To Beginners - A Simplified Approach

Lessons are a great way to get started and improve at golf.  Lesson vary from individual to groups, which usually are more economical. Past & current Boltz players have taken lessons from these golf professionals:

• Kathy/Southridge https://kathygolf.com/

• Earl/Collindale  https://collindalegolfacademy.com/about-us/

• Irma/Mountain Vista Greens  https://whitmangolfinstruction.com/

Lesson vary from individual to groups, which usually are more economical.  

BOLTZ GOLF BASICS:

• Eligible Grades:  

Teams will be composed of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students.  Each school may carry up to 12 players of each gender in the program.

• Players Meeting & Tryouts: 

Plan to attend the Players Meeting and Tryouts! 

1. 1. 3/6-Wednesday:   Player meeting (Girl’s) Wednesday, March 6th during 6th pd.  Announcement will be made.

   2. 3/20-Tuesday:   Tryouts will be held at City Park Golf Course on Tuesday March 20th, at 1:00pm.

   3. 3/22 - Friday:  Tryouts will be held at Collindale on Friday, March 22nd at 1:40pm.

TRYOUT Day Setup:  

We have 8 tee times on each day.  Players will be going out in foursomes every 7-10 minutes depending on the total number of players.  Each tryout day is 9 holes. It usually takes between 2-2:30 hours for players to finish and we do our best to move players along/shorten holes/pickup and move to the next hole etc. in order to keep the pace of play.  Water and snacks are recommended, especially as the weather starts to warm up.  The girls' golf team can have up to 12 players due to the logistics of organizing tee-times with our local golf courses and that is the reason it’s a cut-sport. If cuts need to be made they will be announced on Friday, 3/22/24.  

• Golf Gear:   

Players will need to have a set of golf clubs, bag, and push cart (if they don't carry the golf bag).  We may have a couple sets of Boltz clubs that could be used, but we are not certain of how many yet.  If you do not currently have a set of golf clubs, bag, and cart – you can rent them from any city course which is more cost effective until you decide to invest in your own.  I would recommend waiting to invest in clubs if you don't have access to a set, to see if they enjoy golf.  Range balls will be provided during practices and district tournaments.

Golf Gear Storage for matches and practice:  Players should keep clubs with parents instead of bringing them to school. Golf club bags would need to be secured and in locked rooms and there is limited space for 24 bags (12 bags/2 teams).  On practice days, I wouldn't expect players to walk with their bags all the way to Collindale. On match days, players will need a ride to the course, so their clubs can stay in the car.  If a player has an individual situation, please contact me and we will find a solution.

• Typical Girl’s Golf week:  

Monday/Wednesday = matches, Tuesday/Friday = practice.  Click link for the Girl’s Golf match schedule.

• Practice:  

Girl’s Golf matches will be on Monday/Wednesdays, so practice will be on Tuesday/Fridays from 3:00-4:00 (days/times are subject to change).  Most likely our practices will be at our closest course, Collindale Golf Course and inside Boltz School when the weather isn't being cooperative.

• Transportation:  

Golfers are responsible for all transportation to matches and practice balls before matches.  

• Weather:

The WeatherBug App will be used.  If lightning is nearby (within 8 miles), we will get off the course and wait 30 minutes to resume.  Cancellations will be made by noon or earlier if possible.  If the match is canceled, I will coordinate with the other coach to reschedule the match.  Unless golf is cancelled, we will play at least 4-holes and make the decision on how or if we will proceed.

• Rangefinders:

Rangefinders are devices used to measure distances.  This season phones and watch rangefinders are allowed.

• Pace of Play:

Part of the partnership with our city courses is that we honor pace-of-play and be good stewards on the course.  Time is money for our city courses and every 9 minutes is another 4-some.  The environment should be that players correctly learn the game, which may mean adjustments will be made to keep the game moving and fun.  

Emphasis on Pace-of-play:  9 holes = 2 hours and fifteen minutes.  Some players may not finish or fully complete holes independently and that is normal in junior golf, especially for those who are 5 years and less to the game. Coaches will be making adjustments to prioritize pace-of-play.

Triple Bogey pick-up:   When a golfer reaches triple bogey, they will circle their score and pick up the ball.  For example, par 5/pick up on 8, par 4/pick up on 7, par 3/pick up on 6.  Goal is 1-2 putts on the green (3 max then pick-up).

If a player is not yet breaking 60 on their score, they should be playing a scramble or hitting off 50-100 yards from the tee-box.  If a player picks up their ball, it's an automatic Triple Bogey.

If a player reaches 5th shot on a par 4, they need to pick up their ball and drop in front of the green, with 2 clubs in hand - chip wedge and putter.

• Communication:   

BAND App is a community application that facilitates quick group communication.  Also, this website will be used to communicate information.

MATCHES & PRACTICE DAY INFORMATION:

Golf Season - A total of 2 practice rounds, 9 matches, and a district championship have been scheduled for the  season.  Locations include City Park 9, Collindale, Southridge, Mountain Vista.

Contest Length: Regular season matches are 9 hole events. The District Championship tournament is a 9 hole event with an18 hole option for those individuals who have qualified, AND wish to compete for the individual medalist.

Scheduled Practice Days:

Each school will have twelve spots (3 tee times).  There will be 2 scheduled Practice Days.

Matches:

Scheduling:

The schedules will rotate with 6 players per match. During Practice Rounds (2), the whole team will play.  Scheduling and groupings will be balanced with more experienced and new players to help keep pace-of-play.  The goal is to finish our matches in 2 hours and fifteen minutes. We will move with a sense of urgency to the ball, while of course having fun!  The groupings will rotate, to promote teamwork versus the same people consistently playing together.

Look over the schedule for the entire season and communicate (asap) about scheduling conflicts, which will help me build a schedule in advance that works for everyone. If a player is scheduled and cannot make the tee-time, then I will attempt to fill the spot with another player.

Match Days:

Each match will have three tee times starting at the times designated on the current schedule.  On match days, each team will have 6 player spots.  Both teams are to announce if they have players that do not fill all the tee-time slots in a match.  All tee-times should be filled, so both teams can provide players to fill missing slots.  Sometimes life happens and a player's schedule changes, so keep attune to BAND app and the golf website to see who is playing in the upcoming match.

**Please remind your golfer to bring water, snacks, layers of clothing, sunglasses, and a hat.  Colorado's season in the Spring can be sporadic.**

**Remind your player that after they are finished, it's good etiquette to go into the Pro-shop to thank the course for having Boltz out to play. **

Responsibility of the players who are not scheduled for a match:  

Players do not have to attend matches when not on the schedule.  However, if somebody cancels on either team there would be an open spot which could be filled by a player. I will immediately announce open spots for those players who are available and they would have an opportunity to play.  Also, a player who is not playing on a scheduled day could assist the team in manager type duties during the match and/or take an empty tee-time spot if needed. 

Spectators (Extended family & Friends) at Matches Per District Rules:

• Parent support:  We need you!  Parents can help groups by prompting and pushing the groups forward.  The district requests that parents work for the greater good of the group and not act as a caddy for the players or groups.  Coaches will float to the different groups with the goal of randomly spending approximately 3-holes per group.

• Try-outs & District Tournament - parents who are helping groups move along should not be in the same group as their child.

• Spectators (Extended family & friends, etc..) must always remain off to the side of each hole; on the cart path, or where the cart path would be. 

• Spectators may not coach players from the time of first shot through the conclusion of the event.

**The district recommends ½ hole behind their player. Coaches are supposed to remind spectators that school matches are the time golf players get to talk to other players, form relationships, build confidence, and compete.  Golf matches are an important time for junior golfers to hear positive messages that boost confidence and help support pace of play.  

**Coach Roller's thoughts:  Our teams want the support of their families and friends there, which is important.  I'm not going to regulate spectators being 1/2 hole behind a player, but I would ask that we all keep it positive and fun for golf's sake.

• Parents are not allowed to follow their child or score during qualifying rounds. 

Golf Volunteers and Designees will take on the role of scorer during District Championships.

DISTRICT MATCH RULES & BEST PRACTICES: 

• Golf shirts must be worn to all competitions.  Players will get their golf shirt before the first scheduled match.  The shirts will be collected, inventoried, and stored at the end of the golf season.

• Electronic Devices:  Range finders, cell phones, and other electronic devices (including GPS devices) are permitted during play for the purposes of obtaining course layout information and yardages. Golfers are not permitted to listen to music or or wear headphone/earbuds of any kind while competing.

• Player Arrival Time:  Players who are playing in the match need to be at the course 30 minutes before the FIRST tee-time of the match, even if the player has the last tee-time of the match.  Be on time, allow time for warm-up, and don't hold up play. 

• Warm-up Time: Golfers are expected to warm up on their own, 30 minutes prior to the first tee time of the match.

• Scorecard Exchange: Scoring integrity is paramount. Participants must trade scorecards during play and must sign cards to verify accuracy. 

• Increase Pace-of-Play:  Pace-of-play is paramount in upholding a strong partnership with the City of Fort Collins golf courses.  Many of our matches are back to back, so pace of play will be critical this season.  Parents should pick up 2 hours after tee-time.

• Parent Pick-up:  2 hours after tee-time.  8th Hole - players "Text Your Ride" - done in 15 minutes.

• Integrity of Scoring:  Players must keep it fair, be aware, and count all strokes.

• Tee Box:  If a player hits sideways off of the tee box and into OB, they can choose to retee hitting their 3rd shot.  The district wants players to avoid going back to re-hit once they've already walked up the fairway.

• Out of Bounds (OB):  Play all OB (out of bounds) as laterals for the season.  Play the shot from two club lengths from where it crossed the OB line.  If a ball goes out-of-bounds (or water), then play as a lateral where the ball went out, take a drop and a stroke.

• Lost balls:   Treated the same as OB - by dropping in the area that it was lost.  3-minutes max looking for a ball, then take a drop and a stroke. 

• Mercy Rule:  Triple Bogey is the maximum score on any hole. If a player is unable to score triple bogey or better on a hole, the player discontinues play on that hole, records a  triple bogey, and circles the score indicating they were unable to finish prior to obtaining the maximum allowable score.  For example, par 5/pick up on 8, par 4/pick up on 7, par 3/pick up on 6.  If a player picks up their ball, it's an automatic Triple Bogey.  Also, if a player reaches 5th shot on a par 4, they need to pick up their ball and drop in front of the green, with 2 clubs in hand - chip wedge and putter.  Goal is 1-2 putts on the green (3 max then pick-up). 

• Dress code:  Enforced during all practice rounds, on the driving range and during competitions. This includes proper shirts (polo shirts must be worn during matches), appropriate footwear and proper pants or shorts, etc.

• Safety:  Participants must practice safe practices during all practices and competitions (i.e. checking surroundings prior to attempting a swing, positioning yourself out of danger of other golfers whenever possible, driving range safety, monitoring lightning in area, taking shelter when appropriate, yelling ‘fore’ when you hit a ball that is traveling in the vicinity of other golfers, spectators or bystanders, etc.

•  Official Rule Book:  The current edition of the USGA Decisions on the Rules of Golf Rule Book shall be the official rulebook for the league matches and the championship tournament.

• Golf Etiquette:  will be expected and enforced at all times including pace of play, proper first tee instructions, acknowledging the good play of others, avoidance of distraction on the tee or during opponent’s swings, replacing divots, raking bunkers, repairing ball marks, not intentionally harming course, proper disposal of any trash, good sportsmanship, and replacing flagstick to the hole when hole is completed.

• PRO Shop & Golf Course Employees:  Players and spectators are representing Boltz and Poudre School District.  Be patient, kind, grateful, and always thank the Pro Shop!

DISTRICT TOURNAMENT INFORMATION:

• A tab at the top is dedicated to all info concerning District Tournaments!  

Please let me know if you have other questions.  I am looking forward to meeting with all of you and getting the Girls Golf Season started!