Golf 101

Refer to our beginner gear guidelines:

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) introduces Veterans and Active Duty military members to the game of golf in a welcoming, supportive environment. The program is open to Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, and Veterans from all eras and is offered completely free of charge.

Through a six-week program, PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency teach the fundamentals of golf while using the game to support physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.

Whether you’ve never picked up a golf club or you’re looking to try something new, PGA HOPE is a great place to start.

A golf handicap is a number that represents a golfer’s skill level and allows players of different abilities to compete fairly. The lower the handicap, the better the golfer.

Refer to the USGA to get your handicap!

Driving range 

The driving range is a great place to practice your swing, get comfortable with your clubs, and learn the basics before heading out onto the course. What is a driving range? A driving range is a practice area where you hit golf balls without playing a full round. You can rent clubs from the facility, or bring your own. You can also bring your own golf balls, or get some from the pro shop. We recommend you get some rental balls from the pro shop because you will need many, and don’t get them back once hit. 

Playing a round

A typical full round consists of 18 holes, although you can also play 9 holes. You hit from the tee box → fairway or rough → green → hole. 

Before you arrive, book a tee time with your facility. When you do arrive, check in at the pro shop or the designated check-in area. There, they will typically assign you a golf cart and get you any equipment you need. From here, go to the first tee, and hit! The objective is simple: get your ball from the starting area into the hole in as few strokes as possible. Don’t forget…have fun!!!

What tees do I play from?

Not sure which tee box to use? You’re not alone! Golf courses offer different sets of tees to make the game enjoyable for players of different abilities. Tee boxes are at the beginning of each hole and that is where you set your tee and ball up, and hit your first stroke of the hole. Why are there different tees? They change the total distance you play, making the course more manageable or challenging. Each course has their own color coded system to keep consistency throughout the round, you can play from any tee you would like, depending on your skill level. 

Refer to our beginner gear guidelines:

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) introduces Veterans and Active Duty military members to the game of golf in a welcoming, supportive environment. The program is open to Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, and Veterans from all eras and is offered completely free of charge.

Through a six-week program, PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency teach the fundamentals of golf while using the game to support physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.

Whether you’ve never picked up a golf club or you’re looking to try something new, PGA HOPE is a great place to start.

A golf handicap is a number that represents a golfer’s skill level and allows players of different abilities to compete fairly. The lower the handicap, the better the golfer.

Refer to the USGA to get your handicap!

Driving range 

The driving range is a great place to practice your swing, get comfortable with your clubs, and learn the basics before heading out onto the course. What is a driving range? A driving range is a practice area where you hit golf balls without playing a full round. You can rent clubs from the facility, or bring your own. You can also bring your own golf balls, or get some from the pro shop. We recommend you get some rental balls from the pro shop because you will need many, and don’t get them back once hit. 

Playing a round

A typical full round consists of 18 holes, although you can also play 9 holes. You hit from the tee box → fairway or rough → green → hole. 

Before you arrive, book a tee time with your facility. When you do arrive, check in at the pro shop or the designated check-in area. There, they will typically assign you a golf cart and get you any equipment you need. From here, go to the first tee, and hit! The objective is simple: get your ball from the starting area into the hole in as few strokes as possible. Don’t forget…have fun!!!

What tees do I play from?

Not sure which tee box to use? You’re not alone! Golf courses offer different sets of tees to make the game enjoyable for players of different abilities. Tee boxes are at the beginning of each hole and that is where you set your tee and ball up, and hit your first stroke of the hole. Why are there different tees? They change the total distance you play, making the course more manageable or challenging. Each course has their own color coded system to keep consistency throughout the round, you can play from any tee you would like, depending on your skill level.