The Skill Nobody Teaches
I can count on one hand the number of juniors who show up to their first lesson knowing proper etiquette. Etiquette and course management aren't just about being polite — they're competitive advantages.
Essential Etiquette
Pace of Play
The number one complaint about junior golfers. Teach your junior to be ready when it's their turn, walk briskly, and keep routines under 30 seconds. Benchmark: 9 holes in under two hours.
Care for the Course
- Repair ball marks on every green (fix at least two per green)
- Replace divots or fill with sand
- Rake bunkers properly
- Don't drag feet on greens
Respect for Playing Partners
- Stand still and quiet when others hit
- Don't stand in someone's putting line
- Congratulate good shots
- Shake hands after the round — win or lose
Green Etiquette
- Don't step on putting lines
- Mark your ball when it might interfere
- Exit the green promptly after holing out
Course Management: Playing Smart
Think Backwards from the Green
Most juniors grab driver automatically. Smart players start at the pin and work backwards. Where's the best approach angle? What club gets me there off the tee?
Know Your Distances
Not how far they can hit it — how far they do hit it on average. We use launch monitor data to establish real numbers.
Play Away from Trouble
Water on the left? Aim right-center. Bunker guarding the green? Take one more club. The scorecard doesn't care how you make par.
The Bogey Zone
If you're in trouble, get back to the fairway. Don't try the hero shot from the trees. A double bogey is recoverable. A triple usually isn't.
Austin Conditions
- Wind adjustment: add one club per 10 mph headwind
- Firm Bermuda turf needs different bounce and approach
- Hydration and energy management in Texas heat
How We Teach It
At BGP, etiquette and course management are integrated into every lesson. We run dedicated "course management rounds" where the focus is entirely on decision-making and respect for the game.
The junior who repairs ball marks, congratulates playing partners, and makes smart layups — that's a golfer. Book a junior assessment at BGP and let's build the complete player.
