THE MOST IMPORTANT SHOT IN GOLF
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers by Coach Risinger
When is golf season?
Golf is a spring sport. Golf and Track happen at the same time. Historically, there is a player and parent meeting in mid to late February. We practice after school in March and April. The season concludes with District Tournaments at the end of April or start of May.
What grade must I ben in to sign up?
Offically 7th or 8th Grade. NESID only offers a competive tournament for 7th and 8th graders. If you are a golfer and in 6th grade and get your physical and medical paperwork turned in we can assess your skill and intrest level and get you involved now.
I have no golf experience, can I be part of Bush Golf?
Yes!
How do I sign up?
Fill in this google form. I will then add you to my email list and keep you informed.
What do I do after I sign up?
Make sure you have a Medical History/Physical Form and ONLINE Athletic Participation Form on file with the Boys/Girls Coach’s office and start working on your game. Go here: https://www.neisd.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=139&ModuleInstanceID=25584&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=60841&PageID=3420 Then attend the player and parent meeting in mid to late February.
I want to learn to play golf. What should I do?
In my opinion (based on a lifetime of playing sports, coaching middle school athletics for 17 years, being a middle school golf coach for 10 years and playing the game with passion for a decade), the best thing anyone can do that wants to learn golf is to “invest” in professional lessons from a local PGA professional to get started. I have “invested” in myself and it has been very rewarding.
I believe I can instruct correct fundamentals and help start a beginner off with solid fundamentals. But one of me and 10 kids at practice limits my ability to provide extended 1 on 1 instruction. Your investment will help you get started with fewer bad habits to fix later and enjoy the game much sooner.
Do I need my own clubs?
Each golfer must supply their own equipment.
What equipment do I need?
NEED... At least one iron and a putter and you can play just about anywhere.
To fully enjoy the game a set of clubs that are of correct size and weight are very helpful. (Example: it is very difficult for a 7th grade girl to enjoy the game swinging her Dad's stiff metal shafted full length clubs, or an 8th grader swing a set of Jr. clubs from when they last played at age 9 in a summer camp)
A carry bag with legs/stand is a huge benefit, lighter is an advantage.
Finally, a sound pair of athletics shoes with non-flat soles are helpful. Golf shoes are nice but not required.
How much does it cost?
Golf is not cheap.
A Bush Golfer you have access to season length membership at Canyon Springs, We have scheduled tee times at Alamo City Golf Courses and your fees will pay for practice rounds
For the 2021 season we are asking for Team Fee of _______ (Amount to be Determined as of 2/11/19).
Less $50 if your family/player already has a membership at canyon springs.
This will cover the Canyon Springs membership, Green fees at practice dates, rounds necessary to determine: Players rank, Bush Team & Medalists designation, and Tournament roster spots as well as a team uniform.
A traditional two month membership at Canyon Springs and Punch Card at the Alamo City Golf Trail for a Junior would be about $225.
We also have worked out a great deal with Canyon Springs for Bush Golfers- $50 for two months of unlimited range use on weekends and one team practice per week with Coach. (THIS IS GREAT DEAL- Truly this is cheaper than dirt!- really! )
Where do we practice? See Locations PAGE
On Campus at Bush Some At times Reagan HS
We will also practice at other golf courses/facilities around the city.
Where are the best places to practice?
Fort Sam Houston has one of the largest open to the public putting green I know of. They also have a GREAT chipping/short game area hidden down off the right of the 10th hole off the La Loma course.
San Pedro Par 3 has a lot to offer, several putting greens, a few bunkers to hit from, and a driving range with grass, not mats. A bit of a drive but a great few hours on the weekend. Bonus: 9 hole Par 3 course.
Silver Horn has a really well maintained putting green that you can chip around too; no sand to practice from. They have a great monthly membership that gives you unlimited range access and a discount on green fees.
Canyon Springs has a nice range, and a few putting greens, and some sand. There is also chipping area. Canyon spring also has monthly memberships that include range privileges and green fee discounts, I believe it is called the PDP, Player Development Program. They also have a youth/kids golf program.
Where is the district tournament?
Check the Calendar page.
We have a working relationship with Alamo City Golf Trail. Historically, we have made use of Olmos Basin, Willow Springs, and Riverside. We also have a relationship with Windcrest Golf Club and Fort Sam Houston
What programs or organizations are there to help me improve my skills in the summer and offseason?
STPGA, TJGT, KIDS on COURSE, & TPC TOUR ACADEMY
What is YOUTH ON COURSE? Why is it important?
GO HERE Youth on Course is the program that will allow you play many of the Alamo City Trail course as a Jr. Golfer for $3-5 per round. This is huge. Check it out... Why huge savings!
Do I need to have a golf membership at a golf course/facility/ country club?
No.
But let’s be honest
1 - Golf is not a cheap sport. AND 2 - Practice is required for improvement.
Paying a monthly fee for use of a facility and access to a driving range and bucket after bucket of balls will cost less in the long run. If your player is committed to getting better a monthly membership has merit and is worth considering.
Golf is a spring sport. Golf and Track happen at the same time. Historically, there is a player and parent meeting in mid to late February. We practice after school in March and April. The season concludes with District Tournaments at the end of April or start of May.
What grade must I ben in to sign up?
Offically 7th or 8th Grade. NESID only offers a competive tournament for 7th and 8th graders. If you are a golfer and in 6th grade and get your physical and medical paperwork turned in we can assess your skill and intrest level and get you involved now.
I have no golf experience, can I be part of Bush Golf?
Yes!
How do I sign up?
Fill in this google form. I will then add you to my email list and keep you informed.
What do I do after I sign up?
Make sure you have a Medical History/Physical Form and ONLINE Athletic Participation Form on file with the Boys/Girls Coach’s office and start working on your game. Go here: https://www.neisd.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=139&ModuleInstanceID=25584&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=60841&PageID=3420 Then attend the player and parent meeting in mid to late February.
I want to learn to play golf. What should I do?
In my opinion (based on a lifetime of playing sports, coaching middle school athletics for 17 years, being a middle school golf coach for 10 years and playing the game with passion for a decade), the best thing anyone can do that wants to learn golf is to “invest” in professional lessons from a local PGA professional to get started. I have “invested” in myself and it has been very rewarding.
I believe I can instruct correct fundamentals and help start a beginner off with solid fundamentals. But one of me and 10 kids at practice limits my ability to provide extended 1 on 1 instruction. Your investment will help you get started with fewer bad habits to fix later and enjoy the game much sooner.
Do I need my own clubs?
Each golfer must supply their own equipment.
What equipment do I need?
NEED... At least one iron and a putter and you can play just about anywhere.
To fully enjoy the game a set of clubs that are of correct size and weight are very helpful. (Example: it is very difficult for a 7th grade girl to enjoy the game swinging her Dad's stiff metal shafted full length clubs, or an 8th grader swing a set of Jr. clubs from when they last played at age 9 in a summer camp)
A carry bag with legs/stand is a huge benefit, lighter is an advantage.
Finally, a sound pair of athletics shoes with non-flat soles are helpful. Golf shoes are nice but not required.
How much does it cost?
Golf is not cheap.
A Bush Golfer you have access to season length membership at Canyon Springs, We have scheduled tee times at Alamo City Golf Courses and your fees will pay for practice rounds
For the 2021 season we are asking for Team Fee of _______ (Amount to be Determined as of 2/11/19).
Less $50 if your family/player already has a membership at canyon springs.
This will cover the Canyon Springs membership, Green fees at practice dates, rounds necessary to determine: Players rank, Bush Team & Medalists designation, and Tournament roster spots as well as a team uniform.
A traditional two month membership at Canyon Springs and Punch Card at the Alamo City Golf Trail for a Junior would be about $225.
We also have worked out a great deal with Canyon Springs for Bush Golfers- $50 for two months of unlimited range use on weekends and one team practice per week with Coach. (THIS IS GREAT DEAL- Truly this is cheaper than dirt!- really! )
Where do we practice? See Locations PAGE
On Campus at Bush Some At times Reagan HS
We will also practice at other golf courses/facilities around the city.
Where are the best places to practice?
Fort Sam Houston has one of the largest open to the public putting green I know of. They also have a GREAT chipping/short game area hidden down off the right of the 10th hole off the La Loma course.
San Pedro Par 3 has a lot to offer, several putting greens, a few bunkers to hit from, and a driving range with grass, not mats. A bit of a drive but a great few hours on the weekend. Bonus: 9 hole Par 3 course.
Silver Horn has a really well maintained putting green that you can chip around too; no sand to practice from. They have a great monthly membership that gives you unlimited range access and a discount on green fees.
Canyon Springs has a nice range, and a few putting greens, and some sand. There is also chipping area. Canyon spring also has monthly memberships that include range privileges and green fee discounts, I believe it is called the PDP, Player Development Program. They also have a youth/kids golf program.
Where is the district tournament?
Check the Calendar page.
We have a working relationship with Alamo City Golf Trail. Historically, we have made use of Olmos Basin, Willow Springs, and Riverside. We also have a relationship with Windcrest Golf Club and Fort Sam Houston
What programs or organizations are there to help me improve my skills in the summer and offseason?
STPGA, TJGT, KIDS on COURSE, & TPC TOUR ACADEMY
What is YOUTH ON COURSE? Why is it important?
GO HERE Youth on Course is the program that will allow you play many of the Alamo City Trail course as a Jr. Golfer for $3-5 per round. This is huge. Check it out... Why huge savings!
Do I need to have a golf membership at a golf course/facility/ country club?
No.
But let’s be honest
1 - Golf is not a cheap sport. AND 2 - Practice is required for improvement.
Paying a monthly fee for use of a facility and access to a driving range and bucket after bucket of balls will cost less in the long run. If your player is committed to getting better a monthly membership has merit and is worth considering.