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Tommy Williamsen

  • Karma: +0/-0
Operation 36
« on: August 27, 2021, 05:22:54 PM »
When I was at Birdwood today the Director of Golf told me a program they have begun. It is called Operation 36. They use it for kids and some adult beginners. The idea is to take them on the course but drop balls 25 yards from the green. When they can shoot 36 for nine holes, he brings them back to 50 yards, when shoot 36 he brings them back to 75 yards. He said it has been a rousing success. They learn how to score and control the club and balls. Does anyone have any experience with this? I guess it is a new venture. I think it began at Biltmore Forest.


I remember when my son was six or so, I'd drop a ball 125 yards from the green and have him play in from there. It was fun for him because he could make a par.
« Last Edit: August 27, 2021, 09:38:27 PM by Tommy Williamsen »
Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Tom_Doak

  • Karma: +3/-1
Re: Operation 36
« Reply #1 on: August 27, 2021, 06:23:16 PM »
Tommy:  are you really saying 36 shots for holing out 18 times from off the green?  That’s a pretty high standard.


Are you talking nine or twelve holes?

jeffwarne

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Operation 36
« Reply #2 on: August 27, 2021, 06:32:03 PM »
I applaud bringing beginners of all ages onto the course.
Dangling the carrot in front of them is huge in the motivation process.
Too many players spend too much of their learning lives on the range, and never get to see the beauty and joy of the coure, or the point of the game.


I do wonder how you implement Operation 36 unless in golf carts, as your walk is now many hundreds of yards between holes.
The other limitation is it takes the sheer joy out of hitting a driver, which, along with putting, can be the only shot a beginner can actually do with much success.


In playing lessons I do a lot of this-Tee off, then move nearer the green, and I often tell beginners when joining a more experienced not to "pick up" after a couple of bad shots, as they are often told, but to skip the middle of the hole.
Tee off,maybe hit a second shot, then drop near or on the green, so they are experiencing something besides just bad full shots before they "pick up".
AS long as they keep up. Many beginners are never allowed to putt because they have been told to pick up at some point in the hole.


edit:I'm assuming you mean 9 holes.
Also, I'm not a fan of formulas because some players might never graduate beyond 25 yard holes, thus eliminating the fun of a driver.
« Last Edit: August 27, 2021, 06:47:53 PM by jeffwarne »
"Let's slow the damned greens down a bit, not take the character out of them." Tom Doak
"Take their focus off the grass and put it squarely on interesting golf." Don Mahaffey

Tommy Williamsen

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Operation 36
« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2021, 07:21:57 PM »
Tommy:  are you really saying 36 shots for holing out 18 times from off the green?  That’s a pretty high standard.


Are you talking nine or twelve holes?


No nine holes. Sorry.
Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

David Whitmer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Operation 36
« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2021, 07:36:20 PM »
I have a brother who belongs to Kenwood CC here in Cincinnati, and they have been doing the Operation 36 for a few years now. It’s getting high marks from parents.


It’s 9 holes, and the junior starts off from 50 yards out on each hole. Once he or she can shoot 36 or better, the distance gets moved back to 100 yards, then 150, then 200. Not sure where it goes from there. Sounds like a great idea to me.

Thomas Dai

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Operation 36
« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2021, 04:37:45 AM »
Seems like a good idea.
Ought to help pass on other aspects of the game like etiquette and a basic knowledge of the rules too.

atb