Everyone can use a little golf help

I don't know if I've anticipated the end of winter/start of golf season as much as I am this year. Normally I get antsy and make my way to some heated range stalls when I see the first handful of ads for the Masters, but this year presents an entirely new challenge: My brother and I are seeing who can get their handicap the lowest by the end of the season...playing backhanded.

So many of the lessons we learn on the golf course can be applied to our daily lives. It's a game of sadness, hope, glory, comedy, and perseverance; and it is always emotional (well, except for Jason Dufner). It comes as no surprise that some of the best commercials involve golf. We've ranked the top 5 for your viewing pleasure.

It took me a very long time to learn to control my emotions on the course and keep my head where it needs to be to shoot low scores. I am really still learning how to do it; it is something that all golfers struggle with from time to time. Nonetheless, I have picked up some tips that can really help young golfers develop the mentality needed for competitive golf.

Pro-Am’s are unlike any other tournament out there: from the atmosphere, to the audience, to the players. When you’re at a Pro-Am, trust me, you’ll know it’s a Pro-Am. This past week, arguably the most pristine course in the world, Pebble Beach Golf Links, hosted their annual AT&T Pro-Am. For those of you in the working world, here are 3 reasons why you should save up your PTO vacation time for next year’s AT&T Pro-Am:

“Hey, I’m over here.”

“Did you hear something?”

“No, did you?”

“IT’S ME, YOUR GOLF BAG. I’M RIGHT HERE. USE ME.”

“What the…”

With all the hype around the 2014 Winter Olympics, it has served as a reminder that the greatest game ever played will be making its way back to the Olympics during the summer of 2016.

As a broke college student, I am always looking for the most bang for my buck. My financial dismay forces me to spend every single dollar wisely. If I had the money to bet on it, I would wager that there are plenty of people out there in a very similar situation. Additionally, since I love playing golf regularly, my lack of money makes it difficult to find affordable venues to play.

As golf entrepreneur making my first voyage to the PGA show, I was expecting the show to mirror other technology conventions I used to attend in lacking passion and personality. Part of that reason may have stemmed the intrusive nature of my former line of work in which I would schedule meetings with CEOs of tech companies and try to determine their EBITDA and evaluate their company as an investment in 30-minute meetings. Fortunately the vibe both on the show floor and in Lobby Bar at the Peabody--now Hyatt--hotel throughout the week oozed of innovation, technology, and cautious optimism with a new-found focus on Millennial golfers.

As I approach the dreaded date of May 17, 2014—Spring Commencement at Virginia Tech—I begin to worry about what I am going to do to throughout my post-collegiate “career.” Do I become a full-time recreational player? Do I continue to pay several hundred dollars to play in local and state amateur tournaments? Fortunately, have no fear...Nextgengolf is here!

Throughout years in the game, the most dreaded part of golf has proven to be the first few holes. Many see golf as a way to relax, or a way to remain connected to sports in a way that is not as physically demanding as most other games. What some don’t realize is that golf is not as innocent as it may seem. Year after year, professional golfers are being injured by overworking muscles and ligaments in their body. The best way to keep yourself from being injured and to achieve the most out of your game is to perform a quick stretch routine before your round.

Like many of you young adult golfers, I too have and continue to get hammered by the winter storm cell that has made its way through the east coast. Shoot, there are rumors of snow and ice in Texas...IN TEXAS, PEOPLE! It makes me wonder if NCCGA VP, Matt Brugner, has ever seen snow!

Major-Finance
Year in School- Senior
High School- Mayde Creek High School
Hometown- Katy, Texas
Favorite Player on Tour- Billy Horschel
Favorite Sports Team- My Current Fantasy Team

The NCCGA Central capped off their second Regional Tournament at Falcon Ridge Golf Club in Lenexa, Kansas. Mother Nature gifted us with perfect weather both days with temperatures in the mid-60s and blue skies.

The NCCGA Metro Region concluded with a great season at one the oldest golf courses in New Jersey, Minebrook Golf Club in Hackettstown.

With a USGA sectional title, 4 club championships, and a stellar track record as a two-year golf captain at Trinity College, Babson MBA first-year Josh Biren is one of the more decorated players in the NCCGA. After bogeying his first hole and driving a 150-yard duck hook pop up into a pond en route to tripling his second hole, Josh knocked back a 5-hour energy to birdie 5 of the next 16 holes to fire a stellar first round 75 which put him in the lead.