Do you need an extra credit next semester, and would rather take part in a fun, healthy activity rather than a traditional lecture class? If so, PEG 2460 Beginning Golf with Kurt Thomas might be right for you.
If the word “golf” sounds frightening, don’t be alarmed. The one credit hour course is tailored for those who have never picked up a club before, but at the same time it can also be beneficial for those who are experienced golfers. Thomas teaches techniques from how to grip a club to correctly swinging the club. Rules of the game are outlined in the class as well.
Kurt Thomas, has played golf and has been around the sport his entire life, starting at the age of five. Thomas received a Bachelor of Arts in 1988 and a Masters of Public Administration in 1991 both at BGSU. He is the Director of Golf at the BGSU Forrest Creason Golf Course and has held the position with the Department of Recreation and Wellness since 2006. Before becoming the Director of Golf, Thomas was the Men’s and Women’s Golf Coach and he began his career at BGSU as the Assistant Director of Golf in 1991.
As a player, teacher, and overall fan of the game, Thomas has seen the benefits of playing golf his entire life.
“Golf is a lifetime physical activity,” explained Thomas. “If you learn early, you can play throughout your entire life.”
During the first day of class, Thomas laughingly nailed the point home saying, “you don’t see many 80-year-olds playing basketball, do you?”
The physical benefits from playing golf have been documented. According to a study on the PGA Tour Website, walking a 9-hole course is equal to walking 2.5 miles, on average, in which the golfer burns approximately 721 calories. Swinging a golf club also helps build muscle and aides in flexibility which adds to the physical nature of the sport.
“On top of being a physical activity, golf is also a social activity,” added Thomas.
One of more important aspect of the game is the ability to help you build business relationships. Occasionally, business deals are made during a friendly game of golf. Thomas explains to his students that many individuals learn to play golf because of the networking possibilities having felt disadvantaged when their bosses and colleagues go to play a round of golf and they are left at the office.
If you’re a golf novice and feel anxiety when picking up a golf club, don’t fret. Beginning Golf is the perfect way to learn the game, as well as tweak the aspects of the game you need work on if you’re familiar with the links. So, if one of the many benefits that golf offers sounds interesting, taking Beginning Golf can be a win-win situation.
