Overview – Merit Badges

1. Golf*
2. Sports*
3. Citizenship in the Community*

1. Discuss safety on the golf course. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while golfing, including heat reactions, dehydration, blisters, sprains and strains.
2. Study the USGA “Rules of Golf” now in use.
   1. Tell about the three categories of golf etiquette.
   2. Demonstrate that you understand the definitions of golf terms.
   3. Show that you understand the “Rules of Amateur Status.”
3. Tell about your understanding of the USGA system of handicapping.
4. Do the following:
   1. Tell about the early history of golf.
   2. Describe golf’s early years in the United States.
   3. Tell about the accomplishments of a top golfer of your choice.
5. Discuss with your counselor vocational opportunities related to golf.
6. Do the following:
   1. Tell how golf can attribute to a healthy lifestyle, mentally and physically.
   2. Tell how a golf exercise plan can help you play better. Show two exercises that would help improve your game.
7. Show the following:
   1. The proper grip, stance, posture and key fundamentals of a good swing.
   2. The full wood shot, played from a tee.
   3. The fairway wood shot.
   4. The long iron shot.
   5. The short iron shot.
   6. The approach, chip-and-run, and pitch shots.
   7. The sand iron shot, bunker, or heavy rough recovery shots.
   8. A sound putting stroke.
8. Play a minimum of two nine-hole rounds or one 18-hole round of golf with another golfer about your age and with your counselor, or an adult approved by your counselor. Do the following:
   1. Follow the “Rules of Golf.”
   2. Practice good golf etiquette.
   3. Show respect to fellow golfers, committee, sponsor, and gallery.

5. Take part for one season (or four months) as a competitive individual or as a member of an organized team in TWO of the following sports: baseball, basketball, bowling, cross-country, field hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo, wrestling. Your counselor may approve in advance other recognized sports, but not any sport that is restricted and not authorized by the Boy Scouts of America. Then with your chosen sports do the following:
   1. Give the rules and etiquette for the two sports you picked.
   2. List the equipment needed for the two sports you chose. Describe the protective equipment and appropriate clothing (if any) and explain why it is needed.
   3. Draw diagram of the playing areas for your two sports.

7. Do the following:
   1. Identify three charitable organizations outside of Scouting that interest you and bring people in your community together to work for the good of your community.
   2. Pick ONE of the organizations you chose for requirement 7a. Using a variety of resources (including newspapers, fliers and other literature, the Internet, volunteers and employees of the organization), find out more about this organization.
   3. With your counselor’s and your parent’s approval, contact the organization you chose for requirement 7b, and find out what young people can do to help. While working on this merit badge, volunteer at least eight hours of your time for the organization. After your volunteer experience is over, discuss what you have learned with your counselor.

*Note: Upon full completion of this program, Scouts will be eligible to earn the Golf Merit Badge. They may also be eligible to satisfy the above listed requirements for the Sports and Citizenship in the Community merit badges should they elect to complete those respective requirements during the period of this program.