ACADEMY

JUNIOR GOLF ACADEMY

From First Swing
to
College Scholarship

THE ACADEMY

SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Learning golf is a gradual process of acquiring skills and then mastering them. Our program features a structured curriculum with a defined progression. Students in each level in our program have goals, and we benchmark (test) on a regular basis.

We start with developing a solid foundation on the fundamental aspects of playing golf:

Proper Grip;
Proper set-up and alignment;
Learning to hit in the center of the club face (Center Contact);
Learning to hit the right direction;
Learning to hit the right distance
Learning to create a consistent shape.

We also teach the fundamentals of Strategy:

Course Navigation (right spot)
Game Management (right shot)
Mental Toughness (right thought)

We keep it simple, we keep it fun, and we provide what the student needs when they need it.

CONSISTENCY

One of the benefits of a year-round coaching program is consistency. We’ll cover putting, chipping, pitching, lob shots, bunker play, iron shots, hybrids and fairway clubs, and the driver. Juniors will learn how to hit and control every club in their bag. We’ll also help them develop a consistent pre-shot routine – the hallmark of accomplished players.

Skill Progression: In each coaching session juniors rotate through several stations to work on a variety of skills and shots depending on their current skill level. New golfers will focus on the basics – Grip, Alignment, Stance, Posture (GASP), a basic swing, and making consistent contact with the ball. But as they master the fundamentals their goals become more challenging: learning directional accuracy and hitting to targets, learning to control trajectory and distance, and then learning how to shape shots.

ON-COURSE

On-Course Play: At the core of the program is learning how to play, not just make a swing. In one of the sessions each 4-6 week cycle the juniors are out on the course (weather and course-availability permitting). On the course they learn how to score as well as etiquette and rules.

Learning to Play: Getting out on the course provides us the opportunity to teach much more than the swing. We discuss strategies for playing different kinds of holes and pin placements, and how to evaluate risks and rewards. We learn to evaluate the lie, stance, and conditions in order to make a good club selection. We take opportunities to hit specialty shots like bunkers, uphill and downhill lies, hitting from the rough, and more.

word-of-the-day-on-range-for-juniors-300x300

LIFE SKILLS

Life Skills: Being on the course also gives us the opportunity to teach life skills. We do that by focusing on etiquette, good sportsmanship, and the rules. We follow The First Tee nine core values of Honesty, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Respect, Confidence, Responsibility, Perseverance, Courtesy, and Judgment.

The lessons juniors learn in our Academy are lessons they take with them for life.

SAFETY

Safety is always our number one concern. Juniors must observe our safety protocols at all times. On the range they stand with one foot in the hula-hoop when awaiting their turn. They carry their club upside-down and only make practice swings when it is their turn to hit. On the course we teach them where to stand, how to be still when another player is hitting, and how to practice good golf etiquette.

G2 with trophy

TOURNAMENTS

Kids love to compete. We encourage them to get involved in the many local Tour events as they can, as well as PGA Junior League and our monthly 25-yard Challenge.

The real key to success, though, is stressing effort over results. Trophies are nice. But it is what the trophies represent that is important: all the hard work and effort that had to happen before the trophy was captured. It’s not about winning. It’s about doing what it takes to become the kind of golfer who is capable of winning.

Here are links to local junior tours:

US Kids
JGANC (Junior Golf Association of Northern California)
JTNC/NCGA (Junior Tour of Northern California)
AJGA

COMPETITIVE PROGRESSION

We are fortunate to be in an area with multiple opportunities for juniors to compete at all different levels and ages.

We help juniors AND parents navigate the journey to higher levels of competition and achievement. Whether juniors want to play for their school team or go on to compete at the college level, we help create a roadmap for success.

LET’S HAVE FUN

The most important reason juniors play golf – or any sport – is for fun. That’s why we’ve developed so many games, challenges and competitions that compliment our instruction.

Juniors are amazingly adept at figuring out for themselves how to do something better – especially if there is a little challenge involved. We take advantage of the power of natural curiosity by purposefully structuring game-based learning opportunities that compliment our daily instruction.

CLASS DETAILS