Register for the Junior Academy here: Redwood Canyon
You can download the Junior Golf Academy brochure HERE.
THE JUNIOR GOLF ACADEMY
Our program has two simple goals: Teach juniors how to play the game, and teach them to love the game. The skills they learn will last a lifetime.
Skill Development: Learning golf is a gradual process of acquiring and mastering skills. The program focuses on taking juniors through a structured progression, with goals established for each level. That’s one of the benefits of a year-round coaching program: consistency.
Program Types: We have three different program levels based on age (roughly) and more importantly experience level.
* DUCKS: For new golfers. The age range is typically 6 to 9 years old, with most in the 7-8 range.
* FALCONS: for ages 8 to 13, with most in the 9 to 12 range. Advanced beginners to intermediate levels.
* EAGLES: For advanced and tournament players
To register your junior for a program click the HERE. You’ll see the various program levels on the next page.
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 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.
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.
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.
Rewards & Awards: Juniors will have the chance to earn rewards and awards based on accomplishments and effort. For example, the 4-foot putt is a basic skill every golfer should master. Making 10 putts in a row earns juniors an achievement star. The big rewards come when juniors level-up by shooting 39 or better from the 100-yard marker (that earns them a yellow hat or shirt). Rewards and awards keep juniors motivated and are a visible sign of their accomplishments.
FAQs: If you have additional questions please feel free to contact Andy Morris at amorris@ericjonesgolf.com or 510-415-6302
Let’s Have Fun: We are passionate about golf, about teaching, and about having fun. Golf is a journey, and we look forward to helping your junior reach their dreams.