For parents of junior golfers, or parents looking to get their kids into the game, the road to navigate in finding what is out there, and what is best for your specific needs, can at times be daunting.
Whether you’re looking for what is out there for a budding junior golfer or you have seasoned linkster that may be looking for ways to start competing in a fun environment in hopes of one day competing in a PGA Junior Championship of their own one day, the list below is a great place to start.
Programming Options for Youth Golfers...
PGA Jr. League is a game changer, especially when a local PGA or LPGA Captain is running the program as it was designed...being inclusive of all ability levels.
The overarching theme of the program is team play with events that are contested over 9 holes and three, three-hole "flags." The kids, of mixed abilities, play in 2 vs. scrambles with the option of subbing in a 3rd teammate every three holes. Each team has 4 matches going on simultaneously and the outcome of each of those culminates in a final team score.
For me, as a program adopter from the origins of PGA Jr. League, I can say that the competition is secondary to what this program offers, or should offer, to youth golfers. It is a fantastic way of getting kids together socially, surrounded by golf and to offer structured yet fun practice sessions which allow kids to learn the basics. For older and possibly more advanced juniors, PGA Junior League allows them to mentor and assist newer kids just getting started in the game.
Other fantastic programs on a broader scale include Drive, Chip and Putt which is a collaboration of the major golf organizations (PGA of America, USGA and Masters Tournament) where the major skills of the game are tested in a fun competition. Again, all ability levels are welcome through local qualifying as kids try to work their way towards Augusta National where the National Finals take place.
LPGA*USGA Girls Golf is one of the longest-running group golf programs in the game. The emphasis of this awesome program is introducing girls to the game in a fun and interactive way. With a mix of social activities and golf skill building, this program has proven to be a game changer as participation by young ladies is the fastest growing segment in golf over the past few years.
Operation 36 is another fantastic program for getting your child started in the game. The premise is learning on the course and starting from close to the hole and working your way out as you progress./
The following are examples of some initiatives on a broad scale. On a regional or more local scale you have countless fantastic programs and youth academies to choose from. My Little Linksters organization for example is inclusive of all the programs mentioned above as well as countless programs that we have developed over the past 13 years. We offer a wide range of offerings for kids as young as 3 and up to 18, all abilities, group and private coaching and even specialty programs for youth with disabilities.
Our goal, as is the goal of countless PGA and LPGA Professionals, is to continue to offer opportunities for every single youngster that wants to learn the game as well as those that want to continue to excel at it.
Brendon Elliott is considered by his peers in the industry as one of the top youth golf coaches in the world. He is a multiple local, state, regional, national, and world award-winning instructor who focuses on junior golfers ages 3-18. With numerous appearances on Golf Channel's Morning Drive, local TV, nationwide radio, and countless publications, Elliott is one of the foremost experts in the youth golf arena.
His Little Linksters organization is recognized as an example for introducing children as young as three to the game as well as how to help introduce youth with disabilities to our golf.
Elliott has been recommended by industry titans such as Nicklaus, Player, Floyd, Sorenstam, Speith, and more. Among his numerous accolades, Elliott was named the PGA of America's 2017 PGA National Youth Player Development Award Winner in 2017.
Additionally, Elliott is a very busy freelance golf writer who works for various golf media outlets, including PGA.com, Golf.com, and many more. You can catch his three weekly columns on both GolfWRX.com and rg.org/news/golf.
The PGA of America is one of the world's largest sports organizations, composed of PGA of America Golf Professionals who work daily to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
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