•Fun Golf for the Family

What We Will Discuss

• Industry Trends• Parents• Playing the Course• Fun Factors• Games• High Quality Experiences

Commonalities in Successful Youth Sports

• Emphasis is on fun

• Parents are stakeholders and allies – serving as volunteer coaches, administrators, etc.

• Programs last for a “season” of 8-12 weeks.

• Scaling exists in terms of: – Field – Rules – Equipment

State of the industry: Participation in Youth Sports Organizations

Children between the ages of 7 and 17 participating in youth sports in the U.S.

Most Participation

How Golf and Tennis Compare

Sport Number of Kids (in millions)

Basketball 12

Soccer 8

Baseball 7

Tennis 3.3

Golf 2.4

Source:

Golf Must Emulate Other Sports

Like other sports, the area on which golf is played must be modified to meet the abilities of participants.

• Youth Basketball – 5’ and 8’ hoops, cross court.

• Little League Diamond vs. Major League.

Tennis Graduated Court Method

• Tennis offers “3 Phases” from smaller to larger and easier scoring

PGA Sports Academy

• Bring more youth to the game of golf and provide fun, yet structured pathways for development

• Utilize progressive approach, industry best practices and long term athlete development (LTAD) standards for youth

• Changing the perception of golf by juniors and popularizing golf in youth culture

• Influence youth health and wellness to reduce childhood obesity

• Provide a bridge to connect families through golf

• The objective is to develop lifelong core golfers

Pop Quiz

What is the number one reason both boys and girls participate in sports?

S o u rc e :

FUN!Pop Quiz: Answer

Golf Boys Having Fun

• Mainstream golf into kids culture to enhance “cool” factor– Creating partnership with “young gun” tour

professional and young celebrities– Embrace technology to promote the next

generation of golfers– Introduce as a fun and healthy activity, which

would also resonate with parents

Parents

• Your business is building relationships with the parents.

• Parents understand the value and influence of golf

Parents

• Parents are the primary customer and critical to the process.

• Program communication is vital- Email, handbook, social media or facility web page.

• Source of Volunteers

• Support of your culture strengthens all coachable moments.

Playing the Course

Course Yardages That Make Sense

• Scaling is a necessity for all youth sports

• PGA/USGA Promoting “TEE IT FORWARD” for adults

• How does a golfer know where they should be playing from?

• How do you, as a professional know who should be playing from forward yardages?

Two levels of tees ahead of most forward tees.

Who plays the from the Level 1 and Level 2 Forward Tees

Tees 9-hole total yardage

18-hole total yardage

Level 1 Forward Tee 1,500 3,000

Level 2 Forward Tee 2,000 4,000

Driver Carry Distance Tees

110 yards or less Level 1 Forward Tee

110 – 150 yards Level 2 Forward Tee

PGA Family Course

Driver Carry Distance 110 150 190 230 270

TeesLevel 1 Forward

Tee

Level 2 Forward

Tee

Approx. Existing Forward

Tee

Approx. Existing

Senior Tee

Approx. Existing

Men’s Tee

Par 3’s

Pitching Wedge 60 80 100 120 140

3-wood 100 140 170 210 240

Par 4’s

Driver – ½ Sand Wedge 130 180 230 280 330

Driver – 9-iron 170 230 300 360 420

Driver – 7-iron 180 250 310 380 440

Driver – 5-iron 190 260 330 400 460

Driver – 3-iron/hybrid 200 270 340 410 490

Par 5’s

Driver – 5-wood 210 280 350 430 500

Driver – 3-wood- PW 270 360 460 410 650

Why it is essential to your golf course

• Scales the golf course for players whose driver carry distance is 150 yards or less.

• Essential for players to reach the green in regulation and have the chance to make par.

• Eligible for Course Rating™ allowing players to establish handicaps.

• Improves pace of play.• Essential for player retention

The Disconnect from Practice and Play

• Traditional practice methods are on the range involving swing technique. This is the adult model.

• Block practice is boring for kids. It is technique driven.

• Variable type practice is fun for kids. Variable practice is target driven.

• Games in practice simulate play and are critical. Every shot has a value.

On Course Play/Instruction

• Kids want to be on the course.

• Appropriate yardages develop confidence.

• Simulate Play in your practice area whenever possible.

• Create a balance of practice area learning and golf course experiences.

• Integrate on-course play from the Forward Tees

• Junior Club Championship

• Junior League

• Interclub Matches

• Women’s group play days

• Parent/Child Mixed Teams• Modified Junior/Beginner

Stableford

Score Points

9 1

8 2

7 3

6 4

5 5

4 6

3 7

2 8

1 10

Enhancing Recreational Playing Opportunities

The Importance of Games

• Games trigger an energized learning environment.

• Games provide structure, kid friendly competition, immediate feedback, mirroring (watching others you are playing with and adapting), and confidence building early on in the learning process

• Motivation to participate

Games

• Resources: The Par Kit Book Of Games developed by Don Law.

• The book has games for putti ng, chipping, pitching, bunkers and full swing.

The Fun Factor

The Fun Factor

• Kids like recess, classroom lectures are boring.

• The challenge should be appropriate to skill levels. Too diffi cult creates anxiety and loss of confidence. Games need to factor in the skill level.(pasture pool example)

• Team games are great early on with just a few individual games in the mix.

The quality of an experience is a function of the relationship between challenges and skills

Apathy

Worry

Anxiety

High

HighLowSkills

Challenge

Arousal

Flow

Control

Relaxation

Boredom

Source: Finding Flow, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Defining Fun: Creativity, Fulfillment, and Flow

Pop Quiz

• Define a “High Quality Experience”?

A High Quality Experience

• A high-quality experience is defined when the player:

• Is absorbed in the fun of playing and practicing the game.

• Is coached using the principles of Positive Coaching.

• Experiences a challenge that is balanced with skill sets

• Has an environment which is safe to explore within its boundaries

• Experiences positive social interaction

A High Quality Experience

• Communicates well with his instructor

• Develops confidence through guided discovery regardless of performance.

• Learns that discipline and structure are pathways for improvement.

• Learns basic golf rules, etiquette and sportsmanship have value beyond the golf course.

• Learns the basic forms, skills, tactics and strategies of the game and improves as a player.

• Participates in positive culture in which coaches, parents, golf course staff , volunteers, spectators, and most importantly, the young golfers work together to enjoy playing and learning.

Awards

• Medals• Bling for the Girls• Framed Photos• Happy meals or the like for special

moments• Most Improved• All Academic Team• Family of the Year• Name an award after a special person• Mentor Awards

Safety on the Driving Range

• On deck stations• Protecting the left-handed player

Left-Handed Player

Consider This

• Think Big, Start Small, Scale Fast• Parents will help you if you ask• Wow, Communication, Cheer• Develop your Fun Factor• Plan until it hurts• “It is no use saying we are doing

our best. You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.” Sir Winston Churchill

• Questions?