Fun Golf for the Family

What We Will Discuss 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 Emphasis is on fun Parents are stakeholders and allies – serving as volunteer coaches, administrators, etc. Parents are stakeholders and allies – serving as volunteer coaches, administrators, etc. Programs last for a “season” of 8-12 weeks. Programs last for a “season” of 8-12 weeks. Scaling exists in terms of: 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 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. Youth Basketball – 5’ and 8’ hoops, cross court. Little League Diamond vs. Major League. Little League Diamond vs. Major League.

Tennis Graduated Court Method Tennis offers “3 Phases” from smaller to larger and easier scoring 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? Source:

Pop Quiz: Answer

Golf Boys Having Fun 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. Your business is building relationships with the parents. Parents understand the value and influence of golf Parents understand the value and influence of golf

Parents Parents are the primary customer and critical to the process. Parents are the primary customer and critical to the process. Program communication is vital- , handbook, social media or facility web page. Program communication is vital- , handbook, social media or facility web page. Source of Volunteers Source of Volunteers Support of your culture strengthens all coachable moments. Support of your culture strengthens all coachable moments.

Playing the Course

Course Yardages That Make Sense Scaling is a necessity for all youth sports Scaling is a necessity for all youth sports PGA/USGA Promoting “TEE IT FORWARD” for adults PGA/USGA Promoting “TEE IT FORWARD” for adults How does a golfer know where they should be playing from? 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? 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 1,5003,000 Level 2 Forward Tee 2,0004,000 Driver Carry Distance Tees 110 yards or less Level 1 Forward Tee 110 – 150 yards Level 2 Forward Tee PGA Family Course

Why it is essential to your golf course Scales the golf course for players whose driver carry distance is 150 yards or less. 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. 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. Eligible for Course Rating™ allowing players to establish handicaps. Improves pace of play. Improves pace of play. Essential for player retention 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. 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. Block practice is boring for kids. It is technique driven. Variable type practice is fun for kids. Variable practice is target 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. Games in practice simulate play and are critical. Every shot has a value.

On Course Play/Instruction Kids want to be on the course. Kids want to be on the course. Appropriate yardages develop confidence. Appropriate yardages develop confidence. Simulate Play in your practice area whenever possible. Simulate Play in your practice area whenever possible. Create a balance of practice area learning and golf course experiences. Create a balance of practice area learning and golf course experiences.

Integrate on-course play from the Forward Tees Integrate on-course play from the Forward Tees Junior Club Championship Junior Club Championship Junior League Junior League Interclub Matches Interclub Matches Women’s group play days Women’s group play days Parent/Child Mixed Teams Parent/Child Mixed Teams Modified Junior/Beginner Stableford Modified Junior/Beginner Stableford Enhancing Recreational Playing Opportunities

The Importance of Games Games trigger an energized learning environment. 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 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 Motivation to participate

Games Resources: The Par Kit Book Of Games developed by Don Law. Resources: The Par Kit Book Of Games developed by Don Law. The book has games for putting, chipping, pitching, bunkers and full swing. The book has games for putting, chipping, pitching, bunkers and full swing.

The Fun Factor

Kids like recess, classroom lectures are boring. Kids like recess, classroom lectures are boring. The challenge should be appropriate to skill levels. Too difficult creates anxiety and loss of confidence. Games need to factor in the skill level.(pasture pool example) The challenge should be appropriate to skill levels. Too difficult 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. 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 Arousal Flow Control Relaxation Boredom Source: Finding Flow, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Defining Fun: Creativity, Fulfillment, and Flow

Pop Quiz Define a “High Quality Experience”? Define a “High Quality Experience”?

A High Quality Experience A high-quality experience is defined when the player: A high-quality experience is defined when the player: Is absorbed in the fun of playing and practicing the game. Is absorbed in the fun of playing and practicing the game. Is coached using the principles of Positive Coaching. Is coached using the principles of Positive Coaching. Experiences a challenge that is balanced with skill sets Experiences a challenge that is balanced with skill sets Has an environment which is safe to explore within its boundaries Has an environment which is safe to explore within its boundaries Experiences positive social interaction Experiences positive social interaction

A High Quality Experience Communicates well with his instructor Communicates well with his instructor Develops confidence through guided discovery regardless of performance. Develops confidence through guided discovery regardless of performance. Learns that discipline and structure are pathways for improvement. Learns that discipline and structure are pathways for improvement. Learns basic golf rules, etiquette and sportsmanship have value beyond the golf course. 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. 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. 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 Awards Medals Medals Bling for the Girls Bling for the Girls Framed Photos Framed Photos Happy meals or the like for special moments Happy meals or the like for special moments Most Improved Most Improved All Academic Team All Academic Team Family of the Year Family of the Year Name an award after a special person Name an award after a special person Mentor Awards Mentor Awards

Safety on the Driving Range On deck stations On deck stations Protecting the left-handed player Protecting the left-handed player Left- Handed Player

Consider This Think Big, Start Small, Scale Fast Think Big, Start Small, Scale Fast Parents will help you if you ask Parents will help you if you ask Wow, Communication, Cheer Wow, Communication, Cheer Develop your Fun Factor Develop your Fun Factor Plan until it hurts 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 “It is no use saying we are doing our best. You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.” Sir Winston Churchill

Questions? Questions?