1. Par Life Skills Program Beginning Your Journey in The First Tee

2. A message from the Executive Directors Welcome to The First Tee! The First Tee is a fun-filled program where you’ll learn all about the great game of golf. You’ll learn how to swing the club, the Rules of the game, and how to act on the golf course. But you’ll learn a lot more than how to play. You’ll find out that golf is a lot like life. Sometimes you get a good bounce and sometimes your ball rolls into the rough. What golf teaches is that whatever happens—in the game or in life—you have to stay positive, believe in yourself, and do your best to achieve your goals. But most of all, you’re here to have fun. You’ll meet new people and make new friends. So, tee it up and enjoy the program!! Joe Louis Barrow, Jr. Executive Director of The First Tee Thank you for joining The First Tee of Northwest Arkansas. As Mr. Barrow says, we are here to have some fun. Along the way, let’s learn all we can about the great game of golf, let’s practice what we learn so we can get better and better, and let’s all understand that by always trying to do our best - we will be the best we can be. You may not be the next Tiger Woods, but just like Tiger, you can enjoy playing golf with your friends, enjoy being outside and enjoying nature, and enjoy the small steps you WILL take in becoming a better golfer and a great person. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get started. Mike Shea, Executive Director, The First Tee of Northwest Arkansas

3. The First Tee’s Nine Core Values It is important to understand, and to remember, the Nine Core Values of The First Tee. Courtesy by remaining quiet and still while others play their shot Respect yourself, your playing partners, the golf course, and the traditions of the game Judgment something you must put to good use when playing golf Responsibility you must keep your score, fix ballmarks, and keep up with the pace of play Sportsmanship know and play by the rules of golf Confidence is needed to play your best and be your best Honesty remember in golf you count your own score and call penalties on yourself Integrity golf is a game of honor, etiquette, and composure Perseverance to succeed in golf you must accept bad breaks and play the next shot

4. The First Tee Guidelines This is your place to enjoy yourself while learning to play golf. And you’ll have more fun and learn more if you: Get to know everyone Participate in all the activities Show respect and support each other Always try to do your best Practice what you learn

5. The Par Level Golf Skills WHAT YOU WILL LEARN How to hold a club How to stand when preparing to swing How to swing the golf club How to putt What golf club to use for a shot How to play quickly and safely Some basic Rules of the game How to behave on the golf course

6. The Par Level Life Skills WHAT YOU WILL LEARN How to introduce yourself Why rules and respect are important in golf and in life How to get more fun out of learning something new What to do when you get angry or frustrated How to find your Personal Par

7. The Rules of the Game Like all sports, golf has rules that players have to follow. And golfers are expected to be polite and help take care of the golf course when they play. The way you behave on the golf course is called “etiquette.” Showing respect for yourself, for others, and for the course is a big part of The First Tee program.

8. Getting Started – Rules to Know The Rules of Golf, as approved by the USGA, have 34 Rules, over 50 defined terms, and need 154 pages (in the Rule book) to cover them all. And, just to keep us on our toes, the Rules are revised every two years. Whew, that’s a lot of rules!!! Here are some important Rules to get you started:

9. Getting Started – Rules to Know You’re ready to play. Bag, clubs, balls, sun screen, tees, checked in at golf shop, and on to…where? The starting point for each hole is called the teeing ground, or simply, the tee. However, a golf course provides multiple “tees” on each hole so that golfers can choose the length of golf course best suited for their skill level. When getting started, you will want to choose the shortest length, or the “forward tees”. This is the “tee” you will use to start each hole. A player may not tee off from in front of the tee markers chosen for play without penalty (Rule 11-1). Learn more by clicking here: http://www.usga.org/Rules.aspx?id=7788#show=7871 http://www.usga.org/Rules.aspx?id=7788#show=7871

10. Getting Started – Rules to Know Now that you have decided from which “tee” your group will play, it’s on to the first tee. You’re all excited to go, but so is everybody else. Who plays first? Rule 10-2 tells us that the first person to tee off on the first hole should be chosen by the foursome, and will have the “honor” of going first. On the remaining holes of the round the teeing order will be decided by the score on the last hole. The “honor” of teeing off first goes to the lowest score on the last hole, the second person to tee off will be the second lowest score, and so on. Learn more by clicking here: http://www.usga.org/Album.aspx?id=24018#show=7860

11. Getting Started – Rules to Know Right, I’ll go first, Jill second, Mary third, and Jimmy last. That wasn’t too bad for me, Jill is in the fairway, GREAT SHOT Mary, oops… Jimmy was so nervous he missed the ball with that first swing. Does he have to count that? A stroke must be counted every time your club moves in a forward motion, whether or not you make contact with the ball. Should you swing and miss the ball, that is a stroke you must count.

12. Getting Started – Rules to Know That was a whole lot better, Jimmy. Let’s go… Wow, this grass is tall in the rough. I think I’ll just move it over here so I can hit it better. What, why can’t I? Rule 13-1 says, Play the ball as it lies. For the most part, in golf, once you tee off you may not touch your ball until you get to the green.

13. Rules on the Golf Course Activity #1 There are a number of rules to learn about in order to play the game of golf. You can learn more by visiting: http://www.usga.org/Album.aspx?id=24018#show=7868 Click on http://www.usga.org/Album.aspx?id=24018#show=7868 the individual pictures found at this site. Here are 4 rules of golf I have learned: 1 2 3 4

14. The First Tee Code of Conduct THE RESPECT FOR MYSELF I will dress neatly in a clean shirt tucked into pants or shorts, and I will wear golf shoes or athletic shoes I will try my best and keep a positive attitude when I play or practice I will eat right, get enough sleep, and take care of myself so I can stay healthy RESPECT FOR OTHERS I will be friendly, courteous, and helpful I will follow instructions and safety rules I will have fun without being loud and rowdy I will be honest and be a good sport, whether I win or lose RESPECT FOR MY SURROUNDINGS I will keep the golf course and practice areas clean and in as good or better shape than I found them I will clean and take care of my golf clubs I will be careful not to damage anything that belongs to others

15. Rules at The First Tee of NWA Activity #2 Complete the following: Here are 4 rules at The First Tee of Northwest Arkansas I have to follow: 1 2 3 4

16. You and Golf Course Etiquette Baseball has an umpire to keep a game in order, and Basketball has referees. In Golf, we rely on YOU to maintain the rules and procedures of the game. Click here to understand more of your role while on the course: http://www.usga.org/etiquette/tips/Golf-Etiquette-101/http://www.usga.org/etiquette/tips/Golf-Etiquette-101/ A golf course can be a busy place. Being prepared to play the game is an important part of golf etiquette. Click here to find out how to be ready to play: http://www.usga.org/Album.aspx?id=24019#show=7808http://www.usga.org/Album.aspx?id=24019#show=7808 We have a lot to think about, and need to concentrate, if we are going to play a good shot. Click here to know what is expected of you while you wait for someone to play their shot: http://www.usga.org/Album.aspx?id=24019#show=7819 http://www.usga.org/Album.aspx?id=24019#show=7819 As many as half your shots may be on the green. Click here to know what to do when on the green: http://www.usga.org/Album.aspx?id=24019#show=7818 http://www.usga.org/Album.aspx?id=24019#show=7818 Sometimes called a sand trap, other times a bunker, this is one golf course hazard you should try to make ready for the next player, after you have played your shot. Click here to find out how: http://www.usga.org/Album.aspx?id=24019#show=7809

17. Etiquette on the Golf Course Activity #3 Complete the following: Here are 4 examples of etiquette I have used while at The First Tee: 1 2 3 4

18. Meeting Someone New At The First Tee, you will be meeting new people, and making new friends. The first time you meet someone is a time for you to make a good impression. When you meet someone for the first time, make sure you: Face the other person Smile and look him or her in the eye Give a firm handshake State your name clearly If you need to, ask a question or state what you want Go through the same steps when you meet new people at The First Tee, at your school, or in your neighborhood. This is how people will remember your name.

19. After You Say Hello Practicing the Core Value, CONFIDENCE, you walk over to the boy who has just moved onto your street and introduce yourself. Practicing what you have learned at The First Tee, you look him in the eye, you reach out your hand, and introduce yourself. Now what? It’s time to use A - L - R. That’s right, you need to do more than just introduce yourself to really get to know someone. You have to know how to carry on a conversation. With someone you don’t know use A - L – R. Ask an open-ended question Listen to what the other person says Respond to what the other person said Asking an open-ended question requires the person to answer with more than one word. If you become a good listener (the most important part of having a conversation with someone), you will be able to keep the conversation going by responding to what the person has said. You’ll learn quite a bit by using A - L - R.

20. Here is Who I Have Met at The First Tee Activity #4 Name 3 people you have met while at The First Tee: 1 2 3

21. Here is Who I Have Met on My Own Activity #5 Name 3 people you have met outside class time at The First Tee: 1 2 3

22. Three Tips for Having More Fun Remember, Mr. Barrow said the most important thing is to have fun at The First Tee. Learning can be fun, whether it’s about golf or a new subject at school. Here are three tips you can use to get more fun out of learning: BE PATIENT: Keep trying BE POSITIVE: Enjoy what you are doing ASK FOR HELP: You can learn from others

23. Check Your Attitude, Have More Fun Being Patient turns “I can’t do this” into “I’m better at this today than I was yesterday” Being Positive turns “That’s what I always do” into “That’s better than last time” Asking for Help turns “This is way too hard” into “Wow, Coach was right” Use all three tips whenever and wherever you can, especially when learning something new and different

24. Here is How I Have Applied the 3 Tips Activity #6 Here’s an example of how I used PATIENCE: Here’s an example of how I had a POSITIVE attitude: Here’s an example of when I ASKED FOR HELP:

25. Staying Cool Using the 4Rs You cannot have fun if you get angry or upset. If you get angry or upset when you play golf, use the 4Rs to control yourself and stay cool. The 4Rs are: REPLAY: Think about what happened and what you did. RELAX: Take a deep breath. READY: Think about what you need to do next time. REDO: Try it again or imagine how to do it better. You cannot learn if you are angry or upset. The 4Rs can help when you are having a problem on the golf course, at home, or at school.

26. Develop a Routine Using the 4Rs In golf it’s called a “pre-shot routine”. Just before it’s your turn to play your next shot, you think about how you hit this shot good when practicing, you take a practice swing to relax, you get into position visualizing those good thoughts, and only then do you hit the ball. In school, it’s remembering you did better on a test when you studied for it, so you take your book home the night before the next test, you study your notes from class and re-read the chapter, and then, when it’s time to take the test you know you will be ready. At home, you get home from school, and like always your little brother starts doing whatever it is that really annoys you. But instead of yelling at him, or hitting him, you remember how mad your mom got at you the last time. So you take a deep breath, you look him straight in the eye, and you close the door of your room, and start your homework. You don’t have to wait for a bad shot, or a bad grade, to use the 4Rs. Developing good routines using the 4Rs for the golf course, school work, and dealing with friends and family helps you to be prepared for what life has in store for you.

27. Using the 4Rs in My Life Activity #7 I used the 4Rs at HOME when… I used the 4Rs at SCHOOL when… I used the 4Rs on the GOLF COURSE when…

28. What is Par? In golf, PAR is the number of strokes the BEST player (like Tiger Woods) would normally need to complete the hole. On the shorter holes, the BEST player would normally need three strokes to finish the hole. Par for that hole, then, would be three. They are called Par 3s. On some of the longer holes, the BEST player would need four strokes. These holes are called Par 4s. And, on the longest holes, the BEST player would normally finish the hole in five strokes. They are known as PAR 5s. When starting something new, comparing yourself to the BEST person who has ever done it can be frustrating. However, when you compare yourself to YOURSELF - when YOU are trying your BEST – you can better understand how much you are improving. When you try your BEST, to be your BEST, that is when you can have the most fun.

29. Example Scorecard HOLE123456789Total Blue3681913175393853421854443633134 White3481722945083623271693743472901 Red310119261401295290922852592312 Handicap 9151313111757 PAR 43454434435 Date Scorer

30. What is Your Personal Par? Personal Par is a measure of how YOU normally perform when you are trying your BEST. Always trying to match or improve on YOUR Personal Par will keep the game fun and remind you to always try to do your BEST. How many strokes does it take YOU, not Tiger Woods, to play a hole? That number is your Personal Par for the hole. When you practice, how many three foot putts can you make in a row? That is your Personal Par. The next time you practice try to better your Personal Par. When you practice or play, always try to match or improve on your Personal Par. Personal Par can also be a measure of how YOU perform at home, or in school. You will, then, be able to see if you are improving there as well.

31. Using Personal Par on the Course As you begin to play golf, you can use Personal Par to make the game more fun. Using the most forward tees, establish “double bogey” as your Personal Par for every hole. When you are within two strokes of “double bogey” on a hole, pick up your ball (no matter where you are), place it on the fringe of the green, chip onto the green, and putt to finish the hole. As your skills progress, you will find that you will begin to achieve your Personal Par without any help. When you do, move back a tee box, and begin the process again.

32. Personal Par at Home or School Activity #8 Think of an activity that you do at home or at school (chores, school assignments, helping family members, etc.). Then figure out YOUR Personal Par for that activity. Activity: ______________________________________________________________ The number of times I do this activity in a week or month: ______________________________________________________________ (My Personal Par) Now try to do YOUR best, and see if you can’t improve YOUR Personal Par.

33. The Nine Core Values Activity #9 Can you describe how you would use three of the Core Values at school? ___________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

34. Know Your Golf Terms Aim and Alignment: The way you line up your body and the club towards a target. Approach shot: A shot that you play to get your ball onto the putting green. Ball marker: A coin or small round disk that you use to show you where to replace a ball that has been picked up on the green. Ball-mark: The little hollow spot that a ball makes when it lands on the green. You use a small tool to fix the mark. Birdie: A score in golf that is one stroke under par on a hole. Bogey: A score in golf that is one stroke over par on a hole. Bunker: A hollow area on the golf course that is filled with sand. Caddie: A person who carries a golfer’s bag and gives advice about the golf course and how to play it.

35. Know Your Golf Terms Chip shot: A short low shot that you want to land on the green and roll toward the hole. Divot: A chunk of grass and dirt chopped out of the ground by the golf club during a swing. Always put the divot back and tap it down. Dog-leg hole: This is a hole where the fairway bends around a corner. Drive: A long shot played from the teeing ground. Eagle: A score in golf that is two strokes under par on a hole. Etiquette: Correct behavior and courtesy on the golf course. Fairway: On a hole, the grass between the tee and the green. Fairway grass is usually cut so it’s not very deep. Flagstick: A pole with a flag on it that is centered in the hole. Fore!: A warning shouted to alert other players that you are about to hit the ball or have hit a ball that is headed toward them.

36. Know Your Golf Terms Green: The part of the golf course around the hole where the grass is cut the shortest. Grip: How you place your hands and hold the club. Hazards: Places on the golf course that create challenges for golfers. These include sand bunkers and lakes or ponds, for example. Hole: 1) The small hole or cup cut into the green 2) The part of a golf course consisting of a teeing ground, putting green, and the area in between. Also, if you “hole” your ball, you have hit it into the hole on the green. Lie: The spot where the ball is sitting. Out of bounds: The area of a golf course that is outside the official playing area. Golf courses use white wooden stakes or paint a white line on the ground to mark the out of bounds.

37. Know Your Golf Terms Par: The score an expert golfer would be expected to make on a given hole. Penalty stroke: A stroke added to the score of a golfer under the Rules of Golf. Pitch shot: A high shot played to the putting green, having little or no roll. Putt: A shot played on the green in which you try to roll the ball to the hole. Putter: A golf club that is used on the green to roll the ball to the hole. Range: A place where golfers can practice hitting balls. Rough: The area of long grass around tees, fairways, and greens. Scorecard: A card provided by the golf course so that golfers can keep track of their strokes.

38. Know Your Golf Terms Short game: The part of golf played near or on the green, including putting, chipping, and pitching. Stance: The position of the feet when you are getting ready to hit the ball. Stroke: When you swing at the ball and try to hit it, you have made a stroke. (A swing and miss is counted as a stroke.) You add up the number of strokes you take to get your score. Tee: A small wooden peg put in the teeing ground to hold up the golf ball for your first shot on a hole. Tee or Teeing ground: A marked piece of ground where you are supposed to hit your first shot on a hole. Water hazard: A body of water on the golf course like a lake or stream. If you hit your ball into a water hazard, you have to add penalty strokes to your score. Yardage book: A small “map” of a golf course and all the holes.

39. That’s All Folks!! Not!!! While this is the end of program, it is definitely not THE END. Make sure you have completed all EIGHT activities and turned them in to your The First Tee Coach Study the rules, know your golf terms Start the program again, and again, and…make sure you get “IT” Ask mom and dad to take it with you, at least once When you are ready, ask your The First Tee Coach when you can take the Par Life Skills test