Back to School

August 19, 2013

Ah, the joys of summer. Picnics. Fourth of July fireworks. A round of golf with your son or daughter.

Is summertime really almost over already? As hard as it may be to believe, Labor Day is quickly approaching and the “Back to School” season is now in full swing. In preparation for the next school year, you will probably purchase an assortment of accessories for your children, including backpacks, notebooks, and the latest fashions.

But if your children are as interested in the game of golf as you are, you might also want to invest some of your money towards the development of their games this fall. Here’s how.

After-School Programs

Between school, homework, and other priorities, you may feel that there is no time left in the day for golf for your kids. But, thanks to the following organizations’ after-school programs, junior golfers around the country can enjoy the game they love throughout the school year.

· TGA Premier Junior Golf – A youth development program designed specifically for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students, TGA currently offers after school classes in 21 states. Conducted all year long, the classes are based on a five-level tier, with each level of classes lasting six to 10 weeks.

First-level classes are more introductory, with topics ranging from etiquette to set-up, whereas the final-level courses are advanced, as students are introduced to stroke and match play tournaments while receiving instruction from golf professionals.

· TOURAcademy – Throughout the school year, the PGA TOUR’s TOURAcademy offers four-week-long after-school programs for junior golfers aged seven to 17. Students are taught some of golf’s core values, including sportsmanship and etiquette, as well as fundamentals like putting, chipping, and full swing techniques.

All instruction is completely hands-on, as each participant receives individualized attention from a teaching professional, so that they can identify their strengths and weaknesses and improve upon them. Each After School program is hosted at some of the country’s finest courses, including TPC Scottsdale and TPC Sawgrass.

Indoor Driving Ranges

If you are looking for even more one-on-one time with your children in a golf-related environment, you may want to also visit your local driving range. Not only are most ranges open in the fall and winter, but they also provide an assortment of entertainment options for you and your children to enjoy together.

· TopGolf – If you haven’t heard of TopGolf, these great hot spots are a golfer’s dream. Golf and competition of sport meet entertainment and fun in these indoor driving range complexes around the U.S. and the U.K that are open year-round. Play point-scoring golf games, hitting microchipped balls at dartboard-like targets on the ground with your kids, no matter what your ability level. The closer to the center or “bull’s-eye,” your ball gets, the more points you receive.

If you don’t have a TopGolf location nearby, most driving ranges have flags at various distances from your tee area, and you can create friendly competitions with your children, aiming at each flag and seeing who hits a closer shot.

· Parent-Child Lessons – Nowadays, many ranges offer parent-child lessons, so that you and your children can improve your golf games together. Teaching professionals will focus on your full swings, noting your particular strengths and weaknesses, as you hit shots with every club in your bag. Many professionals will also help you improve your short game techniques, observing you while you chip and putt.

· Miniature Golf – The game of mini golf offers an entertaining alternative to driving ranges and lessons that will help you and your children improve your putting strokes. And, best of all, putt-putt provides you ample one-on-one time to talk about school and other topics, not to mention it’s fun!

Twilight Golf

Finally, as long as weather and time permit, you might as well also enjoy a quick nine-hole twilight round with your children this fall, as nothing compares to the bonding you will experience on an actual golf course.

GolfNow’s PlayNine tee time reservation platform is affordable and easy to use. You can book tee times at nine-hole courses throughout the United States.