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Introducing Golf To Kids: Directory Of Learning Programs
The kid golfing craze started around the same time Tiger Woods hit the mainstream and made the sport cool for younger generations. Fortunately, the travel industry took notice. Gone are the days when Mom and Dad played 18-holes of golf while their children joined the hotel's Kids' Clubs for arts n' crafts and video games. Now kids of all ages are looking to get in on the action and dream of making it big on the PGA circuit one day. And what better way to introduce them to the love of the sport with a vacation designed with golfing families in mind?
If you're not sure where to begin your kid's golf education, try www.juniorlinks.com. This interactive site is designed especially for junior golfers, introducing the rules of the game, etiquette, education, program direction, and the golfing community. There's also plenty of online fun and learning with games, golf greeting cards, and more.
Next, get your kids inspired by taking them to a junior golf tournament. They'll appreciate seeing other kids ages 12 to 18 playing the game competitively with The American Junior Golf Association (877/373-2542). The organization's AJGA Tour Friends Program also offers golfing scholarship and support with the help of PGA golfers. Once they've gotten a taste for competition, fun, and sun, head out on a golfing vacation with kids in mind.
Junior Camps Available Year Round
Gleneagles Resort
The Gleneagles Hotel
Auchterarder
Perthshire, Scotland PH3 1NF
44/1764-662231; 866/881-9525
Once the kids have gotten in a few rounds and parents brushed up on their game, head to where it all started - Scotland. Gleneagles' 830-acre estate located in the countryside of Auchterarder. Spring and summer Junior Camp offer instruction to children ages 6 to 16-years of age. Kids play on the Wee course or Pitch and Putt, depending on skill level. The resort draws internationaly renowned golfers including Jack Nicklaus with its world-class golfing, wellness spa, equestrian programs, skeet shooting, and perhaps most exciting to teens - Land Rover driving school.
Marriott Kids Golf-4-Free
888/236-2427
If families need an incentive to hit the greens, they'll find it with free golfing. The Kids Golf-4-Free program at select Marriot golf properties allows kids 15-years-old and under to play for free after 3pm., when accompanied by a full paying adult. The program also provides junior golfers with a free set of Accu-Length rentals clubs for use during their round and a free golf lesson when accompanied by an adult who is also taking a fully paid golf lesson from a Marriott instructor. Current Marriott golf locations range from Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, Canada, England, Egypt, St. Kitts, and more.
Nike Golf Schools and Jr. Camps
800/645-3226
Nike brings golfing to kids with specially designed nationwide programs for all skill levels. Their morning sessions are spent in small groups learning the ins and outs of chipping bunker play and the full swing. In the afternoons, kids enjoy supervised course play to put what they've learned in action. Junior Resident camps accepts kids ages 10 to 18 with all skill levels and Junior Day Camps offers instruction to ages 9 to 16-years, also with varied skill level. For more experienced players looking for a challenge, the Advanced Player Resident Schools offers high school/tournament level juniors with handicaps of 15 or less to 12 to 18-years. But it's not just all about the kids, parents can get in on the fun and improve their swing as a family with Nike's Parent Child Schools for all ages and all abilities.
Phoenix Academy
Pointe Hilton
11111 North 7th Street,
Phoenix, Arizona 85020
800/947-9784
Pointe Hilton Golf Academy welcomes over 450 kids every year. Golf enthusiasts as young as 6-years enjoy 60 minutes of golf instruction with PGA golfers. Kids 6- to 17-years are divided by age and ability in intimate class sizes of no more than eight students. This flagship school was remodeled in 2006 and introduced a brand new bunker to the practice area, along with its own pitching green and a separate chipping and putting green.
Saddlebrook Resort
5700 Saddlebrook Way
Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
800/729-8383
Kids ages 12 to 18 can head to Florida for Saddlebrook's week-long Junior Camps. Students learn the fundamentals, pro practice, scoring zones, and course strategy. The staff works with kids' current skills and abilities with five days of golf instruction, video analysis, and complimentary Fitness Center access. Students in the 2nd through 12th grades looking to take their golfing career to the next level can join the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy. This year-round, accredited college preparatory education school is specially tailored to each student with 5 hours of classroom study and 4 ½ hours of golf and fitness every day. The program offers low student to instructor ratios and training on 18-hole championship golf courses.
Stowe Mountain Resort
Stowe Mountain Resort
5781 Mountain Road
Stowe, VT 05672
800-253-4754
The family-favorite Stowe Mountain Resort brings golf to kids ages 7 to 17 with over 20 hours of supervised instruction. The staff puts an emphasis on introducing the sport to kids, proper technique, and just having fun. Program include instruction, an introduction to golf book, a program gift, a certificate of accomplishment, and invitation to the program ending awards and pizza party.
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