There is a lot to decide upon when getting your child into any sport and often so many options that appeal to different facets of development. This blog post will serve as a "flow chart"for selecting the right junior golf program.
Interested in a Girls Only program??
GIRLS GOLF is a huge initiative for our organization to empower young women to learn golf and be able to play it for a lifetime. We want to introduce the game of golf to the next generation of women and display it in a way that is "cool" and something you can do with your friends and always strive to be better. The goal is to provide a welcoming environment for girls to get together, make some new friends and try out golf!
How old is your child?
Ages 3-6
This age group fits into the Discover Golf category through and through. The sessions will mirror the recommendations from the ADM (American Development Model) and involve lots of motor learning and body awareness. By learning the fundamentals of running, skipping, jumping, cutting, throwing and swinging, the student will take these "donor movements" and incorporate them into a golf swing when inserted into a "golf environment."
*If a 6 year old has had a golf club in their hands for 4+ years, we can look at Play to Learn if they are comfortable learning with older children.
Ages 7-9
New to Golf/Novice
Play to Learn is a wonderful sampling of golf skill development. We will always have a golf club in our hands, but the game played each class may not be the "game of golf." In other words, we'll be utilizing a growing set of golf skills to navigate rapidly changing game environments with ranging sets of parameters and outcomes (collaborative vs. competitive, slow and cerebral vs. rapid fire, team vs. individual, etc.). It is all about the experience and making the visit to the golf course a positive and memorable one!
Intermediate/Advanced
PGA Jr. League is the best introduction to the golf course and the competition side of the game of golf I've seen. Compare it to baseball's Little League as children will join a team, practice with them and then compete against other teams within their league. The team uniforms complete with numbers and last names help solidify a sense of belonging while young people learn together about the intricacies and strategies of playing golf on a golf course (in a fun scramble format).
COJGA Team Scramble Division will give this age group confidence to play in tournaments and maintain a level of fun and enjoyment as they will be competing with and against their peers.
COJGA Individual Division if the child is really motivated to play his/her own ball and keep score. This is a very delicate age group to introduce individual competition, so tread lightly. Parents are allowed to caddy in this age division, and we aim to maintain healthy parent/child relationships.
Ages 10-13
New to Golf/Novice
Play to Learn will still apply for players 10-11. Sometimes 12 and 13 year olds will view what we are doing as childish and want "more" from their experience. We will always have a golf club in our hands, but the game played each class may not be the "game of golf." In other words, we'll be utilizing a growing set of golf skills to navigate rapidly changing game environments with ranging sets of parameters and outcomes (collaborative vs. competitive, slow and cerebral vs. rapid fire, team vs. individual, etc.). It is all about the experience and making the visit to the golf course a positive and memorable one!
PGA Jr. League is the bread and butter for this age group. The children can make their experience their own and the team can provide a great introduction to the sport as well as provide a highly competitive environment for the best players. We have found these leagues are roughly 80% recreational and 20% competitive players.
COJGA Team Scramble Division will give this age group confidence to play in tournaments and maintain a level of fun and enjoyment as they will be competing with and against their peers.
Intermediate/Advanced
PLAY to COMPETE is a great group-based series that teaches golf skills in a more traditional system. We will have individual challenges as well as team "games" but the sessions will feel more like a high school practice with a clear intention for each day. This class will help you optimize your score by discussing good practice habits, strategy around the golf course and skill development (especially as it relates to scoring). This category includes the BOOT CAMP and SCORING SCHOOL.
PGA Jr. League and the All-Star Team. Keep the grind alive but play and practice with your friends (instead of against them). This is one of the most important things an aspiring golfer can do because it makes the game a team sport and teaches that the game exists outside of your personal results.
COJGA Individual Division if the child is ready to play his/her own ball and keep score. Parents are only allowed to spectate in this age division, so a knowledge of rules and etiquette are required from each player.
Ages 14-17
Novice/Intermediate
PGA Jr. League has a 17U division and much like the 13U team, the children can make their experience their own and the team can provide a great introduction to the sport as well as provide a highly competitive environment for the best players. We have found these leagues are roughly 50% recreational and 50% competitive players.
COJGA Team Scramble Division will give this age group confidence to play in tournaments and maintain a level of fun and enjoyment as they will be competing with and against their peers.
Intermediate/Advanced
PLAY to COMPETE is a great group-based series that teaches golf skills in a more traditional system. We will have individual challenges as well as team "games" but the sessions will feel more like a high school practice with a clear intention for each day. This class will help you optimize your score by discussing good practice habits, strategy around the golf course and skill development (especially as it relates to scoring). This category includes the BOOT CAMP and SCORING SCHOOL.
COJGA Individual Division if the child is ready to play his/her own ball and keep score. Parents are only allowed to spectate in this age division, so a knowledge of rules and etiquette are required from each player.
WORK IN GOLF - Our mentoring program is a 2+ way street. Teens are able to learn from older coaches about the game and younger children are able to learn from teenagers that they admire. Please inquire if you or someone you know is interested in working with COJGA!
We try to offer something for everyone, but there are always children that fit into more than one category so please let us know if you have any questions and we'll discuss the right fit for your family!