Youth on Course initiative

[mtiger10]

While signing up my son for local PGA Junior tour this weekend, I found out about the "Youth on Course" initiative. For a very minimal annual fee (around $25), the junior golfer receives opportunity to play numerous courses across the country for $5 or less. The junior also receives official GHIN Handicap, scholarship opportunities, and other perks. They have an app available with details as well. The launch date for the program is June 15 (pushed back due to Covid).

[leezer99]

Yep, this is a great way to get more bodies out on the courses when not as many golfers are out there. Unfortunately, right now many courses aren't honoring the discounted rates because they aren't having issues filling their tee sheets from dawn to dusk, at least where we live.

[hangontight]

Great idea and there was a big push last year in our area. However, only two courses signed up that I know of. Most of the courses in our area have their own very reasonable junior rates anyway from $3 - $11. It sounds like the hassle of setting up the system, having to enter the rebate info to YOC, etc. isnt worth it for most. I am sure its feasibility varies by region - for example several of the Pinehurst resort courses offer the YOC discount as well as Pine Needles & Mid Pines - $5 a round is a steal!

Related to the topic is an issue worth discussing. Its one thing to offer $5 round of golf for kids - but when dad/mom wants to play along with junior its the rack rate of $50 + (or whatever for any given course.) There is the roadblock. Maybe once per month OK, but its not feasible for most people to do this playing even once per week. You can all recall when your junior caught the bug - they probably wanted to be there a few times/week and you were excited about it. There was a progressive thinking (and thriving) municipal course I read about somewhere out west that basically had this solved with extending the $5 rate to the parent. The result was an overwhelming response of families getting out to play. Courses have every right to make money and cant give away FREE product. I am not a golf industry expert, but it seems logical to me for a course to clock out an hour of tee times each week on their slowest (and otherwise un-booked) afternoon each week. Family Golf or any adult bringing along a kid - $5/head ...mom, dad, kids, uncles, coach, whoever. They are going to buy a hotdog, gatorade, snacks, beverages, whatever........AND you are growing the game for future golfers. Look, at the end of the day golf is an expensive sport and I agree that just that alone makes it not for everyone. That is fine and it is what it is. However, it just seems that sometimes these grow the game initiatives go halfway to creating a real solution.

[wildcatden]

Here is the map of participating facilities: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1uBrK7_bQCt549kxyJAL2q29n2W0&ll=39.75409002382656%2C-113.52786721875009&z=4

 

We have been doing YOC in the Bay Area for 3-4 years. It's a great program for kids!! I can take my kid out to great courses in my area like Poppy Ridge, Wente Vinyards, Chardonnay, etc... for $5. They each have time restrictions on when you can play with some anytime and some after 1PM and some after 3-4pm. Most of the time when I take my kid out, I am the caddy daddy and we walk. We also are members at a club where I will play along with him and the riding cart is included (saves my old legs).

 

Note: I believe YOC reimburses (subsidizes) the rounds. So you pay $5 and YOC pays the course the remainder of some junior rate....perhaps another $10-15. That's my understanding, but I could be wrong.

 

[Medson]

Yeah. YOC is a no brainer.

Sometimes, when I play along, it does get a little bit expensive because I am charged with the afternoon rate. Hence, I sometimes just walk and is only charged with spectator fee (if the course has one). One thing for sure is we will not be able to afford junior golf without YOC.

[chrissdc]

Youth on course or in SoCal the Junior Golf Pass is the greatest thing that happened for me and my kid during the juniors years. Many of the courses available in our area were places that tournaments/events were held and that helped my kid play practice rounds before events. Most of my kids junior friends had the pass as well which facilitated her playing hundred of rounds with her friends. Range balls for a dollar is also a big deal.

Also I believe if your kid is part of The First Tee the membership fee Is waived. My kid was a YOC member for 10 years and am very fortunate that this program exists.

[Tannerbug33]

It definitely has given my kid the ability to play more golf. We play 2 to 3 times a week and we couldn't do that at $30 a round. We have friends that have 3 kids $15 vs $90 for them is a big deference

When my kid is done with jr golf and self supporting himself I will definitely donate some money back to them. we would be near as competitive without them.

Now with that said the old man at one the courses we play hates taking the cards and then guilt trips me about why I dont play with him. He finally let it go after about a year.

[leezer99]

Kids at our course play for free after 3 PM based on availability. Most days you'll see a big group of kids hanging around on the putting green after school waiting for a spot to open up.

[CollegeGolfer21]

YOC is a really cool program and great way for many kids to afford to play golf.

[wzjy47]

Thanks for the information!

[JBirdUt]

My daughter is now too old to participate in YOC ?. It is agreat program, as has been mentioned before. I now give an annual contribution to help keep the program going in my area. It’s my way of giving back.

[leezer99]

I donate to the YOC in Detroit. My area has enough support for golf related activities.

[Bisonpitcher]

Was wondering why I hadn't heard of this before. Then I looked at the map. Exactly zero courses in our state (Oklahoma). Bummer.

[Tugu]

Now that some time has passed, how have people found their YOC experience? Are the courses accepting kids paying 5 dollars to play?

[leezer99]

3 hours ago, Tugu said:

Now that some time has passed, how have people found their YOC experience? Are the courses accepting kids paying 5 dollars to play?

 

90% of the courses are accepting the reduced rates and I think more will get back to it once the boom tapers off.  Nearby there are two places that accept the reduced fee and each of those locations have two courses.  We've found it really easy to get out during the week on both.

[Movingday]

We only have 1 course in our area that offers it. $5 but it’s only after 4:00.

[Tannerbug33]

We have 4  within 30 min of our house and love it. 2 are 18 holes nice courses kid friendly. Only have weekend after lunch restrictions. The other 2 have 36 holes and same restrictions. We are fortunate. 

[wildcatden]

Not much change in our NorCal area. As always, some course leave the program while some join the program. Some keep their times the same while others adjust their allowed times.

 

YOC is great overall. 

[hangontight]

100% Free Golf for ALL kids in Charleston, SC.  Our local First Tee Chapter has partnered with 5 area courses to make it possible.  100% Free - no strings attached.  No membership, 365/24/7 No blackout times, open to ALL kids 18 & under.  Only stipulation is tee times are booked day of play..  2,200+ Rounds were done in 2021.  

[Movingday]

1 hour ago, hangontight said:

100% Free Golf for ALL kids in Charleston, SC.  Our local First Tee Chapter has partnered with 5 area courses to make it possible.  100% Free - no strings attached.  No membership, 365/24/7 No blackout times, open to ALL kids 18 & under.  Only stipulation is tee times are booked day of play..  2,200+ Rounds were done in 2021.  

Wow. That’s amazing. 

[Tugu]

2 hours ago, hangontight said:

100% Free Golf for ALL kids in Charleston, SC.  Our local First Tee Chapter has partnered with 5 area courses to make it possible.  100% Free - no strings attached.  No membership, 365/24/7 No blackout times, open to ALL kids 18 & under.  Only stipulation is tee times are booked day of play..  2,200+ Rounds were done in 2021.  

 

Is there somewhere I can go to find out the details of how to participate?

 

Thank you.

[hangontight]

8 hours ago, Tugu said:

 

Is there somewhere I can go to find out the details of how to participate?

 

Thank you.

Yes, Sorry. Key piece of info left out!  Program is called Swing It Forward

 

https://firstteegreatercharleston.org/programs-2/swing-it-forward/

 

 

[Tugu]

3 hours ago, hangontight said:

Yes, Sorry. Key piece of info left out!  Program is called Swing It Forward

 

https://firstteegreatercharleston.org/programs-2/swing-it-forward/

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much. DM sent.