The First Tee Program - anyone involved.. dads or juniors

[golfware]

info on San Francisco 1st Tee Program

Hi there,

As I recently have moved to SF (about 5 minutes from Harding Park Golf Course), I'm looking at getting my two boys (5 & 3 years old) into the First Tee Program for SF.. and it's at Harding Park.

Just wondering if there are any SF Wrx'ers that have kids in the program, or are there juniors out there that are in The First Tee program in your area.

Thanks much!

[tm8838]

Not involved in the SF program but I am with the local program here and it is great. They teach kids golf but also much more than golf. It is a good program that the kids will benefit from.

[erock9174]

Can anyone describe how each class works?

Like my son is signed up starting tonight and it runs 90 min.  Is it all golf lesson / swing work?  I understand its alot of character building type stuff.  He just went through a month worth of summer classes to get him ready for 3rd grade so if its classroom type stuff I don't think my son will be up for that.

[tsecor]

The 1st tee has been a huge fail for the PGA......when you look at how the program works, just from a logistical standpoint, its been horrific...

 

You can google how the program has suffered due to poor planning and execution.

[aramirez24]

On 7/6/2021 at 12:37 PM, erock9174 said:

Can anyone describe how each class works?

Like my son is signed up starting tonight and it runs 90 min.  Is it all golf lesson / swing work?  I understand its alot of character building type stuff.  He just went through a month worth of summer classes to get him ready for 3rd grade so if its classroom type stuff I don't think my son will be up for that.

My brother in law started first tee at about 9 years old. It's my understanding that they have a schedule that's roughly 10-15 minutes of "class" to go over some golf etiquette etc or talk about the days golf class. Then they go and work on whatever that day has for them like a putting station then chipping station with structured games for the kids. He's now about to be a senior in high school and still goes to the weekly Saturday class when his schedule allows. I'd argue it's been the single most beneficial thing for his golf game from the people he's met to the opportunities the first tee has given him as far as tournaments to play in. He was at Congorie two weeks ago, then Clemson University for the First Tee National Championship and will be playing in a tournament at Pebble Beach in September all thanks to First Tee opportunites. YMMV with your actual first tee program since they are all different, but my outlook on First Tee is that it is great for getting your kids involved in golf. I can't wait to send my son. 

[Ferguson]

On 7/6/2021 at 2:58 PM, tsecor said:

The 1st tee has been a huge fail for the PGA......when you look at how the program works, just from a logistical standpoint, its been horrific...

 

You can google how the program has suffered due to poor planning and execution.

 

Well stated.

 

It's a daycare.   

 

[tsecor]

2 hours ago, Ferguson said:

 

Well stated.

 

It's a daycare.   

 

The program in our area show kids being dropped off by bus, 45 minutes from thier homes.....this after an 8 hour school day......while Mom and Dad head to thier boat on the river....or go golfing by themselves.....

 

the reviews in our area are so bad, they are renaming / rebadging the progrms to try and gain more interest.....

 

 

 

 

[Ferguson]

1 hour ago, tsecor said:

The program in our area show kids being dropped off by bus, 45 minutes from thier homes.....this after an 8 hour school day......while Mom and Dad head to thier boat on the river....or go golfing by themselves.....

 

the reviews in our area are so bad, they are renaming / rebadging the progrms to try and gain more interest.....

 

 

 

 

 

They need to hire better people.

 

[Blonde Line Lizard]

Can someone explain how the program actually works?  I have seen the commercials on TV about these golf programs for kids and it looks like a good thing on its surface as far as teaching about playing the game and it's etiquette.

 

BUT my mind can't get around the idea that it is a form of golf socialism.  Is everything FREE for these kids?  Lessons, range balls, and free rounds of golf?

 

At what age or amount of time in the program do they begin to pay for time at the golf course?  

 

Or are they taught that golf is free all the way through college then they just automatically go onto the big tour then they will make money from the game?

 

 

[USCdrifter]

The classes are not free but I imagine there may be "scholarship" opportunities for those less fortunate.  My kids are 7&8 and have participated in the class.  At age 7-8, most of us shouldn't expect much from our children let alone the class.  They are not in trying to groove the next Tiger swing but rather get the kids involved with golf and comfortable at the facilities.  From my experience, most sports for younger kids are 30-60 minutes as the kids have fairly short attention spans at this age.  All in all, they keep the kids occupied for 90 minutes and the kids have fun learning a few things.  

 

If you have the mindset before you even start that this thing is going to be a bust, you'll probably live up to your expectations.  For the rest of us, were happy to get the kids out and maybe daddy gets to practice on the side while waiting for class to finish.  

 

 

[leezer99]

Not sure why but I set up a thing to auto donate to the First Tee of Detroit every year and I get a nice Christmas card from them which is nice. 

[heavy_hitter]

If you are looking for something recreational for the kids, I am sure it is great.  If you are looking to develop a junior golfer I suggest you go somewhere else.  In our areas First Tee's are a huge waste of time.

[tsecor]

17 hours ago, USCdrifter said:

The classes are not free but I imagine there may be "scholarship" opportunities for those less fortunate.  My kids are 7&8 and have participated in the class.  At age 7-8, most of us shouldn't expect much from our children let alone the class.  They are not in trying to groove the next Tiger swing but rather get the kids involved with golf and comfortable at the facilities.  From my experience, most sports for younger kids are 30-60 minutes as the kids have fairly short attention spans at this age.  All in all, they keep the kids occupied for 90 minutes and the kids have fun learning a few things.  

 

If you have the mindset before you even start that this thing is going to be a bust, you'll probably live up to your expectations.  For the rest of us, were happy to get the kids out and maybe daddy gets to practice on the side while waiting for class to finish.  

 

 

The 1st tee program is NOT designed to train kids to play golf.....Its a "mentoring program" directed at lower income areas......problem is, most of the kids who are entering this "golf" program have NO INTEREST in the sport and their moms and or dads "dump" thier kids into this as a day care option....OR the parents who have means go off and do what they want as the 1st tee babysits their kids......

 

 This is directly from thier web site

 

On the Golf Course

Junior golf is just part of First Tee. Through our program that strengthens character, kids will learn life skills that stay with them into the rest of their lives, like:

• Understanding and managing emotions
• Resolving conflicts
• Setting up step-by-step goals
• Planning for the future
• Appreciating diversity

 

• Par (recommended minimum age 9) – Focus on interpersonal and self-management skills on and off the course
• Birdie (recommended minimum age 11) – Emphasis on setting goals and making them a reality
• Eagle (recommended minimum age 13) – Learn resilience, conflict resolution, and future planning
• Ace (required minimum age 14 or entering 9th grade) – Put it all together and hone in on setting goals, career education, and giving back to the community

[heavy_hitter]

1 hour ago, tsecor said:

The 1st tee program is NOT designed to train kids to play golf.....Its a "mentoring program" directed at lower income areas......problem is, most of the kids who are entering this "golf" program have NO INTEREST in the sport and their moms and or dads "dump" thier kids into this as a day care option....OR the parents who have means go off and do what they want as the 1st tee babysits their kids......

 

 This is directly from thier web site

 

On the Golf Course

Junior golf is just part of First Tee. Through our program that strengthens character, kids will learn life skills that stay with them into the rest of their lives, like:

• Understanding and managing emotions
• Resolving conflicts
• Setting up step-by-step goals
• Planning for the future
• Appreciating diversity

 

• Par (recommended minimum age 9) – Focus on interpersonal and self-management skills on and off the course
• Birdie (recommended minimum age 11) – Emphasis on setting goals and making them a reality
• Eagle (recommended minimum age 13) – Learn resilience, conflict resolution, and future planning
• Ace (required minimum age 14 or entering 9th grade) – Put it all together and hone in on setting goals, career education, and giving back to the community

 

Basically, what parents should be doing at home in the first place.

[tsecor]

23 hours ago, heavy_hitter said:

 

Basically, what parents should be doing at home in the first place.

agreed....but not all homes are the same.....BUT a lot of this program is trying to fit a square peg in a round hole....many of the kids hate the golf part of the program so the 1st tee has been in a constant state of change to adapt to what is really happening.....and its turned into a different type of program over the last few years.

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

On 7/10/2021 at 12:09 PM, tsecor said:

agreed....but not all homes are the same.....BUT a lot of this program is trying to fit a square peg in a round hole....many of the kids hate the golf part of the program so the 1st tee has been in a constant state of change to adapt to what is really happening.....and its turned into a different type of program over the last few years.

agreed.  It would align with YMCA goals of a time long ago.  Now they just wanna keep up their membership numbers.

 

Better to have 1st Tee change to sometime like Life through Sports.

[tsecor]

4 minutes ago, TripleBogeysrbetter said:

agreed.  It would align with YMCA goals of a time long ago.  Now they just wanna keep up their membership numbers.

 

Better to have 1st Tee change to sometime like Life through Sports.

Where is the program for these kids to play hockey?  There are so many upsides to these programs but tons of downsides as well.....expense can be overwhelming to a family for certain sports.....i never had money as a kid so a $5 basketball did the trick for me and my friends....$1000 golf clubs may not be for everyone

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

6 minutes ago, tsecor said:

Where is the program for these kids to play hockey?  There are so many upsides to these programs but tons of downsides as well.....expense can be overwhelming to a family for certain sports.....i never had money as a kid so a $5 basketball did the trick for me and my friends....$1000 golf clubs may not be for everyone

That was more of my point.  A consolidation of sports in a offering program.

As I mentioned YMCA.  It was huge and affordable when I was a kid.  Or just the local different local sports chapters.

 

We also have to accept the fact that not every kids wants to play Ice hockey or golf.

I know here in the DC area in the past 10 years.  Girls LAX, Field Hockey, and soccer has exploded.

 

Golf tends to be for the lone wolf or the group  of lone wolves.

[iteachgolf]

On 7/6/2021 at 2:58 PM, tsecor said:

The 1st tee has been a huge fail for the PGA......when you look at how the program works, just from a logistical standpoint, its been horrific...

 

You can google how the program has suffered due to poor planning and execution.

How is it a fail for the PGA?  It’s a completely separate entity. It wasn’t started by and isn’t operated by the PGA.  I have plenty of issues with the PGA but you can’t blame them for the First Tee

[tsecor]

20 hours ago, iteachgolf said:

How is it a fail for the PGA?  It’s a completely separate entity. It wasn’t started by and isn’t operated by the PGA.  I have plenty of issues with the PGA but you can’t blame them for the First Tee

They branded it and supported it but NOW its a "seperate entity" from a business standpoint, but their name was all over it......that rapidly changed DUE TO THE FACT, the program was and still is a huge fail.  The rebranding started a few years ago and just because you rebrand something and make it look differently, that doesnt erase the history of the program. It would not shock me to see this program disappear all together. The popularity is waning and the PGA has pretty much removed all its branding from the program and now the programs are completely localized. "First Tee began in 1997 as a partnership among the LPGA, the Masters Tournament, the PGA of America, the PGA TOUR, and the USGA to make golf affordable and accessible for all kids", But it targeted inner city and lower income families who really had NO INTEREST in the game. Kids hated being bused 45 minutes to a location after their school day to learn about the world of golf and life lessons  Once that failed, the PGA partnerships changed and they no longer put their name all over it. 

 

You can look up the many issues the program faced over the last 15 years.  

 

 

[iteachgolf]

3 hours ago, tsecor said:

They branded it and supported it but NOW its a "seperate entity" from a business standpoint, but their name was all over it......that rapidly changed DUE TO THE FACT, the program was and still is a huge fail.  The rebranding started a few years ago and just because you rebrand something and make it look differently, that doesnt erase the history of the program. It would not shock me to see this program disappear all together. The popularity is waning and the PGA has pretty much removed all its branding from the program and now the programs are completely localized. "First Tee began in 1997 as a partnership among the LPGA, the Masters Tournament, the PGA of America, the PGA TOUR, and the USGA to make golf affordable and accessible for all kids", But it targeted inner city and lower income families who really had NO INTEREST in the game. Kids hated being bused 45 minutes to a location after their school day to learn about the world of golf and life lessons  Once that failed, the PGA partnerships changed and they no longer put their name all over it. 

 

You can look up the many issues the program faced over the last 15 years.  

 

 

 PGA Tour was heavily involved, Finchem was original founder. PGA Tour and PGA are completely different.  As someone who was DOI at a First Tee owned facility, but I wasn’t a part of The First Tee, and currently they use our facility (different location) for their programs, I’ve observed it first hand for over a decade. They don’t bus people in and everyone there is 100% interested in being there.   Every area is run completely different, essentially franchises, but the North Florida and South Georgia ones are run well. 

[tsecor]

4 minutes ago, iteachgolf said:

 PGA Tour was heavily involved, Finchem was original founder. PGA Tour and PGA are completely different.  As someone who was DOI at a First Tee owned facility, but I wasn’t a part of The First Tee, and currently they use our facility (different location) for their programs, I’ve observed it first hand for over a decade. They don’t bus people in and everyone there is 100% interested in being there.   Every area is run completely different, essentially franchises, but the North Florida and South Georgia ones are run well. 

Florida is much different than some Northern East Coast cities and towns.....completely different up north....

[dlc1914]

On 7/14/2021 at 12:07 PM, tsecor said:

Florida is much different than some Northern East Coast cities and towns.....completely different up north....

I can vouch for the FIrst Tee of Greater Philadelphia.  Their staff does an EXCELLENT job of providing access to opportunities that a lot of city kids have historically been locked out of.  They also operate 2 of the cities golf courses.  No, it's not am elite junior teaching program but it does introduce kids to other kids that are interested in the game without being a member of a private club.  

 

I think somebody said it earlier, every chapter is different. 

[hangontight]

 Our chapter is run exceptionally well.   Beyond the on course and in school programming there are some very good initiatives in our chapter.

 

- FREE Golf for ALL Kids - Program called "Swing it Forward" at 5 area courses.   No strings attached, no registration, no time restrictions, no paying parent required, etc.  Really no strings attached .  Just book play day of play , 100% No cost.  Open to ALL kids (do NOT have to be a First Tee participant).    Over 1,000 Rounds YTD.  

 

- Game Changers - Just launched this summer.  8 rising sixth graders from at risk communities selected for year round program.  These 8 participants will stay with the program through high school graduation.  Picked up and drop off EVERY DAY over the summer (to make sure they get there).  Each day time spent at the golf course, academic time in classroom, mentoring.   Proven program piloted in San Fran Chapter that gives at risk kids safe places, resources, and mentorship for personal and academic success.  

Edited July 20, 2021 by hangontight

[ChipNRun]

On 7/6/2021 at 1:58 PM, tsecor said:

The 1st tee has been a huge fail for the PGA......when you look at how the program works, just from a logistical standpoint, its been horrific...

 

You can google how the program has suffered due to poor planning and execution.

 

OK, what are your specifics on horrific? Some specifics, if you actually have any...

 

I googled looking for "bad stuff" about First Tee, and came up primarily with an ESPN article from 2009.  Founded in 1997, one concern was that FT had not sparked the entry of a large number of African Americans onto to pro golf tour. But, FT primaries counter that serving as a feeder program to the pro tour was not the primary goal of FT, First Tee, but no Tiger.

 

From an organizational standpoint, First Tee offers a plan for bringing children into golf. From there, it uses the sportsmanship theme as a segueway into building overall life skills and core values. Being that First Tee relies on local chapters to build the infrastructure and launch the program, some chapters may be more successful than others.

 

 

In our local chapter:

• Children get a free beginner's set of clubs and bag, if their family is not in the golf zone.
• Local golfers are encourage to donate golf clubs to the FT chapter; the clubs are handed off to a local sports shop for credits toward children's golf clubs. And, people can donate those sleeves of miscellaneous golf balls the accumulate during the year.
• The local chapter has a dozen or so everyday-golfer volunteers who help the students learn the basics of the game. The volunteers go through a training program before each summer's FT activities begin.
• Two basic themes: be safe (don't accidentally bonk another golfer with a club or ball), and have fun (I would like to remind WRXers that in golf, having fun is permissible...) 

For those interested, check out the Richmond (AV) First Tee Strategic Plan.

 

@tsecor, like all human endeavors, FT may sometimes be imperfect. But, many of the local programs are quite successful. It's not a zero-one outcome.

 

(I'll let others discuss the scholarship programs as I'm not very familiar with that aspect.)