Developing Kids at Private Courses

[ChipRoyce]

Building on the thread on Children's golf courses I was intrigued by the notion of helping kids learn the game.

Wondering if you could share any neat "best practices" that you've seen where a private club has gone out of its way to accomodate children? (more than just clinics / summer camp, etc...)

Thanks!
Chip

[Bill Shotzbarger]

The Philadelphia Cricket Club allows junior members to bring junior guests for free. I'm pretty sure Aronimink has the same policy.

[rjsimper]

Palos Verdes G.C, a semi-private that is essentially a full private club (outside play is permitted Mondays only for around 2 bills...or some absurd restrictive policy like that...which I don't entirely mind) allows (or used to allow) juniors from any area to play 9 holes in the afternoons after the members had all played for $4.50.

This was probably 1994-1998 when I took advantage of the deal, but many of the area high school players would come out in the afternoons and putt around until the pro shop attendant/pro would come out and tell us that we could play.

Given the economics of southern california and palos verdes in particular, this was an unbelievable gesture to encourage junior golf.

It would always tick me off to see some of the kids coming out there and screwing off...especially since my grandparents were members.  I considered the course my own, and kids going lawn-bowling with tee markers are a prime exhibit in the case against allowing juniors access to such courses.

[Mike McGuire]

West Bend CC in Wisconsin.

Juniors ONLY every tuesday morning in season. Members must wait till noon to tee off.

They have different categories, depending on age/ability -  18 holers all the way down to one holers. Pros give short lessons/talks and then they go play. Parents chaperon where needed.

[rjsimper]

West Bend CC in Wisconsin.

Juniors ONLY every tuesday morning in season. Members must wait till noon to tee off.

They have different categories, depending on age/ability -  18 holers all the way down to one holers. Pros give short lessons/talks and then they go play. Parents chaperon where needed.

Mike - do you find that this setup creates animosity from the members toward the juniors?  

Could such an arrangement in the name of access backfire in that the junior players who take advantage of the generous offer are the object of scorn by the membership at large?

Are the times regularly ALL filled by juniors - if there are empty slots, are members then allowed to play or is noon a brick-wall that cannot be crossed?

What about May/September where kids are in school?

This is an extremely interesting issue to me, being not too far removed from the world of cheap green fees and disapproving members, but now being in the world of shaking my head at the young'uns who show up with un-tucked shirts, skater shoes, cell phones, and general tom-foolery.

[Mike McGuire]

Ryan -

Our junior golf tuesdays is mid june thru early aug. NO other member play allowed. We dont have tee times.

I have not heard any grumbling about the policy...but who wants to publicly criticize junior golf? Its a way to sustain the club from within.

Another possible policy of interest. 'Junior golfers with USGA handicap of of under 25 for boys and under 30 for girls - same privileges as members and spouses during scheduled golf times except on Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoons.'

[Jay Carstens]

Chip-I grew up on a course that had two inside loops on the back nine (a nice design feature; holes 10-13 & 14-18).  Very convenient too if you only had 45 minutes or so and 1 & 10 were busy.  As juniors, we had to shoot 24 or less on 10-14 to get a bag tag that allowed unaccompanied play at any time.  I'll never forget the day I got mine.  

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