Our Program
At First Tee, we’re Building Game Changers by empowering kids and teens to be the best version of themselves.
Our programs happen daily at approximately 150 chapters around the world. Participants (ages 7-18) progress through the program over time, deepening their understanding of life skills and golf development. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with character-building, we create learning experiences that help kids and teens uncover their inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that they can carry to everything they do.
Our trained coaches not only provide an introduction to junior golf and an opportunity to enhance golf skills, but they also create a safe, supportive, and empowering environment to help your child prepare for life ahead, including friendships, school, college and even their careers.
Through our program, kids and teens will learn skills that stay with them for life:
- Understanding and managing emotions
- Resolving conflicts
- Setting up step-by-step goals
- Planning for the future
- Appreciating diversity
- Fundamental golf skills and techniques
Advancing through the First Tee Program
At each age group, participants engage with the 5 Key Commitments: Pursuing Goals, Growing through Challenge, Collaborating with Others, Building Positive Self-Identity, and Using Good Judgement, while focusing on mastering golf fundamentals and building upon a golf skill foundation as they advance within the program.
Age 7-9
- Be active and have fun with peers in a safe and encouraging manner
- Build inner strength and self-confidence
- Learn to play golf
- Focus on building relationships with other players while exploring the game of golf
Age 10-11
- Explore character concepts in active and collaborative ways that are valuable on and off the course
- Develop golf skills and enthusiasm for the game
- Support positive Game Changing behaviors in fun and meaningful ways
Age 12-13
- Explore both golf skills and characters commitments while having fun with peers
- Provide opportunities to demonstrate mastery and growth in golf skills and abilities
- Support growth and development of early adolescents
Age 14+
- Build character and support personal development
- Develop additional golf skills and abilities
- Look toward their future and plan their own paths
- Evaluate, reflect, and apply their understanding of life and golf skills to new situations on and off the course
Ace
A capstone program for high school teens that integrates the skills and inner strengths they’ve developed at First Tee and points them toward exploring, investing in, and building a clear plan and assets for their next step.
School Program
First Tee has been integrating the First Tee School Program into PE classes across the country. We’ve equipped educators at elementary and middle schools with our curriculum built around the game of golf, while positively impacting kids through both the game and its inherent ability to improve social-emotional learning (SEL) skills.
Community Program
First Tee Community Program utilizes a “game approach” to develop golf and life skills in participants. This activity-based program has been specifically designed and written for youth-serving organizations. We partner with youth centers like the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club to bring the program to life.
First Tee App
The First Tee App includes games and challenges that will reinforce the concepts experienced during class and bring them to life in new ways! Kids and teens will earn badges and points as they complete activities within the App, motivating them to keep going, and tracking their progress over time.
Commitment to Being a Game Changer
At First Tee, we know kids and teens can accomplish amazing things when they are supported and given the space to grow and learn. We ask each of our participants to agree to the Commitment to Being a Game Changer – and to work each day to be the best version of themselves.