Registration is under way for the spring sessions of The First Tee of Central Ohio programs for kids age 5 to 17, hosted by Blacklick Woods Golf Courses. There is a lot of fun and a lot of golf, but the programs are also designed to build character and develop leadership skills.
More than a thousand kids participated in the program last year, led by our Pro and Golf Course Manager at Blacklick Woods Golf Courses, Rick Towle, and many other professional coaches and golf professionals associated with the local chapter of The First Tee.
The training helps young golfers develop meaningful relationships with coaches, who help the kids with their golf technique, but also work on the thought processes that can help turn a good round of golf into a great round.
In addition to covering the fundamentals of the golf swing and the game, life skill lessons include:
- Communication – how to properly introduce yourself and how to effectively communicate with others.
- Self-management – techniques for managing thoughts and emotions.
- Goal setting – establishing attainable goals to reach desired dreams.
- Overcoming challenges – strategies to adapt, manage and overcome challenges.
The game of golf is a perfect platform for youth development in life skills, because of its unique stance, amongst sports, of players calling penalties on themselves and keeping and reporting their own scores. There are no referees or umpires challenging the score-keeping. Instead, golfers develop important values such as honesty and responsibility while playing and enjoying a terrific sport.
First Tee of Central Ohio Home Page
A young golfer chips to the green at a First Tee summer camp. (Brandon Ridgley)
Young kids on walking blocks developing balance as an aid to their golf stance. (Brandon Ridgley)
Putting practice on the greens. (Cheri Jenkins)
A coach runs through fitness exercises with kids at the golf course. (Brandon Ridgley)
A coach helps beginning golfers develop their swing. (Cheri Jenkins)