By Richard Todd
Those that love golf have heard the over-used phrase, ‘Grow the Game’.
This refers to increasing the number of new players each year over the number that leave the game. There’s also a saying that ‘our children are the future of the world’. As one-third of the population are minors this seems statistically accurate.
So how can we further engage the youth to assure additional golfers in the future, which means more and better golfing facilities for everyone? The USGA and First Tee have many programs to achieve this and engage kids, on and off the course!
- STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Math)
School is not everyone’s favorite place but when you combine technology and research with golf the outcome can be unique and enjoyable!
The USGA has a mobile, hands-on training facility to educate and entertain on these areas:
Learn how ground, turf, and water works to create a playable course (Science);
Learn about aerodynamics to understand the flight of a golf ball (Technology);
Understand how motion effects the distance a golf ball will travel (Engineering);
Be educated about a stimp meter and how friction and slope affect the putting of a golf ball.
- FUN
The USGA has recently released a comic book addressing golf’s rules and etiquette using Marvel’s superheroes to teach lessons! Buy your copy at USGA.org.
Want to get off the course and still play golf? Try the new trend at Top Golf, where the driving range becomes a giant video game where you can complete against yourself and others for high score, listen to a live band, or enjoy top-notch meals.
- FAST
Keeping a kid, or some adults, focused for two to four hours can be challenging. Some courses understand that and offer shorter loops! Play at few as three holes to get kids thinking and enjoying the game while taking up less time.
- FREE
Nothing beats free! And thanks to the First Tee working with individual courses the rounds for youth are discounted or totally free at participating links!
One may say a walk through nature and hitting a little white ball has little to do with science, but bridging that gap helps make the game a little more tangible and enjoyable.
