Group Lessons
A seven week session where children meet once per week for 80 minutes. Coaches will work on Life and Golf Skills following The First Tee curriculum within the Target, Player, Par, Birdie, Eagle and Ace levels. Each participant will receive a Bag Tag (color coded for each level) that outlines the objectives required at each level for advancement. Participants are evaluated in 5 areas. At the PLAYer Level these areas are: Core Lesson Exposure, Play, Learn, Appreciate and Your Game. At the Par, Birdie and Eagle Levels the 5 areas are: Core Lesson Exposure, Golf Skills Application, Life Skills Knowledge, Golf Knowledge and Life Skills Application.
Sessions run during the spring (mid-April - early June), summer (July and August) and fall (September and October) at locations in Greater Waterbury, Hartford, New Haven, Madison, East Granby and Cromwell and Pawcatuck. (Bridgeport programs are also available by visiting www.fairchildwheeler.com. Groups contain a maximum of 16 participants and are led by a PGA professional, USGTF instructor or TFT trained coach with the help of assistant coaches and volunteers; student to teach ratio is 8:1.
Students who have their own golf clubs are encouraged to bring them to class; however for any student who does not have equipment The First Tee of Connecticut will provide the appropriate clubs for each session.
Cost - $35 - $91 per session (Spring, Summer or Fall) * Prices vary by location. A complete schedule of sessions is available on the previous page, with associated costs.
Registration fees ($35 - $91; vary by location) include attendance in the seven (7) week spring session,
instruction from golf professionals & TFTCT coaches, access to
developmentally appropriate equipment during each session (if necessary) and
Life Skills Experience resources (Yardage Books & Bag Tags). This is a
onetime charge for the spring session.
The information in the following table is based on research and best practices from The First Tee Chapter Network and is intended to promote consistency and increase the probability of success within the program.
Age Requirements Programming Hours Required at this Level Sessions Required at this Level (Spring, Summer, Fall)Target PLAYer Par Birdie Eagle 5 & 6 7 & Above 9 & Above 11 & Above 13 & Above N/A 20 hours 25 + 30 + 36 + N/A 2 sessions 3 - 4 sessions 3 - 4 sessions 4 sessions
Group Lesson Levels
TARGET (Ages 5 & 6)
The Target Level exposes young children to golf in a fun, safe environment while also introducing some of the basic life skills that they will continue to be exposed to during The First Tee's Life Skills Experience. Children will participate in games and activities that develop the motor skills necessary to play the game and get a head start before joining the PLAYer Level when they reach their 7th birthday. Sessions will be focused on the 6 components of the TARGET experience; Take Aim; Anyone Can Play; Respect; Golf is a Game; Enjoy Yourself & Try It.PLAYer (Ages 7 & up) - NEW FOR 2012
Participants must have reached their 7th birthday by the 1st session in order to register for the PLAYer Level.The Player Level introduces participants to The First Tee's Nine Core Values and Nine Healthy Habits and focuses on learning the game of golf and The First Tee's Code of Conduct in a fun and active way. All new participants must enter through the Player Level which includes 9 lessons that correspond to The First Tee's 9 Core Values.
PAR - PLAYer Certified (Ages 9 &
up)
The Par Level's instruction includes
the basic life and golf skills taught by The First Tee. Participants
focus on interpersonal communication and self-management skills. Past
participation indicates that the average child attends the Par Level sessions
an average of three times before becoming certified to advance to the Birdie
Level.
BIRDIE - Par Certified (Ages 11 & up)
At the Birdie Level participants begin to develop their golf skills by learning how to practice with a purpose. Life Skills at the Birdie Level focus on establishing goals and working towards accomplishment of those goals. Participants at the Birdie Level are eligible to register for Teams.EAGLE - Birdie Certified (Ages 13 & up)
At the Eagle Level participants work on playing with a purpose and mastering their golf skills. Life Skills at the Eagle Level focus on resilience skills, conflict resolution and planning for the future. Coaches work with participants on plans for the future such as high school/college enrollment.ACE - Eagle Certified (Ages 15 & up)
At the Ace Level participants focus on mastering their golf and life skills in an independent study type of program. Participants work as volunteer coaches with younger classes to continue to grow while sharing their experiences with new students. For more information about the Ace Level please contact The First Tee of Connecticut's main office, (860) 882-1660.Teams
An 10 week program (late June -
August) for children who have advanced through the Par level and are ready to
get onto the golf course. Teams meet once a week throughout June, July
and August (typically Saturdays for Birdie Level and Wednesdays for
Eagle/Ace Level) at courses in Greater Waterbury, Greater New Haven, Hartford,
Cromwell and East Granby to learn on-course skills.
Coaches and volunteers work with participants on Golf and Life Skills similar
to the curriculum in our Group Lessons but focus instead on on-course
activities. Please note that advancement within The First Tee cannot be
accomplished solely through the team program. Participants must complete
the Group Lesson program in order to be exposed to the official Life Skills
curriculum.
Cost - $60 - $95 (Includes team shirt and hat) * Prices vary by location.
A complete schedule for 2013 events can be found on the previous page along
with associated prices by location.
Summer Camp
A four day experience held at our Krapek Family Learning Links located at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell. Participants spend a week (Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. through 3:30 p.m.) working on Golf and Life Skills as well as participating in games and activities on the golf course. The entry fee includes lunch and snacks daily, gifts and ice cream on Thursday.
Summer Camp is open to participants age 7 & up. (Must have reached their 7th birthday by Monday, July 9th)
There will be a dedicated week for 5 & 6 year old students (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) and a Girls Only Camp in 2012. Both sessions will be held during the week of July 30th - August 2nd.
Camps run for seven weeks beginning Monday, July 9th and ending with the session on Monday, August 20th. Maximum class size of 25 and student to instructor ratio of 6:1.
Cost - $225/week ($145 for 5 & 6 year old session)
Scholarship opportunities available, you may download the application here. Deadline for applications is May 15th.
Golf Squads
A program designed to serve pre-existing groups of participants. The First Tee of Connecticut has partnered with groups from local Boys & Girls Clubs, Park & Recreation Departments, youth camps and other organizations to offer an extended Group Lesson program to their members. These programs may be hosted at participating facilities or at the partnering agencies location. Please contact The First Tee of Connecticut for more information.
In School Programs
Young people are introduced to The First Tee’s Life Skills curriculum and the game of golf in two ways through either the National School Program or In School Program. Both programs are held as part of a school’s physical education program. Students in Waterbury, New Haven, Hartford, Middletown, East Hartford, Stamford, Danbury and Norwalk are being introduced to the game of golf and its inherent values though one of these programs. To learn about how students at your school can enjoy this opportunity you may click here or contact The First Tee of Connecticut.
