Why Golf?

Experiences are our greatest teacher. First Tee believes in developing the ones that are just as fun as they are meaningful, where kids feel excited to grow, safe to fail, and better equipped for whatever comes their way next. Through our personal growth and junior golf programs, we see kids’ build self confidence, inspiring more active participation in leadership opportunities and events, community involvement, and college scholarships.

School Program

The First Tee School Program introduces the game of golf and First Tee Nine Core Values and Nine Healthy Habits to elementary students during physical education classes. Currently introduced to more than 5,300 elementary schools, this school golf program creates an environment where young people are introduced to the lifelong sport while learning the basic golf motor skills and the inherent values of the game.

Program Objectives

  • Provide a complete golf program appropriate for today’s elementary school physical education students and teachers
  • Enable physical educators to introduce golf consistent with national standards developed by NASPE
  • Develop student appreciation for the positive personal and social values associated with the game with each lesson
  • Engage students in daily lesson activities that lead to motor skill development
  • Present golf to students as a lifelong recreation and physical fitness activity

Equipment

A safe, effective school golf program requires modified equipment that fits movement and muscle coordination typical with that of beginners. Early success and fun are the keys to creating interest for the game along with maintaining the attention of new learners without causing high levels of frustration.

The equipment utilized as part of the First Tee School Program is Short Golf Starting New At Golf. Short Golf is modified, developmentally appropriate golf equipment consisting of over-sized clubs, tennis-style balls, and a variety of targets. Each school set contains enough equipment to work with up to 48 students at a time.

Locally

First Tee – Central Iowa has been successful in welcoming more than 20 area elementary schools into the National School Program:

  • North Polk West Elementary, North Polk Community SD
  • North Ridge Elementary, Dallas Center-Grimes CSD
  • Mitchellville Elementary School, Southeast Polk Community SD
  • Altoona Elementary, Southeast Polk Community SD
  • Brookview Elementary, Waukee Community SD
  • Shuler Elementary, Waukee Community SD
  • Maple Grove Elementary, Waukee Community SD
  • Woodland Hills Elementary, Waukee Community SD
  • Walnut Hills Elementary School Waukee, Community SD
  • Eason Elementary, Waukee Community SD
  • Stowe Elementary, Des Moines Public School
  • Cowles Montessori Elementary, Des Moines Public School
  • Howe Elementary, Des Moines Public School
  • Studebaker Elementary, Des Moines Public School
  • Capital View Elementary, Des Moines Public School
  • Central Campus, Des Moines Public School
  • Samuelson Elementary, Des Moines Public School
  • Edmunds Elementary, Des Moines Public School
  • Monroe Elementary, Des Moines Public School
  • Van Meter Elementary, Van Meter Community SD
  • Holy Trinity Catholic School, Diocese of Des Moines

Bring It To Your School!

Become a vital part of First Tee – Central Iowa’s mission by bringing the program to your school or even sponsoring an elementary. The First Tee School Program provides participating schools with:

  • Developmentally appropriate golf equipment
  • The First Tee School Program Curriculum
  • Training for the physical educators implementing the program

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