Anyone who has seen my choppy, shoulder-deep swing knows better than to consult me for instructional advice. But there’s another piece of game-improving wisdom that I impart as often and fervently as I can: If your kids play public golf, even occasionally, stop what you’re doing and sign them up for Youth on Course.
Of my four children, only one – my 13-year-old – is a golfer. He has been playing regularly for four or five years, and borderline obsessively for at least the last two summers, thanks in part to the ease of access to the game that Youth on Course has afforded him.
If you are not familiar with the organization, Young people in the course is a privately funded non-profit organization that was founded in 2006 with the stated mission of providing youth with “access to life-changing opportunities through golf.” One of the key principles of the program is subsidizing green fees, so its members 18 and under never pay more than $5 for a round at over 2,300 participating courses in the US, Canada and Australia.
The annual membership fee varies by region from $5 to $65 (my cost, in central New Jersey, is $60/year), but even if you’re at the top end of the scale, the price will likely pay for itself in just two or three rounds. And that’s it: no catches or hidden costs or fine print – all the $5 golf you can play for a year for about the cost of a box Pro V1s.
Participating courses vary by region and include not only munis and day rates, but also some private and resort courses. Within five miles of my house, there are four participating courses: three munis and a day fee, one of which – Plainfield West 9 – it’s a 4 minute drive from my house. That’s where my son plays most of his golf. Many of his friends have also picked up the game in the past two years — and, yes, most of them are also members of Youth on Course, joining the more than 400,000 other kids who make up the program’s membership roster.
;)
Young people in the course
When Youth on Course hit its 5 millionth subsidized round (all-time) last fall, its CEO, Adam Heieck, said in a statement: “Reaching five million rounds shows how powerful affordable access can be. It means five million opportunities for our youth to enjoy the sport, build relationships and feel a real sense of belonging in the golf community.”
Hyperbole? Not at all! At least not in my son’s experience. His low-cost fees mean that whenever he wants to play, we don’t think twice about taking him to the course, even if he only has time to sneak in a few holes. There were a few matches last summer where he played three or four days in a row for what would have cost him a round without a YOC membership.
The same goes for his friends. Their results? Who cares?! The real reward is the device-free time outside, hanging with friends. They have spent so much time at PW9 that the store employees have become familiar with them and every now and then, on a hot summer evening, they have gifted them a bottle of water or a can of soda. Do you like sports? Check. Building relationships? Check. Do you feel a sense of belonging in the golf community? Check again.
The benefits of the program extend far beyond discounted rates. In some areas, Youth on Course Drive Club members have access to free TaylorMade equipment rentals and mentoring support. Youth on Course has also awarded millions in college scholarships.
Members also enjoy smaller perks, like access to GolfPass videos and even low-cost simulator rentals at Dick’s Sporting Goods, a boon for new golfers in colder climates. Is it better to get away for an hour on a winter afternoon than to hit balls on a high-tech kart?
The cost? Yes, $5.
