Resources for Finding a Kid-Friendly 18 Near You...
Kidzngolf Resources

by Mitch Kaplan

Check with your local club first
Most clubs facilitate kids in one way or another. Ask if you can take the child along on an afternoon round. Once they're playing to some extent, ask about late-in-the-day tee times that allow them play on their own and walk the course without fear of holding up others.

Talk to a pro you know or has been recommended
Golf pros vary just as people do in any endeavor/profession. If you know a pro, ask him/her about the best kids programs and teachers in the area. If you don't know a pro, ask friends who have worked with a pro to recommend one. It's imperative - especially with younger children - that the emphasis be on fun, and that the reinforcement be positive ("You did that great!" rather than "Don't do that.")

Look into Golf Camps
When they're ready for a bit more formalization, a golf "day" camp may be just the thing. These typically meet for several hours a day and combine lessons with some actual play. For kids who've reached more serious levels, more serious camps are organized at many clubs and resorts.

Look into Golf Leagues
Just like camps, most clubs will encourage junior play with some kind of league. Many clubs have parent/child leagues, as well.

Resources
The following organizations specialize in programs for kids:

JuniorLinks.com.
A site built for kids, their parents, and the dedicated people who facilitate, coordinate and sponsor programs for junior golf and the future of the game. About the most comprehensive site of its kind with links to things like: summer junior camps; places to play, rules; etiquette; history; etc. Includes a link to:
Getlinkedplaygolf.com.
A service of the National Golf Course Owners Assn. This site guides you to places that kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, etc.

The First Tee
World Golf Village
425 South Legacy Trail
St. Augustine, FL 32092
904-940-4300
www.thefirsttee.com
Organized by states; not in every state yet.

Family Golf Association
2 East Broad Street
Hopewell, NJ 08525
609-466-8191
www.familygolf.org
Dedicated to promoting golf participation and of golf as a family pastime.

U.S. Kids Golf
3040 Northwoods Parkway
Norcross, GA 30071
770-441-3077
www.uskidsgolf.com
An equipment manufacturer that has developed the Personal Tee Program (see article: "Kids On Course: Keeping Them Interested" ) that allows children to play on regulation courses, a series of booklet-guides on instruction for children, and the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, a series of tournaments staged in all fifty states leading to a national tournament.

Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA)
www.lpga.com
Information on programs like "Take Your Daughters to the Course" and the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program.

PGA of America
PGA.com
The site of the Professional Golfers Assn., with info on their junior programs.

PowerBilt Golf
Louisville, KY
800-848-7693
www.powerbilt.com
Makers of PowerBilt Junior Clubs, sold in four- to seven-club sets delineated by age and height.

Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism
800-BUCKEYE
Ohiotourism.com
Ohio seems to have quite a few courses and places that not only welcome kids, but encourage them with programs, kid-friendly links and instruction. When visiting their website, link to "Search" and then search "Golf". That seems to yield more kid-specific info than linking to their golf page.

More on family golf... here.