Dear Junior Golfers & Parents:

Golf is a game that can be played for a lifetime.  It is much easier to learn the basics of the game at a younger age than it is to pick them up as an adult.  Other sports such as football, basketball, and baseball are all great sports that can be played at a high level from a young age, but we all eventually get older and physical performance will suffer.  Golf is a unique sport than can be played at a high level for practically your entire life.  I have always encouraged young men and women to pursue whatever activity or sport they are interested in, but to at least keep golf in mind and give it a try at some point.

The Junior Golf Program at Whitetail Ridge is open to kids of all ages and abilities.  Our goal is not to try and find the next tour pro, but to provide a safe and fun environment to properly learn the game of golf and make new friends that may last a lifetime.  We will provide a platform to learn the basics of the game including:  instruction in proper fundamentals and techniques, rules, fun contests and games, golf etiquette, and tournament play.  As a parent we need your help in keeping your child motivated and interested in the game.  Some examples of how you can help are:  

• Take your child to the driving range
• Take your child to golf with you at the course
• Watch golf on television
• Go to watch a professional event in person
• Provide positive reinforcement if your child had a rough day on the course
• Obtain properly fit golf clubs
• Volunteer when the kids hit the course and for our Junior Championship

The next to last item mentioned was properly fit golf clubs.  This is very important for the kids to develop proper technique.  I grew up using my father’s cut down clubs.  Those cut down clubs were too heavy and the shaft flex too stiff which made it difficult to get the ball in the air.  The junior clubs of today are amazing in terms of technology and benefits to a junior golfer.  I realize that cost can become an issue, but a full set of clubs is not necessary at all ages.  Many companies offer individual clubs as well as three and five piece sets with golf bags that are reasonably priced.  I cannot emphasize enough how important properly fit clubs are for junior golfers.  

Whitetail Ridge Golf Club stays in the forefront of growing the game with our "Kids Play Free" program.  Kids age 16 and under play free every day after 3:00 pm when accompanied by an adult paying the standard posted twilight rate.  Any child that participates in our Junior Program can purchase range tokens at a reduced rate of $3 each.  We also have the PGA Family Course set up on the front nine with gold and blue discs located just into the left rough on each hole.  This shorter golf course set up gives kids a more enjoyable experience at Whitetail Ridge.

The following pages contain an outline of our revised 2011 Junior Program.  Please read through the information and feel free to call me with any questions at 630-882-8988 ext. 107.  

Sincerely,

Patrick MacDonald
PGA Head Professional