Parent Information At-A-Glance
Our Programs seamlessly integrate golf skills, life skills, and healthy choices into each lesson. Participants will learn interpersonal skills, self-management, goal setting, and resilience skills as they work on putting, chipping, pitching, full swing, and on course play while progressing through the levels of our program.
Equipment & Supplies – We will provide clubs for students, but if participants own clubs, we encourage them to bring them. We feel it is important that students stay hydrated during class, so you may want to make sure your child has a bottle of water.
Class Schedule – Every clinic (or practice) has a specific start & stop time. It is beneficial for students to be at their location 10-15 minutes prior to class for check-in. Parents are encouraged to stay and monitor their child until class begins. Once the clinic starts, parents are welcome to stay or leave the site until the end of the session. However, if you leave, please be prompt in returning to pick up your junior golfer. While we would never leave a child alone, in many cases our coaches and staff have to get home to their own families.
Class Location Meeting Spot – Unless you hear otherwise from your coach, all participants should meet their coach and other participants on the practice putting green at the golf course. If there is ever any confusion as to where to meet, please ask in the golf course’s Pro Shop.
Dress Code – At First Tee – Delaware we teach Respect for yourself, Respect for others, and Respect for your surroundings. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for golf. Collared shirts are preferred. Tank tops, halters, jeans, extremely baggie pants, and very short shorts are not appropriate golf attire. Sun screen and hat are encouraged. Children should wear golf shoes or athletic shoes with some tread on the bottom. Wet grass can be slippery. Please, no open toe or heeled shoes as they are a safety issue. Also, please be sure to dress for the weather. Layering is a good idea especially during the spring and fall sessions.
Attendance Policy – Attendance is a key component to the success, development, and progression of The First Tee program. If an absence is unavoidable, please contact your child’s coach as soon as possible. Participants may make up missed sessions on other days in other classes if space in that class is available and arrangements can be made.
Inclement Weather Policy – If weather permits, we will conduct class on the golf course. If the golf course is closed because of weather, we will conduct class indoor (where available). In the event we need to cancel, all weather-related cancellations will be posted on our Facebook page and our website under the ALERTS tab at least 1 hour prior to the start of class.
Behavior Policy – We expect students to come ready to learn. We also expect that students will not interfere with the learning, safety, or well-being of others. Behavior expectations will be covered at the beginning of each session and reviewed as needed. Parents will be notified after class if a participant is having difficulty following through in this area. If you know your child has difficulty in a group setting, please let us know in advance. We may need you to stay to help monitor him/her for the safety of all.
Parent Education Resources – We encourage parents to become involved in what we teach and help support students with their First Tee lessons during the week. The participant’s yardage book and this mini-handbook are designed to allow parents to follow along with weekly reviews of each lesson.
Volunteers – Each family is required to volunteer a minimum of 4 hours per year to support fundraising efforts. You may opt out of this volunteer requirement by donating an additional $100 to First Tee – Delaware.
Volunteer hours may include special projects, fundraising, tournament/event help, office help, golf chaperones, etc. If you are interested in becoming a coach, we would love to discuss it with you!
Other Support – As a youth development organization, First Tee — Delaware relies on donations to keep the cost to participants affordable. No child is ever turned away for inability to pay. If you are interested in helping support this program, or work for a company that is interested please contact us. You may also donate through the United Way donor choice program, our agency number is 12750.