2015 Junior Golf Handbook
Palm Valley Golf Club
2211 North Litchfield Road
Goodyear AZ 85395
Lead Coach: Jared Danford
[email protected]
Table of Contents
1. Jr. Golf Mission and Vision
2. US Kids Level Descriptions
3. Common Questions
4. Prices
5. Tournaments
6. Junior Golf Clubs
7. PV Course Benefits
8. Where are the junior tee’s?
9. Golf Contract
10. Class Calendar (days and Times)
MissionOur mission is to develop Junior Golfers who are
knowledgeable about the game while creating a fun and
competitive environment. The 3 level program has been
designed to meet learning and development needs for
players of all levels from beginner, level 1 players, to the
advanced level 3 golfers.
VisionDanford Golf Instructions vision for the Jr. Golf Program at
Palm Valley is to attract, maintain and grow the attendance
of junior golfers! This will be accomplished through a fun
and competitive environment where we will teach Jr.’s how
to understand, appreciate and thrive in the golf community
as players of the game. Through their experiences in our
program we hope to develop golfers that that love to play
golf and desire to play on their high school team and beyond
US Kids Golf Program Levels
Being a certified US Kids golf program we don’t believe in
separating juniors by age like many programs. We
understand that juniors develop at different rates so we
have designed 3 levels specifically for ages ranging from 515, where juniors of all abilities can thrive. All our juniors
will begin in level one. Some juniors might advance at a
faster rate in level one than others and that’s fine. By having
all juniors start at the same level we will be developing and
training juniors on what to expect and how to train for the
following 2 levels.
Level Descriptions
Each level will come with a work book. The work book
will need to be brought to each practice. During each
practice, the class will have a chance to pass particular
section goals. To advance to the next level the book needs
to be completed and signed off by one of the junior coaches.
Level 1All juniors will start in level 1, no matter the skill level. We
want to make sure that each junior knows our program and
the expectations we have for them. In this level, juniors will
learn; Putting setup “the Y”, Chipping and Grip “the hotdog
in the bun”, the full swing “Y to L”, golf etiquette, golf rules,
equipment and sportsmanship.
Level 2In level 2, juniors will learn similar golf techniques but will
be more advanced. Distance and aim control are main topics
of focus. Bunker play is also introduced in this level and
more actual on course practice will begin.
Level 3In level 3, juniors take what they have learned and add to it.
Grip options, swing mechanics, and swing routines will be
introduced. Distance knowledge will be a must in this level.
The majority of practices in level 3 will be held on the golf
course. In level 3, we hope that juniors will start playing in
tournaments if they haven’t started prior to level 3.
Common Questions
When can I sign up my junior?
Juniors need to be registered for each level ONE week prior
to the first week of class. However, each class is limited to
15 juniors, so you might register prior to the first week.
When it’s time to sign up your junior for each level you will
first need to register your junior at
www.danfordgolfinstruction.com. This will secure your junior
a spot for the program. All classes and levels are limited to
15 juniors with a 1/5 ratio of coaches to juniors. When
signing up you can pay in advance on the site for 1,2,3
levels.
Can my junior skip levels?
No, all juniors will needs to proceed through each level. The
reason we do this is that we want each of our juniors to
know how our classes work and how to operate. Our
coaching staff also likes to judge each juniors skills from an
“blank slate.”
What happens if we can’t make class a week?
If your junior can’t make a week it’s no big deal. It is a 8
week program and if your junior is in level 2 or 3 they can
come make up the class with another level. However, those
juniors who are in level 1 will not be able to make up a class
due to the more advanced training in the upper levels.
Does my junior needs his/her own clubs?
We prefer juniors to have their own clubs but some junior
clubs are available. When it comes to clubs, we put a large
emphasis on the correct clubs for each junior. Often times
parents buy clubs based on age ranges, rather than height.
A very simple warning is, if you buy clubs that are too long
or too heavy you can do a lot of damage to our junior’s golf
game. A good rule of thumb is go light and short. You can
learn more about junior equipment at www.USkidsgolf.com.
If you choose to purchase clubs, go through Jared to receive
a lower price.
Pricing Plans
Danford Kids MembershipBefore the start of level 1, you can become a member for an
additional $50. With this membership your junior will receive
a learning program book for each level, checkpoint pins for
each level, $10 off each level and one private 30 minute
lesson with Coach Jared. (Total savings of $85 Dollars when
signing up for 3 levels)
Non-MembersEach level will include a learning program book. For an
additional $10 dollars, juniors will receive checkpoint pins for
one level. (25 dollars for the complete level 3 pin set)
Level 18 week sessionMembers- $90
Non-Members- $100
Level 28 week sessionMembers- $100
Non-Members- $110
Level 38 week session- Includes Entry fee into US Kids golf
Tournament ($40 dollar value, Tournament May 23rd at PV)
Members- $130
Non Members- $140
Tournaments
We encourage juniors to practice with a plan to
eventually play and hopefully win junior golf Tournaments.
This is why we included a junior tournament fee in level 3!
US kids Golf hosts more than 800 tournaments in 50
markets, players learn how to compete without having to
travel far. Local Tours are designed for the beginning
competitive golfer, as each event provides a fun
environment at which kids can develop their skills. Two-day
tournaments, such as State Invitationals and Regional
Championships, are ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard and
are the natural next step for competitive junior golfers. At
each level, players may earn Priority Status in hopes of
qualifying for the World Championship, held annually in
Pinehurst, N.C. In 2013, more than 1,200 players from 40
countries vied for the title of World Champion in 13 age
divisions. U.S. Kids Golf also conducts the Teen World
Championship for players 13-18 years old.
Junior Golf Clubs
It is essential that juniors are fit with proper clubs. We
believe that junior should grow out of their clubs, rather
than growing into their clubs. We believe in this process so
much that we will sell the US Kids Golf equipment for our
cost plus 20 percent. There are no better clubs for juniors in
the market. For more information go to
https://www.uskidsgolf.com/shop/equipment
Playing Privileges
All juniors are free to practice at Palm Valley whenever they
want! We hope that juniors and parents will take advantage
of that option. Juniors can also play for free when being
accompanied by a paying adult. Otherwise juniors are only
$15 to play in the winter and $10 in the summer!
Junior Tees at PV
The junior tee distances at
PV are too long for
90 percent of juniors
We recommend that
Juniors play from
this chart! We base
it on distances not
age.
Junior Golfers Contract
I understand that working with Coach Jared comes with
responsibilities.
Those responsibilities include:
•
Being on time
•
Tucking my shirt in
•
Wearing the brim of your hat forward
•
Remaining quiet when Coach Jared or one of his
Assistants is speaking (Respect)
•
ALWAYS be truthful when involved with ANY
competition (Integrity)
•
Understanding that you represent your folks and family
AT ALL TIMES (Responsibility)
•
VERY IMPORTANT – I understand Coach Jared will drop
me immediately as a student if I curse or throw a club
during a competitive round. I understand I also represent
Coach Jared at all times. Penalty strokes need not be
assessed for the Coach to apply this action!
I understand my responsibilities and will always try to do my
best. This contract is between Coach Jared and me; NOT
between my parents and Coach.
NAME:
SIGNATURE:
DATE:
Jared Danford, PGA
SIGNATURE:
DATE: