What is SNAG?

SNAG Golf (Starting New At Golf) is a user friendly and “first touch” program to introduce golf to elementary school players who are new to the game.  Activities follow the guide of TPC (Training – Practices – Competitions).

• Training
  • Your child will find an instructor and mentor with one of our golf teachers
• Practices
  • Our practices are comprehensive and easy to understand, so your child will never feel lost while learning the game of golf.
• Competition
  • Your child will have the opportunity to put their newly-learned skills to the test in local competitions.

Equipment includes two clubs (Launcher and Roller) and tennis-type balls that cling to Velcro covered targets. SNAG Golf equipment is playground and gymnasium safe. Most importantly, SNAG Golf equipment is frequently sanitized and cleaned between each use, so you can have peace of mind knowing that your child is using clean equipment.

IRGF’s SNAG Objective

Here at Indian River Golf Foundation, the objective of our SNAG program is to introduce students to all aspects of the game of golf. These skills include the fundamentals of the golf swing and safety while also learning how to play by the rules, how to play the game while teaching life skills and good citizenship. Based upon individual focus and initiative, students will transition from SNAG Golf equipment to sessions using TRADITIONAL Golf equipment.

Benefits of Learning Golf at a Young Age

There are many benefits to learning golf at a young age, including building better coordination, stronger mental fortitude, and good exercise discipline. Younger golfers are more adept at adapting to different weather conditions.

Children who start early will build a strong relationship with the sport because it’s something they’ve done since childhood. Additionally, younger players can benefit from an instructor that may not yet be exhausted by teaching the game over and over again to dozens of students every day. The benefits of learning after school include building stronger mental fortitude and good exercise discipline.

What’s more, children who become involved in golf early on are much more likely to pursue the sport as adults eventually. According to research compiled by Junior Golf Scoreboard, just 1 out of 10 children who learn to play golf before age 12 become serious adult players. 

If you are a parent, you probably know how quickly kids can become interested in then promptly become bored of a hobby. Believe us, we have all been there. However, here at Indian River Golf Foundation, we are committed to providing your child with not only a hobby, but a sport in which they will follow the principles for the rest of their lives.

Not only that, but we are also committed to making sure that your child is reaping all of the benefits of golf while they are in our SNAG program. Here are some of the benefits that come from childhood golfing experience:

• Physical health improvements
  • Playing golf has a number of different positive health benefits that can help your child grow. Some of these include the improvement of vision, strengthening muscles, and a better understanding of balance.
• Learning real-life skills
  • Through the lessons learned in golf, children can develop skills they can and will apply to the real world. Golf requires communication and teamwork in order to win a competition, which are crucial for your child to learn. Other skills they will learn through golf include patience, problem-solving, and discipline.
• Fosters friendships based off the common love of golf
  • All of our programs encourage children to get to know each other and to play together (all while following CDC distancing guidelines, of course). Not only do these exercises foster a sense of teamwork in our classes, but they can also develop into friendships that last beyond the greens.
• Helps in the appreciation of the smaller things in life
  • Golfing is a strictly outside sport that takes place on some beautiful landscapes. As golfing greens are often made to foster the original land’s natural life, children will be able to truly appreciate how important and beautiful nature is. In this outside environment, they will also begin to understand clarity of the mind and how it is important for all athletes.

At Indian River Golf, we want to make sure that our students are getting the absolute most out of our after-school programs.

Why You Should Learn to Play Golf Young

It would help if you learned to play golf at a young age because you can gain necessary practice time that will be hard to make up for by starting later. Another reason you should learn to play golf at a young age is because of the mental discipline it teaches young people.

Golf requires good concentration, muscular coordination, consistent physical effort, and essential life skills over several hours. Many kids who start golf early eventually go on to great things.

After-school training is excellent for young golf learners because they will learn the basics of the sport and learn more about life lessons. In addition to learning how to play, they understand etiquette and sportsmanship. It is an excellent way for students to enhance their physical and mental lives.

For many children interested in learning more about sports beyond just playing them, becoming a golfer is not only fun, but it can teach children the importance of sportsmanship and physical fitness. Learning golf can also give young athletes an advantage in becoming better at other sports because of the coordination required to hit different types of balls.

Fewer Injuries

Young people who take up golf are less likely to be injured than those involved in contact sports. Golf is not generally considered dangerous unless one plays so carelessly to allow accidents to happen. However, few injuries come from learning this sport if safety precautions are taken.

Since children become better at this sport by practicing frequently, it would be wise to continue lessons after school because parents can spend time with them instead of sending them off to daycare or a babysitter after a long day of work.

Improving Motor Skills

Through playing golf, they improve motor skills and mental skills. Teamwork is essential when playing this sport, which teaches young people that if one person fails, the entire team fails. In this scenario, you have less selfishness because if one person does better than the other, they are still helping the team win.

It is beneficial to continue lessons after school for golf because students can be outside more often. The sport of golf takes place in beautiful surroundings, which children should experience more frequently during their youth.

Additionally, this sport assists in strengthening bones and muscles. The swing within play uses different body parts that are supposed to be exercised regularly at a young age, so they do not develop health problems later on in life due to lack of exercise.

Defeating Obstacles

Children tend to enjoy this sport because it is similar to video games. When playing, you have multiple options for shots depending on how far away from the hole or what obstacles lie between your ball and the desired location.

The only difference is that kids usually enjoy playing this game outside on a course rather than inside with an electronic device. They also tend to prefer it when they are on the greens, which requires more skill, as there are many different obstacles they have to manage while trying to get the ball into the hole.

Equipment and Attire

As for equipment, you will need a set of golf clubs along with some balls. For adults or players who are skilled enough to follow specific guidelines, the use of carts is highly recommended not to tire out too quickly. Children should not play on carts because their skills are still being developed, so getting tired can mean losing interest in the activity altogether.

Golf courses provide children with games and challenges to try to get better after school training. But the most important thing to remember when participating in any sport or activity, whether traditional or not, is safety. During games, wearing appropriate attire will ensure children are not losing concentration on what’s more important – having fun! Anything from protective footwear to heavy clothing should be avoided because it can cause potential injuries while playing the game.    

Sign Up for Golf Today!

Golf courses offer new ways to eliminate the boredom that may come with traditional after-school training. Kids can get tired quickly during these games, so it’s important to keep safety in mind when participating in these activities. Try wearing appropriate clothing and footwear while playing golf to avoid potential injuries. More importantly, children need to focus on having fun during their activities.

Golf is a healthy activity with many good pros for young children to get involved in. Many young kids may find golf boring, but it can become an exciting game that will surely help your child enjoy the proper after-school training.

Where to Find SNAG Programs By You

Have you ever searched golf training near me? Is your child interested in joining a SNAG program, but is unsure of where practices are held? Chances are that they won’t look further than their own school! That’s right: Indian River Golf Foundation are partners with a number of different schools in your area, meaning our SNAG programs might be available at your child’s school. If you are interested in seeing the complete list of schools that offer SNAG, please call 773-713-9593 for more information.

Fall Series / Winter Series / Spring Series

Mondays – Tuesdays – Wednesdays – Thursdays

Activities include Training – Practices – Competitions (TPC).

Short Game & Full-Swing Skills Training – Evaluations – Challenges

Series-Ending Tournaments in conjunction with the Atlantic Junior Golf Tour (Saturdays)

Locations:    Sandridge Golf Club – Sebastian Golf Course – Fall – Winter – Spring Indian River Club (September & May)