What We Teach and How We Teach It

The First Tee of Snohomish County teaches life skills and golf instruction through 4 levels of service.

1. Classes - The First Tee Life Skills Curriculum

The First Tee is a nationally standardized, progressive curriculum developed by professionals in youth development and golf instruction. Students can progress through five certification levels: TARGET, PLAYer, PAR, BIRDIE and EAGLE. Each level includes golf skills and life skills lessons. Each level has six core lessons. Students certify through a level by attending each lesson, completing golf skills assessments, completing written assessments on the Rules of Golf and Ettiquette, and demonstrating an understanding and application of life skills behaivor. Class lessons are once per week for six weeks in each of the three seasonal sessions of Spring, Summer, and Fall. Classes meet at the same location, day and time each week.

Completion of a First Tee Camp, or a Golf Readiness Private Lesson, is recommended before enrolling in The First Tee Classes for students 9 years old and older that are new to golf.

Tuition for The First Tee Classes in 2009 is $100 per session for renewing members. Tuition assistance is available upon request if needed. New members have an additional onetime $20 registration fee per family. Students may enroll in one or all three sessions per year as they certify through class levels. Students may need to repeat class levels before successfully meeting the certification standards.  We encourage students to progress at their own pace.

Once a student successfully certifies at the PAR level, they get the added benefit of enjoying up to one free junior round (9 holes) of golf per week at one of our The First Tee Snohomish County "affiliate" golf courses while actively enrolled in a Birdie Level Class.

The First Tee Curriculum can be reviewed here.

2. Development Camps

Camps focus on the basic golf skills of chipping, driving, pitching and putting. Successful completion of a camp is suggested befor entering The First Tee Sessions Program. This way, both the parents and the coaches know the student is ready for The First Tee Program.

The first days of instruction are conducted at practice areas where the life skills of Meeting, Greeting and Respect are introduced and practiced, and the final day is on the golf course. A parent, grandparent or guardian is encouraged to join the group on the last day.

Camps are conducted by local PGA Professionals, Certified First Tee Life Skills Coaches, and volunteers screened and trained by the local First Tee chapter.

2009 Development Camps are $100 per student.

3. In Schools and Outreach Programs

We train PE teachers in our modified program for delivery in PE classes or after school programs at the elementary grade levels. We can also work with specific populations of students in customized outreach programs.

Outraeach Programs are taught by Certified First Tee Life Skills Coaches, local PGA professionals and are assisted by other adult volunteers of The First Tee Snohomish County who have completed The First Tee Coach training.

4. Private Lessons

Only Recognized First Tee Coaches offer private instruction. A $25 hourly donation is suggested for private lesson time.  To get more information or to set-up private lessons, please call Jeff Cornish at 425-422-9527 or email Jeff.