As Playing Through continues to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Payne Stewart’s remarkable U.S. Open victory, we would like to highlight the tremendous work his Foundation continues to do.
The Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation, which provides golf opportunities for young children, has been growing rapidly in recent years.
It defines our belief in “Growing the Game”.
Consider this. In 2023, the Foundation introduced golf to approximately 15,000 children in the United States. But the foundation has expanded its reach thanks to several key partnerships, including the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, local churches, and even multiple Air Force bases. Thanks to these relationships, we expect to reach 65,000 children in 2024.
But what does the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation do?
The program introduces golf to children as young as three years old, when many children start playing soccer, tee-ball and basketball.
But these young kids aren’t playing on municipal courses or country clubs.
They learn the game at camps, parks and schools across the country using improved learning equipment designed by the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation to help them learn the game.
And it made a big difference.
“This is golf for beginners,” explains Kelly McCammon, founder of the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation.
“Think about any sport. Soccer has a smaller ball and a smaller field. Basketball has a smaller ball and a lower hoop. Same thing with tee ball. But for some reason, the golf world has We never went there. Real clubs and real balls are very advanced. Of course you can learn with them, but it’s just harder to learn. More money, time, and We need better guidance.”
Golf has long had accessibility issues, whether due to the difficulty of the game, lack of tools, or limited access. You don’t have to learn how to hit a golf ball on the golf course. This can be done at your elementary school gymnasium, your local YMCA, or your local park.
“Everyone should learn how to hit a golf ball,” McCammon further explained.
“We want to be the golf industry’s equivalent of tee ball and bunny slopes. When you start on the golf course at age 7, it’s just like starting fast pitch. [baseball]And those kids are skipping the entry level. ”
Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation Curriculum
From character lessons to equipment to illustrations on playing golf-related games, this foundation provides group instructors with everything they need.
Within that workout, there are around 40 different games and activities, all part of a pre-built schedule depending on the length of the session. If after-school camp runs only for his hour, only certain parameters are met. However, his week-long summer camp, which includes three-hour sessions, includes many more activities.
“The way we lay it out is that we try to progress from day one or week one to day five or week five,” said Colby Morris, director of programming for the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation. It is,” he said.
“Historically, we’ve been doing small things, but what we’ve seen historically in the game of golf is that people want to hit the ball as far as possible and get into full swing lessons right away. Well, most people, and most kids, can’t hit the ball with a full swing, so we try to start with the smallest swing. Let’s work on putting and chipping.”
Interestingly, Tiger Woods first learned how to putt and then gradually moved away from the hole as he grew older.
The same principles apply to the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation curriculum. Kids start with putting and progress from there.
However, this does not mean that camp leaders should avoid children attempting full swings.
“We’re trying to get there as quickly as possible,” Morris added.
“With the camp structure that we have on our schedule, by the third day they’re in full swing. Some leaders might get them there a little earlier, which is totally fine, but we don’t want them to get there. The leaders can incorporate the matches they want to play there depending on what is best.”
The key to making these training lessons successful is having a leader who understands how to work with kids, not golf. That point cannot be taken lightly.
The ultimate goal is not to create professional golfers, but to create professional golfers who can play the game recreationally for a lifetime. Indeed, if a young child shows great talent, he or she will have a chance. But most kids aren’t going to play on the PGA Tour.
“What we’re showing is how physical education teachers with four-year degrees are better able to facilitate these camps because they have all the knowledge about children’s brain development. That’s the thing,” McCammon said.
“The PGA’s approach is to stay on the golf course and let the kids come to their place. But now a lot of the big leaders of the PGA want the PGA. [teaching professionals] The idea is to stay the course and allow groups like ours to start introducing the game to kids. ”
The Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation is simply creating a much-needed step in introducing golf to young children. Then, when you’re ready, you can take your skillset to the next level with a PGA Professional.
“The great thing about the curriculum that our team helped develop is that it is, as I like to call it, ‘dummy-proof,’” added McCammon, a Tennessee PGA member for 25 years. Ta.
“As a parent, you can watch the training videos and get a structured program for 10, 20 or 30 kids.”
The curriculum includes an extensive video library of games, giving instructors all the resources they need. Because the camp can facilitate this program for up to 44 children at a time, instructors are also provided with irons, putters, learning nets, balls, and 12-inch Velcro discs.
Partnership with Skyhawks Sports Academy
One such organization that the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation is affiliated with is Skyhawks, a youth sports camp company founded more than 40 years ago in Spokane, Washington.
When Skyhawks was founded, our goal was to create an environment where children could learn the fundamentals of the sport in a safe, fun and non-competitive environment.
The camp continues to operate in more than 30 states, with approximately 150,000 children participating in the camp.
The company started with soccer in partnership with Gonzaga University’s soccer program and has since expanded to offer programs in 11 different sports, one of which is now golf.
The Skyhawks’ year-round camps incorporate golf-based activities based on a curriculum provided by the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation.
“The best thing about this curriculum is that it’s an activity-based curriculum. It’s not just standing in line and doing this,” explained Skyhawks Sports Academy Business Development Executive Director Andrew Chapman.
“In fact, we don’t even need someone to teach golf. Some of them have golf experience, but they’re all so full of energy and excitement that we connect with the kids. Kids can go outside and have fun playing activity-based games to show kids, “Look, this isn’t that hard, it’s a lot of fun.” ”
All Skyhawks coaches are Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) certified and receive up to nine hours of training. They each also undergo background checks and positive coaching clinics.
The Skyhawks are active in thousands of schools across the country and facilitate after-school camps. We also hold week-long camps during the summer.
But perhaps most importantly, the company recognizes that it must promote opportunities for children in need, especially those without means and from difficult backgrounds.
So Skyhawks Rise is the philanthropic arm of Skyhawks, paving the way for opportunity.
Through private and public donations and grants, Skyhawks Rise is able to offer free summer camps for youth, as well as free after-school programs and free clinic-style programs for a variety of sports, including golf. Ta.
“I think our partnership with the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation and the equipment they can provide allows us to be a little more flexible and flexible. There is no,” said Chelsea Hawley, executive director of Skyhawks Rise.
“This is important during the winter months when you can’t play soccer etc. outside because you can set it up in your gym space. Payne Stewart equipment makes it easy to incorporate golf into your gym environment. We’re able to bring these reps in with the kids and introduce them to sports that they’ve probably never participated in before, but it’s just in a slightly different environment.”
Millions of people across the United States are struggling to make ends meet. As a result, approximately one in five children in this country lives in poverty, and that number is only growing.
But thanks to the Skyhawks and the Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation, kids as young as three years old now have access to the sport and golf.
Talk about the growth and diversification of the game.
Just as Payne Stewart dreamed and envisioned.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
