The U.S. Kids Golf Mission is to help kids have fun learning the lifelong game of golf and to encourage family interaction that builds lasting memories.

The Foundation

To help advance the U.S. Kids Golf mission, the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation was established in 2001 to conduct youth golf tournaments and guide the development of youth golf around the world. The foundation is comprised of two major groups: Play and Learn and Tournament Players Association (TPA).

“The impact U.S. Kids has had on my daughter and me is amazing…together we have had the greatest moments in our lives as father and daughter…Thank You From the life long friends from around the world, to the beautiful places we get to visit, and the great events and staff, U.S. Kids Golf experience with my little girl is something I will treasure forever…Thank You U.S. Kids Golf, the greatest daddy-daughter memories of my life…Thank You” Bobby Shoemaker, New York

The Play and Learn group has reached hundreds of thousands of lives through better coaching, proven learning programs and promoting the scaling of golf facilities around the globe. The TPA hosts over 900 tournaments each year ranging from one day local events to multi-day regional and major championship-level tournaments across the world.

Since 2001, the foundation has positively impacted over 1,000,000 youth golfers. The impact that we’ve had on these kids will resonate far beyond golf, strengthening families and improving communities.

The Coaches Institute

In 2015, the we further advanced the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation mission and purchased Longleaf Golf & Country Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina. “We are treating this as a living laboratory for growing kids and family golf in a club environment,” explains U.S. Kids Golf President, Dan Van Horn. “This is no longer theory, this is implementing best practices in a real-life environment.” A state of the art U.S. Kids Golf Academy is planned and tee locations of 3200, 3800, and 4400 yards have been added for improved pace-of-play, better scoring, and enhanced family play. To reflect the new direction, the name was changed to Longleaf Golf & Family Club.

U. S. Kids Golf Academy

The new U.S. Kids Golf Academy is projected to be the epicenter of teaching and learning for family and youth development in the world of golf. Whether a seminar for top coaches, a camp for beginning junior players or a clinic for intermediate ladies, the Academy is proud to be the place where great ideas incubate, programs develop, and, most importantly, players improve. State-of-the-art facilities and comprehensive practice areas mean that Longleaf will be the leading name in teaching and learning golf for generations to come. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re seeking to move to the highest level in the game, the U.S. Kids Golf Academy seeks to serve all.

Play and Learn

Scaling Courses

Learning golf does not stop at buying proper equipment. In fact, that’s only one step. Establishing proper fundamentals – for teachers and students – is critical to ensuring a lifetime of golf enjoyment. That is the purpose of Play and Learn, a division of the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation that is devoted solely to growing the game among youth. One major initiative of Play and Learn is advocating for scaled golf courses, which includes partnering with the PGA of America to promote its usage, Play and Learn is pleased to report over 1500 courses in the United States have established a Forward Tee program. Play and Learn has also increased the awareness of our kid-friendly curriculum booklets that guide students through three levels of learning with rewards and incentives to continue in the game.

Coaching

Since 2004, the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation has recognized the top coaches in youth golf through the U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Award. Coaches who have been honored three times are then elevated to Master Kids Coach status. Currently, over 110 Master Kids Coaches have been recognized. U.S. Kids Golf has also developed a Certified Coach program allowing top instructors to receive special guidance and programs to further assist in their youth development. Thus far, over 2000 PGA and LPGA Professionals have attended the training seminars.

Tournament Players Association

U.S. Kids Golf Tournaments have become the premier competition for youth golfers across the United States and the world. Over 1000 Local Tour events are held each year culminating in the World Championship at Pinehurst each July. The scaled course model for age and gender, the encouragement of parent caddies and the professional and welcoming atmosphere has entrenched U.S. Kids Golf as the leader in conducting youth tournament golf.

“Not only has the Local, Regional and World U.S. Kids Golf tournament play helped Michaela hone her skills as a junior golfer, she developed the confidence at a young age to interact and compete with a variety of people as she progressed to other junior golf circuits. Quality family time, diverse friendships, the discipline to practice, and the spirit to compete gained through the years with U.S. Kids Golf will serve her well in every aspect of her future.” Michael and Elizabeth Morard, Alabama

United States

Today, with more than 900 tournaments organized yearly in 50+ markets, players, ages 5 to 14, learn to compete in their local community and work to advance to State, Regional, and World Championships. Local Tours are designed for the beginning competitive golfer, as each event provides a fun environment where kids can develop their skills. Two-day events like our State invitational tournaments and Regional Championships are ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard and are the next step for competitive junior golfers. At each level, players may earn Green, Orange, or Blue Status in order to gain entry into more challenging events.

International

In 2008, the European Championship was started in East Lothian, Scotland, where each year over 600 participants gather from 40 countries. Currently there are five International Local Tours and additional Regional Championships staged in Italy and the United Kingdom. Additional affiliated events using U.S. Kids Golf specifications and guidance are conducted each year throughout the world.

Positive Coaching Alliance Partnership

To help parents in the process of making youth sports in general, and golf specifically, a positive experience for their children, in 2009, U.S. Kids Golf began a partnership with the Positive Coaching Alliance. This program has been instrumental in helping players, coaches and parents realize that winning on the field is great, but integrity, sportsmanship, and behavior is even more important.

How you can give back? Connecting with families through the game of golf.

We are proud that the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation has played such an important role in growing the game of golf for hundreds of thousands of families like yours. We are led by the conviction that golf is more than a game, it is a platform. By equipping our future leaders with the lessons, benefits and enjoyment of golf – all of us will be better off. And without question, your support is making a difference far beyond the fairways and greens. Over one million young golfers have benefited from this mission, we are eager to support one million more. Of course, we can’t do that without your continued support. Please consider a tax–deductible donation to our Foundation and let’s work together to reshape the world for the better – one golfer at a time.

“Golf is a tough game to play, but U.S. Kids Golf provides a competitive but supportive environment for young girls and boys who want to learn about the lifelong game of golf. Whether it’s shaking hands with other players or getting up in front of others to accept an award, we’ve seen our own child build confidence and self-esteem through tournament play.” The Butters Family, Arizona